ESTNN previews this weekend’s Fortnite Champion Series Season Finals for the European region.
Fortnite Chapter 3 Season 1’s competitive finale is mere days away. When the time comes, qualified players in all seven regions will compete in the Fortnite Champion Series (FNCS) for a share of $3M USD and the in-game Axe of Champions award; this seasonal tournament is the measuring stick for the world’s best players. Fortnite’s transition into Chapter 3 changed the landscape significantly, especially the competitive format.
Epic Games switched the primary format from Trios to Duos—a long-requested adjustment by the community. After two Qualifiers and the Semi-Finals, 50 of the top Duos across all regions prepare for the grueling task ahead; two days, 12 games and a shot at ultimate glory.
Today, ESTNN brings you a preview of the European FNCS Finals. Many recognize this region as the best, and any qualified team could walk away with the grand prize of $300K USD. We’ll also give some predictions toward the end, so join us before the action begins this weekend!
Format, Meta & Drop Spot Map
UPDATE 2 pic.twitter.com/1IJrojA2Y9
— MaximeFN (@fn_maxime) March 3, 2022
Thanks to Twitter user fn_maxime, we have a detailed outlook of where all 50 Duos plan to drop this weekend. This information allows us to make more accurate predictions regarding how these teams will fare. Generally, competitors fighting off the spawn tend to struggle, given how much random number generator (RNG) comes into play.
The meta is relatively straightforward to understand this season. Duos hope to carry a Stinger SMG, Heavy or Striker Shotgun and an MK-Seven Assault Rifle if those are available. Mythic Spider-Man Web Shooters and Launch Pads are also critical for seamless movement during the end game. This season, the height advantage is imperative, but the low-ground is also viable. Expect teams to utilize the newly added Armored Walls to prevent enemy fire from breaking through their structures.
Now, let’s look at the entire field before making some predictions.
The Field
Qualifier 1
- BL Raifla & GAMMA Merijn
- GUILD Hen & Queasy
- mYi PHYENIX & mYi Raizen
- MCES DKS & MCES BadSnipR
- LootBoy trippernn & Zroggy
- Kami & GXR teeq
- FLAMES PabloWingu & FLAMES Swag
- Wave Vadeal & GUILD rezon ay
Qualifier 2
- Rix Pinq & GUILD Anas
- NRG BenjyFishy & 100T MrSavage
- Claim Neylu & AVE Flickzybuca
- TchypSs & ARTSKILLREYLI
- kiryache & FS Stormyrite
- mYi Hookka & Zeston
- Juu & mouz Stompy
- Monaco pkr & Glorious Mappi
Semi-Finals Victory Royale Winners
- GUILD JannisZ & Focus Vortex
- Gambit Toose & CL Putrick
- Falcon TaySon & AST Th0masHD
- Tundra Veno & Joe
- Falcon Chapix & BL Setty
- Fractioned & Coope
- Wavy Wox & TTC Milad
- BL Noahreyli & LootBoy Aqua
- LootBoy Belusi & LootBoy Hijoe
- Heretics Nakoo & D A A N
- TruleX & Chico
- Ovlder & iRezUmi
- Swillium & G2 Letshe
- Bifrost Vortexia & Castery
- zAndy1x & hmble ziegecod 7
- irg Cyr0xV & Swyzz F187less6
Semi-Finals Consistent Teams
- Aopik Grolzz & Klownski
- Falcon Andilex & xsweeze
- Wave Vic0 & claim YikesJxn
- K1nzell & GO Decyptos
- ALOFT 1Lusha & CL Fury
- Centric Merstach & TT9 Malibuca
- IRG Gabix Taizen & Dsyre Shmeky
- LootBoy Kikoo & XIV Moshy
- Kefyy & VCTRY Mlody
- Falcon Refsgaard & Skram
- Laizen 203 & MCES Mirza
- FOKUS Karma & Bubak
- Solary Floki & Solary Clément
- LootBoyHuty & LootBoy Swifty
- dyox & wаfflar
- kyzen 5 & niasenfn
- ALOFT RELLVIS & crustі
- NeFrizushaFN & karmyreal1337
ESTNN’s Picks to Perform
GXR teeq & Kami
landing kami split in grands of course 👍 pic.twitter.com/RRORlWvnnX
— Kami (@KamiFN1) February 26, 2022
FNCS Chapter 2 Season 8 winners GXR teeq and Kami remained together following the switch to Duos. The Polish tandem’s results thus far in Duos Cash Cup tournaments are outstanding; 9th, 13th, 12th, 6th, 1st and 10th (NAE). We’ve come to expect this type of consistency out of teeq and Kami. As expected, they secured their spot in the Chapter 3 Season 1 Final in the first Qualifier with relative ease.
