BOL Premier Storm Watch Week 1 The Primer
- Storm
- Aug 10
- 12 min read
Hello to Blue Otter League Premier! For those of you who do not know me my name is CTRL ULT ELITE or Storm. I have been part of the amateur esports community for about 5 years now playing in various levels of competition and writing content pieces giving my takes on what I think the best teams are, the players to watch and who I think will make upsets. I will be providing weekly content drops as well as color-casting the games this season on Saturdays. As always I am looking for the community to get involved. Throughout the year expect me to drop Google Forms that I encourage everyone to fill out and I would love to hear from you on Otter Talk! As always feel free to reach out to me in DMs on Discord.
This premier split we have 8 teams playing in the league and it is again full fearless. For a look at the rules check here: https://www.blueotterleague.net/premier-rules My content today is the primer. These are my thoughts without having seen any of these teams play a game, where I am writing about all the teams going over their solo queue point total, where I would place them on my tier list and how I think they will play. Again most of this content is my own opinion and is my pre-week 1 analysis and mostly based on name recognition from my time in other leagues and solo que data. Solo queue points are a simple way for me to show how close to the rank cap every player on a team is a team that is an emerald 4 average would be 20 points.
You can find my tier list below. These are my thoughts pre-week 1 before any games have been played. I have put every single team into a tier list on where I think they will end the season. S-tier teams are the frontrunners to win Premier this season and should finish first in the regular season. A-tier teams are playoff locks and will be able to challenge any team, but might have a single team member who I have doubts about. Teams in the B tier are the teams I expect will finish towards the bottom of the playoff race and are teams that will be first-round playoff exits, just making it into playoffs having weaknesses as a team. C-tier teams are the teams that I think have a shot at punching up and claiming a playoff spot but will not be competitive in the playoffs if they make it in. There are no D-tier teams on my list this season as D-tier teams are the teams that I do not think have any real shot at making the postseason and Premier seems to be competitive across the board.
Elysium
Top: Czi#OwO
Jungle: Guster Posey#Gus
Mid: AquaFelis#Meo
ADC: Dilly#JIHYO
Support: Aero#Xros
Solo Que Point Total: 26 Emerald 3 Average
Last Split Finish: Champions
Tier: S
The returning champions certainly look like they’ve built a roster capable of running it back for another title. I’ve covered every single player on this squad before in BOL Emerald, and they’re all proven commodities at this level. Combine that with the fact that Elysium comes in sporting the highest solo queue point total this season, and to me this split feels like Elysium’s to lose.
What makes them dangerous isn’t just raw skill, it’s familiarity. Aero Dilly and Guster Posey have been playing together for over a decade across various leagues, building the kind of synergy you can’t coach or almost ever see. Their reads on each other’s movements, their comfort in high-pressure situations, and their trust in one another are all massive competitive edges.
And then there are the solo lanes the real engines of this roster. CZI is the guy who will pick any counter matchup imaginable, the kind of top laner who forces opponents to respect the draft phase. AquaFelis (aka WaterCat) is the mid laner nobody likes to lane against, thriving on the kind of solid, frustrating picks that tilt opponents before the 10-minute mark. Together, they give Elysium multiple win conditions before the game even starts.
If there’s a potential crack in the armor, it’s in the draft. With so much flexibility and so many pocket picks, there’s a real temptation to get too creative. I also want to see CZI lean more into frontline responsibilities when the situation calls for it this team has enough firepower, but sometimes you just need a rock to play around. Still, when I look at the checklist engage, scaling, communication, individual outplay potential Elysium ticks every single box. On paper, they’re the favorite. In practice, they’re the team everyone else will be measuring themselves against so into my S tier they go.
Team Solo Invade
Top: Smoke#jugg
Jungle: HamanKarn#06s
Mid: tsiaguri#na1
ADC: justrj#ester
Support: xhackzz#avngr
Solo Que Point Total: 22 Emerald 4 Average
Last Split Finish: Top 4
Tier: A
Team Solo Invade enter this split carrying the weight of high expectations and for good reason. Last split, they stormed through the Premier regular season without dropping a single series, the only team to do so, before eventually being stopped in the playoffs. That same competitive edge carried into Emerald, where most of the roster went 5-2 and proved they could hang with the best.
