Salty Runback - NA LoL Esports

It’s time to take some calls! On this midweek episode of Hotl- I mean… Salty Runback, Hawk and Grapes take YOUR calls with your hottest takes about the upcoming NACL OQ, and decide if they are too obvious, way too cooked, or juuust right.Become a member of our Patreon to gain access to up to FOUR new shows covering NA LoL Esports: patreon.com/saltyrunbacknaJoin our Discord Server! https://discord.gg/w6h9nDzY4u Time Stamps: Intro: ⁠0:00:00⁠ Quick Aside about Pulse Star!: 0:02:32Slayer’s Take: Slated Six will have TWO chances to qualify into the NACL: 0:07:08Quax’s Take: Promoting into the NACL will become less important for orgs as buying spots becomes more popular: 0:14:54Forset’s Take: Citadel will get knocked out by Flippers, who will go on a run to the lower bracket final: 0:25:07Faris’ Take: The current 64-tea, OQ format is BETTER than the old format: 0:32:23 Shibby’s Take: Apex beat Galaxy, it’s the year of Lojaz: 0:41:51Aloxeo’s take: Zero Animosity will beat the loser of NA/UCI: 0:46:42Cubby’s Take: Friendly Fellas will qualify into the OQ: 0:52:24Thanks for Watching! 0:58:09Follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/saltyrunbacknaYoutube: youtube.com/@saltyrunbacknaTwitch: http://twitch.tv/saltyrunbacknaSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackSpotify Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackApple Anchor: https://anchor.fm/salty-runback-podca

WHAT. A. WEEKEND. 80 best of 3s, 161 games played, and 32 teams left after the first weekend of the 2025 NACL Open Qualifier. Hawk and Grapes discuss the biggest matchups and most surprising results, the surprise of Citadel dropping early into the lower bracket, and who they think will be the first two teams to promote into the NACL this upcoming Sunday.Become a member of our Patreon to gain access to up to FOUR new shows covering NA LoL Esports: patreon.com/saltyrunbacknaJoin our Discord Server! https://discord.gg/w6h9nDzY4u Time Stamps: Intro: ⁠0:00:00⁠ Tournament Summary/Biggest Team surprises (submitted by Samikin)!: 0:04:44Which player has surprised you the most so far?: 0:17:28OQ Kill Draft Week 1 Update: 0:21:45What percent chance does Citadel have to make NACL after losing?: 0:22:53How many teams realistically have a shot of making the NACL THIS WEEKEND: 0:31:38Will UCI upset Near Airport?: 0:41:50Which CLOL teams currently in the upper semis will NOT make nationals?: 0:44:19Follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/saltyrunbacknaYoutube: youtube.com/@saltyrunbacknaTwitch: http://twitch.tv/saltyrunbacknaSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackSpotify Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackApple Anchor: https://anchor.fm/salty-runback-podca

It's finally NACL season! We're just 4 short days away from the start of the largest open qualifier in NA history, which means we've got a lock to talk about! Join Hawk and Grapes as they discuss their favorite music, Citadel Gaming's roster, the rest of the OQ pack, and CLOL playoffs.We have changed our handles on all platforms to @SaltyRunbackNA!Become a member of our Patreon to gain access to up to FOUR new shows covering NA LoL Esports: https://patreon.com/saltyrunbacknaJoin our Discord Server! https://discord.gg/w6h9nDzY4u Time Stamps: Intro: 0:00:00Patreon Question from Sean: Favorite Song/piece of music?: 0:04:11Is Citadel a top 3 team in the OQ?: 0:10:30Biggest OQ Storylines to follow for Week 1?: 0:19:12From Cam Com: OQ Kills Draft!: 0:28:50After CLOL regular season: Is format good?: 0:33:37Which top CLOL team has the hardest path to top 4?: 0:38:15Thanks for Watching!: 0:47:49Follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/saltyrunbacknaYoutube: youtube.com/@SaltyRunbackNATwitch: http://twitch.tv/saltyrunbacknaSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackSpotify Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackApple Anchor: https://anchor.fm/salty-runback-podca

