2021 Chengdu Hunters season
Head coachWang "RUI" Xingrui
OwnerHuya
RegionEast
Results
Record11–5 (.688)
Place
May MeleeLower round 1
June JoustDid not qualify
Summer ShowdownGrand finals
Countdown CupGrand finals
Season PlayoffsLower round 2
Total Earnings$310,000

The 2021 Chengdu Hunters season was the third season of Chengdu Hunters's existence in the Overwatch League and the team's second season under head coach Wang "RUI" Xingrui, after he was the head coach of the team in 2019. The team qualified for three of the four midseason tournaments, reaching the finals twice, but failed to secure a title in any of them. For the first time in franchise history, the team qualified for the season playoffs. However, a loss to the San Francisco Shock in the lower bracket ended their playoff run. Damage player Huang "Leave" Xin won the season's Most Valuable Player award.

Preceding offseason

Organizational changes

In mid-September 2020, the Hunters released assistant coach Guan "Garry" Li and co-head coaches Murong "Chen" Chen and Chang "Ray" Chia-Hua. The team signed Wang "RUI" Xingrui as their new head coach. Wang was previously the team's head coach in the 2019 season, before he left the team due to health issues.[1]

Roster changes

The Hunters entered free agency with three free agents, all of which became free agents due to the Hunters not exercising the option to retain the player for another year.[2]

Acquisitions

The Hunters' first offseason acquisitions were Lei "Jimmy" Yujia, a rookie damage player coming from Guangzhou Charge's Overwatch Contenders academy team Ultra Prime Academy, and Lui "Kaneki" Nian, a rookie damage player who most recently played for Team Cat in Contenders, both of whom signed on November 19.[3] Three days later, they signed Tan "Nisha" Li, a rookie support player who formerly played for Contenders team Bilibili Gaming.[4] The Hunters signed two more rookie players on November 27: tank player Qui "GA9A" Jiaxin and support player Cao "Faraway1987" Jiale, both of whom came from Shanghai Dragons' academy team Team CC.[5] The Hunters' final acquisition of the offseason was Zhou "Mmonk" Xiang, a rookie support player promoted from their academy team Team Chaser on March 25, 2021.[6]

Departures

The Hunters' first departure was on October 15, 2020, with the release of damage player Lo "Baconjack" Tzu-heng and tank player Chen "Ating" Shao-hua.[7] None of the Hunters' three free agents returned, all of which signed with other teams, beginning with support players Kong "Kyo" Chunting and Chen "Lengsa" Jinyi, both of whom were sent to the Hunters' academy team Team Chaser on November 17.[8] One week later, support player He "Molly" Chengzhi was signed by the Shanghai Dragons.[9]

Regular season

The Hunters began their 2021 season on April 17 with a win over the Los Angeles Valiant 3–1 in the May Melee qualifiers.[10] Chengdu finished the qualifiers with a 3–1 record and advanced to the regional knockouts.[11] After defeating the Seoul Dynasty in the knockouts, the Hunters advanced to the interregional tournament bracket.[12] The team's first match in the double-elimination tournament was against the Dallas Fuel; they lost the match, 1–3, sending them to the lower bracket.[13] In the first round of the lower bracket, Chengdu lost to the Florida Mayhem, 1–3, eliminating them from the tournament.[14]

The Hunters performed poorly in the second tournament cycle, dropping in the regular season standings to fifth out of eighth place in the Eastern Division. Prior the beginning of the third midseason tournament qualifiers, the Summer Showdown, the Hunters sent damage player Liu "Kaneki" Nian back down to their academy team Team Chaser. In his replacement, Chengdu promoted damage player Zhong "TAROCOOK1E" Yunlong from Team Chaser.[15] After the first week of the Summer Showdown qualifiers, tank player Luo "Elsa" Wenjie, who had been with the team since their inception, retired.[16] The team advanced past the qualifiers and regional knockouts, giving them their second tournament appearance of the season. In the first round, on July 15, the Hunters defeated the Dallas Fuel, 3–1.[17] After a loss to the Shanghai Dragons and win over the Dallas Fuel, again, the Hunters advanced to the tournament finals, where they again faced the Dragons. Despite winning the first map of the series, the Hunters lost the following four, losing the finals match 1–4.[18]

In the final midseason tournament cycle of the season, the Countdown Cup, the Hunters again advanced past the qualifiers and regional knockouts, securing their third tournament appearance.[19] The team once again made it to the finals, for the second consecutive time, where they faced the Los Angeles Gladiators. After a seven-map series, the Hunters lost the match by a 3–4 scoreline.[20] The team finished the regular season with 11 wins, 5 losses, 15 league points, and the third seed in the season playoffs.[21][22]

Damage player Huang "Leave" Xin was awarded a Role Star commendation and named season's Most Valuable Player.[23]