This time around, the lineup looks both familiar and fresh. The biggest changes come on the top side, with an entirely new trio in Smoke, HamanKarn, and TSI aguri stepping in. Down in bot lane, JustRJ returns as the offensive centrepiece, aiming to recapture the form that made him one of the most feared ADCs last split. He’s joined again by xhackzz, whose reliability and lane presence make him the perfect complement.
The mid lane swap is particularly intriguing. While it wouldn’t be fair to label TSI aguri as a downgrade, the shadow of NBK looms large last season, NBK wasn’t just the best mid in the league, he was the heartbeat of TSI’s scaling-heavy identity. Tsiaguri brings a different toolkit to the table, favoring zone control and setup over raw DPS carry performances. This stylistic shift could be the key to unlocking HamanKarn, a more proactive, carry-minded jungler who thrives on champions like Viego and Wukong rather than the Maokai/Xin Zhao picks that anchored TSI’s previous game plan.
If this roster clicks, TSI could become even more dangerous than before. Instead of relying on their late-game inevitability, they might emerge as a mid-game powerhouse capable of seizing control early and snowballing through coordinated aggression. The question is whether this identity shift will stick when the pressure is on or if they’ll be tempted to fall back into their old, scaling-centric comfort zone. Either way, the talent and pedigree are there. TSI are once again positioned to push for a top spot, and if the new look pays off, they might just finish the job they couldn’t last split.
Omega Esports
Top: perspicacious#persp
Jungle: kaxi#na1
Mid: sarryn#wav
ADC: maj#na1
Support: Spaghetti#XSV
Solo Que Point Total: 26 Emerald 3 Average
Last Split Finish: Top 4
Tier: A
Omega Esports returns after a Top 4 finish last season with nearly the same roster — the only change being at support, where Spaghetti replaces Noobily. And this isn’t just any pickup. Spaghetti, also known as Matty, was the winner of last split’s BOLE Emerald with XSV Gluttony. It’s a move that keeps Omega’s core intact while potentially upgrading their playmaking from the bot lane.
Last year, Omega earned a reputation for creative and adaptable drafts. They weren’t afraid to lean into unconventional strategies, from double-enchanter bot lanes like Seraphine/Sona to bruiser-heavy compositions across the map. This flexibility was a key part of their success, allowing them to tailor game plans to their opponent and their own comfort picks. In terms of roles, Kaxi remains the team’s anchor. Kaxi is a reliable engage jungler and frontline presence who glues their compositions together. Sarryn provides the scaling backbone in mid, piloting control mages to great effect, especially in drafts where Omega runs without a traditional ADC. Maj has been a steady carry threat in bot, and pairing him with Spaghetti could unlock even more creative lane strategies.
That said, there are a few question marks. Perspicacious’s solo queue pool has narrowed, and with Illaoi’s recent “rework” from Phreak making the champion far less viable, his champion flexibility in Fearless could be tested. Spaghetti, while a proven elite ADC, has only played 10 ranked games of support this year as of my time writing this article, and Spaghetti has won just three and has mostly stuck to engage picks. That’s a steep transition, but his high-level understanding of the game makes me believe he’ll adapt quickly. As Cheong said on Otter Talk it's probably going to be rough in first couple of weeks but I have faith. If Spaghetti can find his footing in the role and Perspicacious can expand beyond his comfort picks, Omega has all the tools to remain a contender. Their blend of creativity, strong returning synergy, and willingness to break the meta is exactly why they sit in my A tier.
Conduit Esports
Top: Soez#2Ez
Jungle: nasian#na1
Mid: derisin#na1
ADC: its genetics#na1
Support: Poodle25#NA1
Solo Que Point Total: 12 Plat 2 Average
Last Split Finish: Runners Up
Tier: A
Conduit Esports enters Premier with the second-lowest solo queue average of any team in the league, yet I still have them rated as an A-tier squad. That might sound counterintuitive at first glance, but my ranking isn’t built off of raw ladder points, and it’s certainly not a legacy boost from last season. In fact, only Derisin remains from their runner-up roster; the rest of the lineup is brand new to this iteration of Conduit.
