NA ALGS Championship Preview: Group D

The Apex Legends Global Series is finally coming to a close next week. Leading up to the June 2nd clash, we are previewing each group and breaking down the storylines. As always drop spots and legend compositions are subject to change as squads keep their plan of attack close to their chests before the big day. Today we're looking at Group D with Team Liquid at the top. For more info on Group A with TSM click here, for a closer look at Group B and NRG click here, and for a preview of Group C led by Complexity click here.

1. Team Liquid

Roster: Albralelie (Valkyrie), ohNocturnal (Gibraltar), Flanker (Crypto/Wattson)

Drop Spot: West Skyhook/Trials

Team Liquid is one of the most storied esports orgs and the Apex roster is committed to carrying on the legacy in yet another game. Albralelie's switch from TSM in October eventually lifted Liquid out of a rough patch. Starting with 9th in Autumn Playoffs, the trio just got better. They finished top 7 throughout the entire Winter Circuit and ended 5th in the Playoffs. At GLL Masters Spring they took home bronze. Even if they don't come in first at Champs, they're a sure bet to continue the streak of top ten placements in major tournaments. Looting Trials for guaranteed gold items on top of high tier loot from Skyhook is a powerful start for all their games.

Seeing what composition Albralelie selects is always interesting. They often ignore the meta and choose the legends they feel are best for their game. In scrims last week, Flanker featured as the only Wattson in the lobby. Flanker mained Wattson, a former meta staple prior to nerfs to her ultimate, while she was strong. If Liquid can make such a niche pick work in one of the biggest events, it would be a shocking story. However, in recent practice, Flanker swapped to a more standard pick of Crypto. Regardless of the choice, this team will be very fun to watch and is even known to switch legends in the middle of tournaments.

2. G2 (Aim Assist)

Roster: Gentrifyinq (Octane), Dezignful (Bloodhound), Resultuh (Gibraltar)

Drop Spot: Thermal Station

The choice between Aim Assist and Team Liquid for the top spot in Group D was incredibly close. Ultimately, TL was a bit more consistent. Aim Assist missed out on finals in an A-tier tournament for the first time ever when they were bounced from the GLL Masters semis. Aside from that one stain, their record has been flawless lately. Coming 2nd in Autumn Circuit Playoffs, winners of Winter #1, 2nd in Winter #3, and 2nd in Winter Playoffs backs up their reputation as one of the scariest teams in the field.

Following their departure from the disgraced org Sola Fide, Dezignful and the boys immediately secured another contract. They just announced that Aim Assist has joined G2 Esports. A big step up that will certainly raise their confidence going into the Championship. In GLL Masters they struggled to succeed in midgame engagements. Although they averaged 9th across 12 semis games, they also averaged less than 3 kills per game. In scrims, Aim Assist's signature aggression returned and they'll need to keep it to compete for their first major tournament win.

3. Cloud 9

Roster: Zachmazer (Wraith/Octane) , Knoqd (Gibraltar), StayNaughty (Bloodhound)

Drop Spot: West Fragment

After initial success with FlyQuest, Zach struggled to break out for a long time. For most of the winter, he teamed with StayNaughty and Inhumed. Inhumed retired after Winter #2 and in Knoqd's first tournament with the team, the Throwback Tournament, they finished dead last. The next week in Winter #3, they looked a completely different squad while dominating CLG in six straight fights off drop. Earning a coveted spot like West Frag from a tier 1 team in your second tournament is unheard of, but this trio didn't stop there. They announced they were here to stay with a massive victory in Winter #4.

Despite 7th in Winter Playoffs and 15th in GLL Masters, the high caliber signing with Cloud 9 is well deserved. Since joining the org, they've benefitted from PVPX's knowledge with him in a coaching and analyst role. Zach even experimented with Crypto in scrims, but it seems unlikely that we'll see it at Champs. C9 appears to be following TSM, NRG, and others in running the pre-season nine standard comp. Especially with familiar legends, Cloud 9 will be one of the most robust fighting teams in Champs. Even if they're quiet for a while, any game has pop-off capability.

4. XSET (Formerly SZN)

Roster: Clane (Octane/Wraith), FunFPS (Gibraltar), Keni (Crypto)

Drop Spot: Harvester

When Fun joined SZN, it completely changed the team. Fun, a former top predator grinder, is criminally underrated and a top five Gibby in North America. His skills with a sniper create openings for XSET. The insane triple collateral from scrims is enough proof of that. Clane and Keni joined up in the fall and are finally finding success. Although an average finish of 14th across the Winter Circuit is concerning, 12th in GLL Masters and 8th at Playoffs shows that they're on the rise.

The newly signed XSET squad own a leading POI at Harvester. Its central location enables strong rotations on most zones. Perhaps the most captivating part of this team is the Crypto pick. Keni is the most adept Crypto in the lobby. A well-timed EMP is deadly and coupled with the ultimates of his teammates it produces game-winning advantages. XSET is most vulnerable while rotating. If they can consistently beat teams to the zone, this squad will have quality games even in the final lobby.