The zoomers are thriving this week in NA LoL! In this episode of Salty Runback, Grapes sits down with the newest and youngest player in the NACL this split, Cryogen, fresh off of a 4-1 scrim record against Doublelift’s Stream team! Learn how the Pulse Star support gets recognized in high school for being a pro player, his experience with FlyQuest and at the SIDO combine last year, and why he thinks Pulse Star is a legitimate contender for the NACL crown.Follow Cryogen! twitter.com/cryogenNAtwitch.tv/cryogenNABecome a member of our Patreon to gain access to up to FOUR new shows covering NA LoL Esports: patreon.com/saltyrunbacknaJoin our Discord Server! https://discord.gg/w6h9nDzY4u Time Stamps: Intro: ⁠0:00:00⁠ Interview with Cryogen!: 0:02:55Scrimming against Doublelift’s team: 0:04:12How Cryogen started playing League: 0:06:21How popular is League in high school these days?: 0:10:14First hitting challenger and starting pro play in 2023: 0:14:08Experience playing with FlyQuest Challengers: 0:21:40SIDO Combine Experience: 0:25:00Joining Pulse Star this year: 0:29:37How good does Cryogen think Pulse will be this year?: 0:34:47Long-term Goals for 2025 and beyond: 0:36:58Thanks for watching!! 0:39:03Follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/saltyrunbacknaYoutube: youtube.com/@saltyrunbacknaTwitch: http://twitch.tv/saltyrunbacknaSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackSpotify Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackApple Anchor: https://anchor.fm/salty-runback-podca

A wild week of League of Legends as we get closer to the start of the NACL OQ! On this episode of Salty Runback, Hawk and Grapes discuss the streamed scrims of Doublelift’s team and how they will shape up in the NACL, the merger of Ole Miss and Supernova, and the best matchups to watch for the last week of the CLOL regular season.We have changed our handles on all platforms to @SaltyRunbackNA!Become a member of our Patreon to gain access to up to FOUR new shows covering NA LoL Esports: patreon.com/saltyrunbacknaJoin our Discord Server! https://discord.gg/w6h9nDzY4u Time Stamps: Intro: ⁠0:00:00⁠ A retired player/old team you would want to see in the OQ? (submitted by Sean on patreon): 0:04:10After watching Doublelift’s team scrim, how good will they be?: 0:10:19Are streamed scrims good for the T2/3 ecosystem: 0:19:14Ole Miss x Supernova: Exciting or boring roster decision?: 0:29:09Which 4-0 CLOL match will get your main monitor?: 0:37:11Which current 2-2 CLOL team has the best chance of making the National Championship?: 0:47:37Thanks for watching!! 0:55:03Follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/saltyrunbacknaYoutube: youtube.com/@saltyrunbacknaTwitch: http://twitch.tv/saltyrunbacknaSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackSpotify Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackApple Anchor: https://anchor.fm/salty-runback-podca

With the schedule announced this Friday, the countdown for the start of the NA Tier 2 and 3 season has officially begun! In this episode, Hawk and Grapes discuss the newest (and youngest) roster in the NACL, some of the biggest stories in the collegiate landscape, and which pro player is the most likely to pull a Kendrick and drop a diss track…We have changed our handles on all platforms to @SaltyRunbackNA!Become a member of our Patreon to gain access to up to FOUR new shows covering NA LoL Esports: patreon.com/saltyrunbacknaJoin our Discord Server! https://discord.gg/w6h9nDzY4u Time Stamps: Intro: ⁠0:00:00⁠ Is Pulse star more likely to promote or demote?: 0:02:03NECC Circle of Suck: Who’s the best (Fisher, Winthrop, Ole Miss): 0:11:01Which CLOL team should play in the OQ?: 0:20:57Reaction to Fearless Draft changes + pocket picks (submitted by Samikin from Patreon): 0:26:27Which NACL player would drop a diss track?: 0:36:24Thanks for watching!! 0:41:21Follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/saltyrunbacknaYoutube: youtube.com/@SaltyRunbackNATwitch: http://twitch.tv/saltyrunbacknaSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackSpotify Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackApple Anchor: https://anchor.fm/salty-runback-podca

