Fortnite Ones To Watch: C3:S1 FNCS Predictions, Europe

The clock is ticking. Fortnite’s premiere competitive event is back this weekend as we embark on a journey to discover the first FNCS winners of Chapter 3.

This time around it’s all about Duos, and I thought I’d join in the fun by sharing my favorite picks to go all the way this season. We’ve got old faithfuls, rising stars, plus a couple experts of the new meta… and everyone means business!

Today we’ll look at three teams I believe are capable of hoisting that coveted Pickaxe of Champions in Europe. Be sure to check back tomorrow for my NA East predictions.

BL Setty & Falcon Chapix – The Ultimate Hybrid

This pair hail from arguably the two strongest Trios in Europe, and possibly even the world, for 2021. They each ended Chapter 2 in style; Setty with the Season 8 FNCS title and a second-place finish in the Grand Royale, Chapix being the one who nudged him out of the top spot.

Setty and Chapix haven’t been playing together long, so admittedly chemistry could be an issue. However, they seem to be adjusting fast and their performances just keep getting better!

So far their Cash Cup Round 2 results have gone from 12^th to 5^th to 4^th, leading throughout Wednesday’s tournament but coming up short in the final match. They also won the Amar Cup earlier this month, and Chapix came out victorious in the Noble x BUFF Duos Cup.

Falcon Andilex & xsweeze – Back-to-Back

In stark contrast to Setty and Chapix, the French duo of Andilex and xsweeze have been teaming for almost eighteen months. They qualified for all five FNCS Trios Finals in Chapter 2, peaking in 2nd and 4th.

Though he’s a demon in any mode, Andilex is a Duos mastermind. In fact, I correctly tipped he and Nayte to win the only previous Duos FNCS way back in C2:S2, which is probably the season who's meta most closely resembles the current one. Now, nearly two years later, he aims to make history repeat itself, this time alongside xsweeze instead.

Despite their long friendship, Andilex and xsweeze only committed to join forces for this season’s FNCS within the last few weeks. No worries though, in the three Cash Cups they’ve played, they’ve won one, came 3^rdin another, and their worst placement was still inside the top ten.

TT9 Malibuca & Centric Merstach – From Russia (and Latvia) with Love

My underdog shout, although at this point, it’s hard to even call them that. They’ve been on an incredible run in Cash Cups so far in Chapter 3, both in opens and set lobbies. Malibuca especially has been getting a lot of attention in recent weeks, thanks to some equally impressive Solo efforts.

As a unit, Malibuca and Merstach have been competing together for close to a year. Their placements have been gradually improving, crowned by ending up in 7^th on the Finals leaderboard last FNCS.

Of course, dominating Cash Cups does not necessarily translate to FNCS glory, but it feels like Chapter 3 could be their time. If Malibuca and Merstach can avoid drop spot drama I think they will do great this season.