The only thing RNG can hope for is that Lee Sang-hyeok's level will drop as the game time gets longer.
Yet it is obvious.
Not only was Old Li not sleepy, but he became more energetic as the fight went on.
Although there is indeed an age issue for him, the pressure RNG puts on him is too little.
Li Xianghe is not invincible now. His biggest problem is the decline of his laning ability.
Reaction, ability to seize opportunities, and operation.
Compared to his peak period, there has been a decline to varying degrees.
Once he encounters a top mid laner, the pressure on him will be very great.
He has to maintain a state of high concentration for a long time.
This is indeed a huge challenge for a player like him who is not young.
RNG’s idea is actually not wrong.
Where they went wrong was...
I actually think that closing the account can put this kind of pressure on Lee Sang Hyuk.
An old tiger is still a tiger, and a strong lamb is still just a lamb.
Account cancellation is not weak, but its strength lies in team awareness and team battle handling, not in laning.
His laning performance is just barely decent among the top mid laners.
It's ridiculous that he won't collapse no matter who he plays against, and he can hold his own against anyone.
This is also a kind of ability, at least worthy of his current status as the No. 1 honorary midfielder in the country.
However, the most fatal thing about Xiaohu is that his suppression power is not even good enough in the field of top mid-laners!
He can keep things stable, but it is difficult for him to be the one to break the deadlock.
RNG hopes to make Lee Sang Hyuk unable to hold on...
I can only say that it’s a good idea, but don’t think about it next time.
In the third game, EDG still easily swept RNG.
This RNG, which was supposed to be invincible in S8, is not the first time to fall to EDG.
It’s not that RNG is weak, it’s because EDG really restrains RNG.
RNG is most proud of its bottom lane system, but EDG's bottom lane is equally fierce.
The biggest problem of RNG is that the mid and top lane strength is slightly low, while EDG's mid and top lane strength happens to be strong men in lane.
The points where you have an advantage are unable to break through the opponent, while the points where you have a disadvantage are completely unstoppable.
Under such restraint, it would be impossible for RNG to win.
In fact, the invincible RNG finally lost in the world game, and this was also the reason.
Uzi in the bottom lane is indeed fierce, but the opponent's bottom lane just needs to withstand the pressure.
With RNG's mid and top teams failing to achieve anything in top-level matchups, RNG was basically at a disadvantage every time.
Anyone who has watched RNG's World Championship games during that period should remember that their group stage did not go well.
Not only did they fail to exert enough suppression against the European and American teams, they even had to overturn the game several times in the group stage.
Even in the final extra game, they won by defeating the Miracle Team.
Miracle Group, this word is not entirely positive.
Although it can illustrate RNG's excellent team fighting skills, it also completely exposes RNG's poor laning and rhythm.
Facing a team like C9, they were unable to gain an advantage in the laning phase and needed to stage a "miracle team fight".
Is this the performance a strong team should have?
Which strong team often plays against the Miracle Team?
Only when the economy is so backward that it is completely unable to fight will the so-called "miracle group" appear!
For example, did IG in S8 have many miracle team fights in the World Championship?
No.
Even in the BO5 victory over KT, they were only two or three thousand behind in economy at the most tense moment and were simply unable to break through the opponent's defense.
However, in S9, IG had suddenly more miracle teams.
Why?
Because they no longer have the dominance in the laning phase that they had in S8.
IG in S8 is just like EDG today, often leading by three or four thousand at the end of the fifteen-minute laning phase.
But what about S9?
We even often fell behind when playing against FPX.
IG, a team that relies heavily on online advantages, began to frequently fall behind in the early stages.
This is the fundamental reason why they cannot beat FPX.
They had no way to break through FPX in laning phase, and the reason they lost to FPX was that they were not as skilled as their opponents.
So at this moment, Xu Yuan, who defeated RNG, did not have much joy on his face and remained calm.
He knew that the real powerful enemy was still behind.
IG!