5. Charlotte Phoenix

Roster: Bronzeys (Caustic), Mercy (Bloodhound), Pride (Wraith)

Drop Spot: Sorting Factory

Charlotte Phoenix contesting Sentinels at Sorting Factory is a major storyline off drop. The drama is poised to play out front and center as their lobbies won't meet until the final day. Depending on the standings through two days, one of the teams could decide to back off. If the fight is on, it will be the highest stakes 50/50 in Apex.

Bronzeys' long resume includes a contract with Golden Guardians, 12th in Summer Playoffs, and numerous wins in Nerd Street and Series E tournaments. His return to competitive with veteran players Mercy and Pride has been triumphant. The trio placed top 12 in every Winter Circuit and 6th in Playoffs putting an exclamation point on the resurgence. Pride's viral clip of shredding through Aim Assist to secure a 20 kill win in game 5 of Playoffs displays the grit and talent on Charlotte. The Phoenix should easily fight through the group stage, and is a team to look out for in the finals.

Crypto is seeing a rise in his pick rate with three teams in Group D selecting him.

6. Honey Bunches of Ceryal (ESA Green)

Roster: Xeratricky (Gibraltar), Ceryal (Crypto), Mrhackulo (Wraith)

Drop Spot: Countdown/Flexible

Xeratricky's Team Razer are the kings of Series E. Over the past month and a half, they've recorded nine top 5 finishes in the biweekly tournaments. In ALGS competition proved tougher; Xera failed to make any finals in the Winter Circuit. However, Ceryal replacing Muffins is a major boost for squad given the chemistry issues with Muffins. Their strong run in Series E correlates directly to additional of Ceryal.

Honey Bunches' team comp is unique. Although Ceryal doesn't have much experience on Crypto, Xeratrickty is familiar with leading Crypto squads. Landing Countdown too makes them look like a junior version of 2 Brains 1 Controller. A different spot is likely when 2B1C is in their lobby, they might consider flexing to Overlook. Sorting out all the different drops is a very messy task. Anywhere ESA Green lands, they have huge potential demonstrated by strong scrim performances.

7. Wallie Catchers

Roster: Kotigami (Caustic), Stink (Wraith), MrGreekGod (Bloodhound)

Drop Spot: Launch Site

Stink is the only Wallie Catchers member with significant prior comp experience. He teamed with Hundredz and Kasellos in Season 1 of Series E and some of Autumn Circuit. MrGreekGod briefly competed with Stink in the Summer Circuit. Undeterred by almost no vision in his left eye, Kotigami has fought to one of biggest Apex tournaments.

Their Winter Cirucit finishes were 10th, 15th, 14th, and 32nd capped off by 9th in Playoffs. Walle Catchers' impressive day at Playoffs was highlighted by a 10 kill victory in game 4. In scrims, they've had similar games, but lacked stability. Some stability comes from steady legend picks. If this trio can navigate early rotations and mid game engagements, Caustic will offer a boost in end zones. Expect them be very violate in Champs either qualifying for finals or ending in the bottom 10.

8. Lonely Fans

Roster: Blight (Octane), BlueberrySmalls (Valkyrie), Double0Negative (Gibraltar)

Drop Spot: Dome

Lonely Fans has a good chance to outperform expectations because of their dedication. BlueberrySmalls and crew have been playing in every GLL Community Cup, Esports Arena, and Preseason Invitational possible. Their commitment has earned them solid, middle of the pack finishes in ALPS. To beat the top teams, you have to outwork them and Lonely Fans is taking that mentality to heart.

In spite of work ethic, the squad is very new and lack of experience can be deadly in such a strong lobby. Dome, the southernmost part of World's Edge, is an undesirable drop. BlueberrySmalls will often need to use Valkyrie to maneuver them into zones.

Gibraltar is arguably the strongest character in the meta. Fights in his bubble are crucial combat.

9. KSB

Roster: Kimchilee (Gibraltar), Strictly (Wraith/Octane), Blitziin (Bloodhound)

Drop Spot: Staging

KSB is expected to take the drop of the winter champs, expect of course when they face their group. When Groups B and D play, KSB needs a new POI likely Epicenter or something else is free. Over the other two days, it will be interesting to see if the drop brings them any success after they've struggled in scrims.

Blitziin is the most experience player on KSB. His highlight is qualifying for three finals in the Autumn Circuit with Onmuu and Scuwry. Strictly has only competed in Esports Arena as a Team Cheez-Its member. Kimchilee is also new to the scene. Hopefully Blitziin's background in stacked lobbies can guide this team, but don't cross your fingers.

10. Letter E

Roster: Sc1ss0rs (Caustic), Musen (Valkyrie), Daviswave (Gibraltar)

Drop Spot: Geyser

Sc1ss0rs is most successful player on Letter E. The extent of his accomplishments is qualifying for a handful of finals. Promisingly though, he came in 8th and 11th in the first two Winter Circuit tournaments with Team Cruelty. Musen has bounced around several inconsistent teams over the past year. Daviswave is a complete unknown with very little high level experience. Valkyrie will enable them to make good rotations easily, but Letter E might find it tough to win clean fights against most of the field.

Be sure to check out the other previews below and the full rankings will be released later today!

Group A

Group B

Group C