The Storm Watch The Top 8

Hello everyone and welcome to the top 8 of Blue Otter League Emearld. I am Storm or CTRL ULT ELITE your color commentator and content writer. Have something you want to let me know my DMs are always open! This week we arrive at the top 8 from our original 32 teams. Last week I went 6 for 8 in my predictions. This week has some amazing matchups and I cannot wait to see who emerges into the Semi Finals!

Mint Crashouts(Demacia 1st Seed) Vs. Conduit Gremlins(Freljord 3rd Seed)

My Prediction: 3-0 Mint Crashouts

Tonight, two of the hottest teams in the Blue Otter League Emerald face off in what might be one of the most anticipated Top 8 matchups of the playoffs: Mint Crashouts (MINT) versus Conduit Gremlins (GREM).

Both squads come in undefeated in their playoff openers, but their paths to the Top 8 could not have looked more different. The Conduit Gremlins pulled off a seismic upset over last season's champions, The Shattered Spire, with only 4 of 19 pick'ems backing them. In contrast, Mint Crashouts entered their series against The Bing Chillers as heavy favourites, with 14 out of 19 users expecting their victory and they delivered.

Not only did MINT win, they dominated. They posted faster average game times, larger gold leads, better farm numbers, fewer deaths, and more towers standing than any team in the playoffs. If the regular season hinted at their strength, last week’s performance confirmed it: this team is in a league of their own. Zuiy was a standout performer, dying only four times across the series while posting a staggering 12.75 KDA. And MINT’s so-called “worst” performer? P Dawg, who still managed a 5.0 KDA while holding off counter-picks from Espada with ease. Every lane won. Every Dragon soul was claimed. Every macro decision looked rehearsed. This is a team firing on all cylinders—mechanically, strategically, and emotionally.

To be honest, I’m intimidated. We may be witnessing the beginning of a run that mirrors Mint Spark’s legendary undefeated playoff sweep two years ago. If MINT keeps this up, history may very well repeat itself. But let’s not forget about GREM.

They came into their match against The Shattered Spire as underdogs and left it looking like juggernauts. Game after game, they executed early leads and translated them into clean victories. Their drafts were bold and aggressive, and their play even more so. Yes, I believe TSS fumbled the draft across all three games, leaving glaring holes and almost no synergy. But that doesn't diminish GREM’s preparation or execution.

Princess Mei was the clear MVP last week, dropping monster KDAs and massive damage numbers in Games 1 and 2. Her dominance was so pronounced that Boostus was relegated to Ziggs duty in Game 3 just to keep up in waveclear. Pinei Nessa Poha also showed up big, particularly on Elise, where they doubled witchatblakmass’s gold and controlled the tempo of the game. Aes even stepped up when not put on Darius or Ornn, showing some much-needed flexibility. There's definitely talent here. GREM has momentum, confidence, and star power.

That said—I just don’t think it will be enough. GREM's early-game wins against TSS won’t come so easily against MINT, a team that thrives on early aggression and has no weak links to target. If anything, MINT will welcome early skirmishes, knowing they can turn them into snowballs. The question isn’t whether GREM can keep up with MINT’s pace—it’s whether they can survive it.

The lane to watch tonight is bot lane. If GREM has even a sliver of hope, it lies in the hands of Princess Mei. No duo has been able to topple Well Show Them All and Frozen Spuds this season—but if Mei continues her stellar form, she may just test the unbreakable. Tilt MINT early, crack the armor, and maybe, just maybe, the mental crashes down and they Crash Out.

Still, my prediction stands: 3-0 for Mint Crashouts. They’re just too good, and unless GREM comes with something special, this will be another step on MINT’s road to glory.

Bloom Gaming Wisteria(Freljord 1st Seed) Vs. Conduit Sun(Demacia 3rd Seed)

Prediction: 3-1 Bloom Gaming Wisteria

We’re heading into one of the more intriguing matchups of the Top 8: a disciplined, prep-heavy squad in Bloom Gaming Wisteria taking on the high-variance chaos agents of Conduit Sun. There’s potential for fireworks here, but after reviewing both teams’ previous series, I’m calling this one 3-1 in favor of Bloom.

Scouting Report: Bloom Gaming Wisteria

Bloom Gaming Wisteria entered playoffs as the Freljord 1st seed for a reason: their team coordination, discipline, and read on enemy intentions set them apart.

• Their win over Draconic showcased their strengths clearly. Time and time again, Bloom read Draconic’s setups like an open book. Whenever Sealor tried to force a dive, Karthrall was already there to counter it. Vision was crisp. Side lane picks were clearly communicated and punished. Even attempted cheese like death brushes failed to catch them off guard.

