ALGS Year 4 Champs: 7 key things to watch for

The ALGS Year 4 Champs in Sapporo, Japan might just be the most anticipated event in ALGS history. With a record crowd set to attend the first ever ALGS event in Asia, you won't want to miss a second of the action even if you are not able to attend in person.

However, it has been a very long time since we last saw any ALGS action. The Split 2 Playoffs were way back in August. So, if you're feeling a bit out of the loop we've got you covered.

Here are some of the key storylines, teams and event features to keep your eye out for across the event.

The BLGS has given Apex Legends fans a taster at E-District in competition, but the Year 4 ALGS Champs in Japan will be the official ALGS debut for E-District. It has been a very, very long time since we had an ALGS LAN event that wasn't just Storm Point and Worlds Edge, so this is a hugely exciting change to the competition.

As is always the case in Apex Legends, nothing replicates the LAN environment. That means that for the pro's, this will be their first taste of E-District at this level. How many teams are alive in the final circles, what spots are playable are all things that could dramatically change compared to scrims and the BLGS.

Which teams adapt to E-District the quickest could be a huge factor in how teams place across the event. When Storm Point was added, a couple of teams dramatically improved their results with a quick adjustment to the new map. It especially provides a platform for newer teams, who have been behind the curve on Worlds Edge and Storm Point. Keep your eye out for who excels on E-District across the first few lobbies.

Envy, known as Loan Sharks until being signed last week, have been a standout team in the build up to the event. They have gone from strength since adding YanYa to their ranks after the ALGS Split 2 Playoffs. In addition, this team has all the makings of a LAN winner on paper. All four of this team has huge LAN experience, having competed in several finals together. Of course, their coach Raven was a part of the TSM team that finished first, second and first in LAN finals across ALGS Year 3.

Dropped and Knoqd finished agonisingly close to TSM in the last ALGS Championship. Now, with a support heavy meta that seems to suit these players fantastically, could they go one better in Sapporo?

One of the surprises of the ALGS Split 2 Playoffs in Mannheim was the performance of Team Falcons. Dubbed the super team, they performed well across the Split 2 Pro League and Esports World Cup. However, things quickly unravelled when they got to Germany.

People remember this tournament as a bit of a disaster for Team Falcons, but their Group Stage performance was still strong. They brushed off a wobbly opening block to comfortably finish in the top 20, placing fourth overall.

It was the subsequent Winners Bracket that displayed some warning signs. Team Falcons still qualified directly to the finals, but seemed way off their best. It took a final game rescue mission to haul Falcons into the top ten, and was a clear sign that the team wasn't enjoying the current meta.

Of course one of the key things about competitive Apex Legends is that metas always change. The game has evolved and adapted since Mannheim, and there has been plenty of time for practice and adjustment. Falcons also made a roster change, with Genburten making way for Wxltzy. This change seems to be working well, with Team Falcons performing fantastically across the pre-event scrims. Can Falcons deliver their best in at the ALGS Year 4 Champs in Sapporo?

Another team that underperformed in Mannheim was Luminosity. They struggled across the tournament, failing to make the winners bracket and then finishing 15th in the second elimination bracket. However, there were still some positives. They stormed to first place in the first elimination bracket.

Like Team Falcons, Luminosity didn't seem especially well suited to the meta of the time. While that has changed, there are still some concerns about the team. They never quite got going in the BLGS, only making two of the four qualifier finals. They went on to finish 12th in the Regional Finals.

Sometimes it feels like chemistry is an issue for this team. Their final BLGS Regional Finals game ended with a serious miscommunication between the team. This wasn't the only example of Luminosity not quite being on the same page.

However, chemistry can be developed a lot easier than talent. Sweetdreams is undoubtedly one of the best in game leaders in the world, with Sikezz and Fuhhnq bringing serious firepower to the team. Perhaps the time spent boot camping in Korea will have helped Luminosity iron out their issues, and let them get back to their very best at the ALGS Year 4 Champs.

The last ALGS LAN event was dominated by Akimbo Mozambiques, with the weapon being a must use for essentially every single player. That weapon was eventually nerfed, and replaced mostly by the Mastiff. However, that weapon also came under adjustment in the recent mid-season patch.

Added into the game during that mid-season patch was a brand new Accelerator hop-up, avaliable on the Nemesis, G7 Scout and CAR SMG. There was also a major change to the Charge Rifle, which can now take the Select Fire hopup.

If those weapons become more popular, the way fights take place in the ALGS will be different. Weapons like the G7 Scout and Charge Rifle were hardly used, but their mid to long range playstyle means their impact will be to elongate fights, help teams 'poke' their evo. Plus, with players always looking up to pros for guidance, the weapons that standout in Japan might just impact your games too.

There will also be a lot of eyes on both GUILD and Shopify Rebellion, after the splitting up of Phony from Xynew and Koyful just days after the Split 2 Playoffs. The roster change was one of the most surprising in ALGS history, and it could be a little bit of a mini rivalry between the two teams to see who finishes highest when all is said and done.

Shopify Rebellion look to be the team heading into the event in better form. They have performed very well in scrims, with the fighting chemistry between Koyful and Xynew unchanged from their LAN win in Mannheim. However, GUILD have also performed well and both teams should be amongst the teams with a chance at a Match Point win on the Sunday.

FNATIC have always been a well supported team no matter where the ALGS holds an event, but the ALGS Year 4 Champs being in Japan will create an atmosphere like no other. While there are a few Japanese representatives at the event, FNATIC who are seeded second seem the best hope for a home victory.

They are boosted by the return of former player Meltstera. He will provide a firmer backbone to the team, adding a calmness in the anchor role. FNATIC have been one of the most consistent teams at ALGS LAN events, and always seem to be in with a chance of winning. There would be no better place for their first LAN win than in Sapporo.

For more coverage of the ALGS Year 4 Champs in Japan, stay with esports.gg.