Intro

The halfway point is here, Monday's match will be the end of the first half of matches. Each team no doubt will want to come out on Monday with a renewed passion and morale, eager to ascend higher up on the rankings, while fighting off the advancements of those below them. While this is perhaps a standard, the midpoint signals a change of pace, as the season begins to wind down and more teams find their groove and patch holes.

Teams and Changes

A shockingly small group of teams have made changes, hopefully hinting to the settling down of most teams.

While technically before Week 3, the information did not reach the TFTV studios before publishing, so for those who missed the comment by Scruff McGruff – Deathy has replaced Route on Demoman. Deathy is a powerful 6s Pocket that should be more than happy with more spamming opportunities. However, he is no stranger to the class – "pizzaG Deathy: i played demo for 2 matches 2 years ago | pizzaG Deathy: IT COUNTS..."

Ban Paals replace cookie with takram on Medic, at least for now. While he has no Platinum experience, roster history on '92 Dream Team in their 11-1 season in Gold should mean holding a Medigun in Platinum will not prove to be a letdown. Yipyapper also returns, stating "after melon's INCESSANT begging … I'll finish out the season banning paals."

The Chill Penguins have a fair bit of changes, bringing in Freakwencty and Exaflamer to substitute on Heavy and Engineer, respectively, while Engineer bala has moved temporarily to Soldier to replace CHIEF. However, Exaflamer is still on Corn Ducks' roster, and they may find themselves denied the change by a Mr. Sheen Estevez if they can't get him on the roster before the 24h limit starts to take effect.

GXL has not proved friendly to moment.'s squad, with them shuffling players, spots, and continents. Etney finally picks up the Rocket Launcher for moment., while Scorp continues his goal to play all nine classes in Platinum by subbing for Auzzie on Scout. Spamfest is also out for the week, and they've brought in Team Colonslash's MsAnimator7 – alternatively, MS. This is not the first European they've convinced to come play on the superior continent, having courted Goreston for some of last season. This isn't even the first European this season, picking up Grenjabob of Highpander fame in replacement of Jacob temporarily.

Their banned Sniper returns to them, Akemi is finally out of quarantine after allowing use of an alt to assist a friend in readying up. While technically unbanned today, Wartortle Warriors have a Bye week, and should have Akemi back on the roster well before their next match. Sylon as also replaced Evan on Spy, after a temporary stay in PINGPONG.

As for the teams who didn't have any roster changes...

None of these teams have had any changes, GXL seemingly passing them right over with no ill effects.

The Race

With the lack of individual team analyses for the most part, let's talk about what is no doubt on everyone's mind. Curse of Knowledge, the team I only just last week pegged as the third of the top three took an astonishing 4-0 loss against 'demosilly' team sheen and the ultra lords. The effect is immediately pronounceable – with two losses, one against estevez and one against Acoomuma, they best they can realistically hope for is a 3rd place finish.

Their primary obstacles will be Memento Mori and estevez. m|M is on a powerful 3-0 run, but about face their first 'top' team in Acoomuma. estevez has beat them, giving them a loss that isn't from either alec or BR. Regardless of estevez's results against those two teams, a common factor between the 'three superpowers' has always been a lack of losses against anyone else. cK's loss against estevez, although closer than the score line says, will set them way behind their supposed actual opposition.

On the other hand, Acoomuma has never looked stronger. Wins against both cK and BR in the first three weeks means the rest of the season will almost assuredly be sunshine and rainbows as they coast almost unopposed to a first place finish. Their next opponents, Memento Mori and sheen and the ultra lords (possibly), will have an objection, but may find themselves easily overruled.

The other two spots are a little less guaranteed. While BR technically haven't done much to seed worry for their predicted ending spot, they're unlikely to reach thereconvincingly for a little while, with a 6th place spot as it currently stands, and a future game against cK. As mentioned before though, cK will have a hard time clawing their way back into a placement medal, but it certainly is accomplishable.

The Matches

Memento | Mori vs Acoomuma ##

The final two undefeated teams clash now, both eager to continue their perfect record. However, Platinum enthusiasts will notice a strange imbalance between the two teams. On one hand, Acoomuma's roster is practically an all-star lineup, with there being very few holes in their lineup, even to a more uninformed observer. Memento Mori, on the other hand, looks like a dark horse. While a lot of them are recognizable names, such as Sailsaway and Eerie Person, it's hard to claim that they have anything close to the reputation or experience of their opponents. Upward is a staple map in Highlander, unchanged throughout the ages. While it's certainly possible that m|M have some strategies that can show up their apparent superiors, Acoomuma should be able to take the game. 2-0 in favor of Acoomuma.

Sheen and the ultra lords vs Chill Penguins ##

A team high off of defeating cK is certainly not what Bv wanted to face this week, but that's what they're stuck with. After beating cK in four very close rounds on Viaduct, sheen and the ultra lords are ready to take down Chill Penguins in what should be a less contested game than their game against cK. 2-0 in favor of sheen and the ultra lords.

'92 Dream Team vs Burnham And Root ##

Burnham and Root have found themselves set back significantly, a loss against Acoomuma sending them down four spots, to face '92 Dream Team. With that being said, they're by no means a bad team, only rerouted for what should only be a week or two. Sadly, '92 Dream Team will be one of those who bear the burden of Burnham's re-ascension, but should prove to be reasonable competition. 2-1 in favor of Burnham & Root.

Curse of Knowledge vs Corn Ducks ##

An unexpected loss against estevez sent cK spiraling down the rankings, chances of placement slowly moving out of their reach. They're going to end up facing various lower level teams for two or so weeks before facing Burnham & Root, and qaK will be one of those. While Timeless will surely continue to usher a new age of sniping, cK should be able to regroup from their loss and end any rumors of further collapse and a terrible finish. 2-0 in favor of Curse of Knowledge.

Ban Paals vs Pyongyang Pyonggang ##

Two teams personally pegged as potential upsets in the higher levels of Platinum meet, but in the #10 and #11 seeds, far from where expected. Ban Paals have had no breaks in their defense, going from games against Burnham and cK, to a Bye week, to non-insignificant roster shuffling. PINGPONG however, have yet to prove the hype, losing against both qaK and estevez before finally taking a victory against -ww- in Week 3. They've had their own fair share of roster changes, too. The two rosters both have their advantages and disadvantages, but PINPONG lose out the most from the PL format, with their flank severely hindered from causing the ruckus they could've on a map like Gullywash or Lakeside. 2-1 in favor of Ban Paals.

Dedoris vs The One Moment ##

And the final matchup of the week, Dedoris vs The One Moment. Digresser's curse has continued to afflict her team, with roster changes quite literally every single week. Door, on the other hand, have only made one net positive change, adding catface and Kresnik over Sleepteiner and Shoe. Kresnik is by no means their only ace in the hole, as Jesus and Joe are celebrated pick classes. That's not to discount anyone from moment., as Etney on Soldier and EU legend Grenjabob on Spy are both players with the ability to do an incredible amount of work. With only a handful of moment. players continually playing from Week 1, however, they may find it difficult to line up all of their DM and playmaking potential in order to overcome the eight Dedoris players, and Alto collectively on their backs. 2-1 in favor of Dedoris.