LONG HAVE WE AWAITED, NACL ANNOUNCEMENT ACTIVATED! In this episode of Salty Runback, Hawk and Grapes break down all of the details in Riot’s new Tier 2 + 3 Primer, with details on the dates and format of the OQ, a change to the NACL schedule, and a new tournament organizer running things in the Americas for the 2025 season. Link to the article here: [WILL UPDATE WHEN PUBLIC] We have changed our handles on all platforms to @SaltyRunbackNA! Become a member of our Patreon to gain access to up to FOUR new shows covering NA LoL Esports: patreon.com/saltyrunbackna Join our Discord Server! https://discord.gg/w6h9nDzY4u Time Stamps: Intro and explanation: ⁠0:00:00⁠ Welcome Pulse Star to NACL!: 0:04:28 2025 NACL Open Qualifier Format Details: 0:08:07 NACL OQ Broadcast details?: 0:23:51 NACL Split 1 Preview: 0:29:38 Welcome Liga Ace!: 0:37:25 Thanks for watching!! 0:40:16 Follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/saltyrunbackna Youtube: youtube.com/@saltyrunbackna Twitch: http://twitch.tv/saltyrunbackna Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackSpotify Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackApple Anchor: https://anchor.fm/salty-runback-podca

We got some news about Tier 3… but it wasn’t what we were hoping for. On this episode of Salty Runback, Hawk and Grapes discuss the dropping out of NTMR from the League of Legends ecosystem, the decisions Maryville will have to make about their starting roster, and … the Luka Doncic trade? It’s been a dry news week… We have changed our handles on all platforms to @SaltyRunbackNA! Become a member of our Patreon to gain access to up to FOUR new shows covering NA LoL Esports: https://patreon.com/saltyrunbackna Join our Discord Server! https://discord.gg/w6h9nDzY4u Time Stamps: Intro: ⁠0:00:00⁠ Was the NTMR roster and org too good to be true all along?: 0:02:33 Which former NTMR player has the most to gain by finding an NACL spot?: 0:11:27 Is this what we expect Maryville’s roster to be all year?: 0:24:01 LTA Split 1 format: Good or bad? 0:30:11 Every podcast has a Luka segment this week so…: 0:37:49 Thanks for watching!! 0:43:27 Follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/saltyrunbackna Youtube: youtube.com/@saltyrunbackna Twitch: http://twitch.tv/saltyrunbackna Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackSpotify Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackApple Anchor: https://anchor.fm/salty-runback-podca

It's cause for celebration as we welcome our first ever Tier-1 player to Salty Runback! In this episode, Hawk and Grapes sit down with Dignitas' new top laner Srtty, where they discuss how he was feeling sitting on the LTA stage for the first time, and break down his strong performance in his first game against Team Liquid. Follow Srtty! twitter.com/_srtty twitch.tv/srtty_lol We have changed our handles on all platforms to @SaltyRunbackNA! Watch Hawk and Grapes break down VODs with other pro players exclusively on our Patreon!: patreon.com/saltyrunbackna Join our Discord Server! https://discord.gg/w6h9nDzY4u Time Stamps: Intro: ⁠0:00:00⁠ Does Riot have enough time at this point to run a proper OQ?: 0:03:07 WU beat Ole Miss, are Winthrop a real CLOL contender?: 0:10:47 Biggest risers and fallers in the Week 2 CLOLHub poll: 0:18:58 Srtty vs. ScaryJerry in LTAN: Who will win?: 0:24:10 Reactions to Fearless Draft in Tier 1 Leagues: 0:30:32 Thanks for watching!! 0:47:01 Follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/saltyrunbackna Youtube: youtube.com/@saltyrunbackna Twitch: http://twitch.tv/saltyrunbackna Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackSpotify Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackApple Anchor: https://anchor.fm/salty-runback-podcaThe 2025 season has kicked off, and we’re here to talk about it all on Salty Runback! This week, Hawk and Grapes discussed the lack of transparency about the upcoming OQ, the performance of the LTAN rookies in the league’s opening weekend, and all the big storylines of the first round of the CLOL regular season. We have changed our handles on all platforms to @SaltyRunbackNA! Become a member of our Patreon to gain access to up to FOUR new shows covering NA LoL Esports: patreon.com/saltyrunbackna Join our Discord Server! https://discord.gg/w6h9nDzY4u Follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/saltyrunbackna Youtube: youtube.com/@saltyrunbackna Twitch: http://twitch.tv/saltyrunbackna Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackSpotify Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackApple Anchor: https://anchor.fm/salty-runback-podca

