UNBIASED INITIAL RANKINGS
*note that I have been out of the AG loop for a while so I might just be wrong about every player/not know much about them
6. Abyssal Arceus
Honestly don't see any standout players here. Velvet, Sitonai, and Cam are all good but not necessarily elite imo. I just don't see them picking up a whole lot of wins against the surefire starters from other teams. A lot of the 3k buys/subs are good players in their own right but I have no idea how familiar they are with ag, and I wouldn't classify anyone as an expert builder either. Not a bad team by any means but definitely the weakest here.
5. Salt Mining Sableyes
Fardin and Zesty are as good as any other player in this tour, but a couple things count against the Sableyes. For one, they seem very usm/oras heavy and idk if any of these guys are rly familiar with natdex/galar. Of course that could just be my ignorance speaking but regardless there isn't a big name natdex player and for a tour that weighs that tier so heavily, this is a big problem. I also doubt that the OM squad is that familiar with ag in general, although their high skill ceilings could more than make up for that. Finally, 16 players is both a blessing and a curse as it might make for a chaotic team environment but could also provide unique teambuilding opportunities.
4. Dream-Shattering Darkrais
Skarph + Bacon gives the Darkrais a top 3 player in both USM and natdex which is invaluable. However, I think the lack of quality team depth counts against them here. ADF, M, and L'habitat are all capable of picking up wins but I don't see them necessarily going overwhelmingly positive, and the 3k buys are definitely a shot in the dark. Dockiva + Grn is more than solid as a USM core, but I don't know how familiar the other players are with SS beyond Bacon. This team definitely has a high ceiling tho, everything just needs to click.
3. Precious Pichus
This is the first team that is legitimately stacked. Hunter and Thimo are probably top 5 (maybe even 3) ag players ever, Pichus has been outstanding the last couple years, Donno is a massive threat in ORAS/USM, Zayele + 64 Squares are a fantastic SS core. There's absolutely no weaknesses here and I expect to see the most innovating teambuilding in the tour coming from the Pichus.
2. Menacing Marshadows
Icemaster started the draft guns blazing and he has lined up an insanely good set of players. I am out of the AG loop but I think he's the best natdex player, Pigeons is as good a bo3 slot as you'll ever get, Zenithial is a top 3 SM player, Chloe is a top 5 ORAS player, this is unbelievable. I have no idea who arifgoku is but I know for sure that every single player is extremely skilled and capable of building teams. It would take some ridiculously bad luck/team implosion for the Marshadows to not make finals.
1. Horrendous Houndooms
I am unbiased, and also a liar.