Playoffs

In the first round of the 2021 season playoffs, the Hunters faced the fifth-seeded Atlanta Reign; Chengdu won the match 3–2.[24][25] However, the following day, the Hunters lost against the Dallas Fuel by a 0–3 scoreline, sending them to the lower bracket.[26] Facing elimination, the Hunters faced the San Francisco Shock the following day; the Hunters lost in a five-map series, 2–3, ending their playoff run.[27]

Final roster

2021 Chengdu Hunters roster
PlayersCoaches
Role No. Handle Name Nationality
Damage 23 leave Huang Xin China
Damage 9 Jimmy Lei Yuija China
Damage 24 JinMu Yi Hu China
Damage 21 TAROCOOK1E Zhong Yunlong China
Tank 5 Ameng Ding Menghan China
Tank 46 GA9A Qiu Jiaxin China
Tank 64 LateYoung (TW) Ma Tianban China
Support 10 Nisha Tan Li China
Support 29 Yveltal (TW) Li Xianyao China
Support 87 Farway1987 Cao Jiale China
Support 89 Mmonk Zhou Xiang China
Head coach
  • Wang "RUI" Xingrui
Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • (2W) Two-way player
  • Substitute player Substitute
  • Injured Injury / Illness
  

Latest roster transaction: July 1, 2021.

Transactions

Transactions of/for players on the roster during the 2021 regular season:

  • On June 17, Hunters released damage player Liu "Kaneki" Nian and signed damage player Zhong "TAROCOOK1E" Yunlong.[15]
  • On July 1, tank player Luo "Elsa" Wenjie retired.[16]

Standings

Pos Team Pld W L Pts PCT MW ML MT MD Qualification
1 Shanghai Dragons 16 12 4 20 0.750 38 19 2 +19 Advance to season playoffs
2 Chengdu Hunters 16 11 5 15 0.688 38 22 2 +16
3 Seoul Dynasty 16 12 4 12 0.750 40 22 0 +18 Advance to play-ins
4 Philadelphia Fusion 16 10 6 10 0.625 37 24 3 +13
5 Hangzhou Spark 16 7 9 7 0.438 32 31 0 +1
6 New York Excelsior 16 7 9 7 0.438 29 32 0 −3
7 Guangzhou Charge 16 5 11 5 0.313 20 38 4 −18
8 Los Angeles Valiant 16 0 16 0 0.000 2 48 1 −46
Source: The Overwatch League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) winning percentage (including tournaments); 3) regular season wins; 4) regular season map differential

Game log

Regular season

2021 game log
May Melee
Qualifier match 1 April 17 Los Angeles Valiant 1 – 3 Chengdu Hunters Online
6:30 pm CST    Details
0 Lijiang Tower 2
3 King's Row 2
0 Havana 3
1 Volskaya Industries 2
Qualifier match 2 April 18 Chengdu Hunters 3 – 0 Shanghai Dragons Online
6:30 pm CST    Details
2 Oasis 0
1 Eichenwalde 0
4 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 3
Qualifier match 3 April 24 Chengdu Hunters 3 – 0 New York Excelsior Online
5:00 pm CST    Details
2 Nepal 0
1 Dorado 0
2 Temple of Anubis 0
Qualifier match 4 April 25 Chengdu Hunters 1 – 3 Philadelphia Fusion Online
6:30 pm CST    Details
1 Ilios 2
0 Havana 1
3 Volskaya Industries 2
2 King's Row 3
Regional finals May 02 Chengdu Hunters 3 – 1 Seoul Dynasty Online
6:30 pm CST    Details
2 Busan 1
2 Hanamura 1
0 Blizzard World 1
3 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 2
Tournament first round May 07 Dallas Fuel 3 – 1 Chengdu Hunters Online
11:30 am CST    Details
2 Nepal 1
2 Temple of Anubis 1
0 Blizzard World 1
4 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 3
Lower round 1 May 08 Florida Mayhem 3 – 1 Chengdu Hunters Online
10:30 am CST    Details
2 Lijiang Tower 1
2 Volskaya Industries 1
2 Blizzard World 3
4 Havana 3

June Joust
Qualifier match 1 May 22 Shanghai Dragons 3 – 0 Chengdu Hunters Online
6:30 pm CST    Details
2 Oasis 0
2 Hollywood 1
6 Junkertown 5
Qualifier match 2 May 23 Philadelphia Fusion 1 – 3 Chengdu Hunters Online
8:00 pm CST    Details
0 Busan 2
1 Eichenwalde 2
2 Dorado 1
1 Temple of Anubis 1
0 Ilios 2
Qualifier match 3 June 04 Chengdu Hunters 2 – 3 Seoul Dynasty Hangzhou, CN
6:30 pm CST    Details Future Sci-Tech City
Hosted by the Hangzhou Spark
0 Nepal 2
1 Temple of Anubis 2
3 Eichenwalde 2
2 Dorado 1
1 Busan 2
Qualifier match 4 June 05 Chengdu Hunters 1 – 3 Hangzhou Spark Hangzhou, CN
8:00 pm CST    Details Future Sci-Tech City
Hosted by the Hangzhou Spark
1 Ilios 2
3 Volskaya Industries 2
3 Numbani 5
2 Rialto 3