The 2025 season has kicked off, and we’re here to talk about it all on Salty Runback! This week, Hawk and Grapes discussed the lack of transparency about the upcoming OQ, the performance of the LTAN rookies in the league’s opening weekend, and all the big storylines of the first round of the CLOL regular season. We have changed our handles on all platforms to @SaltyRunbackNA! Become a member of our Patreon to gain access to up to FOUR new shows covering NA LoL Esports: patreon.com/saltyrunbackna Join our Discord Server! https://discord.gg/w6h9nDzY4u Time Stamps: Intro: ⁠0:00:00⁠ Does Riot have enough time at this point to run a proper OQ?: 0:03:07 WU beat Ole Miss, are Winthrop a real CLOL contender?: 0:10:47 Biggest risers and fallers in the Week 2 CLOLHub poll: 0:18:58 Srtty vs. ScaryJerry in LTAN: Who will win?: 0:24:10 Reactions to Fearless Draft in Tier 1 Leagues: 0:30:32 Thanks for watching!! 0:38:21 Follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/saltyrunbackna Youtube: youtube.com/@saltyrunbackna Twitch: http://twitch.tv/saltyrunbackna Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackSpotify Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackApple Anchor: https://anchor.fm/salty-runback-podca

It’s time for a trip down memory lane! In this midweek episode of Salty Runback, Hawk and Grapes discuss all of the new NACL and OQ rosters that have been announced so far, and compare them to a team from one of their favorite teams from the Proving Grounds/NACL era of 2021-2024! We have changed our handles on all platforms to @SaltyRunbackNA! Become a member of our Patreon to gain access to up to FOUR new shows covering NA LoL Esports: patreon.com/saltyrunbackna Join our Discord Server! https://discord.gg/w6h9nDzY4u Time Stamps: Intro and Explanation: ⁠0:00:00⁠ Luminosity = 2023 Summer Disguised: 0:07:14 Dragonsteel = 2022 Spring Team Liquid Academy: 0:12:07 Blue Otter = 2023 Spring AOE Esports: 0:16:49 Nightmare = 2021 Summer Wildcard Red: 0:24:18 Respawned = 2024 Spring Blue Otter: 0:29:56 Tempest Gaming = 2023 Summer Mirage Alliance: 0:33:58 Apex Mission Impossible = 2021 Spring Mirage: 0:38:33 Chimaek = 2022 Summer Team Pending: 0:43:43 Thanks for watching!! 0:47:01 Follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/saltyrunbackna Youtube: youtube.com/@saltyrunbackna Twitch: http://twitch.tv/saltyrunbackna Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackSpotify Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackApple Anchor: https://anchor.fm/salty-runback-podca

Welcome to Season 3 of Salty Runback! We’ve got a new look, a new format, and a lot of new shows for you in 2025. In this inaugural episode in the lead up to the CLOL and LTA season, Hawk and Grapes discuss the best free agents still available for the NACL, break down the CLOL conferences ahead of regular season play, and talk about the new rookies of the LTA North, Srtty and ScaryJerry, as they move on from the NACL to Tier 1 We have changed our handles on all platforms to @SaltyRunbackNA! Become a member of our Patreon to gain access to up to FOUR new shows covering NA LoL Esports: patreon.com/saltyrunbackna Join our Discord Server! https://discord.gg/w6h9nDzY4u  Time Stamps:  Intro: ⁠0:00:00⁠  Make the best roster of players who are currently free agents?: 0:06:26 Can any of the newly announced OQ rosters contest NTMR?: 0:12:17 Which CLOL conference will have the most entertaining regular season?: 0:23:56 Moist merges with Shopify Rebellion: Was this a surprise?: 0:31:34 Which LTAN rookie are you most excited to watch in week 1?: 0:36:36 Thanks for watching!! 0:41:35 Follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/saltyrunbackna Youtube: youtube.com/@saltyrunbackna Twitch: http://twitch.tv/saltyrunbackna Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackSpotify  Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackApple  Anchor: https://anchor.fm/salty-runback-podca