This is the original S8 champion team!
Is there a big gap between IG's overall level and RNG's? Actually, not, at least not in this version.
However, IG's three-line strength is much higher than RNG's.
The reason why EDG was so calm when playing against RNG was because RNG’s mid and top players simply couldn’t beat them.
However, facing Theshy and Rookie who are younger and also in their prime...
This one is definitely not going to be easy to win!
Theshy in S8 has become a veritable double-edged sword.
But he was sharp enough, didn't make that many mistakes, and didn't start the research and development mode.
With Kim Jeong-soo's suppression, he had to play with the meat even if he didn't want to.
If you don’t want to play, get out.
However, Xu Yuan is not worried about Theshy.
Although he is very good at fighting, he also easily gives away opportunities.
For a disciplined team like EDG, Theshy is just an ATM without the protection of jungler Ning Wang and mid laner Zwei.
When Theshy dies basically depends on when EDG is ready to catch him.
It might be a little harder to catch, but you can always catch it.
It's that simple.
The so-called most oppressive top laner cannot do without the help of the mid and jungle.
This is not to belittle Theshy, because the top laner cannot do without his own mid and jungle, and it will be the same no matter who replaces him.
The person Xu Yuan is really worried about is Rookie!
Rookie, broiler chicken, whose real name is Song Yijin.
The strongest mid laner at the moment, bar none.
Xu Yuan is very clear about Rookie's current strength. Even Lee Sang-hyuk has basically no chance of defeating Rookie.
If Lee Sang-hyuk from S6 comes instead, maybe he can fight.
This is definitely not exaggeration, just look at Rookie's performance in S8.
In the quarterfinals, they beat Ucal, in the semifinals, they beat A-P, and in the finals, they beat Caps.
Ucal is also today's talented young man, a player who carries KT's hope and future.
There is no need to introduce A-P. The super-god Ahri treated RNG like a dog and beat them up. Not to mention how handsome she is.
Caps, the hat king, is a ruthless guy who led the European and American teams all the way to the finals within a few years of his debut. In his peak period, he was called "the mid laner who does not belong to Europe and the United States", meaning that his strength is completely unlike that of a mid laner who can come out of the European and American regions.
These people are now absolutely at their peak.
Just one year later, Caps turned into a master of catching flying, not only crushing SKT, but also giving other Korean teams a headache in the world championship.
So what kind of answer did Rookie give to them?
Solo kill!
Solo kill!
Still a solo kill!
In just one S8 World Championship, Rookie achieved a terrifying 11 solo kills.
Little-known fact: Faker, who ranked first on this list, only had 24 appearances after the end of S8, and he had already participated in four S tournaments at that time.
Even if we average it out, he already has 5.5 solo kills in one world game, which is almost catching up with Faker in his peak period.
This is undoubtedly the world's number one mid laner in terms of strength!
It’s not that Xu Yuan doesn’t trust Li Xianghe.
For example, both of them are now 98-point players.
Li Xianghe scored 30 points in development, 40 points in team battles, and 28 points in laning.
And what about Rookie?
The development points were 20, the team battle points were 38, and the laning points were a full 40.
In the current S8 version, laning is very important.
It can be said that Rookie is the chosen one of this version.
"What are you thinking about? I'm going to shake hands."
Li Xianghe stretched out his hand and waved it in front of Xu Yuan, showing some curiosity.
I wonder how you can stand up to Rookie...
Of course Xu Yuan wouldn't say it, he just smiled and shook his head.
"nothing."
The day to play against IG is next Tuesday, just a few days away.
Why would he want to shake the morale of the troops?
Besides, it’s not shameful if Lee Sang-hyeok really can’t beat him, as League of Legends is never just about laning.
It doesn’t matter, Xiaotian will take action!
When the time comes, just let Xiaotian take more shots. The midfield and the jungle are one, and it is not shameful to fight two against one.
Li Xianghe raised his eyebrows, but did not say much.
