Chapter 556: How Does Changzhang View It?

As the venue's BGM suddenly shifted to a tense rhythm, the BP interface for both sides appeared before everyone.

The priority side‑pick right for the first match of the finals was decided by a coin toss, with VG sending Zhu Xiaolong to toss the coin; the result was decided in one flip, so KT got to pick sides for the first game of this Bo5, and subsequent matches will have the loser pick sides.

Having the loser pick sides for subsequent matches is fairer and more widely accepted by the audience than deciding all side‑picks with a single coin toss, which is why it has been the rule used in past S‑tournament finals.

Regarding overall team strength, the KT squad was unanimous: everyone admitted they were at a disadvantage against VG, a realisation forged in those practice matches where VG beat them one after another. As for individual laning strength, the KT team was also unanimous, believing they had a clear advantage on the top and bottom lanes, while the mid lane was evenly matched—only the laning style differed, and their sole weakness was the jungle matchup.

Based on that understanding, after the coin‑toss result was confirmed, KT held a brief pre‑match discussion on how to choose sides for the first game.

In the meeting, the KT members' opinions diverged.

Some felt that, given their overall disadvantage, they should pick the blue side, which helps bolster overall combat ability because it allows hiding tactics and lineups while also granting the first pick.

Others argued that, since they had a laning advantage, they should choose the red side to further strengthen that advantage with the counter‑pick position.

Each side had its merits; in the end, head coach FIFAHUN made the call.

In the first game, KT chose the blue side.

In the LPL broadcast studio, Guan Zeyuan shouted: "KT gave their first ban to Zilean!"

Guest commentator Klerer Ladwu7 frowned slightly, eyes narrowing, and said: "KT wants to force Marquis into a lane fight; their next ban will likely be a mid laner, so VG's first ban will probably be Katarina."

Hardly had the words left his mouth when VG indeed banned Katarina.

Miller, regardless of whether he understood, immediately grew tense upon hearing Changzhang say that: "Oh? What do you mean by that?"

Changzhang mused briefly: "Because Xu Yuan shuo is indeed strong in lane."

"If I remember correctly, Marquis's Katarina is also very strong."

"But they're on the red side."

"Oh oh. Should we ban Syndra? Marquis doesn't like playing Syndra much, but the Fat General's Syndra is top‑tier, so we should ban it."

"Marquis's Syndra is pretty strong too!" Guan Zeyuan exclaimed, eyes wide.

"Indeed." Changzhang nodded.

Miller chuckled awkwardly.

In the past, if old buddy Wawa were nearby, he'd promptly hand Miller a cushion to step down, but unfortunately, after Changmao was swept 0‑3 by VG in FW and fell into despair, he slacked off, feigned illness, and took leave, forcing Wawa to go to the commentator's desk to take charge; thus today's main host on the commentator's stand is Guan Zeyuan holding down the fort. Of course, Guan Zeyuan could see Miller's embarrassment, but he seems to be deliberately playing for show, leaving Miller hanging like that.

Sure enough, the barrage filled the screen with "hahaha" and "Miller the Eighth is so awkward."

While they were talking, each side banned another champion.

KT's second ban was Ryze; VG's second ban was Kennen.

"'Only the last ban slot remains, with Galio still up for grabs—what do we say?'"

"'I feel it will probably be left for the red side to decide.'"

"'What does Changzhang think?'"

"'Um, I think KT might ban it.'"

"'Why?'"

"'Because he can't get the male gun, if KT takes Galio VG will definitely contest the male gun; it's absolutely impossible for both Galio and the male gun to go to KT like in the second round of the group stage.'"

Hardly had Changzhang finished speaking when KT indeed gave their final ban to Galio.

Miller immediately slapped Changzhang's back with flattery: "Whoa! You actually nailed it—KT really did ban Galio!"

Changzhang continued: "Then VG's last ban should be Rumble; they definitely wouldn't give it to Smeb."

Guan Zeyuan laughed: "Changzhang, you seem to have a talent for coaching—what do you say, should we consider letting you become a coach directly later on?"

"This…"

Changzhang rubbed his nose, gave no answer, tried to shift the topic, and turned his gaze to VG's third ban slot—then suddenly froze.

VG's final ban in the first round wasn't Rumble, nor was it Jesper; instead, they gave everyone's unexpected choice: the Mang Seng.

The venue instantly erupted in noise.

On the LPL commentator's desk, the three of them were equally bewildered.

"VG banned the Mang Seng?!" Guan Zeyuan shouted in shock.

"Why ban the Mang Seng…" Changzhang muttered, perplexed.

"Exactly! Why ban the Mang Seng? That's Jiao Shen's signature fighter—KT has no reason to snatch it first, so VG has no reason to ban it either!"

"Hmm…" Miller pretended to ponder, but was actually completely lost.

"How does Changzhang view this move?"

Changzhang's dead‑fish eyes stared at the locked‑in Mang Seng icon in the ban frame, and after a long while he shook his head:

"I don't know; no matter how I look at it, VG truly has no reason to ban the Mang Seng."

"Then there must be some reason we don't know about."

"Yes."

"So what is the truth, then?"

Just now, VG's team voice channel went like this:

Zhu Xiaolong: "Feels like there's nothing worth banning, guys—how about banning Jesper?"

Fu Lan Duo: "Galio's gone, so there's no need to ban Jesper—Marquis and I have plenty of counters to him; I think we should let him have it."

Liang Yan: "We can give Jesper to them; if they take it they'll lack engage, which is pretty good."

Gangzi: "Giao! You guys are being so sneaky—nothing like me."

Xiao Duan: "Hehehe…"

Zhu Xiaolong: "Then what should we ban—Lulu?"

Liang Yan pondered: "Lulu isn't high on their priority… how about Long Ge banning the Mang Seng?"

Everyone: "Huh?"

Liang Yan: "In our first two picks we had no room for the Mang Seng; they probably expect to take it on the third floor."

Zhu Xiaolong heard that and began to doubt whether he had remembered wrong—could the blind monk on the opposing Socre really be that strong? Zhu Xiaolong asked, "Can't we let it go?"

Liang Yan said: "I don't care, but it looks like they will set the early-mid game pace this round; giving the blind monk to them will surely annoy you. Moreover, the blind monk will definitely come out with Eye Blade, which also counts as forcibly making up for their biggest weakness."

Strictly speaking, those actually can't be considered weaknesses.