• That said, Bloom isn’t flawless. Cheong continues to play with fire—his habit of deep invading for wards with no backup or information led to multiple avoidable deaths. It’s the kind of habit a team like Conduit can punish if they’re paying attention.

• Trixlar, the top laner, was almost invisible in their last series. Whether on tanks or carries, he wasn’t impacting fights early, wasn’t relevant in teamfights, and often had poor stat lines. If Bloom loses this series, it’s likely because Trixlar gets gapped hard.

• On the flip side, Gabriel Leo was Bloom’s clear MVP last week. His play on high-damage mages was clean, impactful, and consistent. His laning presence, ability to teamfight, and map awareness all stood out. If he shows up again like that, he can easily tilt the mid lane in Bloom’s favor.

Scouting Report: Conduit Sun

Conduit Sun’s 3-2 win over No Quarter was the definition of inconsistency—and chaos.

• The early games in the series were steamrolls. It wasn’t about who played better, it was about who got ahead early and snowballed to victory. Once Conduit went up 2-0, they essentially vanished in Games 3 and 4, getting stomped with little resistance.

• But then came Game 5, and we saw the full range of what Conduit brings to the table: creative drafts, off-meta picks, and the kind of unorthodox playstyle that throws other teams off. That level of flexibility is dangerous—and makes them impossible to count out.

• CaptFill is the player to watch. Bloom’s top side is shaky, and CaptFill is poised to exploit that. He’s been quietly dominant and has both the mechanical skill and champ pool depth to dominate Trixlar in both strong- and weak-side matchups.

• LLClasper continues to impress in the jungle. He brings tempo, he brings pressure, and he’s not afraid to fight early. His aggressive style is a direct counter to Karthrall’s slower, utility-focused approach. If Clasper finds early leads, Conduit can run away with games.

• ProtoMorph in mid plays more toward utility mages and supportive setups, but I don’t love the matchup into Gabriel Leo, who has looked far more confident on carry champions and can win 1v1s. Unless ProtoMorph gets help, it’s hard to see him keeping up.

• Lastly, Boldfont and Domination2340 in the bot lane are a question mark. They’ll likely leave Domination on an island while BoldFontroams early, but this will test Domination’s ability to survive alone. Against Cheong and Wren, that’s a tall order.

Keys to Victory

For Bloom:

• Protect Gabriel Leo: Let him carry, especially in mid-game fights.

• Don’t int for vision: Cheong has to rein it in or risk giving away early pressure.

• Draft prep: Conduit will bring surprises—Bloom must be ready for flex picks and cheese.

For Conduit:

• Exploit top side: CaptFill and LLClasper need to snowball early.

• BoldFont redemption arc: He must support mid and jungle without leaving Domination to collapse.

• Embrace chaos—but control it: Their cheese and creativity are strengths, but only if the team stays mentally composed.

Final Thoughts:

This is a clash of styles. Bloom Gaming Wisteria plays like a polished team—they coordinate, communicate, and control the tempo. Conduit Sun plays like a solo queue superteam—they brawl, cheese, and flip games on creative plays.

That said, when push comes to shove, I’ll always side with the team that does their homework, and Bloom does their homework. Their ability to counter predictable setups, read macro movements, and stay calm under pressure gives them a strong edge in a Bo5. Unless Conduit shows a level of discipline we haven’t seen yet, I’m calling it 3-1 for Bloom.

Syndicate Soot Sprites(Noxus 1st Seed) Vs. Original SYN(Noxus 3rd Seed)

Prediction: 3-1 Original SYN

It’s Syndicate vs. Syndicate in the Top 8, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. With a semifinals berth on the line, this org civil war pits the consistent, top-seeded Soot Sprites against the resurging underdogs of Original SYN, a team that’s peaking at just the right time.

Their previous clash in the regular season ended in a clean 2-0 for the Soot Sprites—but that was a different Original SYN. Since then, ORG have addressed their late-game struggles, cleaned up their shotcalling, and found their identity. I believe they’ve shaken off the nerves and are ready to flip the script this time around.

Roster Shakeups & Key Developments

Perhaps the biggest storyline heading into this series is the absence of QREW, the Soot Sprites' long-standing support and vocal shotcaller. His replacement, Zylands, stepped in last week and played admirably, especially on engage-focused champions like Rell and Alistar. But when it comes to synergy in high-stress games, a week or two of practice isn't always enough to build that trust in lane and in teamfights.

