AML PowerRankings
Another new feature for the PremBlog. Every four rounds of the regular season I'm going to rank the top ten squads in AML. These rankings aren't based on any stats or based on results, only my biased and twisted opinions, but just to mix things up the top 4 players I've chosen for each squad are based on MasterRater stats. after the pre-season here's how I see the top squads in AML looking:
After an excellent comeback against Disavowed yesterday, BlackNike go into the regular season as the form team in AML. They also have something they've really lacked in the last couple of seasons; depth. Crumbs and Hell Razed are both good pick-ups, SonyRed is active for the first time since BN's championship season and the legendary Joe Bane is nothing but clutch. If you want to win AML this season you're going to have to beat BlackNike. And yes, the rumours are true. A stool is Lady of the Lake.
Last 4 games: W12-7, W12-5, W12-0, W12-9
Top 4 players: Drue. (+290), Frowzy (+202), A.W.O.L (+180), ManDude (+152)
Most peoples favourite for the title, although most people don't know who they are. I have my suspicions though. With Blackdragon out of league and most of BD not on league rosters I'm guessing that this is the old DY/Unforeseen line-up. The reason that I have them ranked below BN is that they haven't put it all together in one match yet. In pre-season you don't expect teams to put out their best four, but I can only rank on what I've seen and right now DY aren't playing like a #1 squad, but look out when they start to put out their strongest lines.
Last 4 games: W12-4, L7-12, W12-3, W12-5
Top 4 players: Zombie (+366), GGF (+294), MONSTER (+241), poison (+209)
Every season Seph brings Dis to AML and says we're not trying so it's OK, but everyone knows that's a load of crap. Seph is desperate to win AML again and he has a squad that just might do it this season. The usual semi active names are back (Kurtz, Doobie, MD, Blaze etc), but he's also picked up some good active guys this season (Tragon, DudeNow, Zeeeeeeee) who are also *gasp* practicing. Dis right now are an IML playoff level squad and arguably have the deepest roster in AML. Their problem has always been activity and getting people out of HZ to practice. Looks like this season neither of those things will be a problem. And yes, the rumours are true. Zeeeeeeee is Ellis D.'s brother.
Last 4 games: W12-6, W12-4, W12-4, L9-12
Top 4 players: Zeeeeeeee (+277), DudeNow (+234), tragon (+187), Devoit (+164)
Biased, who me? In all honesty I feel that we deserve to be ranked fourth coming out of the pre-season. I always knew we would be strong this season, but I've been surprised how quickly the old vic (me, leaky, dip, Jim Morrison, Shadowseeker, Megus) have combined with the new vic (ampheres, bongman, Geneva, vomit). We're not at the level of the big 3 yet, but we're moving in the right direction.
Last 4 games: W11-6, L8-12, W12-4, W12-6
Top 4 players: ampheres (+323), bongman (+142), vorb (+133), Jim Morrison (+28)
NightBane are using the NB name for the first time in a few seasons and they also have almost their full WZ squad in AML after FriendlyFire pulled out of IML. I don't think we've seen the best from NB yet mostly due to the WZL regular season clashing with the AML pre-season. We might not see NB really firing on all cylinders until the playoffs, I expect them to improve game by game in the regular season and a finals appearance is not a reach for this roster.
Last 4 games: W12-5, L4-12, W12-3, W12-5
Top 4 players: DarkDisparage (+247), Onlyone (+137), Time Bomb (+51), KSki (+40)
As the only other undefeated team through pre-season along with BlackNike you'd expect to see EF a lot higher than sixth, but I'm not convinced. They've picked up some non-nine peeps from United, but that's another problem right there. It seems like every season EF have a completely different roster and are always starting from scratch. Despite the win over DY they had an easy pre-season schedule and still need to prove that they're for real this season.
Last 4 games: W12-1, W12-7, W12-5, W12-4
Top 4 players: iron hands (+227), Vezuvan (+186), mouser (+141), SkyOne (+104)
CtrlShift are starting to wake up. Miasma and A fowl wind were good pick-ups and a few of their normally hibernating roster are starting to show and play. With Redshift gone from pro this is now Redshift in all but name and I'd expect a few more familiar names on the roster before the lock. A quiet pre-season, but expect some fireworks from this squad as the season goes on.
Last 4 games: L4-12, W12-2, L3-12, W12-1
Top 4 players: Eldritch (+116), Miasma (+81), street fighter (-21), Islord (-57)
This might be the most underrated squad on the list. OX have used the pre-season to play as many of their players as possible so have yet to show what their best four playing a full game are capable of. OX is built around ChaoticSky and the most evil spider in AML. Many squads are using cloakers now due to the increased cost in x-radar, but no squad uses it as well as OX and Chaotic. With some quality pilots to hide in and vulch from Chaotic and OX are going to give drive every squad they face nuts and will go deep into the playoffs.
Last 4 games: W12-4, W12-3, L4-12, L6-12
Top 4 players: chaoticsky (+120), Recreance (+44), AnalIntruder (+43), Federation (+26)
Most people have SFE ranked higher, but this is a another case of a squad coming out of pre-season without really proving anything. With Lord Lincke back on the roster, new signings scubie and Something Dutch plus all the usual suspects back (Mauler, The Deist, MfA, Divide) SFE have a deep roster and a real run at the title a possibility , but I'm not sure if it will happen. SFE will win the games they're expected to, but when it comes to the big matches they just don't seem do get it done. The one season where they really put it together and made the AML Finals seems a long time ago now. A lot of people think that they will get that far again this season, but so far it doesn't look like it.
Last 4 games: W12-5, L3-12, W12-2, L5-12
Top 4 players: Banner (+129), MfA (+105), scubie (+51), Mauler (+46)
Another squad who are former AML finalists and maybe a few indicators that they're back to that kind of form after a long break from SVS leagues. Digi was a good pick-up for them and sumirp and HBK along with the real key for this squad, Tritoch, make up a solid starting four. The problems are the bench, who are mostly from SWZ and have little SVS experience, although they are practicing a lot. I'd expect Zeta to make the playoffs, but that lack of depth is probably going to stop them challenging the big squads for a finals spot.
Last 4 games: W12-6, W12-8, W12-3, L5-12
Top 4 players: The Tri Guy (+309), sumirp (+101), ZL (+71), Destroyer (-27)
posted by CelebPixx