The EDG players came to the RNG players and extended their hands.
This is the post-match handshake.
The RNG players’ faces didn’t look very good.
Although they are confident of winning the bubble match and getting the final third seed.
But if you play more games for no reason, even if your winning rate is high, there is always the risk of failure.
There are still many sub-teams in LPL, such as LGD.
Although LGD is not qualified to drag RNG into the bubble match, other bubble match teams will definitely be happy to do it for them.
Who doesn’t want to go to the World Championship?
Baiyun feels a little uncomfortable now.
After the Asian Games, he thought he had transformed, but after this one, he found that he hadn't.
He didn't say anything boring like "Even if you lose, there is a chance that you will be the second seed, so let us win and play against IG ." He just lowered his head, shook the EDG player's hand, and bowed slightly.
I don’t know which BYD set up this link, it’s so malicious.
On the surface, the post-match handshake is intended to promote harmonious competitive relations among the players, but in reality such a handshake is no less than a public execution for the loser.
If someone beats you, they will come over and shake your hand.
All you can do is shake someone's hand and bow to them.
Xu Yuan didn't pay too much attention to Letme's expression. He lowered his head slightly and responded politely.
Then go to the next RNG player.
Just like Xu Yuan said, he is really a generous person and has completely forgotten Letme's attack on his wallet.
real.
"You guys are so awesome~ I think you're going to win this year. I'll treat you guys to a meal then."
Xiaohu’s signature duck voice sounded.
Although it sounds a bit sarcastic, the account cancellation is indeed sincere.
Xu Yuan laughed and spoke in a nasty voice, imitating his voice.
"A liar must swallow a thousand needles~"
Cancel account:?
He opened his mouth, already stunned.
How come Xu Yuanxue learns him so well?
After passing the salesperson, I saw Uzi with a gloomy look on his face.
He raised his head and looked at Xu Yuan who was walking in front of him, waiting silently for Xu Yuan to extend his hand.
Young, too young.
Looking at Xu Yuan closely, Uzi could feel the youthful energy in him.
At this time, Uzi's hands were about to cramp.
Uzi's injuries were already very serious during S8.
He calmly hid his other slightly trembling hand behind his back and smiled.
“That’s a great fight.”
Don't hit a smiling person, and there is no conflict between Uzi and Xu Yuan.
So Xu Yuan also laughed,
"Thank you for the compliment."
He reached out and shook Uzi's hand.
Then it went over Uzi's body.
After the post-match handshake, Xu Yuan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Interview? Not even dogs will go.
All he wanted now was to get back to the club and get some fries.
"Have you finished reading it?"
At the IG Club, Kim Jeong-soo turned to look at the assistant coach beside him.
The other party was obviously at a loss.
"this……"
"It's okay, there are still four days."
Kim Jeong-soo was not in a hurry and comforted him.
Want to analyze EDG's tactics by watching the game?
This is pure fantasy.
However, although he could not see through EDG's tactics, Kim Jeong-soo keenly sensed something.
Something was wrong with RNG's first two games.
What is their purpose?
Jin Jingzhu hasn't thought about it for the time being, but he thinks this thing is very crucial.
This allows RNG to give up their team battle system, where they still have a fighting chance, and choose this style of play.
It must be that their coach thinks that this way they have a higher chance of winning.
But why?
Kim Jeong-soo didn't plan to ask the RNG coach, as he knew that the coach wouldn't be able to tell him.
In the quiet lounge, he fell into deep thought.
While he was thinking hard, Xu Yuan had already boarded the bus and was heading towards the EDG club.
Even now, the photographer is still silently recording the contestants' movements, which makes Xu Yuan admire his professionalism.
"What on earth does RNG want to do in today's game?"
Xiaotian is a classic brainless guy and is still thinking about this problem.
"They want to make Lee Sang-hyeok collapse, and then make an effort after his condition declines."
Xu Yuan put his hands behind his head and said casually.
"Brother Li?"
