Carolina Royal Ravens 2026 CDL roster preview

Carolina Royal Ravens: CDL 2026 Team Preview

ByMatt Brown

The Carolina Royal Ravens have opted for a significant overhaul heading into the 2026 Call of Duty League season, pivoting from a mixed result in 2025 to a roster built on a foundation of veteran leadership and exciting rookie talent. After parting ways with three of their former players, the Royal Ravens have constructed a team designed to grow throughout the season, centered around one of the most decorated AR players in the game. This new-look squad is banking on raw potential and proven experience to climb the standings in Black Ops 7.

Carolina Royal Ravens Roster Overview

Carolina has assembled a compelling mix of veteran savvy and fresh-faced talent from the Challengers circuit. By building around a World Champion, they hope to mentor their young guns and develop a cohesive, disciplined unit capable of competing with the league’s best.

The 2026 Carolina Royal Ravens starting roster is:

  • Main AR: Austin “SlasheR” Liddicoat
  • Flex: Dylan “Nero” Koch
  • SMG: Jay “Craze” Mallhi
  • SMG: Logan “Lurqxx”

Key Players to Watch

SlasheR: As a 2016 World Champion and one of the most respected ARs in Call of Duty history, SlasheR is the unquestioned leader of this team. His experience, discipline, and high in-game IQ are the cornerstones of this roster. The Royal Ravens will look to him to provide stability, anchor their respawn game modes, and mentor the younger players. SlasheR’s ability to elevate the talent around him will be the single most important factor in Carolina’s success this season.

Craze & Lurqxx: The Royal Ravens are putting a lot of faith in their rookie SMG duo. Craze was a standout player on the dominant OMiT Challengers roster, while Lurqxx made a name for himself on the Stallions. Both players are making the leap to the CDL, and their transition will be under a microscope. Craze, in particular, impressed many with his slaying power and playmaking ability. If this duo can quickly adapt to the speed and pressure of the pro league, they could become a formidable force.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:
The primary strength of this team is its clear structure and leadership. With SlasheR at the helm, the Royal Ravens will not lack for discipline or a fundamental approach to the game. The addition of two hungry and mechanically gifted rookies in the SMG roles gives the team a high potential ceiling. Flex player Nero also brings valuable CDL experience and versatility, providing a solid bridge between the veteran AR and the rookie SMGs.

Weaknesses:
The biggest question mark for this roster is its reliance on unproven talent. While Craze and Lurqxx were stars in Challengers, the Call of Duty League is a massive step up in competition. The team’s offensive output will depend heavily on whether this rookie duo can consistently perform against the best players in the world. This roster may experience growing pains, especially early in the season, as the young players find their footing.

Season Outlook

The Carolina Royal Ravens are a high-risk, high-reward project for the 2026 season. They have a clear identity as a team built around a veteran leader and young, aggressive talent. Their success will be a story of player development. If SlasheR can effectively mold the rookies and Nero provides consistent support, this team could develop into a dangerous dark horse as the season progresses.

Expect this team to improve significantly from the start of the year to the end. While they may struggle against the league’s top-tier teams initially, their ceiling is a competitive squad that can pull off upsets and make a run at qualifying for Champs. This is a team to watch for their growth and potential to become a spoiler later in the season.

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