Contributors: Scarlet, Jecht, Peter

Last Updated: Oct 20, 2026

UL Season 2 Week 4 Recap & Final Week Preview

Hello everyone! It's your reporter, Scarlet, here, writing this in a hurry due to the quick turnaround (thank you, CBG, for making my job "easier"). In this week's recap… 🫈 whoa, did you see that? Anyways, we had another entertaining week of races, shocking tiebreakers, and a playoff race that's coming down to the wire! The season is almost over, folks, and you won't want to miss the remaining games, as the stakes couldn't be higher. In my picks for week 4, I went 6-5, bringing my record to 28-15-1, while my co-writer Jecht went 4-7. Boo this man.

Once again, all thoughts and writing belong to the writers and do not reflect the opinions and views of UL and its staff.

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Current Standings

Standings after week 4

Fishy Miracle

There's always that one juggernaut in every competition that just finds a way to win over and over, and you wonder if they will ever lose. That is the state of FISH right now, as they became the second team in UL history to go 3-0 in a week, the first being CBG in season 1. Due to external circumstances, their game against UMAP had to be played early this weekend, which is how they achieved this feat despite the 2-game week format.

This week's main scorers were Gerbear with 20 pts, Sky with 18 pts, Kashou and Kontrol with 15 pts each, and Benni with a 12 pt MVP performance on Christmas Oguri. That's 80 of FISH's 84 total pts this week from just 5 players, which is insane and shows you how dominant FISH has been all season. They have been dominating the miles as well, winning 10 mile maps this week and dropping only one.

With the perfect week in the books, FISH is firmly locked into the first seed and will get to choose their opponent when the playoffs begin. I believe FISH is just too good right now and will go far in the playoffs to avenge their losers' finals loss from last season.

Their regular season finale will be against the defending champs VELO, a fitting final game before the playoffs and perhaps a preview of a potential playoff rematch.

Velocity

The second team to clinch playoffs is none other than the champs themselves, of course, who will try to defend their crown. Their game against DNF was filled with a bit of controversy, but the main reason behind their loss may have been Pik failing to show up with Seiun Sky, in a game the captain surely wishes to forget.

However, VELO bounced back perfectly with a traditional VELO win against the rookies AMB, powered by their backliner dominance. Apol finally showed up with an immense performance this week, scoring 16 pts, including a 10 pt MVP game vs. AMB. Pik also bounced back in a big way with a 9 pt GL Smart Falcon against AMB.

While there were some fireworks this week involving VELO and their opponents, they must keep their cool and focus on collecting the crown once more. They will have to stay fresh during the last week of the regular season as they head back to the winners' bracket of the playoffs.

Their final opponents in the regular season are SEB and FISH. The FISH game is meaningless for the standings, but it may be a good showcase of how both teams look before the games that matter.

Cinderella Gray

The week has been so-so for CGRY as they once again split their games, but at the very least, they have clinched playoffs! Despite their 5-3 record, CLUE and AMB have to play each other this coming week, so CGRY is guaranteed a top 6 seed regardless of results in the regular season finale.

I definitely believe CGRY is strong and can make a deep run, but their luck has been rough this month. They handled CBG easily thanks to a great performance from the grey-haired duo, Const's Oguri Cap and Blurr's Tamamo Cross. A win against FISH would have clinched playoffs without depending on results elsewhere, but they came up short against the juggernauts with some horrendous luck. Constellations had an opportunity to play his ace but crashed horrendously in his career and ultimately missed a lot of important skills. Everyone else had bad luck too, as FISH dominated the miles to get the win.

Still, they are in good spirits, as starter Yunaka has said she loves her team, and the team has done great things that they will continue to do next week. Despite the clinch, they still need to find their luck again, as it has been costly this week and next week has major seeding implications.

They face SEB and AMB in the regular season finale. Win both and they are in the winners' bracket. Beat SEB but lose to AMB and they are in the losers' bracket (pending AMB vs. CLUE results). Lose both and they are the last team in, thanks to their tiebreaker vs. CLUE.

DraftNFamily

DNF, you have some explaining to do.

To start off on a positive note, we will give props to DNF for a spectacular draft that effectively neutralized the defending champs' winning strategy, although it was still a very close battle. Long drafts seem to be their specialty, as they dominate the pace and late packs to suffocate other teams on the long distance maps, especially with Neon's efforts this week.

However, DNF was also the victim of the biggest upset of the season, losing to a 1-win CBG team after many stumbles and mistakes. For some reason, they seemed to forget that the tiebreaker was a sprint and, I assume, believed they wouldn't have to worry about it. But CBG fought hard, and DNF could not find a way to push their score to 25 before the doomsday scenario arrived.

As a result of their folly, they suffered the biggest shock loss since VELO vs. HOGS in season 1, and frankly, this one is on them. They had the 2 seed in their own hands and now need help to get it. Their first round opponent depends on whether VELO or CGRY drop games. Sometimes families can misjudge their situations entirely.

