Chapter 152: Transferring from a Polish Prison to a French Prison (1177)

On October 15, 2018, the well-known leaker overdrive leaked again: nice intends to form a team with a new French lineup and is currently negotiating a contract.

This time, everyone was initially a bit skeptical of this guy's leak, but on the 16th, they saw apex post a short video on Twitter:

"Look who I caught? A wild nice, picked him up for the team as an Entry Fragger!"

In the video, Xu Beifang is tasting a traditional French delicacy, a famous standard-issue weapon—a baguette!

Seeing apex filming, Xu Beifang, wearing casual clothes, cooperates very well by raising his hand to signal to him.

This tweet almost confirmed the destination of Xu Beifang, this transfer traffic king, and countless netizens below are discussing this point:

"What's the situation, nice went to team up with apex?"

"Sigh, the combination of apex and nice, two Crazy Dog Breakers, I'm actually quite looking forward to it."

"Looks like nice is integrating into the French team very quickly, learned the military salute and how to use the standard-issue weapon as soon as he arrived."

"What the hell with the military salute and standard-issue weapon."

"Sigh, don't know what nice is thinking, he clearly could have gone to a better team."

"Exactly, heard rumors that G2 and Fnatic both looked for him, teaming up with apex, NBK and that bunch, how are a group of old men supposed to play?"

"Moving from a Polish prison to a French prison, at least the scenery changed, be content."

"Isn't there still that young guy Zywoo?"

"Wasn't michu young too when he was at VP??"

There is a lot of controversy on French forums about this choice of Xu Beifang's, perhaps because NiKo sparked the 'help nice find a team' game, making him highly scrutinized during this transfer window, only for him to go to an unknown small team now.

They don't understand this move by Xu Beifang, believing he could have taken his talent to bigger stages like Fnatic or Cloud9.

apex is directly interacting with those haters in the comments, while Xu Beifang, the core of the event, doesn't care about the online discourse.

He knows time will prove everything!

October 20, 2018.

Xu Beifang has already adjusted his jet lag and gotten used to French food, although he doesn't like it very much.

And this time, after signing the contract, he received his own jersey; the moment he put on the black Vitality jersey, he knew his prefix would have to have Vitality added to it.

In these few days, the team hasn't started training, but is more in a state of integration.

apex and RpK take him and Zywoo to play in various places in Paris to eliminate the sense of estrangement in their hearts.

According to apex's philosophy, before they are teammates, they must first be friends.

This approach by Dou Dou is indeed very good, allowing the whole team to get familiar quickly, and everyone at least understands roughly what kind of personality their teammates have.

Outside the arena it is all wonderful, and inside the arena, the Vitality members are not idle either.

Regarding Xu Beifang's discussion about the update, the bald Coach attaches great importance to it, and it's not just lip service.

After returning to the club, he borrowed an Analyst from the League of Legends department next door for two days to test the specific values of the main battle weapons.

Then he discovered that what Xu Beifang said had no flaws at all.

Whether in terms of fault tolerance or damage output, the SG553 is far greater than the current AK47, and when checking some second-tier matches, they found that no one was actively trying this rifle; everyone is currently trapped in a blind spot of thinking.

On the CT side, the effect of the AUG is equally powerful; in the same amount of time, the damage it deals is almost the same as the M4.

But the price difference is only 50, and the AUG has strong long-range engagement capabilities, so this 50 is money well spent.

Therefore, these two rifles with scopes are already at the T0 level among main battle weapons.

As for the division of duties within the team, they only made a rough division.

Xu Beifang serves as the team's Entry Fragger/Secondary Sniper, and Zywoo is the trade killer plus Sniper, although he doesn't want to be a Sniper.

apex is the in-game leader, RpK acts as the Second Entry, and NBK is the Lurker to play the Clutch.

However, these positions are only on-paper divisions; once they actually enter a match, they will make corresponding changes based on different situations.

Inside the Vitality training room.

The bald Coach explains the target for the upcoming practice match:

"This afternoon, we will play two practice matches against G2, Tactical Simulation, playing 30 rounds for both offense and defense in each match, we pick the map for one, and they pick the map for the other."

Practice matches are generally divided into Tactical Simulation and Real Combat Simulation.

For Tactical Simulation, it's usually 30 rounds played out, just letting the opponent cooperate with you to practice tactics.

And Real Combat Simulation is played like a match, deciding the winner in 16 rounds, finding the problems existing in the team from the playstyles used in such simulations.

"In the practice match, everyone just act according to the tactics, and follow apex's lead, we are mostly here to mesh and adjust, to find the playstyle that suits us."

