2021 Chengdu Hunters season

Last updated
2021   Chengdu Hunters season
Head coachWang "RUI" Xingrui
OwnerHuya
RegionEast
Results
Record11–5 (.688)
Place
May Melee Lower round 1
June JoustDid not qualify
Summer Showdown Grand finals
Countdown Cup Grand finals
Season Playoffs Lower round 2
Total Earnings$310,000

The 2021 Chengdu Hunters season was be 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.

Contents

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
RoleNo.HandleNameNationality
Damage 23 leave Huang XinChina
Damage 9JimmyLei YuijaChina
Damage 24JinMuYi HuChina
Damage 21TAROCOOK1EZhong YunlongChina
Tank 5AmengDing MenghanChina
Tank 46GA9AQiu JiaxinChina
Tank 64LateYoung (TW)Ma TianbanChina
Support 10NishaTan LiChina
Support 29Yveltal (TW)Li XianyaoChina
Support 87Farway1987Cao JialeChina
Support 89MmonkZhou XiangChina
Head coach
  • Wang "RUI" Xingrui

Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • (2W) Two-way player
  • Emojione BW 1F503.svg Substitute
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injury / Illness
  

Latest roster transaction: July 1, 2021.

Transactions

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

Standings

PosTeamPldWLPtsPCTMWMLMTMDQualification
1 Shanghai Dragons 16124200.75038192+19Advance to season playoffs
2 Chengdu Hunters 16115150.68838222+16
3 Seoul Dynasty 16124120.75040220+18Advance to play-ins
4 Philadelphia Fusion 16106100.62537243+13
5 Hangzhou Spark 167970.43832310+1
6 New York Excelsior 167970.438293203
7 Guangzhou Charge 1651150.3132038418
8 Los Angeles Valiant 1601600.000248146
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 1April 17 Los Angeles Valiant 13Chengdu HuntersOnline
6:30 pm CST     Details
0 Lijiang Tower 2
3 King's Row 2
0 Havana 3
1 Volskaya Industries 2
Qualifier match 2April 18Chengdu Hunters30 Shanghai Dragons Online
6:30 pm CST     Details
2 Oasis 0
1 Eichenwalde 0
4 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 3
Qualifier match 3April 24Chengdu Hunters30 New York Excelsior Online
5:00 pm CST     Details
2 Nepal 0
1 Dorado 0
2 Temple of Anubis 0
Qualifier match 4April 25Chengdu Hunters13 Philadelphia Fusion Online
6:30 pm CST     Details
1 Ilios 2
0 Havana 1
3 Volskaya Industries 2
2 King's Row 3
Regional finalsMay 02Chengdu Hunters31 Seoul Dynasty Online
6:30 pm CST     Details
2 Busan 1
2 Hanamura 1
0 Blizzard World 1
3 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 2
Tournament first roundMay 07 Dallas Fuel 31Chengdu HuntersOnline
11:30 am CST     Details
2 Nepal 1
2 Temple of Anubis 1
0 Blizzard World 1
4 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 3
Lower round 1May 08 Florida Mayhem 31Chengdu HuntersOnline
10:30 am CST     Details
2 Lijiang Tower 1
2 Volskaya Industries 1
2 Blizzard World 3
4 Havana 3

June Joust
Qualifier match 1May 22 Shanghai Dragons 30Chengdu HuntersOnline
6:30 pm CST     Details
2 Oasis 0
2 Hollywood 1
6 Junkertown 5
Qualifier match 2May 23 Philadelphia Fusion 13Chengdu HuntersOnline
8:00 pm CST     Details
0 Busan 2
1 Eichenwalde 2
2 Dorado 1
1 Temple of Anubis 1
0 Ilios 2
Qualifier match 3June 04Chengdu Hunters23 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 4June 05Chengdu Hunters13 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 1June 26 Seoul Dynasty 31Chengdu HuntersOnline
6:30 pm CST     Details
2 Ilios 0
3 Hollywood 2
0 Watchpoint: Gibraltar 1
2 Hanamura 1
Qualifier match 2June 27Chengdu Hunters30 Guangzhou Charge Online
6:30 pm CST     Details
2 Busan 1
3 Eichenwalde 0
3 Route 66 2
Qualifier match 3July 09Chengdu Hunters32 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 4July 10 Los Angeles Valiant 03Chengdu 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 finalsJuly 11 Seoul Dynasty 23Chengdu 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 roundJuly 16Chengdu Hunters31 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 finalsJuly 17Chengdu Hunters23 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 finalsJuly 17Chengdu Hunters30 Dallas Fuel Online
1:35 pm CST     Details
2 Lijiang Tower 0
3 Temple of Anubis 2
2 King's Row 1
Grand finalsJuly 18Chengdu Hunters14 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 1August 07Chengdu Hunters31 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 2August 08Chengdu Hunters31 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 3August 13 Hangzhou Spark 13Chengdu HuntersOnline
5:00 pm CST     Details
0 Busan 2
2 Hanamura 1
3 King's Row 4
1 Havana 2
Qualifier match 4August 14 Los Angeles Valiant 03Chengdu HuntersOnline
6:30 pm CST     Details
0 Lijiang Tower 2
1 Volskaya Industries 2
0 Numbani 3
Regional finalsAugust 15 New York Excelsior 13Chengdu HuntersOnline
5:05 pm CST     Details
0 Ilios 2
4 Hanamura 3
4 King's Row 5
2 Havana 3
Tournament first roundAugust 20 Los Angeles Gladiators 32Chengdu HuntersOnline
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 1August 21 Seoul Dynasty 03Chengdu HuntersOnline
10:30 am CST     Details
1 Ilios 2
1 Temple of Anubis 2
0 Blizzard World 1
Lower finalsAugust 21 Atlanta Reign 03Chengdu HuntersOnline
12:00 noon CST     Details
1 Ilios 2
1 Hanamura 2
1 Blizzard World 2
Grand finalsAugust 22Chengdu Hunters34 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 1September 22 Atlanta Reign 23Chengdu HuntersOnline
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 2September 23Chengdu Hunters03 Dallas Fuel Online
10:00 am CST     Details
0 Lijiang Tower 2
2 Volskaya Industries 3
0 Eichenwalde 3
Lower round 2September 24 San Francisco Shock 32Chengdu HuntersOnline
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

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