Preview: Why StarLadder StarSeries Fall really matters

With only eight teams, and none of them being Spirit or Falcons, it'd be easy to overlook this event as a placeholder on the calendar. StarLadder StarSeries Fall comes at a weird time where a lot of teams are in flux, and a whole bunch of them have a chance to get a trophy they really need to get back on track in time for the Major this year.

Without Spirit, who look far and away the best team in the world right now, there's a real chance for Vitality - back with their full line-up - MOUZ and FURIA to split from the chasing pack.

MOUZ are the obvious favourites in Barcelona, given their ascension to a grand final most recently, and their generally consistent play. They have for so long been a bridesmaid but without a veil in sight, but this is as good a chance as any to get some silverware and really mount a challenge for that recognition they've craved for so long. Every choking jab, every 'typical MOUZ' jibe, all evaporated if they can win a string of trophies, and this is their best shot at starting.

They beat Vitality in Porto, albeit with jL in the line-up, and you'd back them against anyone else especially in a slightly lower pressure environment. We say that, but there's actually a lot of pressure on them. They need to win here, badly. But they aren't the only ones.

Team Vitality have been given some leeway because of their paternal situations, but now will have their full line-up for an event where the favourite is MOUZ. That is a pretty tantalising prospect for them, and will be looking at this as a very good chance at getting back on track. For us outsiders, it seems like a must-win for them, just as does for MOUZ, for us to believe in them - of course, for very different reasons.

MOUZ need this win to stop the little brother syndrome they've got going on, whereas Vitality need it to reestablish their aura of infallibility. They felt unstoppable just six months ago, and they'd need to win this to start bringing back that feeling like they can be the best team in the world again.

Similarly, we'd need a(n unlikely) win from FURIA to change their story. They've been in a bit of a weird state with FalleN retiring at the end of the year and rumours abound about the future of their other players, but they'll want to send The Professor out on a high. They've not been great of late, and missed out on finals and trophies they might feel they should have had. With two of the big boys already gone, though, this is a great chance to bring the Samba Mentality back before the Major.

NAVI and Aurora need to prove that we should care about them, and a minimum of top four is required for both - but you'd imagine only one will secure it. If that. NAVI are in freefall and desperately in need of a change, while Aurora's moves have not proven to be the big upgrades they'd hoped for as of yet.

That just leaves three.

magic are the most intriguing of the trio, and will be looking at this as a shot at stealing a top 10 spot off of NAVI or Aurora if all goes well. They've been a big problem for teams so far this season in these types of events, and we're not sure we'd back either of those two mentioned teams to beat magic. They're on the rise, and a small tournament like this makes a semi-finals appearance all the more in reach.

MIBR need to prove to KSCERATO that he should leave FURIA and join them this winter, and again, it's a top four easily in reach. NAVI, Aurora, even FURIA are not the titans they once were. All it takes is two good insani games and you're in the semis.

For NRG, it's a free hit. They're not expected to do much, but having been away from the top tier for a while they do have a point to prove. You never know. Everyone is beatable at StarLadder StarSeries Fall.