Don't worry NA, Complexity still got this
It has been two months since Complexity added Håkon "hallzerk" Fjærli after an unsuccessful stint with Paytyn "junior" Johnson. It's safe to say that the team has improved a lot in these couple of months, despite the heartbreaking loss in the IEM Road to Rio Americas RMR.
With the Complexity roster having a little over a week before their next competition, the BLAST Premier Fall Showdown 2022 North America, this is a great time to analyze the recent results of the team.
The run with the new AWPer from Norway started on the 15th of August for the IEM Road to Rio 2022 North America Qualifier 1, where Complexity qualified for the Americas RMR flawlessly. Things were looking good, despite the competition being below the team's level. hallzerk didn't perform to his total ability, but that can be excused since the player had joined only recently and is still settling down.
Only three days after, Complexity had flown over to Copenhagen to play the BLAST Premier Fall Groups 2022. The North American team was drawn in the same group as fellow countrymen Liquid, as well as G2 and NAVI. This was the squad's first real test after adding hallzerk. Things couldn't have started any better, with a 16-9 win over NAVI, #1 in the world just two days after that loss. After that amazing opener, Complexity didn't manage to win another game in that competition, falling 16-14 to Liquid and then 16-3 to NAVI.
Not everything was bad though, the team was looking like they were having fun playing together, hallzerk was getting more and more comfortable with his roles and this was a really good test for them, facing two of the best teams in the world, bringing a lot of experience to the table.
After BLAST came ESL Pro League season 16 in Malta. Once again, Complexity was drawn into a tough group with the likes of MOUZ, ENCE, Heroic, Astralis, and HEET. Most people wouldn't expect them to qualify for playoffs, thinking the win over NAVI and the exhibition against Liquid were flukes. The thing is, however, the team started their run with a 2-1 win versus Astralis and a 2-0 win over HEET. They lost against MOUZ and Heroic, and, in a win-or-go-home game against ENCE, the young squad had one of their best series to date, convincingly winning 2-0 against the then #16 in the world.
The playoffs had Complexity facing off against the #1 team in the world, FaZe. The team managed to win the first map and get very close on the second, but they lost 2-1. The team was looking even more comfortable, and hallzerk seemed very confident.
October 5th marked the beginning of the IEM Road to Rio Americas RMR, where Complexity entered as one of the favorites to qualify. Things started off pretty well for the team, getting to a 2-0 record with wins over ATK and paiN. Then, in the qualification matches that followed, against Liquid and 00 NATION, Complexity lost both 2-1, after getting close several times. They beat Isurus and got their ticket for the 6th spot gauntlet, where they waited for the winner of Imperial vs. paiN. It came down to the young squad facing the Brazilian legends for the final spot in the major. In a very emotional series, Complexity fell to Gabriel "FalleN" Toledo and co., losing the chance to be present in the Rio major.
Despite the sad loss and not being able to compete in Rio de Janeiro, there are reasons for Complexity fans to be excited about the future of the team. Ever since the BLAST Premier Fall Groups they have shown a lot of good energy, good communication despite the potential language barrier, and a lot of natural chemistry. The squad doesn't get tilted so much, it feels like they have years and years under their belt.
Individually talking, each player is growing before the public's eyes. Johnny "JT" Theodosiou has been more focused on calling the shots than shooting them, leading to a fall in his rating and stats, but the team has performed better in his executions. Justin "FaNg" Coakley, the youngest member of the team, has been getting more consistent and maintaining his high-level performances, having had incredible individual games when the team needed him the most. Ricky "floppy" Kemery has been doing floppy things, dropping 38 frags against Liquid in a qualification match, this is definitely a star in the making, and the future of NA. Talking about the future of NA, another name that comes up in that talk is Michael "Grim" Wince. In the last two months, Grim is averaging a 1.19 rating with a 1.22 impact score, meaning he has been killing it when it comes down to clutches and multikills. hallzerk has just been a great addition all around. The AWPer is performing inside the server and is bringing a lot of joy into the roster, with his teammates praising him for his skills and personality.
All in all, things are looking great for Complexity despite not having any trophy to materialize it, but right now is not the time to ask for trophies. Right now is the time to support the team while the players get international experience, and acquire knowledge by playing against better teams and against legends of the game. The most blatant example is Grim's. His time with Liquid, despite not having been very successful, is definitely coming to fruition.
The future of NA is in good hands with this Complexity roster. Here's hoping they have the necessary support and motivation to maintain and better their performances.
