It has been awhile, but what better time to start up Esports Kingdom’s Counter-Strike tier rankings?! The top tier is bloated as there is no one standout team who is dominating at the moment, while there is a number of teams that can be considered favorites at tournaments they show up to.
S-Tier is teams that are often winning tournaments, if they don’t lift the trophy then you can expect them on the podium
A-Tier is teams that can consistently make it to the Semifinals and the top four, they also have a good shot at winning a tournament
B-Tier is teams that will frequently be seen in the Playoffs, could make a run for the Grand Finals, but likely to fall int he Quarterfinals
C-Tier is teams that fall in-between B-Tier and D-Tier, where they are not consistent Playoff contenders, but they perform better than the teams below them
D-Tier is teams that might be underperforming, you will still see them at international LAN events and they will qualify, but more often than not don’t make it out of the Group Stage
As Week 2 of VCT Pacific 2024 Stage 2 unfolds, DRX has already clinched a playoff spot, solidifying their dominance this season. Meanwhile, Bleed finds themselves at the bottom of the standings, struggling to gain momentum. This week’s preview highlights critical matchups, schedules, and the current standings as teams battle for their place in the playoffs.
Current Standings
1st
DRX
6-0
+71
2nd
Paper Rex
5-1
+48
↑↑
3rd
Team Secret
5-3
+33
4th
Rex Regum Qeon
4-2
-6
↓
5th
Talon Esports
4-2
-7
↓
6th
Gen.G Esports
4-3
+18
7th
ZETA DIVISION
2-4
-17
8th
T1
2-5
+1
9th
Global Esports
2-5
-30
10th
DetonatioN FocusMe
1-5
-54
11th
Bleed Esports
1-6
-57
DRX pick up their 6th win a row to lock in a spot in the Playoffs and keep their momentum rolling. Speaking of momentum, Bleed Esports and DetonatioN FocusMe are going to need to find some soon if they hope to appear in the Playoffs later in the year with only one win each at the moment.
Match-Ups & Schedule
: Talon vs. RRQ
: Paper Rex vs. DRX
: Global vs. Bleed
: DetonatioN vs. ZETA
: DRX vs. RRQ
: Secret vs. T1
Participants
Hover or click on team logo for player information.
As Stage 2 of the VCT Americas 2024 begins, teams are eager to continue their journey towards dominance. KRÜ and Cloud9 maintain their top positions from the previous stage, setting the stage for an intense Week 1. This preview covers the key matchups, schedules, and current standings as the action ramps up for another thrilling stage.
Current Standings
1st
KRÜ Esports
5-1
+43
2nd
Cloud9
5-1
+20
3rd
Leviatán
4-1
+36
4th
100 Thieves
3-2
+14
5th
G2 Esports
3-3
+23
6th
Sentinels
3-3
+21
7th
NRG
3-3
+8
8th
LOUD
2-3
-13
9th
Evil Geniuses
2-3
-28
10th
FURIA Esports
0-5
-62
10th
MIBR
0-5
-62
It is the first week of Stage 2, so no movement in the rankings. But where we left off from Stage 1 saw KRÜ and Cloud9 topping the table almost undefeated and with FURIA and MIBR stuck at the bottom without a win yet.
Match-Ups & Schedule
: MIBR vs. Leviatán
: Sentinels vs. NRG
: FURIA vs. 100 Thieves
: LOUD vs. Evil Geniuses
: G2 vs. Cloud9
Participants
In the month of June the rosters have been slightly shifted.
FURIA Esports parts ways with kon4n
MIBR sign Palla, rich and liazzi
LOUD acquire pANcada from Sentinels
Leviatán promote Itopata to Head Coach and sign Juv3nile as Assistant Coach
Leviatán part ways with goked
Hover or click on team logo for player information.
As Week 2 of the LCS Summer 2024 approaches, the initial games have set the stage for an exciting season. The rankings are starting to take shape, but with plenty of matches still to play, anything can happen. This week’s preview highlights the key matchups, schedules, and potential shifts in the standings as teams vie for dominance.