The bald Coach came to the middle of the training room and said to Xu Beifang: "We will likely lose today's practice match, but remember the meaning of a practice match is training, not competition; finding your own style and playstyle is the top priority."

The result of a practice match is not important, and the few veterans like apex certainly know this, because in practice matches, often wrong tactics are practiced continuously without making quick adjustments.

Not to mention that Vitality is now in a brand-new state; they need to feel Zywoo's playstyle, consider where to place the sharp blade that is nice, and then how the few veterans can use their experience to cooperate with them—these are all problems Vitality needs to face now.

"Don't worry, my Mindset is very good." The practice match started half an hour later, and Xu Beifang was frantically playing Deathmatch to warm up.

Even if it's a practice match, one needs to respond with their best state, not to mention this is the team's first practice, so naturally, they need to produce some results to let apex know how his playstyle is.

For the first practice match of the official lineup, everyone appeared to attach great importance to it, and even Zywoo entered the aim training map to warm up against bots.

Half an hour later, the players and coaches of Vitality and G2 entered the room.

Vitality vs G2.

Map: Overpass

T: Ex6TenZ, SmithZz, shox, bodyy, kennyS

CT: apex, NBK, RpK, nice, ZywOo

Taking a look at the opposing lineup, Xu Beifang is still quite familiar with the current G2 team.

Ex6TenZ was once the hope of French CS, but as his years passed, he eventually became an in-game leader.

It's just that Xu Beifang's impression of him is more as the G2 leader—after all, the jokes about the G2 team in later generations are very interesting; once the results are not good, just replace the leader.

Behind him is the top French Lurker, shox, who holds the title of No-Backer—this is also one of the most handsome men in the CS: GO professional scene.

Next is that man whose eyes are full of talent; perhaps there are those on the professional circuit with more accurate Sniper Rifles, but surely no one is faster with one, and the community jokes about him: "In the time it takes you to fire one shot, kennyS has already emptied a magazine."

Facing such a heavyweight team today, Xu Beifang is still quite excited.

After all, not having faced kennyS at the London Major, he has always felt it a bit of a pity.

"Nice, you and Zywoo defend A Site together; you two cooperate first to hold down this large A area," apex begins to make defensive decisions for the Pistol Round, "Nice, just follow your own habits, don't have too many concerns; I'll watch how you play first, then give feedback."

He was so keen on buying Xu Beifang because he likes Xu Beifang's playstyle of pushing forward and being able to gain an advantage.

Although Vitality cannot coddle him the way VP did, they can still make some preferential adjustments later based on his ideas.

The countdown ends, and after Xu Beifang buys Half Armor, he walks forward with Zywoo.

"How do you plan to play?" Zywoo asks, intending to coordinate based on Xu Beifang's train of thought.

"I'm going to the Sewer to get information; why don't you help me watch Mid at A Short?" Xu Beifang thinks for a few seconds before stating his idea.

He doesn't stop his pace, charging straight into the Sewer, and only when he reaches the corner of the stairs does he press the walk key to start gathering information.

In this position on Overpass, the CT's speed is not as fast as the Terrorist's.

So he is very carefully pre-aiming as he pushes forward.

"Three seen at Mid." Zywoo passes the information he obtained to his teammates, then returns to A Short to hold an angle and scout.

He peeks to hold an angle, but suddenly a Flashbang explodes above his head, leaving him fully flashed.

After Zywoo recovers his vision, he peeks out again to get information.

He and Nice are in a crossfire, and since his teammate has already pushed forward, he must get the information.

But just as he peeks out, the concentrated fire of Glocks hits him.

【kennyS used Glock to headshot kill Zywoo】

"They went to the Sewer, there are many of them!" After being instantly killed by the opponent, Zywoo hurriedly alerts his teammates to the situation.

Xu Beifang also hears the rumbling footsteps inside the Sewer; he isn't in a hurry to watch his back, but instead holds the Sewer stairs to prevent anyone from coming from T Spawn.

Then he glances at the minimap and calls out: "Can B Site push up a bit, to near the Sandbag? The moment he opens the door, I can pinch them with you!"

apex wants to respond, but after glancing at the positions of the B Site trio, he can only helplessly say: "No, there's no time."

Hearing this, Xu Beifang knows he has to handle this wave himself.

After hearing the Iron Door being opened, he waits for 1 second before peeking toward the Iron Door direction.

Two backs appear right in front of him.

"Puff! Puff! Puff!"

