OpTic Dashy and Huke on Overload mastery, online attitudes, and the UK ‘mecca’ of Call of Duty

Last time the Call of Duty League landed in the UK, only four players in the current crop of talent appeared on stage. Two of those: OpTic’s finest (albeit competing for Dallas Empire). Fast forward six years to Major II 2026, and these icons are still at the top, supported by Green Wall, and adapting with the times to use new game modes to win over the crowd in their home away from home.

Hot off the back of their Black Ops 6 championship, OpTic has been red hot in the 2026 season, finishing runners-up in Major I and setting unparalleled standards with an eleven-match win streak in qualifying. 

Back on UK turf for Major II, and the seasoned stars have gotten off to a remarkable start, cruising past Toronto KOI and already winning over the Birmingham crowd that lost its early choice of pledged support when Carolina (new London) Royal Ravens crashed out.

With the Green Wall extending over the pond, we sat down for a post-match chat with Brandon “Dashy” Otell and Cuyler “Huke” Garland, as they discussed how the adopted crowd is energising them just as well as that in Texas, and how they are putting in the hours on Overload and allowing the muscle memory to pull through on Hardoint.

Masters of the non-respawns

The Neslo phenomenon states that ‘Search and Destroy wins championships,’ and the philosophy is ringing around the master mind of Damon “Karma” Barlow as he’s got the OpTic guys scrimming the heck out of the non-respawn modes.

Yet with two Hardpoints and two Searches, it’s the middle game mode where OpTic is really doubling down on, and Dashy reveals that it’s not by chance that they are the league leaders in Overload.

“I think with us it’s just a matter of reps with SnD and overload,” he explained.

“I mean, we play overload every day in our scrims, so it was just a matter of time until it started clicking and got on the same page as the team – because, individually, we’re all really insane at the mode, but it’s just about putting it together collectively.

“So we had a lot of talks, and I’m glad it’s showing.”

Currently, OpTic boasts a flat 75 percent Overload map win percentage and the highest K/D in the mode at 1.09, converting kills into map domination, proving that they are reaping the fruits of their labor from extensive scrims.

Changing the online attitude

The domination on Overload and Search isn’t just because they have the highest ceiling on the modes, though. To win three quarters of your games on a specific mode, varying between your auto-vetoes and ego-challing on maps your opponents are more familiar with, it is more about consistency, and that only comes with a renewed attitude in the camp.

Taking to social media clips and podcast conversations, OpTic’s stalwart duo have joked about how the effect of Mason “Mercules” Ramsey has made them a more serious team, making sure not to thwart the development and confidence of the young phenom.

But it’s a fact that this renewed respect for online seeding matches is actually benefiting OpTic., and one-to-watch star Huke.

“This is the first time that we have got to play every single team online, and got the whole 11 teams in actual match rep,” Huke began, explaining why they placed more importance on qualifying than ever before.

“That’s really helped our preparation and our map pool, just to see how we play versus certain teams on certain maps.”

Dashy added, “That’s why we’re different as a team, just because we don’t really get complacent. We don’t look at the game as just chasing individual awards or accolades. We just love the game. We just love to get on.”

A home away from home

When it comes to international events, there are very few players left as well-versed as both Dashy and Huke; for Brandon, this is his third UK tour in black and green, and he’s feeling the love.

This is my third UK event, and I always say that because we had like a seven-year gap, or at least for me personally – I didn’t play in the MW 2019 event – and I always said we got to go back to London,” he said.

The energy, the atmosphere, it feels like it’s the Mecca of cod. You get on stage, and it’s just the fans are into it. They’re also knowledgeable about the game, so whenever you see them, you interact with them. It’s almost like football, you guys just take pride in it.”

The UK burst into life for OpTic’s main-stage match more than they did for homeboy Jamie “Insight” Craven, surprisingly being fan favourites. This energy is pushing OpTic on as if they’ve never left Arlington.

“It’s always nice to be on the favourite side,” Huke added.

“I’m pretty sure every single UK event I’ve been to has always been extremely loud. It definitely helps us, especially since a lot of them are cheering for us.”

OpTic’s opening match win leaves them in a great position to kick on and secure a spot in Championship Sunday, with G2 Minnesota standing in their way to a top-three, minimum, finish. With the LAN crowd buff and mastery on game modes, it’s no surprise that they are red hot favourites for the CDL Major II crown.

Monarchs in the making.