Chapter 25: Round 2, Revenge
Two years ago.
Abu would never, and has no right to, take such a risk.
It's not just lack of qualifications.
Moreover, EDG was at its peak at that time, winning the first spring and summer double championships in the history of LOL, and was eager to show their skills in the world finals.
Change someone new?
The original combination was able to sweep the entire region, so why replace them with new players?
but.
After experiencing a series of events including the S4 beef noodles, the S5 version disconnect, and the S6 mid-season defeat to RNG, EDG is no longer so blindly confident.
Learned to examine myself.
Okay, that’s fine.
No, it just can’t happen.
After watching the games over the past two days, Abu became more determined to win by taking risks.
——SKT had a stumbling performance in the first round. Apart from the crushing victory over C9, they also had to fight for a long time with IM before winning, and even lost to Flash Wolves FW, which has always been known as the "Korean Killer".
However.
In the second round, there will be three battles in one day.
SKT swept Group B with a total record of 5-1 and advanced as the group leader without any suspense.
ROX followed closely behind and defeated CIS ANX in the extra game, winning first place in Group A 5-2.
This time.
Not only IM packed his bags and went home.
Even the second seed RNG is under increasing pressure.
To know.
For LCK teams with a complete e-sports system, BO1 and BO5 are completely two different performances.
Compared with the former, it is no exaggeration to describe the latter as a step up.
The performance in the group stage was so strong.
The ceiling of the knockout stage is almost unimaginable .
"After watching the games over the past two days, I can only say that when the LCK teams get serious, they are really breathtaking."
“It’s not a back-and-forth confrontation.”
"It's a perfect suppression that slowly drives you to death step by step without giving you even a chance to counterattack."
Changmao expressed his feelings after the last game of the day.
Public opinion from outside is also full of pessimistic voices about LPL.
"RNG is finished. They can't beat Samsung. The second place in the group will either face EDG or the first or second seed of LCK."
"Yes, far away."
"You look down on big dogs? I don't know how you got runner-up in two S-class competitions?"
“Trivia: UZI has never beaten a Korean team in a BO5.”
"It's the same as saying EDG can win. The mid laner couldn't handle the laning lane and was dived by the tower. They couldn't even beat the wild card. They relied on the new top laner C in the group stage."
"That's right. Without changing the top laner, EDG would probably lose 0-3 in the pass group."
"How good is RNG? They were beaten to a pulp by the third seed of LCK."
"Please stop arguing. Who knows, maybe both EDG and RNG can qualify as the first in their group."
"Are you dreaming?"
"You wouldn't be this drunk if you had two peanuts."
“…”
Amidst the noise.
On the third day of the second round of the group stage, the battle to determine RNG's ranking officially began.
SSG replicated SK T's dominance and also achieved a 3-0 record, keeping RNG firmly under them.
Since then.
The first places in Groups A, B, and D are all occupied by the LCK region.
To be frank.
With the strength shown by RNG, unless there is a big upset, they will basically stop in the quarterfinals.
October 10th.
EDG, regarded by countless viewers as the 'last hope of LPL', ushered in the final round of the group stage .
"Hello everyone, welcome to the 2016 League of Legends World Championship."
"I'm a doll."
"I am Xiaoyu."
"I am Remember."
The director first gives the commentary screen.
Three people in neat suits appeared in front of the camera. After introducing themselves, Wawa spoke first: "Today, E DG needs to fight three games in a row, facing INTZ, AHQ, and H2K respectively."
"The upcoming confrontation is with INTZ."
"EDG's current record is 2-1, ranking first in Group C based on the win-loss record, and INTZ's record is 1-2... The only win was against EDG."
As a veteran commentator.
Dolls are very good at stimulating emotions.
Just a few words.
This made the audience look forward to it.
“Personally, I think losing to INTZ on the first day might be a good thing for EDG.”
Xiao Yu is always very direct: "If EDG hadn't lost, General wouldn't have been substituted in. If General hadn't been substituted in, the elimination round would have been much more difficult."
"That's not the case." Remember thought it was a bit exaggerated: "In fact, Mouse is not bad. Even if he is really bad, it is impossible for him to win all the games in the summer season with the team. He probably just hasn't adapted to the situation yet."
"Maybe." Xiao Yu insisted, "But now, it's obvious that General played better."
"The roster is out, the roster is out." Wawa took over the conversation: "EDG has not made any personnel changes, the starting top laner is still General, everyone can look forward to today's performance."
"EDG is definitely well prepared, but they can't let their guard down," Remember commented.
For INTZ.
If you want to retain your qualification.
In three battles, you must win at least two.
Failure to defeat EDG means being pushed into a dead end.
I will definitely fight for my life with 200% of my strength.
For EDG, today is an absolute battle of revenge.
Losing to a wildcard game once can be considered an upset, can be attributed to negligence, and can be excused by finding reasons such as insufficient preparation before the game.
Lose again and get double-killed by the wild card team.
I can only go back and jump into the Huangpu River and keep a certain naughty pig company.
The scene changed.
The players from both teams walked to the front stage along a dedicated passage.
Start checking and debugging peripherals.
After confirming that there are no problems, we enter the Ban/Pick stage.
"EDG's style in the last two games is very different from before. After General came on the court, EDG almost relied on the top and jungle to carry the game."
"Everyone knows INTZ, they have always been the top and jungle players, and the jungler is a fan of Zzaiyi..."
Speaking of this.
The doll smiled unconsciously.
"As a veteran with good performance, the factory manager actually has a lot of little fans."
"When I was at the site, I often saw people looking for photos with the factory manager and asking for his autograph."
Remember joked: "But after this S game, the factory manager should be more careful when encountering people who claim to be fans again."
"Indeed, let's take a look at BP."
Xiao Yu got to the point: "EDG first blocked Gnar, a hero that INTZ's top laner Yang played very well. INTZ responded with a Nidalee. Respect to the factory manager."
The second class.
EDG still handles it based on its previous performance.
The Lee Sin was pushed to the ban seat.
After all, INTZ is the football prince from Brazil, and his footwork is a bit too precise.
INTZ thought for a moment and gave the ban position to Graves who had performed well before.
"Sure enough, they are targeting the top lane."
Remember guessed: "EDG held down the Star Forging Dragon King in the third hand. The Dragon King had a 60% win rate in previous games, which is also pretty good."
"INTZ, take one last look... Um, Fiora!"
"General's Fiora has been doing really well lately." Xiao Yu checked the information.
The operation is pulled to 80.
Xing Dao uses Fiora and is almost invincible in the US server.
Because at the current stage, players are just honestly cutting the flaws one by one, and have no knowledge of techniques like A flash and four breaks in one second.
If Xing Dao could show a little bit of advanced understanding, he could wow the whole audience.
but.
This presents a difficult problem.
Fiora was held down by INTZ.
Which hero card should I choose for this game?