Current Standings
1st
100 Thieves
1-0
2-0
1st
Immortals
1-0
2-0
3rd
Cloud9
1-0
2-1
3rd
Team Liquid
1-0
2-1
5th
Dignitas
0-1
1-2
5th
FlyQuest
0-1
1-2
7th
NRG
0-1
0-2
7th
Shopify Rebellion
0-1
0-2
With every team having played one match, the rankings are split into four sections. Those who won 2-0, those who won 2-1, those who lost 1-2, and lastly the teams that lost 0-2. I expect a large amount of movement week-to-week as teams start to find their footing.
Match-Ups & Schedule
: Cloud9 vs. Immortals
: 100 Thieves vs. Dignitas
: FlyQuest vs. NRG
: Liquid vs. Shopify
Participants
Hover or click on team logo for player information.
As Week 3 of the LEC Summer 2024 kicks off, Fnatic remains undefeated and has clinched a playoff spot, showcasing their dominance this season. In contrast, Rogue and MAD Lions find themselves at the bottom of the table, struggling to gain traction. This week promises thrilling matches and crucial shifts in standings, setting the stage for an exciting mid-season showdown.
Current Standings
1st
Fnatic
5-0
↓
2nd
SK Gaming
4-1
↓↓
3rd
Team BDS
4-1
↑
4th
G2 Esports
3-2
↑↑
5th
Team Vitality
2-3
↓
6th
Team Heretics
2-3
↓↓
7th
Karmine Corp
2-3
↑
8th
GIANTX
1-4
↓↓
9th
MAD Lions KOI
1-4
↓↓
9th
Rogue
1-4
There was quite a bit of movement this week as the rankings begin to take shape. The headline news is that Fnatic at 5-0 have secured their spot in the Playoffs regardless of how the rest of the weeks go. On the other side of the coin MAD Lion and Rogue drop to the bottom of the table with disappointing results.
Match-Ups & Schedule
: BDS vs. Rogue
: Heretics vs. SK Gaming
: Vitality vs. GIANTX
: G2 vs. Karmine
: MAD Lions vs. Fnatic
: Rogue vs. Heretics
: GIANTX vs. BDS
: Fnatic vs. G2
: SK Gaming vs. MAD Lions
: Karmine vs. Vitality
Participants
No roster changes this week as everything remains the same.
Hover or click on team logo for player information.
The 2024 Player’s Handbook for Dungeons & Dragons is arriving on September 17 with a whopping 384 pages of new player options, equipment, spells, and more. This revamped fifth edition core rulebook is the most extensive Player’s Handbook in D&D history, packed with exciting updates for both new and experienced players.
Revamped Classes and Subclasses
The 2024 Player’s Handbook reintroduces the 12 base classes, each featuring four subclasses, with numerous updates to enhance and streamline gameplay. Three brand-new subclasses have been introduced:
Path of the World Tree Barbarian
College of Dance Bard
Circle of the Sea Druid
Other subclasses have received significant updates, like the Warrior of the Elements Monk (formerly Way of the Four Elements), and the Wild Magic Sorcerer, which now offers a more reliable way to embrace chaos with an updated Wild Magic Surge table.
New Backgrounds, Species, and Feats
The new Player’s Handbook introduces 16 backgrounds, 10 species, and 75 feats, including new species like Aasimar, Goliath, and Orc, alongside updated classics like the Human. Key updates include:
Backgrounds: Ability score adjustments are now linked to your chosen background rather than species. Each background includes a new Origin Feat provided at character creation.
Feats: Significant updates include the introduction of Epic Boon feats for high-level characters, allowing for unique abilities like mastering all skills or short-range teleportation.
The 2024 Player’s Handbook provides guidelines for combining new backgrounds and species with those from older editions, allowing players to blend classic and new character options.