Their final regular season opponents are UMAP and 2MA, who should be easier opponents than their rivals above them, but DNF still needs help.

Team Ambition

An obscure young team, wanderers of the draft scene, has ventured deep into the season. They ask themselves: shall they in time be great and famed? They slayed the devils in fair conditions, with an unbelievable performance from Stitch on Oguri Cap. Just maybe, ambition could lead this young team to glory, as AMB needed a win against the defending champs VELO to secure their standing for the postseason.

However, lofty ambition cannot topple someone who has achieved everything, and they fell short to the champs in the tiebreaker. After the valiant loss, their situation is now tricky, though their fate is still in their own hands. Their remaining games are difficult and will require great confidence and will to get past.

Some will win that envied trophy and have their deeds known far and wide. A great many more will sink down in Oblivion's Tide. Which destiny will be your journey's end, young wanderers?

They face CGRY and CLUE, both important games against teams in the playoff picture. One misstep could have major consequences for this young team, and they hope teams elsewhere will help them out against 2MA.

Cluegi

Cluegi. A simple word that brought fear to their opponents, as CLUE swept the week, defeating their playoff rivals and finally evening out their record. It has been a huge week for these rookies, and they are in prime position to clinch a playoff spot this coming week, so congrats!

Shadow took the best performer title for the team, but I'd also like to give special notice to Renko for scoring 13 pts this week with Yukino Bijin, and to Crow for also scoring 13 pts and being a major part of their success. CLUE handled both games very comfortably, and they needed this week after a rough start to the season.

They aren't out of the woods yet, but the path to the playoffs is in full view. They'll need another huge week to finish strong. Cluegi. Shoutout to Sam.

CLUE faces CBG and AMB this week, with the latter being the most important game of the season for playoff implications, and it will no doubt be prime-time material.

Twoma

How many times do we have to go over this? When you have a runaway condition, PLAY THE CONDITION.

It's been a costly week for 2MA, as they lost both games and are now on the edge of elimination. Their mistake against FISH essentially lost them the game: their Mejiro Palmer didn't race the Arima Kinen during her career, missing out on the Runaway skill. This freed up a slot for the enemy's runaway Suzuka and helped FISH dominate the front pack on the way to an emphatic win.

With the game against CLUE now do-or-die for both teams, 2MA had to win to control their own playoff destiny. Unfortunately, despite Mega's efforts this week, they could not find a way to win, and last season's 2nd place team is now in danger of missing the dance completely.

It has been a rough season for 2MA, and they are now tied with their club rival UMAP in the standings, which is an astonishing fact to read. Can they find a way back into the playoffs? Or is this already the end for the Parties?

They face DDD and DNF to finish off their regular season. I expect this team to play like their lives depend on it, so both games should be good viewing.

Cyborg

The final team left alive in playoff contention is none other than the Cyborgs. CBG started the week off rough with a loss to CGRY, leaving them staring at a 1-6 record at the bottom of the table and needing a miracle to get back into the playoff race.

They then faced DNF, who had clinched playoffs just before their game, and everyone's eyes were on them. CBG needed a hero to stay alive against a tough foe, and a hero did come through. His name was Andy. Andy came through big for CBG with a spectacular 14 pt performance against DNF, including the win in the sprint tiebreaker, thanks to his quick thinking in playing for it.

With the win, they are left clinging to a miracle scenario to make the playoffs, but can they do it? We will find out soon…

They face DDD and CLUE to close out the regular season, and they plan to play right before a certain Uma's banner drops.

That'll do it for the teams still alive. Now we finally reach the victims of the season, the teams that have been eliminated from playoff contention. Jecht will have the final words for SEB and DDD, while I have a personal word with UMAP. Remember the fallen.

Umaparty

The party has finally come to an end. It was mostly quiet, disruptive, full of no-shows, and plagued by horrible misfortune all through the night. But before they all blacked out and woke up to many, many regrets, the party still had one more trick up its sleeve. They went out with a bang, sweeping their week 4 opponents and essentially taking both teams down with them, back to the play-in mania for next year.

Vin enjoyed an amazing week, scoring 14 pts total, and will be remembered as one of the better hosts of the party. Yet despite the amazing week, they lost to FISH in a last-gasp attempt to stay in playoff contention, and their season is now over.

The night was rough for this party, and one of the teams I had penciled in for the playoffs ended up completely collapsing. It's not fully their fault, as a lot of unfortunate circumstances and rising stars from the new teams giving them hell led to their downfall. Still, this is a season to forget for UMAP, and there's a lot to reflect on if these guys want to go again in the play-ins. Most of all, I'd like to shout out Kalu for braving all the tough circumstances, and I hope he bounces back after such a rough season.

They face DNF in the regular season finale.

Digi Dirt Devils

Written by Jecht

It's particularly uncommon and unprofessional for a writer to root for a team, but this team has a soft spot in my heart. I mentioned last week that this team showed flashes of what they could do. This week showed what happens when they aren't at the top of their game.

