EG skids, Nouns debuts in Dust2.us’ March 2023 rankings

The short month still offered plenty of opportunity for teams to rise and fall in the ever competitive domestic rankings.

To provide a transparent summary of the ranking process, here is a breakdown of the Dust2 Ranking process:

Our team rankings are chosen based on a series of measurements where each team is allocated points dependent on where they rank compared to their peers. This point-based system puts all domestic and international results, HLTV ranking, the tier of play, and coaches polling into consideration. While we include the HLTV rankings to some degree, more weight is given to the select number of coaches within the scene that are ranking the teams due to their accurate ability in judging play outside of the regional matches.

#1 Liquid (EliGE, NAF, oSee, nitr0, YEKINDAR) (-)

Liquid’s only appearance in February came at IEM Katowice, where NA’s best was successful in Bo3s over IHC, Spirit, Vitality, and FaZe to close out their run with a rather solid semi-final showing. For seven-straight months, Liquid has comfortably looked like the best team in the region.

March Events: ESL Pro League S17, BLAST Premier Spring Showdown Americas

#2 Complexity (JT, floppy, FaNg, Grim, hallzerk) (+1)

Complexity made the most out of their busy February by qualifying for Katowice through the play-ins, as well as the Americas RMR through the closed qualifier. Wins over ENCE, MOUZ, and top-ten ranked fnatic were the headlining wins in a rather successful month two for the Dallas representatives.

March Events: ESL Pro League S17, BLAST Premier Spring Showdown Americas

#3 FURIA (arT, yuurih, KSCERATO, saffee, drop) (-1)

After playing zero officials in January, bombing out of the Katowice play-ins was worst case scenario come to life for Brazil’s best roster. Series losses to BIG and IHC stamped home a depressing 3-4 map record at the play-in tournament, forcing FURIA back to the drawing board for March as they skid to third place in the rankings for the first-time ever.

March Events: ESL Pro League S17, BLAST Premier Spring Showdown Americas

#4 MIBR (exit, tuurtle, brnz4n, HEN1, insani) (+3)

MIBR is perhaps the hottest team in the region on the year, jumping a collective five spots on the list over the last two months. Appearances in six different events marked a busy February for MIBR. Map win streaks of seven and ten were the high points for the team as they earned invites to IEM Rio and the Americas RMR later this year.

March Events: ESL Challenger League S44, BLAST Premier Spring Showdown Americas

#5 paiN (PKL, hardzao, biguzera, skullz, zevy) (-)

paiN attempted to have an equally busy February as their Brazilian counterparts ranked above them, with the team also making appearances in six different events during the month. Although they did not qualify for Rio, paiN did also make it to the Americas RMR and secure some winnings through a Cash Cup victory. All-in-all, a sound month for paiN.

March Events:ESL Challenger League S44, ESL Pro League S17, BLAST Premier Spring Showdown Americas

#6 Imperial (FalleN, boltz, VINI, chelo, JOTA) (-)

Imperial played exclusively in South American-based competition on the month, playing only Brazilian lineups besides a series against 9z to end the month. A 14-4 map record and advancement to the Americas RMR was the reward for dominating domestic foes in February.

March Events: ESL Pro League S17, BLAST Premier Spring Showdown Americas

#7 00 Nation (coldzera, TACO, latto, dumau, nqz) (+1)

00 Nation walked the same path as Imperial last month, and although not quite as impressive, they were able to get the job done to qualify for the Americas RMR, which ultimately is the goal. A 12-7 map record leaves more to be desired, but winning eight of the last nine to close the month is a great way to close February and inch one spot up in the rankings.

March Events: ESL Pro League S17

#8 Evil Geniuses (Brehze, autimatic, neaLaN, HexT, wiz) (-4)

EG had perhaps the worst month they could have had in February, losing to every level of opponent thrown at them, from cream of the crop to mix teams. A series win over Mythic was the big highlight for The Blueprint’s main roster, while losses to the likes of Sprout, yur, and IHC meant no Katowice, no Major, and a last-place showing at Pro League for EG.

March Events: BLAST Premier Spring Showdown Americas

#9 ATK (MisteM, b0denmaster, Swisher, djay,) (-)

ATK is in a weird spot right now as they cannot seem to find a comfortable fifth. Rifler Saad “Pluto” Siraj was expected to be the answer, but an abrupt removal after the team fell short of the Americas RMR left many scratching their heads. With the team using Ethan “reck” Serrano as a stand-in for ECL and the expectation to field North Macedonia’s Aleksandar “CacaNito” Kjulukoski for the upcoming EPL season, ATK look to be throwing what they can at the wall to see what sticks.

March Events: ESL Challenger League S44, BetBoom Playlist Urbanistic

#10 Nouns (cynic, bwills, nosraC, cJ, MarKE) (+2)

Although not as active as other teams on the list, Nouns made the most of every opportunity in February. Key wins over Vendetta and paiN were what they needed to secure first at CCT NA Series 3, and the team followed up that win with two Bo1 wins and a 2-1 triumph over ATK to qualify for the Americas RMR. After months of hard work, Nouns were able to reap the benefits of a successful February by cracking the top ten for the first time.

March Events: ESL Challenger League S44, IEM Dallas Closed Qualifier