Heavy Hitters Still Dominating
Some things don’t change and the dominance of legacy esports orgs like T1, FaZe, and G2 is still a fact in 2024. These teams didn’t just hold their ground this season; they tightened their grip. T1’s League of Legends squad has been firing on all cylinders, posting a win rate just above 70% so far this season. Their classic strength disciplined macro play and unrelenting lane pressure has only sharpened. Meanwhile, FaZe Clan has regained its lethal form in Counter Strike 2, thanks to a stabilized rifler core and smarter map vetoes. G2 hasn’t let up either. Their VALORANT lineup continues to turn heads, especially after a coaching rework early in the season that pivoted their mid round cohesion to new heights.
Tactics wise, most of these orgs aren’t chasing trends they’re refining fundamentals. T1’s team synergy hasn’t wavered in years, and they’re not suddenly going rogue. FaZe’s CS2 tactics are heavier on utility control than flashy entry plays, and it’s working. G2’s rotations in VALORANT are clinical, not chaotic. That quiet consistency is winning games.
Stable backing plays a big role too. These orgs have the infrastructure: world class analysts, bootcamps, seasoned captains, and a culture that doesn’t panic after one bad map. Strategy matters, and legacy teams have had years to develop theirs to test it, break it, and rebuild it stronger. While raw talent still matters in esports, it’s clear that experience and backing are what turn top 10 potential into trophy lifts.
Teams That Reinvented Themselves
Being middle of the pack used to mean playing safe and hoping for a lucky bracket. Not anymore. This season, a handful of mid tier orgs hit reset and it’s paying off.
Teams like Ghost Pulse, Orbit Red, and Zenith Core dumped old playbooks and rebuilt from the ground up. Roster wise, they didn’t just bring in flash they brought fit. Chemistry mattered more than clout. Now, they’re outmaneuvering bigger names with tighter comms, aggressive pacing, and rock solid fundamentals.
Standout matches? Orbit Red’s overtime comeback in the VALORANT Spring Circuit down two maps, reverse sweep, flawless clutch on Bind. Ghost Pulse’s narrow win over a tired G2 roster in CS2 proved they’re not scared to swing. Zenith Core’s clean execution in a League group stage upset sent shockwaves.
Behind the curtain, coaching staffs got sharper too. Video analysts are pulling frame by frame insight. Talent scouts are sniping rising streamers before they peak. Some orgs are even running internal scrim simulations powered by predictive data analysis. It’s not about playing catch up anymore; it’s about playing smarter and faster.
These teams aren’t just stepping up. They’re rewriting what mid tier means.
The Rise of Hungry Underdogs
The spotlight isn’t just on the usual titans anymore. In 2024, a new class of underdog teams is grinding their way into relevance and in some cases, dominance. These aren’t just feel good stories. They’re disciplined, data driven squads with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove.
CS2 saw multiple upsets early this season, with lesser known Eastern European rosters sending established names packing in qualifiers. In VALORANT, unseeded teams from Southeast Asia are pulling out wild strats adaptive gameplay with zero fear. And over in League, sharp shot rookies from Latin America are trading blows with veteran EU lineups and holding their ground.
What makes these teams dangerous isn’t just their hunger it’s their unpredictability. There’s no deep historical tape to study. They scrim constantly, iterate quickly, and keep meta analysts guessing. They’re not bound by legacy expectations, which makes them lethal when they lean into unconventional play.
For a closer look at these dark horses rising through the tanks, check out rising esports underdogs.
Wildcards in the Meta Shift
This season, balance updates aren’t just changing playstyles they’re blowing up the rankings. A well timed patch can flip a team’s fortunes overnight, and it’s no longer just about player skill. It’s about who can read the patch notes, test new comps fast, and adapt in actual games. The usual giants? Some are lagging. Meanwhile, flexible rosters with open coaching styles and deep benches are climbing past them.
Teams that swap roles mid match, draft off meta strats, or pivot tactics between rounds are thriving. Think team fluidity over formula. Especially in CS2 and VALORANT, those clinging to dated setups are getting exposed by bold, aggressive coordination from newer squads.
Then there’s the genre bleed. Techniques from MOBAs, battle royales, and even traditional sports tactics are sneaking into shooters and team based games. Coaches stealing strats from other games aren’t just innovative they’re winning. If a team can rewire their thinking across metas and genres, they’re dangerous.
The meta’s in motion. Flex or fall.
What to Keep an Eye on
The next few months will either cement the frontrunners or rewrite the leaderboard. Between the IEM Cologne, VALORANT Champions, and Worlds, we’re entering prime season where momentum makes or breaks a roster. These aren’t just tournaments, they’re pressure cookers. And the teams who thrive under stress? They’re the ones who rise when it matters.
But it’s not just about gameplay. Roster shakeups are coming. Multiple contracts are hitting their expiration windows, and rumors are already circulating some with more fire than smoke. Key names might be switching jerseys before the year’s out. This isn’t just mid season drama, it’s corporate chess. Keep an eye on T1’s second string lineup and a few benchwarmers from Liquid and 100 Thieves there’s movement brewing.
Meanwhile, power rankings aren’t telling a steady story. G2’s recent cold streak bumps them down a peg. FaZe is surging on the back of tight map discipline. And OG? Quietly climbing, one upset at a time. What was true in Q1 won’t hold by Q3. Consistency is rare right now expect volatility, not order.
Players Turning the Tide
Big moments don’t just come from big names. Sure, star players like TenZ, Faker, or s1mple continue to rake in highlights but this season is also spotlighting a new kind of hero. Quiet grinders with sharp reads, flawless utility usage, and insane clutch stability are changing how matches swing. These are the super roleplayers. The ones who don’t bait for kills or flex, but instead fill gaps, patch plans mid round, and make everyone else look better.
And it’s not just about the stats. A growing number of players are building charisma on stream, then carrying that presence onto the competitive stage. Confidence earned in front of a live Twitch or Kick audience is translating into stronger callouts, bolder setups, and cleaner performances.
MVPs aren’t only about scoreboards anymore. Leadership, game sense, and that calm under pressure you’ll find the real difference makers don’t always look flashy, but they win rounds when it matters.
Conclusion? Not Needed Just Watch Closely
The top dogs aren’t untouchable anymore. Even powerhouse orgs with million dollar budgets are getting outmaneuvered by teams who figured out how to play smarter, not just louder. Flashy names can still fall flat if they underestimate the grind happening in the lower brackets.
And those underdogs? They’re coming fast. Tight crews with sharp aim, cleaner comms, and fresher strats are steamrolling into qualifier stages and stealing headlines one upset at a time. These aren’t one hit wonders they’re scrappy, organized, and dead serious.
In short: the esports scene isn’t waiting. Rosters shift, metas warp, and standings flip overnight. Whether you’re a fan, coach, player, or just trying to keep a pulse on the game, now’s the time to tune in. The future’s being written in real time.
(Learn more about the new esports disruptors: rising esports underdogs)