The reason for my confidence comes down to two factors: player familiarity and team identity. From my read, this team is built to revolve around newcomer to me Nasian thier jungler. In solo queue, Nasian’s champion pool leans heavily toward carry picks champions that snowball hard and thrive in Fearless’ flexible drafting environment. He’s comfortable across a wide range of options, from meta staples to high-risk curveballs, and that flexibility could be a difference-maker in longer series.
In the bot lane, Poodle25 and Its Genetics strike me as a duo that will prioritize lane control and utility. Expect to see plenty of Karma/Ezreal and MF/Seraphine type pairings lanes that push, harass, and then pivot into teamfight utility. This style meshes well with a carry jungle focus, as it opens space for Nasian to dictate the early game. I’ve covered SoEz before in his days with Kittens With Mittens and The Chosen Inters, and I know what he brings: versatility, a large champion pool, and the ability to both engage or play a counter-pick role. Derisin and Its Genetics are also familiar faces from other leagues, both capable of delivering strong performances when put in the right setups. Derisin is a complementary piece in this puzzle, able to bring AD mids, scaling control mages, and even off-meta picks to create the draft gaps Nasian can exploit. His performance in last season’s playoffs included some huge pop-off games, which bodes well for Conduit’s ability to ride momentum.
The only concern I have is how this strategy scales in a best-of-five. It’s not that I think Nasian will run out of carry picks entirely, but Fearless drafting can force you into uncomfortable territory late in a series. If Game 1 looks like Viego + Lissandra and Game 4 turns into Evelynn + Viktor, you risk losing the aggressive setup that defines this team’s win condition. Without those proactive tools, Conduit could find themselves playing from a position they’re not built for and that’s when things can get messy. Still, if they can close series before running into those walls or adapt fast enough to climb over them, Conduit has the tools to make another deep run.
The Spire
Top: Denial Hurts#NA1
Jungle: Notoriety#0227
Mid: Big Sugar#CREED
ADC: POOPSOCKBOSSMAN#NOAH
Support: strawberry frog#uwu
Solo Que Point Total: 17 Plat 1 Average
Last Split Finish: 5th
Tier: B
The Spire enters this season with a completely rebuilt roster; there are no returning players from last Premier split and no carryovers from their BOL Emerald team. This is a fresh start in every sense, and while that can mean untapped potential, it also brings major question marks about cohesion.
The one player I immediately recognize is POOPSOCKBOSSMAN, and he’s worth the attention. In season 12 of BOL Emerald, he was incredible, having tons of standout performers, finishing with a 7.3 KDA and placing in the top 10 for damage per minute. Paired with strawberry frog, who recently swapped from top lane to support and seems to favor enchanters, this bot lane could be one of the strongest duos in the league on paper. If the game flows through them, The Spire has a clear win condition.
But the rest of the roster raises concerns. Denial Hurts and Big Sugar have swapped roles from last split, and Notoriety’s champion pool in solo queue is almost entirely hard carries, with over 400 games on Lillia, which could clash with the bot-focused identity. The top side doesn’t seem interested in scaling; instead, they lean toward skirmishing picks. On top of that, I see almost no reliable engage champions across the entire team, and tanks are nearly nonexistent. That’s a dangerous gap in Fearless, where drafts can quickly push you out of your comfort and drop games that should be easy wins.
Without engage or frontline, The Spire will struggle to secure objectives or win structured 5v5s so I am putting them in my B tier. They may thrive against other less coordinated teams by outplaying in skirmishes, but against stronger opponents who can weather the early game, I don’t see them punching up effectively. If their solo lanes can’t sync with their bot lane powerhouse, this team’s ceiling could end up well below their floor.
Dorado Gaming
Top: TROUBLEKILLA
Jungle: wockwarlock#lean
Mid: Yoyos#NA12
ADC: Pola#na2
Support: A High Ah Cat#cNip
Solo Que Point Total: 20 Emerald 4 Average
Last Split Finish: 6th
Tier: B
Dorado Gaming is a box of chocolates you never quite know what you’re going to get. The coveted dark chocolate with sea salt? That’s Pola, one of the most experienced and consistent ADCs in the league, with a deep champion pool and a proven ability to carry. The overly sweet, strawberry-filled piece that we all secretly despise? That’s wockwarlock. He played for Dorado in Emerald last season before being benched, averaging over six deaths per game in their losses.