Xiaotian was stunned for a moment.
He rarely calls Lee Sang Hyuk's name like Heo Won does.
"It doesn't matter. Xiaohu doesn't put any pressure on me."
Li Xianghe, who was resting with his eyes closed, spoke lightly.
"Isn't this funny? Didn't they think there was no fourth or fifth inning?"
Meiko gave a direct and sharp review.
"It's not that bad actually. RNG can't win against us if they play seriously."
Smeb said nonchalantly.
Although they lost to Letme in the Asian Games, that was a clear sign of the Chinese team's double C standing out.
Now after returning to LPL, Letme's Xu Yuan experience card has obviously expired.
Smeb had no pressure in playing against Letme. In the first game, his Aatrox played against Letme's Sion like a spinning top.
It really gave him a great time.
"In fact, RNG's bottom lane played pretty well today and didn't give us many chances."
Meiko didn't belittle Xiao Ming.
But he suddenly remembered something and couldn't help but smile.
"The funniest one is that IG's Baolan, do you know?"
"He gives us opportunities every time we are in the lane, but he is also likely to appear in some strange positions. Moreover, he himself doesn't want to die more than protecting the AD, haha."
Meiko smiled happily.
Whenever he thinks about what Baolan does sometimes, he wants to laugh.
A support that is afraid of death? What the hell.
At least Meiko does find baolan a bit humorous.
"Stop talking, it's being recorded."
Xu Yuan sighed. If Meiko continued to talk like this, it would really explode.
So he called out to Abu in front of him.
"Brother Bu, play some music. Let's play a song that never admits defeat."
Abu said unhappily without even turning his head.
“Don’t you have a cell phone?”
Having said that, he still searched for it and pressed play.
"A song from 2012? Have you listened to anything this retro recently?"
Xu Yuan nodded along with the dynamic music.
"good."
Take out your phone, it's time to go to the bathroom!
This toilet is a cyber toilet, named "Anti-Pressure Toilet".
Xu Yuan always has a lot of fun browsing forums when he is bored.
As for being exposed in front of the camera? No problem.
He has already used his real name to surf the Internet.
As long as I take the initiative to open the box, no one can open my box.
"Such an easy BO5, this is RNG? I want to scream!"
"Why is RNG so rubbish?"
"Old Emperor, you are such a jerk. I am really disappointed today! It was okay that I couldn't beat him before, at least I could still jump around a bit, but today's three wins really disgusted me!"
In addition to the complaints from fans or black fans, there are naturally the most classic rating posts.
But for Xu Yuan, these things are just pure shit.
Ratings are given every day, but what about the creativity of netizens?
I feel it’s not as good as the classic “Brother, our family is rich now!”
However, in such a large community, there are indeed some people who understand the game.
"Let's have a rational discussion. Is RNG's year over?"
The host's name is Yuanyuan.
"I've watched many RNG games. In the spring season, RNG was not as passive as it is today. Even in the summer regular season, RNG didn't play like this. What is their purpose?"
"As a Korean coach, Sun Dayong's basic BP is unlikely to have major problems, but today's BP kept dragging on, which is very abnormal."
"I think RNG has probably played many scrims with EDG and knows that they can't compete with EDG based on the strength of their mid and top laners, so they chose such an extreme lineup today. Their only goal is to drag the game until EDG's mid laner Lee Sang-hyuk has problems!"
Xu Yuan's eyes lit up.
You know what, his guess is pretty similar to Xu Yuan's.
The difference is that EDG actually didn't play many training games with RNG.
He continued reading. The next part was the author's speculation, which actually had no basis. Some of the things about EDG were right and some were wrong.
What Xu Yuan cares about most is the last sentence of the poster:
"I think RNG has actually lost its competitiveness in the S8 World Championship, although it is now ranked in the top three in LPL."
"From today's game, we can see that the laning strength of the mid and top is equally important in the current version, and RNG's mid and top are more of a blue-collar role for the team. They are used to a system that allows Uzi to stand out."
