The ArrMY tournament has officially kicked off, and with it comes all the excitement of the competition in the two key divisions… Namely, Rising and Masters. The first matches are already behind us, and although it’s only the start of the season, there’s no shortage of surprises, closely fought matches, and teams that need to learn from their mistakes quickly. Some teams have started the tournament very confidently, showing good form right from the first maps. Meanwhile, others are still searching for their rhythm and stability. The situation in the lower division looks particularly interesting, where every point could prove crucial in the ongoing battle for promotion. So let’s see how the individual teams fared in the opening rounds of both ArrMY Rising and Masters.
ArrMY Rising – inconsistent form and early signs
In the Rising division, there has been a wide variation in the level and form of individual teams right from the start, making it difficult to clearly identify the favourites. One team that cannot be satisfied with its results so far is Lunacy Gaming. Their start to the season was far from successful… The 11-13 defeat on Nuke against Jonixal showed that, despite a closely fought match, they lacked effectiveness at key moments. The margin was minimal, which may suggest the team’s potential. In practice, however, their opponents made better use of their opportunities. Admittedly, Lunacy later secured a walkover victory. Yet it is difficult to regard this as a true indicator of the team’s form or progress. The next match only confirmed the earlier problems. This time, a 7-13 defeat on Ancient against Ananaski clearly showed that the team is still searching for stability and consistency in their play. At this point, Lunacy Gaming therefore finds itself in a more difficult position, and the upcoming matches will be crucial for them.
VoFoxen are looking slightly better, though they too have not been without their problems and difficult moments. The team started with a solid 13-10 win against Draza’s fighters on Ancient. This, however, could have been cause for optimism and suggested good preparation for the season. It was a relatively even match, but it ended in VoFoxen’s favour, which always matters at the start of the competition. However, in the very next match, they had to face a much tougher opponent. The clash with iashb123 turned out to be a real marathon… ending only after extra time with a score of 16:19. Defeats of this kind can be particularly mentally taxing. However, they show that the team is capable of competing at a high level and putting up a fight even in very evenly matched encounters.
At this stage, Rising shows that no team can be certain of its position yet. Every subsequent match can significantly affect the league table, and the current results are just the beginning of a longer story that will unfold as the rounds progress.
ArrMY Masters – early clashes and the balance of power
In the higher division, the Masters, the competition has been of a high standard from the outset. Here, matches are not only evenly matched but also demanding in terms of consistency and capitalising on opponents’ mistakes. The very first matches have already shown that every result matters here. However, the differences between the teams are not great enough to allow for an off day. One team that has started the season well is Vandals Clan. Their 13-6 victory against Equinox on Ancient was a clear signal that the team can dictate the pace of the game. Such a result may suggest good organisation and preparation for the map. Unfortunately, they were unable to maintain this form in the next match. Their 10-13 defeat to Gloris eSports showed that in the Masters, even minor slip-ups are immediately exploited by opponents.
Gloris eSports deserve special mention, as despite an initial slip-up, they quickly got back on track. Their 10-13 loss to Armitra Esports on Inferno was relatively close, which may indicate that the team was able to compete on equal terms from the outset. Nevertheless, failing to secure a win at the start always raises some questions. The answer, however, came very quickly. Their victory against Vandals Clan not only improved their position in the table but also demonstrated that the team can learn from previous mistakes and adapt to subsequent opponents. Such victories often prove crucial for the rest of the season.
Nexium POLteam has had a slightly tougher start, having so far played one map which ended in defeat. The 7-13 defeat to Partyjniaki67 on Inferno shows that the team still has room for improvement, particularly when it comes to maintaining the pace of the game throughout the match. At this stage, however, it is difficult to draw far-reaching conclusions, as this is only the beginning of their participation in the competition. In the Masters, every round can change the situation, so the upcoming matches will be crucial in determining the team’s true form.
A start that promises excitement
The first matches in ArrMY Rising and the Masters have shown one thing… This season could be truly unpredictable. In both the lower and higher divisions, there are teams that are already performing at a high level, but also those that are still searching for their identity. Close results, extra time and unexpected outcomes suggest that the coming rounds could bring even more excitement. If the teams maintain this pace of competition, fans can look forward to some truly exciting developments.
Lunacy Gaming
VoFoxen
Vandals Clan
Gloris eSports
English 
Polish 