Some other pieces in the box aren’t to my taste either. A High Ah Cat prefers niche, counterpick-heavy supports like Xerath, Morgana, and Milio champions that often struggle to find impact in comp play at this ELO. Yoyos in mid looks fine, sticking mostly to control mages while mixing in the occasional assassin to take risks. TROUBLEKILLA sould be the other standout player for Dorado. Top lane might be the weakest role in Premier this season, and while TROUBLEKILLA isn’t elite, their ability to pilot multiple stat-checking champions gives them the potential to take over games.
Do I think this roster is winning Premier? Absolutely not. But on the right day, with the right matchups, Dorado Gaming can punch above their weight and potentially sneak into the top four. They’re volatile, unpredictable, and occasionally dangerous which makes them a team you can’t entirely write off.
Literal Monkeys
Top: Baxel#7777
Jungle: Taunty2k#FN1
ADC: Goommi#Goom
Support: Relix#Adore
Solo Que Point Total: 23
Last Split Finish: 8th
Tier: C
The Literal Monkeys were one of the two teams last season in Premier that simply couldn’t find competitiveness, finishing 3-13. This split, they’ve completely blown up the roster, not a single player returns. In true Monkeys fashion, they’ve taken a group of individually strong players, slapped them together, and are hoping it all just works out.
If that sounds familiar, it’s because it is. In past seasons, I’ve been burned by Monkey teams before hyped up on talent, only to watch them flame out early due to a lack of synergy. This time, I’m not taking the bait. Into C tier you go; enjoy your first-round exit.
The main concern for me is role comfort. Goommi has almost exclusively played top lane in the past, Taunty2k is also a top laner by trade, and Baxel is a fill player. That’s a lot of shifting around, which rarely leads to clean macro or crisp coordination.
The bright spot is ThunderMcBusterz in the mid lane. One of the highest-ELO players in Premier, they’ve had success in both Aegis and Titan, and will likely be the focal point of any success this team finds. I expect the Monkeys to pick up some wins purely off individual skill, better laning, better mechanics but when it comes to the playoff stage, I think they’ll fall apart against teams with stronger fundamentals and rotation discipline. This is a roster with talent but no foundation, and in Amateur, that usually means a short postseason stay.
High Alert
Top: 0so#HA4L
Jungle: mist#SN1
Mid: repped#1121
ADC: verszia#kaisa
Support: LaosHooo#Hooo
Solo Que Point Total: 8 Plat 3 Average
Last Split Finish: 7th
Tier: C
Last season, High Alert struggled to find wins, finishing 1-6 in matches and winning only five games overall. This split, the team has undergone a complete rebuild 0so, the organization’s owner and top laner is the only returning player. While they enter Premier with the lowest average ELO in the league, I believe this roster has the tools to perform far better than last year’s and can claim a playoff spot.
High Alret on paper has a clear identity. Verszia brings consistent damage from the ADC role while keeping deaths low, paired with LaosHooo, an engage-oriented support who can set up fights. In the jungle, Mist boasts an impressive KDA and should be able to link up with the bot lane to create early pressure. Repped in mid sticks to proven control mage picks like Ahri, Viktor, Orianna, and Syndra, providing stability in the draft. Up top, 0so plays frontline fighters and counterpick champions, giving the team a dependable engage or soak option.
On paper, this team is built for back-to-front teamfighting, trying to remain stable in the laning phase to then win structured 5v5s through coordination and positioning. If they can keep games even early, I expect them to pull off a few upsets, and I believe they can push for a playoff spot. The big questions are whether this completely new lineup can develop the trust and synergy needed for consistent execution, and whether their lower-ranked roster can match opponents in macro decision-making. Not a lot of games from this High Alert roster will be one off of one individual popping off, which can also be cause for concern. Will High Alert know when to group and force plays, or will they be stuck reacting? If High Alert can answer those questions positively, they could surprise more than a few teams this split. For now, C tier feels fair, a potential dark horse fighting to break into the postseason.
Comments