The Paris LCQ: over 250 players for six spots

Before the million dollars there was a funnel. The Esports World Cup Last Chance Qualifier gathered more than 250 players in Paris on July 25 and 26 to hand out just six tickets to the main event. DualKevin took it, closing out the final against Hibiki's Lily 3-2.

A format that gives nothing away

That 3-2 says everything about what an LCQ is: the runner-up played practically the same tournament as the champion and got there just as alive. Behind them came Moke, Xian, Lexx and Itabashi Zangief — and that's where the cut turns cruel: the six spots ran out right before seventh place.

Rashid taking a 250-player event is no shock — he's a character that rewards anyone who knows how to manage initiative — but the spread across the Top 8 is worth a look: Lily, Kimberly, Dee Jay, Guile, M.Bison, Zangief, Ed and C.Viper. An open qualifier is still the best thermometer for what people are actually playing.

The detail that ties it together: several of those six made the main event and did not just make up the numbers.