PAX is next week and Halo will have a strong presence. Instead of a Global Championship however, there will be a 4v4 tourney.

The following are teams known to be participating. (And yes, you’ve seen the list before as it was in the bulletin. I’ll get to why I’m redressing this).

excellence – iGotUrPistola, Snipedown, ACE, StrongSide

Triggers Down – Heinz, Hysteria, FearItSelf, Lethul

VwS USA – Goofy, Mikwen, Naded, Legit

Darkest Hour – Elumnite, Cobys2Fast, Wolfmayne, Frosty

TCM – Ramirez, TuFoxy, Riotz, Chalkie

I’m bringing this up again because I wanted to discuss which of these teams may win and who I think is likely to win.

Okay, while TCM did just win the Halo tourney at Gamescom, I do not think they have enough skill to be a couple of the other teams listed. After watching the rebroadcast of the finals, I saw several critical mistakes they made, even during games they won.

Darkest Hour will be good. However, I also believe they combined do not have as much skills as a couple of the other teams.

VwS USA has some great players. Goofy, Naded and Legit I think are strong players and they could go to the finals. However, I don’t think they can beat my top pick.

Trigger Down as well has some great players. Heinz for sure will do well. This could be another team to make it to the finals. Still they too will fall to my top choice.

eXcellence…This is THE team to beat! Just look at the performances from last year. Strongside was the winner of the Online FFA Tournament. If you recall he won the Halo Ford Raptor. (Which he subsequently put up for sale).  Snipedown is another ‘legend’ of the current pro crop of Halo gamers. Then there are iGotUrPistola and ACE. Both were the finalists in the Halo 4 Global Championship at last year’s PAX. The finals went to a tie and so they had to do a 1-kill tie breaker game, which ACE just edged out Ola. Yes, I mention these guys FFA skills, however, they are also formidable in 4v4 teams as well. 

Personally, I will be shocked if they do not take the top spot in the Showdown.

Just as a reminder, here are the prize money amounts for the top 8 spots: 

Halo PAX Prime Showdown Prizing
1st: $5,000
2nd: $1,500
3rd: $1,000
4th: $700
5th: $600
6th: $500
7th: $400
8th: $300

I’m looking forward to watching these games. If they are anywhere near as exciting as last year’s Global Championship, we’re in for a real treat of top notch Halo gaming.

-Sal