Weapon Mastery: Enhance Your Combat Skills
Combat gets a boost with the new Weapon Mastery feature, which is available to certain martial classes. Each weapon now comes with a mastery property that enhances combat tactics, rewarding players who switch weapons to suit different combat situations.
For example, the Greataxe has the Cleave mastery for dealing with multiple enemies, while the Maul with the Topple mastery can knock foes down, setting up critical hits for allies.
The Equipment chapter now features detailed illustrations and descriptions of weapons, armor, and tools, along with suggested prices. This comprehensive guide helps players gear up efficiently, from selecting the perfect sword to choosing the right tools for crafting.
Expanded Spellbook: 400 Spells to Explore
With nearly 400 spells, the 2024 Player’s Handbook offers a vast spell list that includes updated classics and exciting new additions. Spells from the 2014 Player’s Handbook, Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, and Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything have been revised, and new favorites like Tasha’s Bubbling Cauldron are featured.
Stunning New Artwork: Visualize Your Adventure
The handbook is filled with new artwork, depicting each class and subclass in vivid detail. Backgrounds and species are brought to life with illustrations that help players visualize their characters and backstories.
Art by Katerina Ladon via Wizards of the Coast
Preorder the 2024 Player’s Handbook Today
The 2024 Player’s Handbook releases on September 17, but you can preorder your copy now in the D&D Beyond marketplace. Master Tier subscribers get early access on September 3, and Hero Tier subscribers on September 10. Your digital copy will unlock exclusive features in D&D Beyond, including the Character Builder, Encounter Builder, and more.
Week 2 of Stage 2 in the VALORANT Champions Tour China 2024 is set to deliver exciting matchups and crucial standings updates. All Gamers and Bilibili Gaming shone in the last week, positioning themselves as top contenders. This preview covers the key games, schedules, and current standings, providing a comprehensive look at the competition as it unfolds.
Current Standings
1st
FunPlus Phoenix
5-0
+55
2nd
EDward Gaming
5-1
+50
3rd
All Gamers
4-2
+9
4th
Trace Esports
3-2
+17
5th
Dragon Ranger Gaming
3-3
-7
6th
Bilibili Gaming
3-4
-14
7th
TYLOO
2-4
-15
8th
Nova Esports
2-4
-14
9th
JD Gaming
2-4
-1
10th
Titan Esports Club
2-4
-38
11th
Wolves Esports
2-5
-42
Last week saw three clean sweeps of 2-0 with JD Gaming, All Gamers, and Bilibili Gaming coming out on top and moving up the ranks. Meanwhile, their opponents Titan Esports Club, TYLOO, and Wolves Esports all drop lower.
Match-Ups & Schedule
: Dragon Ranger vs. Nova
: FunPlus vs. Trace
: Titan vs. All Gamers
: EDward vs. Wolves
: TYLOO vs. Trace
: Nova vs. Bilibili
Participants
There were some slight roster changes this past week:
EDward Gaming signs WoodAy1 and promote Muggle to Assistant Coach
Dragon Ranger Gaming signs JKH as Coach.
Hover or click on team logo for player information.
MU: Monarch SEA, the latest game based on the renowned MU IP and licensed by Webzen, is now open for pre-registration in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Developed by a leading game studio with a history of remarkable success in South Korea, where it ranked among the top three best-selling games, MU: Monarch SEA aims to bring its rich legacy and immersive gameplay experience to Southeast Asia. Players can pre-register now through the provided links to receive exclusive rewards and join the growing community.
According to the official statement, MU: Monarch SEA retains the expansive world and core mechanics of the classic 2001 PC MMORPG MU Online, including competitive PvP battles and diverse field content. The game offers a seamless blend of nostalgia and innovation, allowing players to relive the classic MU experience on their mobile devices. It promises to deliver the authentic feel of the original game, complete with its iconic locations and gameplay elements.
Pre-Registration Rewards
To celebrate the pre-registration phase, MU: Monarch SEA offers various rewards that players can unlock by reaching different pre-registration milestones:
30,000 pre-registrations: Enter a draw to win a PlayStation 5.