【Nice used USP to headshot kill bodyy】

【Nice used USP to headshot kill kennyS】

"Nice!!! Great job, buddy!!" Seeing the kills in the Sewer, apex can't help himself, actively pushing forward from the B Bomb Site to the Sandbag area, wanting to catch the timing on their backs.

But G2's Trade Kill is also quite fast; Xu Beifang's position is locked down, and shox and Ex6Ten group up to trade Xu Beifang out.

apex, who pushed out from the Sandbag, feels very mysterious, only to be killed by G2 jumping out to trade.

The information is mostly confirmed; in this 3-on-2 Clutch, G2 rotates directly to A and easily wins the Pistol Round.

"Ow!!" apex holds his forehead, feeling a bit annoyed, "We should have played more aggressively at B Site this round; if we could have reached the Sandbag area in time, with a subsequent crossfire, G2 would have been completely unable to play while stuck at the Sewer exit."

He still hasn't adjusted from Xu Beifang's unique playstyle.

This is the meaning of a practice match; although they knew Xu Beifang liked to push forward before, they didn't know how to coordinate with his forward pushes.

The communication and review of this Pistol Round can allow their thinking to slowly shift and align.

Although Vitality doesn't intend to build the team around Nice, there is no reason to abandon the style and characteristics of a Dage of this level.

The practice match goes smoothly to 0:4; Xu Beifang's dry peek in a Full Buy Round is cut off by shox, and the opponent turns around to execute an A-site hit and takes the round.

"Zywoo, drop Nice a FAMAS." apex continues to issue commands, "Don't have any psychological pressure; just push forward if you feel the opportunity is right."

Xu Beifang nods, takes the FAMAS Zywoo dropped for him, and this time comes to A Long.

Zywoo, due to his spawn position, returns to B Site.

G2 takes a few points in a row, and the atmosphere is very joyful.

shox says while gesturing with his hands: "You know? It was very thrilling just now; I was just about to turn my head, and that Nice pushed forward; it was just by a tiny bit, that Full Buy Round might have been doomed."

The opponent's control of timing also made him break out in a cold sweat.

As the IGL, Ex6Ten explains the tactical plan: "Early game, we still go with the 3A2B Map Control mode; after the first wave of Map Control ends, we come back to throw grenades and hit B."

The tactical call isn't complicated, basically a Default setup, but in practice matches, most training is focused on these Default tactics.

The real essence of those tactics is often hidden away.

The countdown ends, and they are still doing the regular Default at A Site, exchanging some utility.

kennyS uses his Sniper Rifle at Mid to look for an opportunity, but doesn't see any sign of the opponent.

Then the team prepares to put pressure on A Long before turning back to throw grenades and hit B.

kennyS pulls out a Flashbang, and then two teammates rush to break through A Long.

"Da-da-da......"

【Nice used FAMAS to headshot kill shox】

【Nice used FAMAS to kill bodyy】

"He pushed to the A Long close angle!! Hugging the wall!!" shox shouts loudly after being killed.

He never expected that one person on the opponent's side would dare to play like this.

"Is there anyone behind helping to hold the angle?" kennyS asks.

"Didn't see anyone, he killed us all by himself," bodyy replies.

Hearing this, kennyS carries his Sniper Rifle and begins to take large steps to find him.

Xu Beifang had already changed his position, holding his Crosshair in an unconventional spot to counter the opponent's second retake.

Someone did indeed jiggle-peek out, but the opponent's Reaction speed was just absurd!

The AK he had picked up had only fired one shot before the opponent's big sniper rifle flicked and killed him.

【kennys killed nice with an awp】

"There's only one kennys left at A Long, watch B Site," Xu Beifang said.

Looking at the kill feed in the top right corner, nbk and rpk were also gradually becoming convinced by this newcomer that apex highly recommended.

Playing solo every round and still being able to gain such a huge advantage—calling him a monster wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Zywoo was jiggle-peeking next to Long Pipe with an MP9, but he didn't see anyone outside Long Pipe.

After receiving this information, apex had nbk Retake A Site first.

His decision to have his teammate Retake early was correct, because G2's next attack direction was A Site; after Xu Beifang was killed, there was only one nbk left at A Site, and if it were just a solo A, he definitely wouldn't be able to hold it.

But the question also arose: could a double A hold it?

nbk and rpk chose to leave the G2 trio crippled, leaving a massive stage for the teammates Retaking from B Site.

apex, who was Retaking from Trash Can, had just jiggle-peeked to gather some information when he was taken out by a single shot from kennys's big sniper rifle.

What was left for Zywoo was a 1v3 Clutch, and at this moment, he only had an MP9 in his hands.

……

Hope 5y does their best and scores more points against navi.

(End of this chapter)