With the schedule announced this Friday, the countdown for the start of the NA Tier 2 and 3 season has officially begun! In this episode, Hawk and Grapes discuss the newest (and youngest) roster in the NACL, some of the biggest stories in the collegiate landscape, and which pro player is the most likely to pull a Kendrick and drop a diss track…We have changed our handles on all platforms to @SaltyRunbackNA!Become a member of our Patreon to gain access to up to FOUR new shows covering NA LoL Esports: patreon.com/saltyrunbacknaJoin our Discord Server! https://discord.gg/w6h9nDzY4u Time Stamps: Intro: ⁠0:00:00⁠ Is Pulse star more likely to promote or demote?: 0:02:03NECC Circle of Suck: Who’s the best (Fisher, Winthrop, Ole Miss): 0:11:01Which CLOL team should play in the OQ?: 0:20:57Reaction to Fearless Draft changes + pocket picks (submitted by Samikin from Patreon): 0:26:27Which NACL player would drop a diss track?: 0:36:24Thanks for watching!! 0:41:21Follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/saltyrunbacknaYoutube: youtube.com/@saltyrunbacknaTwitch: http://twitch.tv/saltyrunbacknaSpotify: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackSpotify Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackApple Anchor: https://anchor.fm/salty-runback-podca

It’s time for the NACL Finals! After a tremendous lower bracket run, Maryville University becomes the first collegiate program to reach a Tier 3 Finals as they face off against FlyQuest Challengers Monday night in the LCS Arena. Hawk and Grapes discuss the long-awaited finals, discuss NA talent’s success in the LCS, and break down the results of the second NACL Qualifier. Then, the podcast splits up to interview one player from each team in the finals: Hawk talks to FLYC Sajed about his breakout rookie split, and Grapes talks to MU Niles about his long road to being a true leader on the best collegiate team in NA. Follow Sajed! twitter.com/sajed_lol Follow Niles! twitter.com/NilesLoL Watch CLOL Central, our weekly CLOL content show featuring a LIVE casted match of the week. Watch weekly on twitch.tv/saltyrunbackpod! Join our Discord Server! https://discord.gg/w6h9nDzY4u Time Stamps: Intro: ⁠0:00:00⁠ More impressive MU win: Reverse Sweep vs. DSG or 3-0 TLC? ⁠0:01:55 Biggest X-Factor in NACL Finals? ⁠0:07:20 Which former NA prospect will be most important in LCS Finals? ⁠0:11:45 Who will be the first team to beat CCG?: ⁠0:15:37⁠ NACLQ All-Backpack Team!: ⁠0:21:52⁠ Hawk talks with FLYC Sajed: ⁠0:27:00 Grapes talks to MU Niles: 0:43:32 Thanks for watching!: 1:05:13 Follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/saltyrunbackpod Youtube: youtube.com/@saltyrunbackpod Twitch: http://twitch.tv/saltyrunbackpod Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackSpotify Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackApple Anchor: https://anchor.fm/salty-runback-podca

What a week! With now only 1 week of games until the NACL Finals and the conclusion of the NACL Qualifiers, we just witnessed one of the greatest weekends of the season, with upsets, eliminations, and so much more. Hawk and Grapes discuss the biggest surprises of the weekend, the announced roster change of Mirage Alliance, and what to expect for the last week of the NACL Qualifiers. Then, it’s the NACL “real” awards show, where we announce who we think should earn all the awards given out by the NACL broadcast… plus a few others Watch the EXCLUSIVE LIVE COVERAGE of the NACLQ Finals ONLY on Salty Runback this Sunday at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT on twitch.tv/saltyrunbackpod! Watch our  show Tier 3 Tonight, which will be the official coverage of the NACL Qualifiers for 2024! Check out our final episode this Thusday at 7 ET/4 PT on twitch.tv/lcs_challengers! Watch CLOL Central, our weekly CLOL content show featuring a LIVE casted match of the week. Watch weekly  on twitch.tv/saltyrunbackpod! Join our Discord Server! https://discord.gg/w6h9nDzY4u  Time Stamps:  Intro: ⁠0:00:00⁠  Reaction to Mirage Alliance roster changes? ⁠0:03:40  Bigger surprise: TL in top 3 or SN eliminatedt? ⁠0:11:10  Which team has the best chance to escape the lower bracket?  ⁠0:15:41  Is WU vs. CCG the real final?: ⁠0:20:00⁠ Does Promotion Tournament seeding matter?:  ⁠0:24:21⁠  NACL Awards Show!: ⁠0:29:30 Our All-Pro Selections: 0:31:07 Our NACL Paper Plate Awards! 0:44:40 Thanks for watching!: 0:59:13 Follow us: Twitter: https://twitter.com/saltyrunbackpod  Youtube: youtube.com/@saltyrunbackpod  Twitch: http://twitch.tv/saltyrunbackpod  Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackSpotify  Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/SaltyRunbackApple  Anchor: https://anchor.fm/salty-runback-podca