Some of our PNC 2022 Talents, TheNameIsToby, AVNQR and Kaelaris discuss this week’s PUBG Nations Cup (PNC), the surprise packages who are raring to go – and why these events show the players “they’ve really made it”
Name: TheNameIsToby
Country: Denmark
Role at PNC: Caster
So here we are, three years later and we are ready to embark on another PNC adventure! It will be my first event with an audience since 2019 and I can’t wait!
Live events are unlike anything else. They provide the best feeling in the business; I can only imagine the buzz the players get when they take home Chicken Dinners in front of an electric crowd. These are the moments when they look around and think “wow, I really have made it!”
The PNC format is super interesting as we have rosters made up of players who don’t normally compete together, so it is harder to predict how they will perform. We see this in esports and sports all over the world, you can have the best players on the planet but if they aren’t gelling then there is going to be a problem! Looking at the talent across the board there are a few teams that really stand out to me, I am expecting big things from Finland, China, South Korea and Australia.
In terms of key players there are so many I could name, if I had to pick two I am particularly looking forward to seeing it would be Finland’s PaG3 and South Korea’s Inonix – the ability those guys have is absolutely insane. PaG3 possesses a gift for getting his team going, usually when he has a good day his squad do as well.
Of course, we have rosters who are favourites to win but don’t write off any of the dark horses, things don’t always go according to plan. I think Vietnam have the potential to surprise a few people this year as they have some very skilled players but are also a team who many of our western audience don’t know well – so keep an eye on them! I’d also love to see Japan step up and have a strong tournament as they are a team who are considered weaker by most, there is a fantastic PUBG Esports scene over there and a successful tournament would be special for the fans.
It is going to be an electric week. PUBG Esports is the most entertaining form of esports in the world and countries battling it out is such an intriguing prospect. I still remember how much fun the event was in 2019, I can’t wait to get started!
Name: AVNQR
Country: Denmark
Role an PNC: Analyst
A LAN tournament in Thailand watching the best PUBG Esports players go head-to-head for a $500, 000 USD prize pot – how can we not be excited?! From a Talents’ perspective LAN tournaments are great because we get to talk to the players on the ground in-between matches and game days. You learn a lot more about them as players which is of a huge benefit to the storytelling role that we have.
Now let’s get down to business, who do I think is going to take the PNC 2022 title home? It’s a tough one but if I was forced to make a call then I’d go for Australia – they’ve got an all-round strong roster with TGLTN who is one of the best players on the scene right now. I also think Finland and UK will be right up there, and I reckon home advantage will suit the Thai roster very nicely!
It will be interesting seeing rivalries develop at this tournament, players who are normally teammates are now finding themselves on opposing rosters. They know each other well and will have to exploit their knowledge to their new roster’s advantage. Look out for US’s Sharpshot and Canada’s Keenan who both represent US roster Bing Bang Boom, and Team Liquid’s mxey and vard who will be turning out for Finland and the UK.
These national tournaments really are a whole different beast because a lot of the players there will be representing their countries for the first time. There’s an added layer of pressure but I think most rosters will thrive under it, pressure is one of the reasons they love PUBG Esports. Bring it on!
Name: Kaelaris
Country: UK
Role at PNC: Host
There is something in the air at PNC events, a certain level of hype that feels different to other PUBG Esports tournaments. You get a chance to show a little national pride, I love the idea and I love the format because it throws together an unconventional composition of players that we rarely see. Take the UK, for example, we have Team Liquid, Faze Clan, Heroic and XPLDZ players teaming up – what a prospect!
I think China must be considered favourites for PNC 2022, they’ve got in form players from in form teams such as Petrichor Road and NewHappy. I think they might have a little too much power for their competitors, I’ve seen these guys dunking on their opponent’s week- in-week-out in the Asia region. Australia also looks good, they’ve got big names making big moves and their coach Insight has an incredible mind for the game.
Turkey is very capable of being a surprise package this year. Smash and Quetpa know what they’re doing at this level and their opponents will be super wary of underestimating them. I’ve actually included Quetpa in my Twire fantasy roster, there’s a lot of value in that pick! I also think Brazil’s Sparkingg is a great choice for anyone who is playing.
This Finnish roster have a lot to prove after an underwhelming performance at PNC 2019. They had such a powerful squad and yet they finished in last place. Of course, they’ve also got a great side this year, I think the squad will come out firing and be desperate to improve upon last time’s showing.
Thursday really cannot come quick enough. We’ve all got so many questions, how will these new rosters approach circles? Which new rivalries will form? Will Europe play its traditional macro game while Asian teams choose to be more aggressive? Let’s go get some answers!
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Don't miss out on PNC 2022! June 16-19 at twitch.tv/pubg_battlegrounds