This article was originally published on GameSpot's sister site onGamers.com, which was dedicated to esports coverage.

　　The OnGameNet Champions circuit returns, pitting Korea's 16 best teams in an all-out war for the regional crown. Four groups strive for the eight quarterfinal slots and group D, in particular, features a powerful set of rivals. Though all eyes might be on reigning world champions and Champions title-bearers SKT K, Group D's luminaries demand respect from everybody, no matter their prestige.

CJ Entus Blaze

　　Jungle – Kang 'Daydream' Kyung-min

　　Mid – Kang 'Ambition' Chan-yong

　　AD – Kim 'Emperor' Jin-hyun

　　Support – Ham 'Lustboy' Jang-sik

　　There was not one, but two, Korean world championship teams in 2013. While SKT K was reaping fame and fortune in Los Angeles, they ultimately failed to qualify for the latest and last World Cyber Games. While the tight scheduling between the two events did prevent SKT K from being as prepared for the WCG Korean qualifiers as they could have, there's another aspect to the swan song of the venerable eSports platform: CJ Entus Blaze was white hot, and could not be stopped.

　　They are the CJ Entus organization's best bet for a return to glory: the first OGN Champions have visibly increased in power even as brother team Frost struggles for relevancy in the face of increasingly stronger competition. AD carry Emperor, in particular, has been an outstanding addition to the team, with an unrivaled Lucian mastery.

　　But even as they're heavily favored to make it out of groups, Blaze should know better at this point than to allow an instance of complacency. They're no strangers to extended periods of dominance – but as Samsung Ozone demonstrated last spring, their conservative tendency to stick with what works leaves them vulnerable to getting out-studied by their rivals.

NaJin White Shield

　　Jungle – Cho 'watch' Jae-geol

　　Mid – Yu 'Ggoong' Byeong-jun

　　AD – Lee 'Zefa' Jae-min

　　Support – Kang 'GorillA' Beom-hyeon

　　The NaJin teams have consistently been high-tier competitors in the already notoriously competitive Korean scene, though Shield's often found themselves overshadowed by brother team, World Championship representatives and former OGN Champions titlebearers Black Sword. But while Shield's consistently maintained a mid-tier playoffs rank, even in the face of numerous roster changes, they've also consistently improved with every season – a sharp, definitive, contrast to their brother team's turbulent up-and-down record.

　　Their fourth place finish over the winter split was not just for show. The ascendant Jin Air teams have yet to figure out how to crack Shield's defenses, and Shield themselves have steadily switched from a conservative playstyle reminiscent of their namesake to a more aggressive stance. Most importantly: even KT Rolster Arrows faltered against Shield in their recent LoL Masters showdown. A strong testament as any to the team's current strength.

Xenics Storm

　　Jungle – Shin 'Vin' Min-jae

　　Mid – 'Alvingo'

　　AD – Oh 'Ohq' Gyu-min

　　Support – Choi 'Ink' Sun-ho

　　Xenics Storm has a long and involved history with the eastern eSports scene. They've been around in one form or another since the first OnGameNet League of Legends tournament. Their founder was hired out by Southeast Asia's Garena last year, quickly heightening Vietnam's skill level to a previously impossible level. But venerability isn't equivalent to glory, and the unfortunate truth is that Xenics Storm has yet to find any honors at home.

　　Which is not to say they haven't shown their presence elsewhere. Though the International e-Culture Festival last year was ultimately a showcase of relatively ill-considered teams, their easy domination over Chinese team Young Glory showed why former Storm players CoCo, Arrow and Piccaboo were so well-regarded. It'll be up to their new roster, formed just February of this year, to fill such prestigious shoes.

Incredible Miracle #2

　　Jungle– Kim 'Reign over' Ui-jin

　　Mid – Lee 'Kur0' Seo-haeng

　　AD – Lee 'Betkyo' Seung-min

　　Support – Kweon 'Lasha' Min-woo

　　The Incredible Miracle organization's had a tough time over the years. Losing their LG sponsorship hurt, as has a continuous history of mediocrity. They've only had one bright spot so far: a show of strength at IEM Sao Paulo with the organization's primary team – a solitary drop of gold amid a sea of disappointing non-medal finishes.

　　But the Korean competitive scene has an odd history of "b"-teams showing surprising strength. Sword took the spotlight over NaJin em-Fire's original roster on Shield, KT Rolster B heavily overshadowed A, and IM #2 might yet continue the trend. Their aggressive plays against KT Rolster Bullets over LoL Masters demonstrated an unbraced enthusiasm, if not the cleanest executions: jungler Reign Over eagerly, if not always successfully, went after kills at even the hint of an opportunity. The pressure he exerts frees up IM #2's laners' pursuits for objectives.

　　OnGameNet Champions returns March 12. Group D's first game will be on the 14th, between CJ Blaze and IM 2. Who will bring on the upsets this split? Leave your answers below!

　　Image Credit: Cloth5.com, OnGameNet, Leaguepedia