The start of the x3o 2008 Dust-Off Championships Final is quickly approaching. The biggest names in North American CS will be facing off to determine top dog. While they have been competing online and some have faced others on LAN, this will be the first event featuring EG.usa, MoB Gaming, and x3o altogether.

Aside from bragging rights, there will be over $10,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs. With the top three N.A. teams in attendance along with several other professional teams, this tournament will be one of the biggest North American exclusive CS 1.6 LAN events of the year. GotFrag will be at the event to bring live coverage including scores, interviews, picture galleries, and much more.


Four teams have received automatic entrance into the double elimination bracket taking place on Sunday. EG.usa and MoB qualified by winning a preliminary tournament. Since EG.usa won the first three qualifiers, 50 cal has received an invite after placing second at the third event. Also afn received an invited, but as they were unable to attend, x3o has been given the invite as they were the runner-ups from the first preliminary event.


MoB Gaming
Noah "StrikeR" Alvarado
Thomas "thoMz" Garcia
Shaun "hostile" Catron
Joe "perez" Perez
Ryan "phamtastik" Pham

MoB is returning to x3o after taking home the W at the last event and ending EG.usa's x3o reign. They cruised through the competition at x3o q4, with the only close call coming against a pumped up iPlay. In the finals, they even dropped tournament favorites EG.usa with ease.

Their success has also translated to simple dominance in CEVO-pro. They are toting a 9-1 record, with the only blemish coming from a loss to Frag Dominant. Add that to the list of accomplishments which include first place finishes at GRT #2 and CEVO OCZ, and it's clear that MoB has picked up their game.

Strengths Beasts with momentum. MoB's lineup has some crazy talent. Add that to the success streak they are on and their confidence alone should be enough to boost them over the competition.

Weaknesses Underestimating middle tier teams. MoB has to be very careful that they don't overlook anyone here. With that close double OT match to iPlay, and the loss in CEVO to FD, they have shown some signs that they are vulnerable when playing teams they don't give any respect to.

Prediction First. MoB has stepped up their game and looks like they can handle just about anyone. Baring some major upset they should take this.


Evil Geniuses (USA)
Michael "chE" Guevara
Fadil "Nepo-" Canovic
Jordan "n0thing" Gilbert
Ryan "NineSpot" Bell
Nazar "steno" Vynnytsky

After making yet another roster change, EG is back to try and reclaim the x3o thrown. They had a bit of a rocky tournament at x3o q4. After losing in the first round to iPlay they slowly made their way through the lower bracket, with all their opponents reaching double digit round scores on them, save one. Once they got to the finals, MoB finished them off quickly and decisively, playing only one map.

Since then, EG has removed their AWP king evolution, for Nepo-, a player who is pretty unknown. Out of the people who do know of him, very few have been supportive of him joining EG. Results, however, do not lie. Since he has joined the squad, the team is 4-1, with their loss coming to MoB in a match where Nepo- led statistically.

Strengths Their defense. EG has a solid system setup for defense. They know when and where to push and they have the ability to control their aggressiveness on D and make play work in their favor.

Weaknesses First tournament with new fifth. Who knows how Nepo- is going to perform at his first event with the team, especially considering the amount of pressure he is getting from the community.

Prediction Second. MoB looks like they might very well have EG's number.


50 Calibre
Frank "illuzion" Liccardo
Vince "fr3aK" DeCarlo
Zeus "demos" Wu
Jasper "sfX" Ko
Don "b33f" Frain

50 Cal is extremely lucky to be in the position they currently find themselves. After the team took over drift's roster spot, they have once again undergone a lineup change. In fact, no one from the drift roster which placed second at x3o Q2 remains on the squad. They were able to use that spot to get a good seed for the third qualifier and ultimately took second at that event. Left over from that team, however, is only sfX.

Other than entering this event with a solid seed and a first round bye in double elimination, 50 Cal has a few things going for them. All of their players have experience with one another at some point in time. With the way things are in the east coast right now, most of the top players socialize with one another and play 10 mans together. It's pretty easy for players to slip in and out of lineups with little effect on the team.

Unfortunately, all of the roster changes haven't been very kind to 50 cal. With a dismal 2-9 record in CEVO-p, they really need to adjust their focus. This lineup might just do the trick though, as it has some of the members from iPlay on it, and they have had some success at these x3o events.

Strengths Solid players who can let their individual games compensate for lack of chemistry and teamwork.

Weaknesses Roster instability. Every event this team sports a new lineup. That can't possibly help team growth and chemistry.

Prediction Top five. They should be able to ride out their seed to get deep in the draw.


X3O
Matt "PaTyoJoN" Iantosca
Ben "TheNuT" Hui
Ediz "goodfornothing" Basol
Derrick "impulsivE" Truong
Dan "mehLer" Mehler

Aside from placing in the money at GameGune, this summer has been relatively quiet for x3o. With wins in the spring at GRT #1, and the team qualified up for all the major end of summer tournaments, there hasn't been all that much going on for them. They played well at x3o q1, however they ultimately fell short in the finals to EG.usa. That really seems to be a growing trend for them.

As they try to once again defend their CEVO-p title, x3o is 8-2 thus far in the season. Their two losses - to EG.usa and MoB. This tournament can be huge for them. With both of their rivals in attendance, if they can find a way to come out on top it could be the emotional boost they need heading into ESWC.

Strengths Consistency over time. While they might not always be perfect, x3o has proven time and time again that they can get it done. You don't win back to back CEVO seasons without consistency.

Weaknesses Negativity and no real in game motivator. When x3o is down, you know it. Their body language is terrible and no one on the lineup really steps up to try to get them pumped up. The only way they really are able to pull themselves back is if someone clutches a round and gives them the excuse to get loud.

Prediction Third. It's going to be very difficult for them to beat both EG.usa and MoB at the same event.

Continued on next page


Group Stage Melee
Seeds and Groups
Top Teams Previewed

Galleries

Group A - Frag Dominant, High Hopes and nPlay
Group B - Malice, Paintrain and more
Group C - Savior, Hero and PoV with Hypnosis, R4L
Group D - Maingear, zsm, Team nX... Ninespot eating cheesecake...

The Series: X3O Qualifiers Explained

Qualifier One Bracket - March 29th-30th
Qualifier Two Bracket - May 17th-18th
Qualifier Three Bracket - June 28th-29th
Qualifier Four Bracket - July 19th-20th