Mental block not why ‘Rambo,’ OpTic Texas is undefeated against Atlanta FaZe

OpTic Texas and Atlanta FaZe is perhaps probably the most compelling matchup this season within the Name of Responsibility League, however the outcomes haven’t advised something apart from OpTic dominance.

Texas picked up its fourth win of the season in opposition to Atlanta with a 3-1 victory Sunday night. It’s really 5 wins when counting the Professional-Am. OpTic beat FaZe thrice with starter Indervir “iLLeY” Dhaliwal, surprised FaZe with Jordon “Normal” Normal and dealt with FaZe as soon as extra in Byron “Prolute” Vera’s third CDL match ever.

Vera mentioned OpTic is perhaps a psychological block for FaZe, and the CDL analyst desk favored that time period as effectively. However the remainder of OpTic Texas didn’t actually have a look at their 5-0 report in opposition to FaZe that approach.

At the very least head coach Ray “Rambo” Lussier didn’t.

“I’m probably not fearful about what they do or how they really feel concerning the state of affairs,” Lussier instructed The Dallas Morning Information on Sunday. “I’m simply fearful about what we do. The truth that we step as much as the event each time we play a few of our greatest CoD each time we play them, that’s what I’m enthusiastic about.”

Atlanta and Texas are the 2 greatest groups within the Name of Responsibility League. The proof will not be solely of their information however their consistency in opposition to the remainder of the league.

So why has OpTic had its footprint all around the head-to-head matchup? Brandon “Dashy” Otell credited a number of components. Texas gamers love grinding the sport collectively, he mentioned. They usually excel in all three sport modes.

OpTic entered Sunday’s match because the clear-cut higher group in search and destroy. FaZe gained Bocage search 6-4 anyway. In idea, that ought to’ve opened the sequence up for Atlanta.

It didn’t.

OpTic gained all three respawns, and Lussier mentioned the hardpoint maps may’ve been much more lopsided if Texas didn’t step by itself toes.

Prolute led OpTic with a 1.38 kill-death ratio in opposition to FaZe. Seth “Scump” Abner was the worst slayer on the group with a 1.20 kill-death ratio, and if he have been averaging that line he’d be a high MVP candidate.

Texas’ fundamentals are the very best within the CDL proper now. Name of Responsibility is a sport of positional warfare, Lussier mentioned. OpTic has managed to remain on the high by a pair roster adjustments due to their positioning and decision-making.

“You’re not going to kill top-tier gamers in a very good place,” Lussier mentioned. “No one is hidden from that, not even FaZe.”

OpTic’s success with Prolute is plain. They’ve a 9-1 map rely with two extra Stage III matches to go in opposition to the New York Subliners and Los Angeles Thieves subsequent weekend. Maintain enterprise and the highest seed at Main III is theirs.

Even with Vera filling in properly, OpTic can’t afford to decelerate. They need to proceed to be taught the sport and adapt for when Dhaliwal returns from nursing a thumb damage.

That alone has been motivation. OpTic doesn’t have a monkey on its again. It doesn’t have a group that beats it repeatedly.

“We’re clicking and I feel the largest factor is we don’t plan on changing into complacent anytime quickly,” Otell mentioned. “We’re at all times including new stuff so we aren’t falling off or changing into simpler to learn.”

To credit score OpTic’s success in opposition to FaZe as a psychological block is a bit disingenuous. Texas has simply performed higher.

Discover extra OpTic protection from The Dallas Morning Information right here.

Discover extra esports protection from The Dallas Morning Information right here.