The Asia-Pacific Regional Major Ranking (RMR) for the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 is right around the corner, and eight teams will fight for only three spots to represent their region at the Major. The event has a double-elimination format and includes both best-of-one and best-of-three matches, creating high stakes for every team involved. Here’s a look at what we can expect from the tournament, along with expert predictions.

1. Tournament Format
2. Opening Matches Schedule (Bo1)
3. Team Previews and Predictions
4. Expert Insights
5. Final Thoughts

Tournament Format

The Asia-Pacific RMR uses a double-elimination format for the playoffs:

• Upper-bracket quarterfinals: best-of-one (Bo1) matches, meaning a single game determines who advances.
• Remaining matches: best-of-three (Bo3), where teams need to win two out of three maps to progress.

With only three teams able to qualify for the Major’s Opening Stage, each game will be critical, especially the initial Bo1 matches that can set the tone for the rest of the tournament.

Opening Matches Schedule (Bo1)

Monday, 2024-11-11 (EEST)

• 10:00 - The MongolZ vs. Alter Ego
• 11:00 - Lynn Vision vs. DRILLAS
• 12:00 - Rare Atom vs. GR
• 13:00 - FlyQuest vs. TALON

Team Previews and Predictions

The MongolZ – The Team to Beat

The MongolZ come into this RMR as the clear favorites. They’re in great shape after their recent win at the Thunderpick World Championship 2024, where they claimed the top prize of $500,000 and climbed into the top five of the Valve rankings. They are expected to handle Alter Ego without much trouble and will likely face the winner of Lynn Vision vs. DRILLAS.

DRILLAS – The Rising Dark Horse

DRILLAS have been performing well in recent tier-3 events, including a second-place finish at Galaxy Battle 3, earning $3,000. Although DRILLAS are in decent form, they may not be strong enough to challenge The MongolZ and could drop to the lower bracket after an early round.

Rare Atom vs. GR – A Clear Advantage

Rare Atom have been training hard, even going on two extended bootcamps in Europe to get international experience. Their growth as a team is evident, while GR are seen as the underdogs of the RMR and may struggle to keep up with Rare Atom’s level of play.

FlyQuest vs. TALON – The Australian Showdown

In the final Bo1 matchup, FlyQuest and TALON will battle in what’s considered an Australian derby. FlyQuest enters as the favorite, especially after winning ESL Challenger at DreamHack Atlanta 2024 and ESL Challenger League Season 48: Oceania. While TALON shows promise, FlyQuest’s experience gives them an edge. If FlyQuest proceeds, they are likely to meet Rare Atom, where FlyQuest may once again come out on top.

Lower Bracket Predictions

Should DRILLAS and Rare Atom drop to the lower bracket, these teams will likely be in contention for the third and final qualification spot. Rare Atom’s long-standing roster and consistent growth may give them the advantage here.

Expected Teams to Qualify:

1. The MongolZ
2. FlyQuest
3. Rare Atom

Expert Insights

We spoke to two Counter-Strike analysts, Michael "YouM3" Cassidy and Harvey "Skriv" Rodgers, to get their thoughts on the key storylines and teams to watch in this tournament.

Is there a chance of The MongolZ losing a match or even not qualifying for the Major?

I mean there is always a chance, but I find it hard to not expect The Mongolz to make it. They have been the most consistent team in the region for the past 2 years, with 4 consecutive major appearances and have won 3 international tournaments with LAN finals this year. They're in good form, and I don't expect them to lose to anyone on their side of the bracket.

Michael "YouM3" Cassidy

Mongolz have to make it here, there's no way they don't. Major in their back yard and they are coming off an international LAN victory. That being said, an unpredictable team in the opening bo1 could knock them down. I'm 85% sure that won't happen though.

Harvey "Skriv" Rodgers

DRILLAS are in great shape recently at tier-3, was the SENER1 move justified in the end?

I'm not sure I agree they're a team in good form coming into this, they're a team assembled specifically for the major with limited lead time and whilst they have been boot camping ahead of the tournament I think they've lost some X factor bringing SENER1 in. The move can never be 'justified' to me, given they're a majority EU team now and  they've skirted the whole purpose of 'regional' qualifiers. Though, since they're in this position now, you better defend it by making it to the major; though I imagine most long-term APAC&MENA enthusiasts would rather the team fail.