Heading into the Finals, teeq and Kami have chosen to claim the new “Kami Split” loot path–located southeast of the map’s middle section. This area grants the Polish Duo various Chests, healing items and vehicles for rotation. From a Storm Surge perspective, teeq and Kami could easily damage opponents to the west in Tilted Towers since three teams plan on landing there.
The Season Finals set up nicely for teeq and Kami, who could contend for at least a top-five finish if not an outright tournament victory.
Queasy & GUILD Hen
North Sleepy + Lighthouse 12/12 w/ @hentvv pic.twitter.com/4iNj70bMOV
— Queasy (@QueasyFN) March 2, 2022
Like the previous Duo, Queasy and GUILD Hen have been two of the most consistent players this season. The pair have qualified for nine Duos Cash Cup Finals and won two of those. In Qualifier 1, Queasy and Hen finished second, allowing them an automatic passage to the Season Finals. There is not much that these two players can’t accomplish, as we’ve seen throughout Chapter 3 Season 1.
Queasy and Hen have claimed the north side of Sleepy Sound to themselves based on the current drop spot map. That factor alone provides them a favorable path to the Axe of Champions. The north side features many Chests, vehicles, fishing spots and food boxes for the two-time Cash Cup winners to build ideal inventories. Storm Surge damage should not be an issue, considering two teams plan to battle for control of south Sleepy Sound.
While Queasy and Hen could struggle with southern Storm Circles, the two crafty players have overcome these issues in the past. Expect them to be in the running for a potential win on Sunday.
GUILD Anas & Rix Pinq
🏆🦙LLAMA SPLIT IN GRANDS🦙🏆 pic.twitter.com/d7Lb8Ji91T
— GUILD Anas (@anasfnbr) March 3, 2022
GUILD Anas and Rix Pinq have improved immensely since Chapter 3 Season 1 began. Their Cash Cup placements include a 3rd, 9th and 5th before the FNCS Qualifiers came around. In Qualifier 1, Anas and Pinq finished 13th—just five positions lower than they needed to qualify for the Finals. The two followed that performance with an impressive victory in Qualifier 2.
Uncontested drop spots typically breed success; that’s something competitive Fortnite fans have come to learn over the years. In that regard, GUILD Anas and Rix Pinq might be in the most advantageous position of any European team. They have already claimed Llama Homestead’s area for the Chapter 3 Season 1 Finals. For those who don’t know, this drop spot guarantees a Loot Llama spawn, providing Anas and Pinq the resources they’ll need to succeed.
This European tandem dominated height in Qualifier 2, and they could be on their way to an FNCS Championship should they execute the same strategy.
Falcon TaySon & AST Th0masHD
🏆🇩🇰COVERT CANYON 12/12🇸🇮🏆 pic.twitter.com/9lnfWPeFjV
— Th0masHD (@Th0masHD) March 2, 2022
Despite their inconsistency in Chapter 3 Season 1, Falcon TaySon and AST Th0masHD are always in the discussion. TaySon, a four-time FNCS winner, possesses every mechanic and tidbit of game knowledge that any teammate would want to compete alongside. Th0masHD has yet to win an FNCS, but he’s come close many times. Perhaps there is enough motivation behind that narrative to push TaySon and Th0masHD into the winner’s circle.
TaySon and Th0masHD qualified for the Season Finals via the Semi-Finals last weekend. The two dominant forces will glide into the Finals with an uncontested Covert Canyon. This point of interest (POI) is unquestionably the best, considering the Vault, number of Chests, guaranteed Launch Pads and IO vehicles. Of all the teams mentioned, TaySon and Th0masHD should deliver a top-three finish in Chapter 3 Season 1.
100T MrSavage & NRG benjyfishy
qualified grand finals landing tilted 🥷 @MrSavage pic.twitter.com/2Mdj4Y2HXT
— benjyfishy (@benjyfishy) February 20, 2022
It was impossible to make predictions without including the “OG” Duo 100T MrSavage and NRG benjyfishy. Although they’ve been two of the best players in Fortnite history, neither has taken home an FNCS Championship. The long-time Duo partners split briefly following their 2019 World Cup run but rekindled their partnership in May 2020.
A prediction for MrSavage and Benjy to win is challenging, considering that two other teams are landing in Titled Towers; there’s no denying that it would be an excellent story. They are two of the best fighters in Fortnite and have all the tools required to win this season’s FNCS title.
The European FNCS Season Finals begin this weekend. For information regarding the format, prize pool, viewing options and more, check out our viewership guide.
Stay tuned to ESTNN for more Fortnite news and updates!