"If Uzi loses his temper in the Worlds, or the bottom lane fails to gain enough advantage, then RNG's top and mid lane will definitely be a time bomb."
Quite interesting.
Xu Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly.
He remembered that there were no similar posts on the original S8. Of course, it is also possible that they were removed by spam posts.
But the popularity of this post is not bad.
So why didn’t many people see such a post at that time?
He thought carefully about the differences between the present and the original history, and soon discovered the reason.
Because the RNG is far less dominant than the original S8 RNG.
As a result, the anti-bar, which was originally almost unified, is no longer a one-man show for RNG fans.
When it comes to this, there is a classic passage handed down from generation to generation:
"Why do I say it's a good draw? I just hope IG can play out KT's strengths and clear some obstacles for RNG. Of course, it would be better if they win."
"If we lose and RNG wins and takes the championship, then IG has one-third of the credit for this championship. As for EDG, two words: just let it be."
"I am an RNG fan, a rational fan."
Any viewer of S9 season or even later would burst into laughter after reading this. Are you still rational?
However, in that environment at that time...
There's really nothing wrong with this person saying that he's a rational fan.
Because the original RNG in S8 was so powerful.
Six championships in one year, unprecedented.
Coupled with Uzi's outstanding performance in the Kaisa version and Varus's crazy shooting at the Asian Games.
Countless people think that RNG is invincible.
To what extent has it reached?
When I saw RNG playing the fifth game in the Intercontinental Championship, I felt that they had already won.
One can imagine the confidence that fans and audiences have in RNG.
In this situation, even if the audience realizes that there are problems with RNG, would they dare to speak up?
Even a rational analysis might be considered as the result of a pig being jealous of RNG.
It’s so exaggerated!
Isn't Jiza powerful enough? After splitting into a water ghost zombie, it seems that he can call the shots in LPL.
However, such chicken offal was hung up and beaten by the emperor.
During this period, every time Zhuzhu went to the forum, he had to wear a layer of RNG skin.
But this is also the traditional skill of pigs. If pig offal is not covered with skin, can it still be called pig offal?
So in the original history, the poster might have given up posting.
However, now, Huang Za was completely overwhelmed by Yuan Za and Zhu Za.
That’s why this analysis post was published.
Huang Za called? Don't worry, I believe in Yuan Za's strength!
But even so, the RNG fans below the post were very unhappy.
The BYD World Championship hasn't even started yet, and you're already saying we have no chance?
Who's your microphone?
EDG is so strong, there is no reason for Riot not to target them in the World Championship.
No one knows what the version will be like by then.
However, RNG fans didn't dare to jump too much, so they could only be sarcastic.
"Thank you. You think our RNG can go to the World Championship before it even plays in the bubble match."
"The author's analysis is very good. Don't analyze it next time. As long as the version changes, can EDG really still have such dominance?"
"Another pig offal. Identification completed."
But despite the taunting, the output is indeed very little when the situation is against the wind.
RNG fans always have great expectations for RNG, but they are also disappointed with the team.
Every time RNG loses a game, the first people to attack RNG are RNG fans.
Xu Yuan didn't look at it again.
As for IG's game tomorrow?
He thought there wouldn't be any disturbance.
If IG really falls in the semi-finals, it will probably be another huge boomerang. As a fun-loving person, Xu Yuan would really like to see this scene, but unfortunately it is unlikely.
Because now IG, even EDG, only has about 60% winning rate.
It’s not that he is not confident in EDG, but that IG, which has almost got used to each other, is really strong.
The players' individual abilities are there. Once they have successfully integrated into one another, the effect they can produce will definitely be more than 1+1>2.
Even RNG, the original S8 Summer League champion, had to force the fifth game in the final BO5 with IG.
IG even pushed RNG into a desperate situation at one point.
For an opponent like this, underestimating him would be tantamount to lowering your own level.
