MPL Indonesia has officially entered its hottest phase ahead of the playoffs. After ONIC Esports became the first team to secure a playoff ticket, the battle for the remaining five spots has completely exploded. There are no more “ordinary” matches because every single result now carries massive consequences for the final standings.

This season has looked very different compared to previous MPL ID editions. No team has truly dominated besides ONIC, while middle-table and lower-table teams have continued trading blows to keep their playoff hopes alive. The razor-thin point gap has made the standings extremely volatile, where one matchday alone can completely change the playoff race.

That situation has revived the legendary “Bloody Week” narrative once again. The term has become relevant because nearly every team still finds itself in a life-or-death situation. Even squads currently sitting near the top of the standings are far from safe from dropping into the danger zone.

The “rock-paper-scissors” phenomenon has also become one of the biggest storylines of MPL ID S17. Some teams have managed to defeat championship contenders, only to lose against bottom-table teams shortly after. That pattern has made predictions incredibly difficult and showcased just how competitive the league has become this season.

Amid all that chaos, the biggest spotlight has naturally fallen on RRQ Hoshi. The “King of Kings” now finds itself in the toughest position in franchise history within MPL Indonesia. After six weeks of competition, RRQ remains stuck near the bottom of the standings under enormous pressure.

However, RRQ is far from the only team with major issues. Nearly every squad still fighting for playoff spots continues to carry significant weaknesses. Some teams have struggled with consistency, others have become too predictable in drafting, while several organizations are still desperately searching for their best roster combinations before the regular season ends.

With only a few weeks remaining, every mistake has now become extremely expensive. Weeks 7 through 9 are expected to become the most brutal phase of MPL ID S17.

RRQ Hoshi and the Impossible Mission Toward Playoffs

If there is one team carrying the heaviest pressure right now, it is clearly RRQ Hoshi. Week 7 will determine whether the Kings can keep their playoff dreams alive or completely fall out of contention.

The situation for RRQ has become brutally simple: they must continue winning until the season ends. There is no more room to drop points if they still want to keep their playoff chances alive.

The problem is that RRQ’s remaining opponents are anything but easy. They must face Geek Fam ID and EVOS Esports in Week 7 before continuing against Team Liquid ID, Natus Vincere, Alter Ego Esports, and Dewa United Esports.

That means RRQ will mostly face teams that are also desperately fighting for playoff spots. Every match has effectively turned into an elimination game.

Even so, RRQ’s dominant 2-0 victory over Bigetron Alpha in Week 6 became proof that the team has finally begun showing signs of recovery. Their gameplay looked far more disciplined and structured compared to previous weeks.

Although they immediately lost again to ONIC the following day, RRQ at least started showing a clearer identity. Their early-game setups looked more organized, rotations improved significantly, and communication appeared much cleaner.

Unfortunately, one old problem still continues haunting them: unnecessary blunders while holding advantages. RRQ has repeatedly thrown away momentum by forcing needless teamfights or overextending during winning situations.

If they truly want to reach the playoffs, RRQ must immediately fix that discipline issue. They can no longer afford to waste hard-earned advantages.

Every Team’s Biggest Problem Before Playoffs

Dewa United: Strong, But Not Perfect

Dewa United Esports has become one of the biggest surprises of the season. With a 7-3 record through Week 6, they have comfortably secured second place in the standings.

However, behind those incredible performances, Dewa still suffers from consistency problems when closing games. They have repeatedly failed to convert winning positions into clean victories.

Their narrow defeats against ONIC and Team Liquid became perfect examples. Dewa dominated large portions of both series but lost focus during key moments.

If they truly want to become championship contenders, they must learn how to close games more cleanly and maintain discipline under pressure.

Bigetron Alpha: Dropping Important Points Too Often

From a mechanical and roster-quality perspective, Bigetron absolutely deserves recognition as a title contender. Their aggressive gameplay and explosive mechanics constantly trouble opponents.

However, their biggest issue has been inconsistency against supposedly weaker teams. Their shocking loss against RRQ became the clearest example.

BTR often looks phenomenal against top-tier opponents, only to lose points in matches they should realistically win.

If that habit continues, their upper-table position could quickly become very dangerous.

Team Liquid ID: Drafts Becoming Too Predictable

Team Liquid ID initially looked like one of the most exciting teams early in the season. However, as the regular season progressed, opponents gradually began reading their gameplay patterns.

Whenever their signature heroes are banned away, TLID often struggles to find alternative win conditions.

Draft flexibility has now become their biggest homework assignment heading into the increasingly brutal playoff race.

Without rapid adaptation, they could quickly lose momentum.

Alter Ego: Struggling to Stay Stable

Alter Ego entered this season carrying massive expectations. With nearly the same core roster that previously reached the MPL ID S16 Grand Final and the M-Series Final, many expected them to become serious championship contenders.

Instead, their performances have wildly fluctuated. Sometimes they look unstoppable, while other matches see them perform far below expectations.

Consistency has become Alter Ego’s biggest enemy this season.

Unless they quickly rediscover stability, their playoff position could become extremely vulnerable.

EVOS: Still Searching for Their Sharpest Fangs

EVOS Esports has also become one of the hardest teams to predict this season. They continue rotating players, especially in the midlane position between Treacky and Pheww.

That situation strongly suggests EVOS still has not fully discovered its best formula.

On one hand, roster rotations can create strategic variety. On the other hand, constantly changing players can seriously damage chemistry.

If they fail to find their most stable lineup soon, their top-six position could become increasingly threatened.

Geek Fam: Struggling to Snowball

Geek Fam has actually shown promising improvement lately. The arrival of MarceL has made their gameplay far more aggressive and energetic.

However, one major problem still remains: converting early-game leads into victories.

They frequently give opponents too much time to scale before eventually collapsing during late-game situations.

Closing games efficiently has become Geek Fam’s biggest task if they want to reach the playoffs.

NAVI: Weak Late-Game Decision Making

Natus Vincere has actually looked competitive during early-game phases. They have repeatedly managed to pressure stronger teams through aggressive gameplay.

However, once matches enter the late game, they often lose direction completely.

Decision-making around Lord fights and base pushes has remained their biggest weakness throughout the season.

Unless those issues improve immediately, NAVI’s playoff hopes could disappear quickly.

Bloody Week Has Truly Returned

MPL ID S17 has finally entered its most brutal phase. No team besides ONIC can truly feel safe, while the remaining eight squads must continue fighting desperately for the final five playoff spots.

Every upcoming match will feel like a grand final. One victory could instantly lift a team several places up the standings, while one defeat could send them directly into the red zone.

RRQ Hoshi may currently carry the heaviest pressure, but the reality is that nearly every playoff contender still has major weaknesses to solve.

That is exactly why Weeks 7 through 9 are expected to become the most emotional and dramatic stretch of MPL ID S17. Bloody Week has officially returned.