Chapter 352

The second match on the opening day was IG versus OMG.

The mainstream prediction was IG 2-1 OMG, but the result was 2-0.

Moreover, OMG had no power to fight back and was completely crushed one‑sidedly.

Leng Shao's handsomeness couldn't last until the end; his performance in both laning phases against Rookie could be called disaster‑level, but he only took the blame once, because in the second game top laner xiyang was utterly crushed by Duke, so saying they lost due to the top lane gap is not an exaggeration.

As for the bottom lane, simply put, it was a bunch of noobs pecking at each other, nothing worth praising.

However, OMG underwent drastic changes in the S5 season and now hardly has any fans left; this year's transfer period saw their core strength, Sima Laozei, poached by VG, so saying the team's overall strength dropped an entire level is not an exaggeration, and the team's popularity further declined.

At this point, the sensible veteran 59e had already prepared for OMG not making the playoffs, with no illusions.

Therefore, after the match, OMG fans' emotions were relatively stable; they didn't occupy public resources, and a bit of disappointment and sorrow were silently digested in their own fan groups.

As for VG, these two matches weren't wasted; some pre‑match research conclusions were confirmed here.

When the match ended at around eight o'clock, VG members only left the venue after the audience had mostly dispersed.

The group wandered around Zhengda Guangchang mall for a while, and finally, at Sima Laozei's suggestion, entered a Thai restaurant, where they waited for the food while discussing the two matches.

"This patch's lion dog is truly freakish; the designer is also a talent, able to come up with something so outrageous—are they saying Jiao Shen isn't strong enough?"

"You're wrong; it's precisely because Jiao Shen is too strong that they had to create one or two extreme champions, otherwise VG wouldn't even ban jungle."

"You found a good angle; you're good at flattery."

"That's just how it is."

The lion dog reworked on 6.22 changed its Q ability into a two‑stage AOE with a short dash; its jungle clear speed is blazingly fast, needless to say, it's practically a perfect six‑stat champion—put simply, to have burst you need crowd‑control immunity, to have stealth you need crowd‑control immunity, to have sustain you need even more crowd‑control immunity…

"I think the most awesome thing about this patch is that there are actually two champions as outrageous as the lion dog!"

"Camille!"

"And also Lulu!"

"Our Marquis, the enchantress, is not bad!"

"Don't praise me; compared to Song Yijin's performance today, I'm far behind."

"But Rookie doesn't have Jiao Shen!"

Marquis, upon hearing this, immediately nodded solemnly:

"I completely agree with this point!"

The waiter started serving dishes; the main course was a Tom Yum seafood hot pot, a large clay pot set on the stove, with ingredients and seasonings churning in the creamy yellow broth, white steam puffing up, the rich ginger broth aroma drifting into the nostrils, making everyone's appetite stir.

Everyone chatted while eating, continuing to discuss the match and patch‑related topics.

"If I had to say, OMG's coach is the real talent; they dare to release the lion dog, I can only say awesome."

"The mantis is also strong; they won both games today."

"Damn, this patch is getting more and more outrageous; are the fist designers making champions out of their buttocks?"

"Speaking of which, I think IG is adapting well to this patch; Diu Ke Lian Jin is played really well, and Rou Ji's Ahri is also top‑notch; I expect IG to rise this season."

"Why isn't Jiao Shen speaking?"

"Um, you're right."

Liang Yan lowered his head to peel shrimp, going through the motions without any real effort, earning a round of boos; only then did Liang Yan seriously think it over and speak:

"One match actually doesn't reveal much; the season has just started, and everyone is still feeling things out, many aspects are undecided. The strong heroes of this patch might get nerfed hard next patch and become trash."

"What you said is basically saying nothing; give us something substantive."

"My point is, details can't be used as a basis for judgment, but we can look at the big picture. This patch's big picture is definitely the bottom lane core; more specifically, I think it should be an attack‑speed‑focused AD patch, i. e., one that powers up in the mid‑to‑late game."

"Under this premise, to give the lineup some support in the early‑mid game, the top lane and jungle are basically locked in as utility players, while the mid lane can vary a bit more."

"From this angle, you just said IG will rise this season, but I doubt it, because Duke actually isn't suited to utility‑type champions; he excels at lane‑dominant picks like Fiora, Trundle, Katarina, and Nar, and he doesn't like to support, whereas this patch's top lane carries a support responsibility."

"And there's one more important point…… I'm full."

Liang Yan grabbed a napkin to wipe his mouth, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the people listening attentively.

"IG's bottom lane is no good."

Although Liang Yan is a genuine prophet, his analysis is utterly unreserved.

What lineup does this patch's IG have?

Top lane Duke, jungle Kid, mid lane Rou Ji, bottom lane is an unknown Marge, and they pair with the Blue Princess.

As the core AD, they're no good; the pace‑setting jungler also fails; even if mid and top are strong, it's pointless. Perhaps Dean Chicken True Master can drag them into playoffs again, but that's all.

Honestly, if Shui Zi Ge had been born half a year earlier, S7's IG would have had a chance to win the championship.

Or perhaps Principal Wang is willing to pull some strings for IG, changing Shui Zi Ge's birth date on his ID, and that would also work.

Of course, this would have to be in an LPL timeline where Liang Yan doesn't exist.

Too bad there are no 'what ifs'.

Now that Liang Yan has shown up, even if Shui Zi Ge changes his ID, it won't help.

This VG team was personally crafted by Liang Yan in his push for the Bird's Nest; its lineup is nearly perfect, and across the whole LPL there truly is no match for it.

As for the LCK, you have to go through real blades and guns to truly know.

After finishing the meal they went out for another stroll; the two members of the Snake Team took several photos beneath their beloved Oriental Pearl Tower and posted them on Weibo. Seeing fans gathering around again, Long Ge kept urging everyone to leave, fearing more trouble.

Just after ten o'clock they returned to the base; Gao Jun stood at the base gate counting that all seven people had come down intact, then he went to sleep.

The next day, VG faced their spring season opener.

Their opponent was EDG.

……

January 20.

Last night's gathering had no alcohol, and everyone went to bed early.

The official work start time is 9 a. m., but by 8:30 everyone was already there; as it neared 9, Gao Jun stood at the training room door, took a look, and walked away satisfied.

Morning normal training, all six in top form; in four practice matches they crushed OMG's IG, which they had just beaten 2-0 yesterday, leaving them helmetless and armorless; after finishing, both sides stayed in the room chatting.

Ji Zhenzhu in the room channel voice chat:

【You guys are dreaming, VG has won the championship!】