Having been just two rounds away from qualification to the Season 9 Finals in Milan, Team Reciprocity will be very glad that a similarly close margin this season did not see them miss out on qualification to Tokoname.
After the disappointment that had seen Evil Geniuses string three rounds in a row to go from 4-5 down to get the win, Team Reciprocity were more than happy to return the favour this season, securing second by virtue of a superior head-to-head record. In fact, Season 10 had started with a strong 7-3 takedown of EG to set the tone, but a potential early joint-first place was curtailed by the later-relegated Rogue who held them to a draw.
Spacestation Gaming (SSG) also fell in a close game in the second week, but just as in the first, Reciprocity were reeled in when Luminosity Gaming took them down 4-7. Nevertheless, Reciprocity piled on with wins against Team SoloMid and the later-relegated Soniqs, but once again lost -- this time to eventual North American champions DarkZero. Having also been eliminated in the Six Major qualifiers just four days prior, they had a lot of soul-searching to do over the break to ensure their Tokoname and Six Invitational qualification.
This need for soul-searching became even more apparent after their disastrous DreamHack Montreal outing that saw them eliminated in the groups with just one win to their name. What was particularly concerning is that while Reciprocity did beat Chaos, they had lost to their domestic competition -- Rogue and Spacestation Gaming. Returning to the Pro League, this concern grew as Evil Geniuses struck back, defeating Reciprocity 7-5, but the two round-differential in head-to-head would be crucial at the end of the season.
Skys at the Six Invitational 2019 (Photo: Bruno Alvares)
Much to their fans’ dismay, though, it seemed that Reciprocity had lost their winning touch as a Canadian-led SSG beat them in a comprehensive 7-3, but wins against Rogue and the Soniqs while EG could only draw against both those teams put them right back into the fight. It was then Team Reciprocity’s turn to get hit by two draws in a row -- against a rejuvenated Team SoloMid and then DarkZero -- but a loss against Luminosity and then a final-day loss to DarkZero pushed EG down the pecking order, and Reciprocity rose to snag the Tokoname and Montreal tickets by a margin of two rounds.
The Season 10 Finals bracket
Now pitted against Ninjas in Pyjamas in a rematch of their 2-1 win at the Six Invitational 2019, Reciprocity will be hoping they have made enough strides to beat them again, and then win against the winner of the Natus Vincere and Wildcard Gaming match. To know more about their preparation, SiegeGG spoke to Alexander “Skys” Magor:
Your team had a fantastic showing at the Six Invitational, but has had reduced success since. What has been the cause and how is that being remedied for Japan?
It came down to the wire against Evil Geniuses this season, and you only made it through on head-to-head. Were there ever any doubts?
Your team is one of very few to have not made a roster change since the Invitational. How have you made strides and worked to bring your roster from third in NA to second?
Going up against Ninjas in Pyjamas is sure to be a tough challenge given their domination in Latin America. How do you anticipate this clash of metas to go, and what is your game plan?
When doing preparation for a LAN event, how much do you prepare for the first, known opponents and how much for the possible others after?
No roster here has won the Pro League, with Retro being the only PC champion and yourself and LaXInG the two Xbox champions. How well do you fancy your chances?
Do you have anything to say to your fans at home and internationally?
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The schedule for the Season 10 Finals
Catch Team Reciprocity in action next weekend as the Season 10 Finals get underway, with action slated to start on both the 9th and 10th of November at 10 AM JST (UTC+9). Reciprocity will first take on Ninjas in Pyjamas, and if successful will then face either Natus Vincere or Wildcard Gaming on their potential journey to the Grand Final.