Who are the top 5 1v1 Red Alert Players of the CnCNet Era?
I have played all of the top players 100s of games in the last decade 2010-2020 so I feel like I am qualified to give an opinion on this. This topic is often debated on discord, cncnet lobby, youtube, other blogs etc. Basically it's a question all players want to know the answer to, casual or pro. I will try to give my answer as fairly as possible. This list will rank players overall where I see them based on my encounters. It does not account for individual map strengths which is why Katsh (HJK) and Robskate (Path) don't make the list. They specialise in certain specific maps and are not top 5 level overall. The true top 5 opponents I have had is based on their average level across all maps. Additionally, the criteria for selection means that players like At0m1 and NastyNate don't qualify for the list as they have never really actively played 1v1s over all map types in the last decade. So without further ado here goes:
5. RC1985 (Singapore).
Specialises in German tanking. Is an extremely good producer, one of the absolute best. Also has an excellent light tank rush. He is most difficult to beat on maps like Path Beyond and Ribbon Isle. Would possibly be higher on this list but he would admit his soviet play isn't quite top tier. He is not quite top level in Soviet building or long games, for example HJK6 or V3 long game. On any given day he can beat any opponent and is a match for anyone. Check out his youtube channel videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bwQUMFHAHc
4. McLovin (Norway)
Has very good infantry and Q-micro. Very strong in tank battles. Also his soviet play is better than most players would expect. His best maps tend to be 4c and ore maps. He is the undisputed best player on Liquid on CnCNet. Even better than the top 3 on this list. McLovin is the King of Liquid which is the map where he plied his trade. His weakest maps tend to be P4 Rashowdown and MoneyMap 2, also he seems reluctant to play maps like KOTG and Pico on the Ladder which is why I can't place him as high as the top 3.
3. Ford (Canada)
An extremely good all-rounder with amazing game knowledge. Has exceptionally good use of rifle infantry and is best known for revolutionising the attack version of GQ. He is a true match for anyone on all map types but I think he tends to be strongest on V3 type maps, he also learned his trade playing Rosssi and Breakdown on KOTG as a rookie. His only real weaknesses tends to be overconfidence/cockiness, and sometimes he can be susceptible to a cheeky light tank rush. His rush defence isn't as good as number 1 on this list. Check out his blog https://c9andrewford.blogspot.com/
2.Bea5ty (Kosovo)
Exceptionally good strategist. He puts you under immense pressure from the start on all map types. He has some of the best grenadier use ever seen (along with Herm and Ifuc). His win ratio versus all opponents is exceptional. He is one of the best soviet builders in the history of the game as well. His only real weakness is that his german tanking isn't quite top top bracket, for example he isn't as strong as Ford/RC/McLovin in that department. Not that it would matter as he would just rush them or nader, out-build them in 1v1 games. He has many go-to tactics which make him such a formidable threat. Check out his twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/bea5ty12
1. Ehy (Finland)
Of course number 1 is Ehy. He was a monster on all map types and absolutely dominated the competition in 1v1 while he was active until 2016. His main strength was his game IQ. He knew how to adapt extremely well. I am yet to see anyone with as good defence as him since - his engineer use and defensive guarding was unparalleled. Ehy was the true boss level on CnCNet. His superiority to the rest of the top 5 players on this list can be given by pure statistics. His win percentage against random players such as myself, yuzgen, robskate and other regular opponents of this top 5 was far greater than these other guys. While Ford and McLovin might beat me 70%-80% of the time, Ehy literally won 90%+. It was very rare for him to lose to anyone unless it was on their home map. He completely dominated the competition and is without a doubt the toughest opponent I have had on CnCNet. We all hold out hope that he will come out of retirement one day to teach the new kids on the block a thing or two.
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