Chapter 243

SKT lounge.

Kkoma didn't review the match; instead, he led everyone in discussing the BP issue.

"Right now, there's only one crucial question—I need a definite answer—"

Kkoma's stern gaze swept over all SKT members.

Although everyone looked a bit nervous, fortunately, Kkoma didn't see any discouragement or despair on their faces.

In the eyes of the team's pillar, Faker, Kkoma saw even more resolve.

Then Kkoma smiled:

"Should we put Male Gun or Vi? We have to pick one."

SKT has first pick in the next game; Kkoma just called for the Hong Se Fang.

Kkoma naturally has his reasons, but the drawbacks of the Hong Se Fang are also real.

Because the Hong Se Fang picks second, its biggest drawback is that it has to bear more bans on the current meta's strong champions; if you don't ban or miss banning one, the Blue Side will immediately snatch it.

For SKT, Firrrrrre's Leopard Woman is absolutely not to be given up—even if exchanged for Faker's Ryze, in Kkoma's view it's not a gain.

Indeed, Firrrrrre's Leopard Woman is too terrifying; in practice matches against G2, SKT tried letting it through many times, and the win rate was zero.

What's worse, G2 should be able to guess that SKT dares not let Leopard Woman through, so the remaining strongest Ryze will likely have to be borne by SKT as a ban, and SKT can either let Ryze through and not ban Syndra, or firmly take two bans, leaving only one ban free for SKT to use.

Previously, Kkoma's BP plan was for SKT to permanently take Leopard Woman and Male Gun as fixed bans, but the plan couldn't keep up with changes, and G2 pulled out a Vi!

Moreover, this performance is no less impressive than Male Gun's.

Although G2's hidden card was also within SKT's expectations, this card is just too strong.

By now, Kkoma can't fail to see how formidable G2's setup is; indeed, Kkoma has already decided that after SKT gets past this hurdle, he will immediately arrange the team's two junglers to practice Vi, and have the top laner and support practice Titan.

But that's after getting past this hurdle.

However, SKT is currently trailing in the score.

Ban Male Gun or ban Vi?

This question can also be phrased as: Is G2's Wild Core system stronger, or is it more frightening that Firrrrrre gets a strong tempo hero plus the lock‑down system?

The SKT members quickly reached a decision in their minds.

"Ban Vi."

Faker spoke first.

Then he added:

"We can't keep hiding either."

Yeah, we've already lost a game, we really can't hide anymore.

Otherwise, if we end up 0‑2, the pressure would be unimaginably huge; although SKT has played a do‑or‑die match where they came back from 0‑2 to win 3‑2, who would want that unless forced?

Kkoma smiled and nodded:

"Alright, it's our turn to make a move."

……

"Welcome back!"

The live commentator's voice sounded again, and the audience responded with cheers.

"This is New York Madison Square Garden Arena, the venue of the second Bo5 match of the 2016 World Championship semifinals, with SKT versus G2. If you haven't watched the first game, seeing these two team names you'd instinctively think this is a one‑sided stomp—but please look at the score!"

"Oh my god! G2 took the first point in this do‑or‑die battle!"

"Surprise? Unexpected?"

"No!! This is a signal that the West is rising!!"

The live commentary is also in English, and there are official livestreams on both Mouse Platform and YouTube, so many European viewers hop between the European and on‑site livestreams; they like to see how the North American commentators and audience view European matches at times like this, and as a result they hear Riv, that old kid, desperately trying to put gold on the face of the North America region.

Before, when talking about EU, these commentators would always say 'they'; now that they see G2 doing well, they've started calling it 'the West'.

I can go to your mother.

European viewers teased in the bullet comments:

【West? nonono, we're just a weak EU】

【Don't talk like we're family, we're really not familiar, okay】

【Isn't it not G28 anymore?】

That's how it is: when you succeed, your past dark spots actually become a growth experience that highlights your current achievement, no longer carrying negative connotations but instead making people feel more affectionate—ah, turns out they too have gone through such a low point.

European livestream.

The BP interface appears on the broadcast screen.

"OK, both sides' second game BP has officially begun; this game both sides swapped sides, with G2 moving to the blue side! As of now, in this year's World Championship the blue side's win rate is 56%, while the red side's is only 44%; clearly the blue side still holds the greater advantage, and this advantage is mainly reflected in BP, so we can think that compared to the first game, G2 has a higher win rate this game!"

"Hahaha~~"

"Hehehe~~"

Even just imagining the possibility of G2 winning 2‑0 against SKT makes the European commentators unable to contain themselves, their souls trembling with excitement, and they burst out laughing heartily.

"Cough cough! Alright, this is the crucial match point, everyone be serious! Let's look at the BP—after moving to the blue side, G2 adjusted their BP, giving the first ban to Syndra!"

"And SKT still dare not release Firrrrrre's Leopard Woman, choosing to ban it on their first pick. Moreover, G2 decided on their second ban extremely quickly, without hesitation sending the Piltover Enforcer (Caitlyn) again into the Small Black Room—this was also their second ban in the previous game."

"I have a question: will SKT ban the male gun on their second pick?"

"Can't be sure. Looking at the 3‑0 against RNG, Firrrrrre's male gun is qualified to lock a ban spot, but in that previous game, Urgot was also a big problem."

"SKT doesn't have that many ban slots."

"So they have to make a choice… oh?! SKT's choice is to ban Urgot!"

"Ryze is still there, Jayce too, Karma, Jinx, Janna, plus several junglers and top laners—many champions worth contesting; how will G2 decide next?"

"G2 chose to ban Karma!"

Very smart choice, this way G2 will definitely get one of Ryze or Jayce, or SKT is willing to give them all out and then each person gets one? In that case G2 still profits more, because Ryze's priority is obviously higher than Jayce's! OK, SKT chooses to ban Ryze, then if nothing unexpected happens G2 should be going to grab Jayce.

Alright, G2 indeed first picked Jayce; if I remember correctly, this is the first time Island's Jayce has appeared on the stage, worth looking forward to!

But Bo Bi is still here!