It is genuinely next to impossible to rank UK players fairly because everyone at the very top is incredibly good at completely different things. As such, I'll be ranking people based on how good they are at their main area of play and bringing in aspects of other areas when I can't make a decision.
I'll also be clarifying why each player is ranked where.
I'll also be clarifying why each player is ranked where.
1. Karthy (OPSwimmyJimmy)
Karthy has just exploded completely this year, grabbing #1 UK from me near the start of 2018 and building nearly 2000pp of lead over second place. His stamina has grown tremendously and his aim mechanics have only gotten better alongside it.
2. Spare (Starnya)
Spare can play anything. He's been less active this year than I think he'd like, but his speed, stamina, aim mechanics, acc and reading all come together to make him the most well rounded player this country could ever wish for. There's not too much more you can say.
3. SoraRoxas01
Sora has rounded himself out tremendously this year. His mechanics are high tier and he is incredibly talented with HR and DT, as well as surprising people by also being able to play AR8 HD incredibly well. It'll be difficult to surpass him any time soon.
4. MoeYandere
You cannot give this man a map he can't DT. Criminally overlooked, Moe can singletap ~320bpm+ and just doesn't shirk away from anything. After learning HD at the start of this year he racked up many impressive #1s and never lost his consistency on Nomod, HD or HR. Amongst the best DT players in the world, just don't ask him to play AR8 HD.
5. Jameslike
Tech is this guy's speciality, and just like Moe he's among the best in the world and often criminally overlooked. You will find a nomod score from James on any map you F2 to, oftentimes the first to get an FC. While his strengths all lie in Nomod, he sometimes pulls clutch FCs on other mods out of nowhere in tournaments so never count him out.
6. Doomsday
Doomsday is back on the upward swing, after an apparent slump of a few years. His tournament consistency is back in high gear, and despite dropping in rank hasn't lost his touch for playing anything you could ask him to. Well rounded still and as wholesome as he was 5 years ago he is the perfect example of a player who enjoys every moment he spends poking dots.
7. OPJames
Who needs to see circles to click them? Some of the most unique HD #1 and some of the best consistency in the game are sported by James, who wasn't as active this year as many other players leading to some skill stagnation. Didn't make him any less dangerous in tournaments however.
8. TopSp1n
The first new entry, my fellow welshie has shown some incredible consistency and some brilliant unique scores this year. Honestly not someone I expected to put on the list this year, he has a lot of potential to go far higher with his nomod skill.
9. Bloo
A player I expected to be here, Bloo has continued to push his mechanics and is starting to round out into a player with a great amount of mod coverage. His mechanics are top notch and he has a lot of potential to be far higher next year.
10. Nega
Nega came back, gained some ranks, and then developed into one of the most technically advanced players in the UK. His reading is formidable and his tournament consistency stellar, so don't estimate his ability solely based on rank.
Honourable Mentions
Blubber - DT stepping up, top 50 soon(tm)
Wario - Still as good as he was, stream aim getting good
Woffel - HR and acc and scary speed and stamina
There's nobody really up and coming that I predict will explode in skill in the next year, sadly.
Wario - Still as good as he was, stream aim getting good
Woffel - HR and acc and scary speed and stamina
There's nobody really up and coming that I predict will explode in skill in the next year, sadly.