The 2014 Blizzcon eSports stage
The biggest event in the Blizzard calendar is once again upon us and not only offers a look at what the massive developer has coming up in the next few months but also will decide who is the best at some of the biggest Blizzard games. Heroes of the Storm, Hearthstone and StarCraft II are the main eSports attractions, while there will even be some competitive World of Warcraft if that is your type of thing.
StarCraft II
The oldest of Blizzard’s current eSports titles is StarCraft II and while it hasn’t quite seen the numbers that other long standing eSports have enjoyed it still has a massive audience and is sure to be one of the more exciting Blizzcon streams to watch. The StarCraft II World Championship series is the name of the competition and is already at the quarterfinal stage, which will take place on November 6th. The winner will walk away with $100,000 and the title of best StarCraft player in the world.
As anyone with a hint of StarCraft knowledge would expect it is the Koreans that dominate the remaining players. All of the eight remaining players are Korean, with Lilbow who was knocked out in the previous round being the only non-Korean in the Blizzcon tournament.
The first of the quarterfinals features the top seeded player and may’s favourite to take the event herO take on 9th seed Classic. Both are Protoss players meaning this should be one of the highlights of the weekend. The next quarterfinal is between INnoVation, the only remaining Terran player and fourth seed Life. While many expect Life to advance here INnoVation is more than capable of pulling out the win. Rain and sOs make up the third semi final, while Hydra and Rogue meet in the only all Zerg quarter final. All the matches will be best of five apart from the grand final on Saturday which will be best of seven. You can watch all the action below.
Hearthstone
Blizzard’s card game is next up and will probably be the most watched event on the eSports side of things. Again we are already at the quarterfinal stage, with the group stages deciding the eight remaining competitors. The winner will walk away with $100,000 but all the remaining competitors are guaranteed at least $7,500.
Coming out of the groups with the best record and continuing to be the favourite is Thijs, who will face Kranich in what could be the match of the event. Thijs has looked incredibly strong and is considered to be one of the top players in the west, but Kranich is easily the best Korean Hearthstone player so seeing this play out will be fascinating. The winner will go on to face either Ostkaka or Pinpingho depending on who comes out on top in their quarterfinal matchup. Many expect Ostkaka to take this fairly easily as few expected Pinpingho to even get this far, but an upset is always possible if the RNG gods are smiling on you.
The Hearthstone arena
The lower half of the bracket features the matchup between DieMeng and the relatively unknown Japanese player Kno, which could go either way and the more exciting matchup between Zoro and Hotform which should be an incredibly close match. The quarterfinals take place on Friday with the semi finals and final taking place on Saturday. You can watch the action below.
Heroes of the Storm
Heroes of the Storm has quickly managed to cement itself as one of the top competitive MOBA’s and while it may never reach the heights of The International or the LoL Worlds its first proper outing at Blizzcon is sure to be the first in a long run of major events. Unlike the other two events there are still a few group games to be played before the final four teams are known.
First off in Group A, Team YL will meet GIA to decide who goes home and who faces Team Dignitas for a slot in the Semi Finals. While Dignitas are easily the favourites to emerge out of the group and take that slot in the semis the match prior should be a fairly close affair.
Heroes on the stage at Blizzcon
In group B Brave Heart will battle against Tempo Storm to try and secure a date with Team DK to fight for the final semi final spot. These two matches should be fairly close, although Tempo Storm are sure to have a fair amount of crowd support.
Both Cloud 9, and NaVi have already made it to the semi finals and are only one match away from making it to the $200,000 grand final. Seeing Team Dignitas and either Tempo Storm or Team DK join them is the most likely outcome but anything is possible. The remaining group stage games will take place on Friday and will be best of threes while the semi finals will best of fives that take place on Saturday with the best of seven final following them. You will be able to watch all the action below.
World of Warcraft
The World of Warcraft Arena stage in 2014
Despite not being overly entertaining to watch World of Warcraft Arena has its own tournament at Blizzcon and only six teams remain. Skill Capped EU and SK Gaming have already reached the semi final stage while Tempo Storm and Solari Gaming will fight to come out of Group A and Cloud9 and Followesports will battle to advance from Group B. The final will take place on Saturday with all the other matches being played on Friday. You can watch it all below.