Michael "YouM3" Cassidy

To me, it feels like DRILLAS haven't been tested all that much since their inception basically. I have to put my foot down and say that they will be out of their depth at the RMR, they aren't completely hopeless but I don't expect much. I have a saving grace kind of line but think it's just a cope out so I'll save it for when they make the major and people quote tweet me for being wrong. In terms of seneri1, he's a great addition to a team like this, at least on paper. Not the flashiest player, but a good gap filler and with a mixy, puggy roster like DRILLAS they need someone who is willing to anchor or learn the key utility etc etc.

Harvey "Skriv" Rodgers

TALON also didn't play much after qualifying for the RMR, can they surprise FlyQuest in the Australian derby?

I think TALON has a lot of people excited given it's a fairly new roster with some solid pieces, especially nettik and mhL. They have been boot-camping for a lot of the roster's life-span so I do think they'll put up a decent fight. However, given the level we saw from FlyQuest recently at ESL Challenger Atlanta and historically this team's ability to put AU teams away, I personally don't expect them to lose to the likes of a TALON. TALON's EU officials haven't shown me a great deal of depth to believe in it. FlyQuest are rife with players that can turn it up, especially when they know they're against domestic competition.

Michael "YouM3" Cassidy

To briefly answer, no. Talon have a lot of excitement because it's an old org returning to the scene and they have dipped into EU talent, which is not something that is usually done out in Oz. I think they will have learned from bootcamping in the EU at the end of the summer, but for me it depends on who they were scrimming not who they've played officials against while here. I like the team on paper but it is still too early to determine if they will do well here or not.

Harvey "Skriv" Rodgers

The Asian teams did really well at the previous Major, can we expect any of them except for The MongolZ to make it to the Elimination Stage and expand the region's represantation even more?

FlyQuest; should they get there can do it, it's dependent on how good a performance we get from aliStair if I'm honest. Even if he shows up at 60% of what he showed at EC Atlanta, the team's lethality is high. Not sure we'll get MVP numbers from dexter again, but INS is probably for my money the best Australian player in the circuit right now, I really think if they're able to ride that high of an event win they can do some damage. Outside of them, I don't have a lot of confidence in any of the other teams in this RMR to be ready to take that next step up just yet.

Michael "YouM3" Cassidy

Of the specifically Asian teams, I don't think so. The sad reality is that Tyloo would've been a solid bet for me but they messed up and didn't make the RMR, despite the absolute farm fest they put on in this season's ECL. But the region is improving for sure.

Harvey "Skriv" Rodgers

How many base spots should Asia get if the next Major is extended to 32 teams (now they have two)?

I think 4 slots is a reasonable place to start.

Michael "YouM3" Cassidy

So there are two angles for me. Either we double the spots for them to match the increase and perhaps have one or two majors with a few Asia-Pacific teams that are just happy to be at the major(i.e. can't match up, instant 0-3) or they just increase to 4 until they can prove themselves at other tournaments. The latter seems obvious why it would make sense, but the former would act as more of an incentive based system, combined with more international experience being garnered to improve the region as a whole. carrot and a stick type mentality.

Harvey "Skriv" Rodgers

Who will be the final three teams to make it to the Major?

For me it's The Mongolz, FlyQuest and either GR or Rare Atom. Rare Atom are probably the more expected team to make it through given the deep experience and heights these players can hit. GR is a team that I think will surprise people, some strong individual playmakers and good 'on-the-fly' type set-pieces make them quite an exciting team to watch. That is if DRILLAS don't just end up dominating in fire-power and carrying on the dream-run for ohnePixel and his fans.

Michael "YouM3" Cassidy

The Mongolz, Flyquest and it should be Lynn vision but I just know kaze wants to be at another major.

Harvey "Skriv" Rodgers

Final Thoughts

The Asia-Pacific RMR for the Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 promises to be an exciting competition, with several strong teams fighting for just three spots at the Major. The Mongolz, FlyQuest, and Rare Atom are expected to advance, but surprises are always possible, especially with the opening Bo1 format adding an extra layer of unpredictability.

For Asia, securing more slots in future Majors could greatly benefit the region’s growth. This tournament offers a great chance for the region’s best teams to showcase their skills, make their mark, and push forward in the global CS2 scene.