Overwatch League pros Fragi and Bischu join the Guangzhou Charge
Robert Paul/Blizzard EntertainmentThe Philadelphia Fusion, Los Angeles Gladiators and the Guangzhou Charge all made some big roster moves on Wednesday, July 17 ahead of Overwatch League Stage 4.
Following the Shanghai Dragon’s Stage 3 Finals win, teams have obviously decided to gear up for Stage 4 and Overwatch League pros Joona ‘Fragi’ Laine, Finley ‘Kyb’ Adisi and Hyung-seok ‘Bischu’ Kim will all find themselves on new rosters when things get going again.
It remains to be seen how the players will fit into their new rosters, but the shake up is definitely one of the most anticipated roster moves to happen yet in Season 2.
Today we say goodbye to @fragi.
We thank him for representing the Philly spirit so well during his time with us, and we wish him all the best with the @GZCharge! pic.twitter.com/E3wHNav3iL
— Philadelphia Fusion (@Fusion) July 17, 2019
A new home for Fragi
Fragi and his tank play are fan favorites for Philadelphia, but the Finnish player hasn’t had much of an impact this year, having spent the majority of Season 2 on the bench.
If Guangzhou is bringing him on that could mean Fragi-starved fans might finally get to see some of his main tank play in Stage 4 – but Gritty and Philadelphia fans will certainly miss having him around.
We also want to wish the inimitable @KYB all the best in his new home with the @Fusion.
Thanks for everything, @KYB! pic.twitter.com/LVEuaz4lJA
— Guangzhou Charge (@GZCharge) July 17, 2019
Philadelphia traded Fragi to Guangzhou for British DPS player KYB, possibly in an effort to beef up their damage headed into Stage 4 and Grand Finals qualification.
Not to be left out, the Gladiators also got in on the action and sent Bischu and his D.Va, who’ve also seen sporadic playing time this year, over to the Charge.
With these acquisitions the Charge have managed to beef up their tank roster significantly, so it will be interesting to see what they do come Stage 4.
It's been one hell of an adventure, @BischuGG.
Once a Gladiator, Always a Gladiator.
:spiral_note_pad:️ : https://t.co/PLRKvJw8SL pic.twitter.com/0Ll4L5Iakz
— Los Angeles Gladiators (@LAGladiators) July 17, 2019
Big changes coming to Overwatch League?
At the time of writing, the leaked 2-2-2 role lock has all but been officially confirmed by Blizzard to be coming in Stage 4.
According to a leaked OWL conference call, some teams aren’t very happy with the changes being made, and wonder how it will affect them going forward.
Teams are also worried about how they’ll handle the new schedule next year, which does away with individual stages and could leave teams less time to practice.
Whatever ends up happening with role lock in Stage 4, Overwatch League teams and their fans will still have plenty of questions and concerns headed into the League’s third season.