Summer Showdown
Qualifier match 1 June 26 Seoul Dynasty 3 – 1 Chengdu Hunters Online
6:30 pm CST    Details
2 Ilios 0
3 Hollywood 2
0 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 1
2 Hanamura 1
Qualifier match 2 June 27 Chengdu Hunters 3 – 0 Guangzhou Charge Online
6:30 pm CST    Details
2 Busan 1
3 Eichenwalde 0
3 Route 66 2
Qualifier match 3 July 09 Chengdu Hunters 3 – 2 Philadelphia Fusion Shanghai, CN
6:30 pm CST    Details Jing'An Sports Center
Hosted by the Shanghai Dragons
0 Nepal 2
2 Volskaya Industries 3
3 King's Row 2
3 Junkertown 2
2 Busan 0
Qualifier match 4 July 10 Los Angeles Valiant 0 – 3 Chengdu Hunters Shanghai, CN
6:30 pm CST    Details Jing'An Sports Center
Hosted by the Shanghai Dragons
0 Oasis 2
1 Temple of Anubis 2
0 Eichenwalde 1
Regional finals July 11 Seoul Dynasty 2 – 3 Chengdu Hunters Shanghai, CN
6:52 pm CST    Details Jing'An Sports Center
Hosted by the Shanghai Dragons
2 Busan 1
1 Temple of Anubis 2
0 Eichenwalde 3
1 Junkertown 0
1 Nepal 2
Tournament first round July 16 Chengdu Hunters 3 – 1 Dallas Fuel Online
9:00 am CST    Details
1 Lijiang Tower 2
4 Volskaya Industries 3
3 King's Row 2
3 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 1
Upper finals July 17 Chengdu Hunters 2 – 3 Shanghai Dragons Online
9:00 am CST    Details
1 Ilios 2
1 Temple of Anubis 2
4 Eichenwalde 3
3 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 2
0 Busan 2
Lower finals July 17 Chengdu Hunters 3 – 0 Dallas Fuel Online
1:35 pm CST    Details
2 Lijiang Tower 0
3 Temple of Anubis 2
2 King's Row 1
Grand finals July 18 Chengdu Hunters 1 – 4 Shanghai Dragons Online
9:00 am CST    Details
2 Ilios 0
1 Temple of Anubis 2
1 Eichenwalde 3
2 Route 66 3
0 Nepal 2

Countdown Cup
Qualifier match 1 August 07 Chengdu Hunters 3 – 1 Guangzhou Charge Online
8:00 pm CST    Details
2 Oasis 0
0 Route 66 1
1 Temple of Anubis 1
2 Blizzard World 1
2 Nepal 0
Qualifier match 2 August 08 Chengdu Hunters 3 – 1 New York Excelsior Online
6:30 pm CST    Details
0 Nepal 2
3 Rialto 1
2 Volskaya Industries 1
3 King's Row 1
Qualifier match 3 August 13 Hangzhou Spark 1 – 3 Chengdu Hunters Online
5:00 pm CST    Details
0 Busan 2
2 Hanamura 1
3 King's Row 4
1 Havana 2
Qualifier match 4 August 14 Los Angeles Valiant 0 – 3 Chengdu Hunters Online
6:30 pm CST    Details
0 Lijiang Tower 2
1 Volskaya Industries 2
0 Numbani 3
Regional finals August 15 New York Excelsior 1 – 3 Chengdu Hunters Online
5:05 pm CST    Details
0 Ilios 2
4 Hanamura 3
4 King's Row 5
2 Havana 3
Tournament first round August 20 Los Angeles Gladiators 3 – 2 Chengdu Hunters Online
10:30 am CST    Details
0 Ilios 2
2 Temple of Anubis 1
3 King's Row 2
0 Route 66 1
2 Oasis 0
Lower round 1 August 21 Seoul Dynasty 0 – 3 Chengdu Hunters Online
10:30 am CST    Details
1 Ilios 2
1 Temple of Anubis 2
0 Blizzard World 1
Lower finals August 21 Atlanta Reign 0 – 3 Chengdu Hunters Online
12:00 noon CST    Details
1 Ilios 2
1 Hanamura 2
1 Blizzard World 2
Grand finals August 22 Chengdu Hunters 3 – 4 Los Angeles Gladiators Online
9:00 am CST    Details
2 Oasis 0
0 Temple of Anubis 1
2 Numbani 3
2 Route 66 3
2 Ilios 0
3 King's Row 2
1 Havana 2

