Following three weeks of action, the PCS2 North America Group Stage has come to a close. After forty-five matches, the top-sixteen teams have advanced to the Grand Finals, where they’ll compete for an initial prize pool of $200,000 USD beginning on August 27th. Over the course of the Group Stage, North America’s greatest squads battled for every possible point as their path to the PCS2 Grand Finals narrowed. If the Group Stage was any sign of things to come, the Grand Finals are going to be a whole lot of fun.
In the Group Stage, all twenty-four teams shared the common objective of securing a top-sixteen placement to solidify their spot in the Grand Finals. The Group Stage saw teams accomplish that goal to differing levels of success across each team’s thirty-match schedule. For example, one of the region’s strongest and most experienced squads, Shoot To Kill, took hold of an early first-place standing and maintained their high-ground for the remainder of the Group Stage. Other teams such as Fabled, found their game late during the third and final week but ultimately managed to ensure their spot in the Grand Finals. During the Group Stage, it did not matter HOW you qualified, it just mattered IF you qualified.
Clashes between familiar foes highlighted the three-weeks of action, as many of the region’s most esteemed squads such as Shoot To Kill, Soniqs, Radiance, Oath Gaming, and Zenith Esports all punched their ticket to the Grand Finals. Expectations to advance into the finals have and will continue to surround these teams based solely on previous success and their talented rosters. Heading into the Grand Finals, each of these teams will be given a fresh start which opens the door for any of these NA powerhouses.
Shoot To Kill was in a league of their own for the majority of the Group Stage, finishing their final day with an insurmountable 100-point lead over second-place. The Ironmen of PUBG just couldn’t be stopped during this stage of PCS2 and their performance against the lobby only improved as the tournament continued on. Individually and as a team, STK knows how to handle business when it matters most. Looking towards the PCS2 Grand Finals, Shoot To Kill will do their best to replicate this Group Stage performance and repeat as PCS North America Champions.
In between the PSC1 Grand Finals and the PCS2 Group Stage, a handful of teams made adjustments to their roster coming into this series. One of the most notable roster moves was the return of James “TGLTN” Giezen to the Soniqs roster. The team had a successful outing during PCS1 but called upon “TGLTN” after the retirement of their veteran PUBG Esports player Magno “Pr0phie” Ramos. The team ultimately advanced by placing sixth overall but are going to need more from the entire roster if they want to challenge STK at the top of roster in the Grand Finals. These two teams had it out for one another during the last final, and neither team intends on backing down during the PCS2 Grand Finals.
At the other end of the spectrum, eight teams entered the Group Stage via qualification in NA Challengers Cup 1. Of those eight teams, three squads have advanced and will continue their run into the Grand Finals. Dodge, DUEL, and Carnage Gaming will move on into the PCS2 Grand FInals after a solid performance during their Group Stage matches. The three teams placed outside of the Top-10 when things came to a close, but the potential for another positive outing presents itself once a team reaches the Finals.
Prizes for individual performances during the Group Stage have been awarded to players for the Most Kills, Assists, Damage, Knockdowns, and community-voted MVP.
- Most Kills: PurdyKurdy, Shoot To Kill
- Most Assists: Luke12, Shoot To Kill
- Most Damage: Snakers, Oath Gaming
- Most Knockdowns: Honeybadger, 303 Esports
- Fan-Selected MVP: PurdyKurdy, Shoot To Kill
Following an intense three-week fight to keep their PCS2 hopes alive, the attention of these sixteen teams will turn towards the Grand Finals. The PCS2 Grand Finals will feature an updated tournament format, with a total of twenty-four matches that will be played across three weeks. Four matches will be played each day of the tournament on August 27-28, September 3-4, and September 10-11. The extended period of play allows for more Finals action and will end with the crowning of a PUBG Continental Series 2 Grand Champion.