80,000 pre-registrations: Enter a draw to win a MacBook.
100,000 pre-registrations: Enter a draw to win an Apple Vision Pro.
Mobile number pre-registration: Chance to win an iPhone 15 Pro Max.
App Store/Google Play pre-registration: Chance to win a real gold bar.
Additionally, completing tasks and engaging with the community can unlock more in-game items and special rewards. Don’t miss these exclusive opportunities—pre-register now and be part of the MU: Monarch SEA adventure!
Key Features
Authentic MU Experience: MU: Monarch SEA revives the essence of the original MU Online with a classic and retro art style. Players can explore iconic locations such as Lorencia and Devias, working together to overcome challenges and defeat enemies.
Free Trading System: Engage in a dynamic marketplace where players can trade equipment freely, enabling beginners to acquire top-tier gear through strategic trades and exchanges.
Customizable Talents and Skills: Players can choose their own cultivation paths, developing unique attributes and skill sets. The game offers a range of universal talents and skill talents, allowing for personalized gameplay and strategic combat.
Guild System: Form or join guilds to take part in cooperative missions and receive generous rewards. Participate in thrilling guild activities like the Crywolf Fortress Castle Siege and Guild Boss battles, fostering a strong sense of community and teamwork.
Competitive PvP: Participate in massive alliance battles, including Castle Siege and cross-server 3v3 matches. Compete for supremacy and earn prestigious titles in Vulcanus and other competitive modes.
Diverse Boss Encounters: Challenge various bosses, from Golden Monsters in the field to special bosses in collaborative sieges. Advanced players can take on Mysticland and Talima bosses for exclusive rewards and titles.
The World of MU
The legendary kingdom of MU was once a land of immense wealth and peace, but complacency led to vulnerability. Demonic forces invaded, turning wild animals into monsters and launching an assault on the kingdom. The unprepared citizens retreated to towns for safety. To reclaim their homeland, the survivors united, training themselves and their armies to defend key cities and prepare for a counterattack to drive out the invaders.
Conclusion
Pre-registration for MU: Monarch SEA is now open in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Don’t miss the chance to be among the first to experience the rebirth of this classic MMORPG. Visit the official pre-registration page and follow the game’s community on social media for the latest updates.
CD PROJEKT RED, renowned for creating The Witcher series, Cyberpunk 2077, and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, in collaboration with EC1 Łódź, is thrilled to announce Art For All. This premiere event, set for September 7th, 2024, at the EC1 building complex in Łódź, Poland, promises to be a haven for young creatives, artists, and enthusiasts of games, films, and pop culture.
Art For All is an evolution of the popular Open Day, serving as an accompanying event to the Promised Land Art Festival. Designed to inspire and guide young artists and professionals, this event offers a platform for discovering paths into game development, visual arts, and other creative industries. Throughout the day, attendees can engage with veteran artists from well-known studios, including the creators of The Witcher series and Cyberpunk 2077 at CD PROJEKT RED. These seasoned professionals will provide invaluable practical advice, offering insights for those seeking to kickstart their careers or advance further in the industry. Recruitment staff will also be present to share tips on how to stand out in applications and make a lasting impression.
Activities and Attractions
Art For All promises a full day of engaging activities and attractions for art and entertainment lovers of all ages. The event will feature:
Hands-on Workshops: Gain practical experience with the latest art software and technologies.
Industry Expert Panels: Attend lectures by renowned speakers from top studios and brands.
Live Demonstrations: Watch professional artists in action during live drawing sessions and demos.
Cosplay and Comic Book Showcase: Explore the vibrant world of cosplay and comic books.
Interactive Experiences: Try out new tools and technologies used by artists globally.
Throughout the day, the halls of EC1 Łódź will be filled with professionals from various creative sectors, offering numerous opportunities to meet and converse with industry experts and beloved artists. While the primary language of the event will be Polish, some content will be available in English to cater to international visitors.