After returning to the base, Xu Yuan logged into his Korean server as usual.
I took a look at the ID that was still black and couldn't help but sigh.
"Where on earth have you been?"
I miss Niu Niu these 273 days since I left him.
Maybe it is true that there are some things that we only know how to cherish after we lose them.
Xu Yuan has encountered numerous supports in the Rank now, and there are some very bad supports, but there is a limit.
They just don't have much effect, not to the point of causing side effects.
And that Niu Niu can make Xu Yuan's heart beat faster.
There is no other reason, because he always likes to push the big guy on the opposite side into Xu Yuan's face.
That kind of stimulation is really incomparable to that of other noob supports.
It has gone beyond the level of food and risen to the level of abstract art.
Unfortunately, since the end of S7, this Niu Niu seems to have disappeared from the face of the earth.
Recalling what Niu Niu had said, Xu Yuan fell into deep thought.
Could this guy really be going professional?
Is the club blind?
Forget it, let’s just pray for his AD first.
I can’t find Niu Niu, who should I find to play duo with?
Xu Yuan checked each of the assistants he knew.
ming?
Forget it, there’s no point in fighting with him, and I’m afraid Brother Uzbekistan will misunderstand.
Meiko?
We play together every day and I'm about to vomit. Besides, Meiko is a little fierce, so there's not much training effect.
LV hair?
The current LV Mao is not good enough to get Xu Yuan's recognition.
His eyes gradually locked onto an ID and he smiled with relief.
Thanks to you, Meiko!
If you hadn't reminded me, I probably wouldn't have thought of him.
Xu Yuan decided to duo queue with this support and sent a message without hesitation:
Are you there?
The other party immediately replied with a question mark.
In the IG base, Baolan was a little confused.
"EDG's Xu Yuan? Why is he looking for me?"
You even asked if I was there, what an idiot!
Well, as long as they're not dead, they're all there, right?
"Brother Lan, it's great. Is Yuanzi looking for you to duo with him? There are quite a few supports who want to duo with him."
Ah Shui leaned over to take a look and immediately laughed.
Of course he knew what kind of auxiliary duo Xu Yuan always pulled.
There is only one standard:
A support that can add some burden to one's own AD.
Now Xu Yuan has extended his claws to Baolan, and A Shui is in a difficult situation.
In fact, Baolan is not bad, he just has some problems with his thinking.
The laning phase is acceptable, but the vision placement and roaming timing are very brainless.
But just like Meiko's sharp comment, Baolan doesn't like death.
In other words, die to protect teammates.
In Baolan's opinion, support is also a very important position.
You can’t just say that your AD is about to die, so I have to go over and help you block your skills, right?
The life of an auxiliary is also a life!
So now A Shui plays two roles in one laning match.
While fighting on the laning side, you also have to command Baolan to prevent his brain from overloading.
"Really?"
Baolan was a little confused.
He has some idea of ​​his own level.
At least he felt that he was not qualified to compete with a support like Meiko.
Why would Xu Yuan look for Bao Lan instead of Meiko?
Ask whenever you think of it!
Xu Yuan glanced at Meiko who was reading a Japanese comic and replied:
"Meiko is busy watching anime, so I'll have to ask you to do it."
“Ah, this…”
Baolan scratched his head.
Do you want to agree?
There are no training matches at this point, but he doesn't care.
But he always felt that there was something fishy going on.
"Don't hesitate, Blue!"
"This can be considered as spying on the enemy. As long as we make it to the finals, our final opponent will definitely be EDG. Your sacrifice now will be worth it!"
A Shui directly added fuel to the fire.
He doesn't hate Baolan because she has a good personality.
Mainly, he wanted Xu Yuan to enjoy Baolan as well.
We share happiness and we share difficulties.
We are such good brothers, my support is your support.
Take it and play with it as you like, don’t be polite to me!
"That's fine."
Baolan thought about it and finally nodded.
Ah Shui was ecstatic.
Come on!