The professional Deadlock scene just received its biggest validation yet. Cloud9, one of North America’s most storied esports organizations, has officially entered the title by acquiring the dominant roster formerly known as Melee Creeps.
This move marks a significant milestone for Valve’s hero shooter. While the game is still in development, Cloud9’s commitment signals a belief in the long-term viability of the title’s competitive circuit. The organization didn't just pick up a core; they absorbed the entire six-man squad, along with their coaching and managerial staff, ensuring the team's momentum remains uninterrupted.
The new Cloud9 roster consists of:
- Sobhan “AVG” Pirasteh
- Jonathon “JonJon” Gross
- Trentin “League” Rowand
- Trivon “Lomein” Pham
- Isaiah “Saiah” Mendoza
- Alex “Zeno” Isakayev
- Coach: Lukas “POSHYPOP” Villalpando
Melee Creeps have been the undisputed kings of the North American Deadlock scene, particularly within the Deadlock Night Shift (DLNS) weekly tournaments. Their dominance is well-documented, with the team frequently placing in the top three and maintaining a winning record that has made them the team to beat. They wasted no time proving their worth under the new banner, debuting with a 2-0 victory over YFP in the DLNS #64 Grand Final.
For Cloud9, this is a return to a Valve-adjacent ecosystem, a space they know well from their legendary history in Counter-Strike and Dota 2. While the current competitive landscape is driven by community-led events like the Night Shift series, the arrival of a tier-one organization typically acts as a catalyst for others to follow.
Whether this sparks an immediate arms race among other major orgs remains to be seen, but for now, the "Cursed Apple" has its first heavyweight champion. Keep an eye on the MyEsports predictions hub to see how the meta shifts as more organizations start to eye the growing Deadlock scene.