North American Dominance Shines at Teamfight Tactics Bilgewater Cup
In the EMEA draft, American player Carson “Darth Nub” Hu finished in first position with 32 points. / ASSIGNED
The Teamfight Tactics competitive scene witnessed a strategic masterclass during the Bilgewater Cup (February 1-3), where North American players demonstrated exceptional adaptability to secure both qualification spots for the prestigious Tactician’s Crown championship. This second stop on the TFT Pro Circuit featured 64 elite competitors – 32 each from EMEA and AMER regions – battling in a high-stakes cross-region format.
Cross-Region Showdown: EMEA vs. AMER
Riot Games implemented a unique competitive structure where 16 AMER players competed on EMEA servers while 16 EMEA contenders battled on AMER servers. This format tested players’ ability to adapt to different regional metas and server conditions, with the ultimate prize being direct qualification to the $456,000 Tactician’s Crown – TFT’s equivalent of the World Championship.
In the EMEA bracket, American Carson “Darth Nub” Hu claimed victory with 32 points, outperforming Polish duo Jakub “Kubixon” Warzecha (29 points) and Andrzej “Traviscwat” Fiks (28 points) from Ukrainian organization Natus Vincere. This marked a significant achievement for Hu, who successfully navigated the European meta despite being an AMER representative.
Wasianiverson Makes Competitive History
In the AMER, Canadian Nicholas “Wasianiverson” Faust took first place with 34 points. / ASSIGNED
The AMER bracket saw Canadian Nicholas “Wasianiverson” Faust dominate with 34 points, building on his previous victory at the AMER Shurima Cup. According to competitive TFT records, Faust becomes the first player in Pro Circuit history to achieve back-to-back tournament wins, cementing his status as a rising star in the autobattler competitive scene.
Meta Adaptation Decides Regional Dominance
Analysts noted AMER players demonstrated superior adaptation to the critical 16.3b patch changes implemented just days before competition. The balance adjustments impacted popular comps including:
– Disco/Twisted Fate nerfs (-10% attack speed)
– Pentakill trait adjustments (7-piece bonus reduced)
– Headliner appearance rate modifications
EMEA players struggled with the rapid meta shift, particularly in optimizing new vertical comps like 8-bit and Country variations that emerged as patch 16.3b solutions. This technical disparity contributed significantly to AMER securing both Tactician’s Crown qualification spots.
Circuit Standings and Next Challenges
The Bilgewater Cup awarded crucial Pro Points that determine qualification for regional finals. With only the top 24 players per region advancing to season-ending championships, every point becomes vital in this elimination-style circuit.
Attention now shifts to the Demacia Cup (February 13-15), where players must navigate expected balance changes following the recent 16.4 patch. Competitors face mounting pressure to maintain consistency, as only the most adaptable tacticians will earn invites to June’s Tactician’s Crown in Los Angeles.
For complete standings and official tournament rules, consult Riot Games’ official TFT esports documentation.
Source: Diario de Mallorca
Images Credit: www.diariodemallorca.es