Brazil brings the paiN in Dust2.us’ April 2023 rankings

With the stakes as high as they get, many teams are scrambling to find themselves.

To provide a transparent summary of the ranking process, here is a breakdown of the Dust2 Ranking process:

Our team rankings are chosen based on a series of measurements where each team is allocated points dependent on where they rank compared to their peers. This point-based system puts all domestic and international results, HLTV ranking, the tier of play, and coaches polling into consideration. While we include the HLTV rankings to some degree, more weight is given to the select number of coaches within the scene that are ranking the teams due to their accurate ability in judging play outside of the regional matches.

#1 Liquid (EliGE, NAF, oSee, nitr0, YEKINDAR) (-)

Liquid’s primary appearance on the month was at ESL Pro League S17, where NA’s top dogs bared no bite against teams they should beat with ease. An opening-round loss to Rare Atom and a playoff defeat to paiN mark the lowest points for the team at EPL. A brief break gave Liquid time to recollect with a dominant win over Nouns at BLAST to close the month out, but they are far from their top form ahead of the RMR.

April Events: BLAST Paris Major Americas RMR

#2 FURIA (arT, yuurih, KSCERATO, saffee, drop) (+1)

FURIA’s sole showing came at EPL, where they looked to spend another month on the treadmill. Their wins were close and their losses were not, edging out wins in most of their 50/50 matchups before being bullied by FaZe. Similar to Liquid, FURIA is entering the RMR window far from the form many expect them to be in.

April Events: BLAST Paris Major Americas RMR, IEM Rio

#3 Complexity (JT, floppy, FaNg, Grim, hallzerk) (-1)

Complexity hit a dry spell following a rather successful month before, sandwiching just one series win between four other BO3 losses. Two losses to BIG, and losses to Movistar and Imperial made up for a rather forgettable March. As is the theme, Complexity is coming into the RMR in a rather shaky form.

April Events: BLAST Paris Major Americas RMR, ESL Challenger Melbourne

#4 paiN (hardzao, biguzera, skullz, zevy, NEKIZ) (+1)

paiN is on fire exiting March and entering the Major cycle without a doubt. The team typically regarded as an underdog took BO3 wins over OG in groups and Liquid in playoffs at EPL, eventually closing their successful March with a win over MIBR.

April Events: BLAST Paris Major Americas RMR, ESL Challenger League S45

#5 MIBR (exit, tuurtle, brnz4n, HEN1, insani) (-1)

MIBR was cutting through everyone in March, dominating foes across ESL Challenger League and CCT. All seven of their series wins came in two maps, four of which MIBR’s opponents were kept to five rounds or less. Their near-perfect March was cut short by a surging paiN, setting up a juicy inter-region rivalry ahead of the RMR.

April Events: BLAST Paris Major Americas RMR, ESL Challenger League S45, IEM Rio

#6 Imperial (FalleN, boltz, VINI, chelo, JOTA) (-)

Imperial was far from impressive in their showings this past month, again showing a lack of form like many other teams on this list ahead of the Major cycle. Exchanging series wins with Complexity was their only series win on the month, with losses to SAW and The Union making a pair of defeats the lineup that would rather hope to forget. To find some solace, their only series win did come at the very end of the month, perhaps meaning the team is turning around from a slump.

April Events: BLAST Paris Major Americas RMR, Brazy Party

#7 ATK (MisteM, b0denmaster, Swisher, djay) (+2)

ATK’s March run was a tale of two halves. The first came with seven straight series losses across three events, effectively a worst-case scenario. The second came with a 7-2 series record domestically, which included five straight HLTV-recorded wins to end the month. Effectively, the best-case scenario for them. As they say, it isn't about how you start, it is about how you finished. ATK finished as strong as they could to close March in a rather positive state despite not having a full five.

April Events: ESL Challenger League S45

#8 Evil Geniuses (Brehze, autimatic, neaLaN, HexT, wiz) (-)

EG did not see any officials last month.

April Events: BLAST Paris Major Americas RMR

#9 9z (dgt, max, dav1deus, buda, try) (+4)

9z went undefeated in their brief three-series appearance in CCT, beating Brazilian foes INTZ, RED Canids, and O PLANO. Just one map loss to O PLANO separated them from an otherwise perfect March.

April Events: IEM Dallas South America Closed Qualifier, IEM Rio

#10 Nouns (cynic, bwills, nosraC, cJ, MarKE) (-)

Nouns were red hot through the first three weeks of March, looking seemingly unstoppable in domestic battle. Their impressive form carried through the IEM Dallas qualifier, ECL, the Ace NA BLAST qualifiers, and most of CCT. Eleven-straight series wins was the ceiling for Nouns before hitting a four-series skid to MIBR twice, Strife, and Liquid to close March.

April Events: ESL Challenger League S44, IEM Dallas Closed Qualifier