On the other side, Original SYN has finally started clicking. Their teamplay has sharpened, their carries are stepping up, and most importantly, they’re showing confidence in the late game—something they lacked early in the season.

Top Lane: Turpz vs. BoxierSquirrel

Both top laners favour tanks, but BoxierSquirrel has shown more champ pool flexibility, leaning into split pushers like Gnar and Camille when needed. Expect a stable early game here, but BoxierSquirrel’s ability to apply side lane pressure could become a key factor in longer games.

Turpz, on the other hand, is the definition of a stonewall. He’s not flashy, but he plays the role that Original SYN needs—staying alive, soaking pressure, and enabling the rest of the map. He’ll need to keep the lane even and avoid giving BoxierSquirrel openings.

Jungle: Altricad vs. Thrasherxd56

Here’s where things get messy. Thrasherxd56 is a high-impact, carry-style jungler who thrives on picks like Kayn and Viego, using smart pathing and early aggression to snowball leads. He’s been a consistent performer for the Soot Sprites, and if he gets going, ORG may struggle to contain him.

Altricad is a wildcard. Some of his picks have been meta-savvy and impactful; others, like his infamous Nautilus jungle, raise serious questions about draft priorities. If he sticks to proven picks with strong early agency and pairs well with mid, he can go toe-to-toe with Thrasher—but if not, this role could be a liability for ORG.

Mid Lane: Zedd vs. Canela

This is the marquee matchup of the series.

Both Zedd and Canela have had excellent seasons, showcasing their versatility across utility mages like Lissandra and Galio as well as standard mid lane carries like Ahri and Orianna. This matchup likely determines the pace of each game. Whoever gains mid priority will unlock their jungler and start dictating rotations.

Zedd has been notably efficient and safe—he dies less than twice a game, and has quietly become one of the most reliable mids in the league. Canela is flashier, with more high-variance play. If Zedd can neutralize Canela early, ORG can coast to victory through macro and map control.

Bot Lane: Butrzz & McFeeds vs. maTsTaT & Zylands

This lane is where I expect ORG to pull ahead.

Butrzz has transformed from a questionable win condition early in the season into a genuine carry threat, currently holding the title of highest-rated player in the league. He’s been dominant on standard picks like Jinx, Varus, and Sivir, but also isn’t afraid to bust out surprise pocket picks like Twitch to punish over-aggression.

McFeeds is no slouch either—his roaming, peel, and ability to sync up with his jungler makes him the kind of support you want next to a scaling ADC. With Zylands newly slotted in alongside maTsTaT, I don’t expect the Soot Sprites’ bot lane to have the synergy or firepower to match.

Team Stats & Macro Notes

• Teamfight Priority: Both teams love to 5v5, but ORG has been better at keeping their carries alive, and their KDA advantage reflects that.

• Objective Control: Soot Sprites are slightly stronger at securing dragons and early Rift Heralds, mostly thanks to Thrasher’s pathing.

• Tower Pressure: Both teams struggle to take towers in games they fall behind, which could mean slow early games with explosive mid-game skirmishes.

Keys to Victory

For Original SYN:

• Keep Zedd and Butrzz alive and online—this is your core win condition.

• Don’t let Altricad get creative in the jungle—lock him into stable early-game picks.

• Force 2v2s bot lane early and pressure Zylands’ synergy with maTsTaT.

For Soot Sprites:

• Let Thrasher carry—you win through early tempo and objective control.

• Unlock Canela mid and use him to collapse on neutral objectives.

• Hope BoxierSquirrel can create meaningful side lane pressure late.

Final Thoughts

Despite being the lower seed, Original SYN looks like the stronger, more complete team coming into this series. They’ve figured out how to close games, their bot lane is surging, and their mid laner is as consistent as they come. Meanwhile, Soot Sprites have the better early game but are suffering from a roster adjustment at the worst possible time. Unless Thrasher and Canela completely take over the map, I see Original SYN controlling the pace and walking away with a 3-1 victory.

XSV Gluttony(Ionia 1st Seed) Vs. TTM Aegeon(Ionia 2nd Seed)

My Prediction: 3-1 XSV Gluttony

Regular Season Recap – One-Sided Rivalry

These two teams clashed not long ago, back in Week 6, and that series told a clear story: XSV Gluttony dismantled TTM Aegeon in a dominant 2-0 sweep, allowing just three towers across two games. It wasn’t just the scoreline—it was how cleanly and decisively XSV executed. TTM looked uncomfortable and reactive, while XSV dictated every moment. Since then, TTM bounced back by defeating Greed in the week 8, but the win came with asterisks—it was scrappy, drawn out, and lacked the polish you’d hope to see this deep into the season. In contrast, Gluttony made quick work of Greed their sister squad, winning with clinical precision and showing no signs of slowing down.