2021 season schedule

Postseason

2021 playoff game log
Season Playoffs
Upper round 1 September 22 Atlanta Reign 2 – 3 Chengdu Hunters Online
1:30 pm CST    Details
2 Nepal 0
3 Temple of Anubis 4
4 King's Row 3
2 Dorado 3
0 Oasis 2
Upper round 2 September 23 Chengdu Hunters 0 – 3 Dallas Fuel Online
10:00 am CST    Details
0 Lijiang Tower 2
2 Volskaya Industries 3
0 Eichenwalde 3
Lower round 2 September 24 San Francisco Shock 3 – 2 Chengdu Hunters Online
9:00 am CST    Details
2 Lijiang Tower 0
3 Temple of Anubis 3
4 King's Row 3
2 Dorado 3
0 Ilios 2
2 Havana 0

References

  1. ↑ Michael, Cale (September 19, 2020). "Chengdu Hunters welcomes back RUI as Overwatch League head coach". Dot Esports. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  2. ↑ "2021 Player Contract Status". Overwatch League. October 21, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  3. ↑ Michael, Cale (November 19, 2020). "Chengdu Hunters signs JIMMY, Kaneki". Dot Esports. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  4. ↑ Alford, Aaron (November 25, 2020). "Overwatch League 2020 Postseason Roster Moves". Hotspawn. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  5. ↑ Czar, Michael (November 27, 2020). "Farway1987, GA9A join Chengdu Hunters". Daily Esports. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  6. ↑ Richardson, Liz (March 25, 2021). "Chengdu Hunters promote flex support Mmonk". Dot Esports. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  7. ↑ Richardson, Liz (October 16, 2020). "Baconjack and ATing released from Chengdu Hunters". Dot Esports. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  8. ↑ Heinisch, Sascha (November 18, 2020). "Chengdu Part Ways With Lengsa and Kyo, Move Yveltal And LateYoung To Two-Way". GGRecon. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  9. ↑ Shanghai Dragons [@ShanghaiDragons] (November 25, 2020). "Welcome to the party! Our newest pickup Molly is here!" (Tweet). Retrieved January 17, 2021 – via Twitter.
  10. ↑ Field Level Media (April 17, 2021). "Philadelphia Fusion open strong in Week 1 of Overwatch League". Gwinnett Prep Sports. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Overwatch League power rankings for April 29". Upcomer. April 29, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  12. ↑ Czar, Michael (May 4, 2021). "Chengdu Hunters keep their fun style, emerge as a top team in the East". Upcomer. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  13. ↑ Collins, Sean (May 7, 2021). "Dallas continues its best OWL run in win over Chengdu Hunters as Fuel continue to chase May Melee title". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  14. ↑ Czar, Michael (May 8, 2021). "How the Chengdu Hunters and Florida Mayhem dropped out of the May Melee". Upcomer. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  15. 1 2 O'Dwyer, Samuel (June 17, 2021). "Chengdu Hunters calls up TAROCOOK1E from academy, drops Kaneki from main roster". Dot Esports. Retrieved March 1, 2022.
  16. 1 2 Robertson, Scott (July 1, 2021). "Elsa retires from pro Overwatch, parts ways with Chengdu Hunters". Dot Esports. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  17. ↑ Collins, Sean (July 15, 2021). "'RUSH' calls for 'more confidence' as Dallas Fuel stumble in Summer Showdown loss to Chengdu". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  18. ↑ Richardson, Liz (July 17, 2021). "Shanghai Dragons win the Overwatch League Summer Showdown". Dot Esports. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  19. ↑ Richardson, Liz (August 19, 2021). "Everything you need to know about the 2021 Overwatch League Countdown Cup tournament". Dot Esports. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  20. ↑ Richardson, Liz (August 21, 2021). "Los Angeles Gladiators win the Overwatch League Countdown Cup". Dot Esports. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  21. ↑ "Overwatch League 2021 Standings". Overwatch League. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  22. ↑ Czar, Michael (September 9, 2021). "How to watch Overwatch League 2021 Season Playoffs and Grand Finals". Upcomer. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  23. ↑ Czar, Michael (September 21, 2021). "Everything you need to know about the Overwatch League 2021 playoffs". Upcomer. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  24. ↑ Qu, Bonnie (September 19, 2021). "Chengdu Hunters 'the most underrated team' in Overwatch League playoffs". Upcomer. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  25. ↑ "Overwatch League playoffs recap: Day 1". Upcomer. September 22, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  26. ↑ "Overwatch League 2021 playoffs recap: Day 2". Upcomer. September 23, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Overwatch League 2021 playoffs recap: Day 3". Upcomer. September 24, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2022.
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