TSM went into the 2023 Split Two Playoffs of the Apex Legends Global Series featuring 40 best teams from across the world with the hopes of defending their Split One title and becoming the second team ever to win back-to-back international competitions.
In spite of their best efforts, it was DarkZero who claimed a victory above TSM to become the most successful organization in the Apex. DarkZero were North America’s second seed and entered the competition as the favourite after their win at the NA Regional Finals.
Expectedly, they breezed through the group stage and finished in fourth place to qualify for the finals in the winner’s bracket with a further three bonus points.
DarkZero were organized and calm in their game and waited for the best time to go for the juggler on Storm Point. It wasn’t straightforward as well, with TSM, OXG, XSET, and FAZE competing with DarkZero for match point eligibility.
DZ landed behind the Barometer early in the game and rotated to the underside of the tower in one of the buildings; their make-up of Horizon, Catalyst and Seer helped them keep the rotation as other teams moved from high ground.
They continue to move forward to claim more grounds thanks to Genburten’s Dark Veil with the natural terrain covers available, including trees and rocks, using that to poke teams away from their side of the ring.
DZ and FaZe combined to end Pioneer, which in turn opened up an open space of uninhabited low ground, where IGL Rhys “Zer0” Perry would call as their next rotation with ten teams remaining.
In ring five, OpTic and Fnatic forced Genburten to use his dark veil very early after opening fire on DZ the moment they saw DZ.
After a lot of firepower and play, DarkZero and NA ended the tournament in the top five while TAM finished second, while the trio of OXG, XSET and FaZe were all on match point.
Daniel Ademiju Idowu