Top Lane: Taunty2k vs. MelloDevils

This is the one area where TTM may have a slight edge. Taunty2k has quietly been one of the most consistent top laners in Emerald, and he’s shown he can neutralize or even punish opponents on both tanks and fighters. MelloDevils has had some strong performances but can be a bit feast-or-famine depending on the matchup and meta read. If TTM want to find a way into this series, Taunty will need to be a rock in the top lane and possibly even generate a lead.

Jungle: Spartan vs. Discrepancy

This is where the map starts tipping in Gluttony’s favor. Spartan is TTM’s most explosive player—when he’s on, he looks like a superstar jungler capable of carrying games with early aggression and smart skirmishing. But his performances swing wildly from game to game.

In contrast, Discrepancy has been the picture of consistency. He thrives on meta-stable, blindable junglers like Sejuani, Maokai, and Wukong, and he almost never falls behind in tempo. His ability to control early game objectives and cover for weak side lanes without giving up major leads makes him one of the most valuable jungle pieces in the playoffs. If Spartan doesn’t pop off early, Discrepancy will slowly choke him out of the game.

Mid Lane: xBKP vs. Professor

Mid lane is probably the biggest mismatch in this series. xBKP is absolutely in the conversation for best mid laner in the league, not just for his mechanics, but for his champion pool depth and incredible synergy with Discrepancy. Whether it’s Sylas, Orianna, or Tristana mid, he finds ways to impact the map and snowball fights. His CS per minute and damage share are near the top of the league.

Professor, to be clear, is no slouch. He’s a top-10 mid laner and often gives solid utility performances. But when the pressure’s on, he’s more reactive than proactive, and this series might require him to match or outplay xBKP—something very few players have done successfully. If he can’t create pressure in lane or gain side lane influence, TTM will be on the back foot from minute ten onward.

Bot Lane: VF DLambo & SeeU vs. Matty & Avi

This is a matchup of flash vs. fundamentals. VF DLambo is one of the most explosive ADCs in BOL Emerald—his performances on picks like Lucian, Samira, and Kai’Sa are never boring. However, his inconsistency is a major concern. He’ll hard-carry one game and go deathless, only to turn around and die four times in lane the next. Meanwhile, Matty is the definition of reliable carry. He has the highest damage per gold spent in the Ionia conference, constantly wins trades in lane, and is almost always up on plates and CS. He doesn’t need resources to win lane, but Gluttony often gives them to him anyway—and it shows. If this becomes a long series, Matty’s consistency will beat out DLambo’s volatility.

Support-wise, SeeU and Avi are fairly evenly matched. Neither are standout stars, but both understand their role—ward, roam, and keep their ADCs safe. Don’t expect 1v9 engages from these players, but their ability to play safe and avoid being liabilities will go a long way.

X-Factor: Team Consistency

What makes Gluttony so dangerous is how well-drilled and cohesive they are. Their drafts are intelligent, always offering some form of engage, CC layering, and ways to protect their backline. They adapt well to mid-series changes, rarely lose in draft, and almost never throw early leads.

TTM, by contrast, are a high ceiling, low floor team. When they win, it’s off of explosive starts, clutch outplays, and chaos. But against a team like Gluttony—who suffocate chaos with clean rotations and vision control—those windows are going to shrink. Drastically.

Final Thoughts & Prediction

If TTM were playing nearly anyone else, I’d be more optimistic. They’ve shown resilience and have some major weapons in Spartan and DLambo. But Gluttony just doesn’t give you enough room to breathe. They control early objectives, lane efficiently, and choke out scaling drafts with surgical precision.

Unless Spartan and DLambo both have peak series performances—and Taunty2k finds a way to translate lane leads into map control—this looks like a 3-1 win for Gluttony, with one flashy TTM win somewhere in the mix. But make no mistake:

Gluttony are a title contender. TTM are a great story. But stories run out of pages.

All Pro 

We are going to be opening up the All-Pro Voting this week. I will get out the list of everyone who deserves to be considered before the weekend. Tune in tonight to OtterTalk to hear my thoughts on who I would personally place on my All-Pro roster, as well as Crewman44's! Our guests this evening also promised to go over who they would include in their respective positions all-pro voting.