MidwayThe grassroots tournament organizers announced their return with a two-division format, each featuring a $200 base prize pool supplemented by crowdfunding during the Twitch broadcast. Both divisions are seeking 8 teams, with start dates contingent on receiving enough applications.
Division 1: Open to All
The top-tier bracket welcomes players of any rank willing to compete. The tournament will run across two days once the field is set, a compact format that mirrors the original Freakfest Tournament, which ran a single-elimination bracket and crowned Hydra Nation as champions after a dominant 2-0 finals sweep over Bird with Clock.
That inaugural event featured teams like Floormen, Melee Creeps, and Kawaii Crew competing for a $1,000 prize pool. Hydra Nation's run was particularly impressive, beating an impressive list of teams, with hydration posting a staggering 12.75 KDA across the finals and Snakes racking up 43 assists in just two maps.
Division 2: The Anti-Smurf League
The lower division targets Ascendant rank players and below, with Eternus players explicitly barred. But Freakfest isn't just taking your word for it—they're implementing verification requirements that would make a ranked ladder blush:
- StatLocker submission required
- Screenshot of in-game stats mandatory
- Minimum 250 games played on the competing account
It's a welcome approach for a scene that has struggled with competitive integrity at the amateur level. Smurfing remains one of the most persistent complaints in grassroots Deadlock competition, and Freakfest's willingness to implement friction in the registration process suggests they're serious about keeping Division 2 legitimate.
Looking Ahead
Both divisions represent an opportunity for unsigned talent to get competitive reps and prize money in a structured environment. The original Freakfest proved the format works and now two divisions could make for a better playing field for all involved.