Tickets and Additional Information
Tickets for Art For All will be available separately from the Promised Land Art Festival tickets, priced at 35 zł. Sales will commence soon, with further details about the event’s attractions and a complete program to be announced in the coming weeks on the official Art For All website.
Art For All is organized by CD PROJEKT RED and EC1 Łódź, under the auspices of the Łódź City Council, as part of the “Łódź Creates” and “EC1 Łódź – The City of Culture” promotional programs. For more information, visit the official Art For All website and follow their social media channels on Instagram, Facebook, and X.
Celebrate Pokémon GO’s 8th anniversary with a special event running from to . This milestone event introduces new costumed Pokémon, exciting bonuses, and unique research opportunities, ensuring that Trainers have plenty to explore and enjoy.
Pokémon Debuts
During the anniversary event, look out for new costumed Pokémon, including Grimer and Muk wearing party hats. If you’re lucky, you might encounter a Shiny version of these festive Pokémon! Additionally, Meltan will appear more frequently when using the Mystery Box, with an increased chance of being Shiny.
Costumed Pokémon:
Grimer wearing a party hat
Muk wearing a party hat
Shiny Meltan (if you’re lucky) when using the Mystery Box
Event Bonuses
Take advantage of special bonuses throughout the event to enhance your gameplay and build stronger friendships.
Increased chance to become Lucky Friends
Higher chance of obtaining Lucky Pokémon in trades
Faster friendship level increases through Gifts, trading, and battles
Chance to find 8 or 88 (or more!) Gimmighoul Coins when spinning a PokéStop with a Golden Lure Module
Special Daily Bonuses:
June 28-29: 1/2 Egg Hatch Distance for Eggs placed in Incubators
June 30-July 1: 2× XP for catching Pokémon
July 2-3: 2× Stardust for catching Pokémon
Wild Encounters
During the event, several costumed and starter Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild. You might even find Shiny variants if you’re lucky!
Frequent Wild Encounters:
Bulbasaur wearing a party hat
Charmander wearing a party hat
Squirtle wearing a party hat
Pikachu wearing a cake hat
Grimer wearing a party hat
Eevee wearing a party hat
Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly
Special Date-Specific Pokémon:
June 28-29: Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip
June 30-July 1: Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup, Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott
July 2-3: Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie, Rowlet, Litten, Popplio
Raids
Enjoy increased chances of encountering Shiny Pokémon in one-star raids featuring special costumed Pokémon.
One-Star Raid Pokémon:
Bulbasaur wearing a party hat
Charmander wearing a party hat
Squirtle wearing a party hat
Pikachu wearing a cake hat
Grimer wearing a party hat
Field Research Task Rewards
Complete event-themed Field Research tasks to earn encounters with various first-partner Pokémon, including Bulbasaur, Cyndaquil, and Mudkip. Some tasks will also reward you with Mega Energy for Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise, Sceptile, Blaziken, and Swampert.
Timed Research
Participate in event-themed Timed Research to earn rewards like XP, Stardust, and encounters with Pokémon in party hats, including Raticate, Nidorino, and Wobbuffet. You can also purchase a US$2.00 Timed Research ticket for additional rewards, including Incubators, Premium Battle Pass, and an encounter with Meltan.
New Avatar Items and Stickers
Enhance your avatar with new items available in the in-game shop, including Noctowl and Mankey loose-fitting jackets and various Oricorio hats. Get event-themed stickers by spinning PokéStops, opening Gifts, or purchasing them from the shop.
Whispers in the Woods: Masterwork Research
For US$5.00, access the Whispers in the Woods Masterwork Research, leading to an encounter with Shiny Celebi. This special research story is available until July 3, 2024, and offers extended durations for Incense and Lucky Eggs during the event.
Pokémon GO Web Store — Anniversary Box
Celebrate the anniversary with the Pokémon GO Web Store’s Anniversary Box, offering Remote Raid Passes, Incubator, and Premium Battle Passes for US$4.99. Now, Trainers with Pokémon Trainer Club accounts can also log in and enjoy the web store’s offerings.