Losing in heartbreaking fashion to an underachieving Umaparty team while the captain puts up 12 pts AND wins match MVP? Giving AMB Oguri, Seiun Sky, Fuji Kiseki, and Taiki Shuttle? Not to mention leaking Seiun Sky to one of the best Seiun Sky players in Eracfles?

But despite all this, you guys fought valiantly, and I hope you come back next season, because I enjoyed watching you.

One more thing I'd ask of you: it would be really funny if you won against 2MA.

Super Evil Biterz

Written by Jecht

Cheering for this team is like cheering for the Vancouver Canucks. Or the New York Jets. Or the Seattle Mariners. Regardless, this team was a lot of fun to watch, especially with their gimmick of picking at least one or two sprint maps and making really chaotic drafts.

I can't really say much here: brutal blowout losses to both Cluegi and UMAP, but props for sticking it out through the season. I don't even have a resolve as strong as UL players do, as I would've waved the white flag here. I'm glad you showed up, and that's all that matters.

Playoff Bubble Teams

Written by Peter

With this being the final preview of the regular season, we have a good idea of how the playoffs will be seeded. The teams fall into 3 separate tiers: the top 2, the eliminated, and the teams with an uncertain future.

FISH and VELO are locked into the winners' side, with FISH unable to move from 1st place. There are 4 teams eliminated no matter what, with UMAP, SEB, and DDD all losing the tiebreaker to any potential bubble team. An honorable mention goes to CBG, who had a 1-in-64 scenario available to them, but when they lost a game this Monday of week 5, we learned that this is not the one universe where they make the playoffs.

Finally, there are 5 teams fighting for the last 4 playoff spots, and all of them risk being eliminated from the postseason. Here is a graphic showing the elimination threat for week 5:

Bubble team elimination scenarios

Number of week 5 outcomes in which each team is eliminated

2MA

111

AMB

CLUE

DNF

CGRY

For the UL players on these teams, here is a simple explanation of your fate: if 2MA goes 2-0 and another team listed here goes 0-2, that team is probably in danger. 70% of the outcomes have 2MA eliminated due to their poor head-to-head record against the other bubble teams, so they truly need a 2-0 week to stay afloat. CGRY and DNF can only be eliminated by some incredible tiebreaker misfortune, even with an 0-2 record, and are realistically just fighting for an upper bracket spot. Good luck to the teams!

Upcoming Banners

On a random Tuesday afternoon for Global, the draft meta will change. Week 5's Tuesday will see the debut of the infamous New Year's Kitasan Black costume, and New Year's Satono Diamond is no slouch either!

New Year's Satono Diamond is a Long specialist. Her unique comes with built-in recovery, and she carries the two Long gold skills Claw Forward and Stamina Siphon. She will be very strong in long drafts, and just like Blaze Brian (who scored 0 pts this week, my bad for hyping her up!), her presence will only grow as we exit Our Grand Concert and long drafts become more comfortable.

Kitasan's new white costume is also expected to be a draft specialist, though she will likely only be seen in the preban and veto. New Year's Kitasan is famous for being the Uma that surpasses Christmas Oguri Cap on medium distances, and it would be a shock if she had anything lower than a three-digit ban rate in UL games. Rather than questioning whether she is leakable in draft, I would rather just be realistic about her impact at this time.

More important than the draft itself, we have a new parent! Kitasan's new inherited skill, Bring on the Banquet, has the exact same acceleration and current speed numbers as Special Week's Shooting Star, but it triggers instantly on a late-race corner if you are in the top 3. This is going to buff fronts and paces on the distances where it can trigger, which are tracks of 1900 meters and above. The rich styles get richer…

With New Year's Kitasan taking up an additional ban slot, we may see better balance for Team 1 and its 45% win rate. While the ladder stats are just 49% for Team 1, the strong players of UL have been taking advantage of Team 2's ability to get the most important pick after post bans are traded. We will see the implications of another permaban slot being added, which will hopefully balance the win rates more. Season 1 had a 52% win rate for Team 1 on ladder, so the balance of side selection has always been very tenuous. White Kitasan's introduction to draft is likely to lead to old permabans being leaked, so I hope teams in the playoffs can figure out how the draft will change and adjust accordingly.

Scarlet's Picks: Week 5

Here are my picks for the regular season finale, alongside Jecht's! UMAP vs. FISH has already been played, so it can't be picked.

Matchup	Scarlet's Pick	Jecht's Pick
CBG vs. DDD	CBG in 6	CBG in 6
CBG vs. CLUE	CBG in 7	CBG in 6
CGRY vs. SEB	CGRY in 5	CGRY in 5
VELO vs. SEB	VELO in 6	VELO in 5
2MA vs. DDD	2MA in 6	DDD in 6
DNF vs. UMAP	DNF in 4	DNF in 5
DNF vs. 2MA	DNF in 7	DNF in 6
CGRY vs. AMB	CGRY in 6	CGRY in 7
CLUE vs. AMB	CLUE in 7	CLUE in 7