Chapter 44: Versus Flash Wolves, BP Mind Games!

The third day of the group stage.

At 12:30 PM, the livestream source started on time.

Just like the previous two days, the venue today was still packed with people, attendance comparable to a Jay Chou concert.

On the commentator's bench, Chang Mao and others took their seats.

"Welcome to the 2016 MSI match venue; today is the third match day."

"The six participating teams have each played four matches; let's first look at the standings."

First, QG (4-0)

Second, FW (3-1)

Third, CLG (2-2)

Third, SKT (2-2)

Fifth, SUP (1-3)

Sixth, G2 (0-4)

"QG, with a 4-0 undefeated record, takes the top spot; next is Flash Wolves at 3-1, whose loss was to CLG."

"SKT and CLG are tied for third, both 2-2, and the two teams will face each other directly today."

"The worst off is still G2; even the Turkish wildcard big brothers have gotten their first win, while the new European king hasn't opened his account yet."

"To be honest, I really didn't expect this!"

After summarizing the first two days' match situation, Chang Mao and others shifted the topic to today's match.

At this moment, both teams have already taken the field.

QG versus FW!

The two teams will kick off the first round's final match today, which is also a showdown between the first and second place teams.

"How about it, who do you two favor in this match?"

As the host, Chang Mao proceeded with the procedure.

The guests invited to the commentator's bench today are Umbrella Big Dragon and Little Tea House.

"They definitely favor QG!"

Umbrella Big Dragon spoke bluntly: "I think they've played exceptionally well in this MSI, especially in the mid-jungle; player XDM always suppresses the enemy jungler and makes some jaw-dropping plays in team fights."

"I also favor QG more."

Little Tea House refused to be outdone: "After that match against SKT, everyone said QG has evolved; I personally agree with that view— the current QG is definitely stronger than during IEM, and stronger by more than one tier."

"Indeed, I also think QG has a higher win rate against Flash Wolves in this match, but..."

Chang Mao emphasized his tone: "But Flash Wolves aren't without a chance; I personally think it's 4-6, Flash Wolves 4, QG 6."

"About right, Flash Wolves are indeed not weak..."

"Mm, that's the way."

"Thanks to the commentator's bench, hello everyone, I'm Ji De."

"I'm Su Xiaoyan!"

The microphone was handed over to the analyst's desk, and Ji De and Su Xiaoyan appeared before the camera.

At this time, the ban pick also began.

"Flash Wolves are on the blue side; they right away banned Lulu and Ice Woman, again aiming to target the mid lane."

"On the red side, QG sent Big Tree Bull Head to the ban slot."

Both sides have one ban slot left.

FW's head coach, Char Siu, with one hand in his pocket, stood behind Karsa, and after some discussion confirmed the third ban.

——Exterminate Thoroughly

"Oh? They banned Male Gun Graves."

Wang Jide spoke with surprise; he had once served as an analyst for Flash Wolves, and later long-term commented on the LMS region matches, so he knew this team like the back of his hand.

"QG's third ban was Sand Emperor, so the mid laner is the most banned, with a total of four mids banned between both sides."

Su Xiaoyan's tone was odd: "But Flash Wolves didn't pick Ryze first; instead they snatched Ekko first—does this mean they want to be flexible?"

"It's possible, but the likelihood is low."

Wang Jide also didn't beat around the bush, speaking frankly: "I think it's most likely to give the Mimimi Egg to play top lane; mainly because Big Tree is banned, there's not much good to pick top lane, so they probably want to make top lane more comfortable."

Flash Wolves first picked Ekko; QG responded with Ryze Thresh.

"Both sides' coaches are engaging in ban pick mind games; the Flash Wolves coaching staff thinks your player Doinb's Ryze isn't strong, sorry it's Ryze!"

Wang Jide, just arrived, hadn't yet switched gears: "The Flash Wolves coaching staff thinks your Doinb Ryze doesn't need to be feared; they don't want to waste this first pick, but QG thinks I put it out for you and you didn't even snatch it—really not giving me face; since it's like that, I'm embarrassed to just take it myself."

Su Xiaoyan nodded with a smile: "Yes, Thresh paired with Ryze is a very strong mid-jungle duo; both are meta champions."

"Mainly it's XDM's Thresh that's really strong."

Wang Jide opened with a motorbike vibe: "From my personal perspective, I think Flash Wolves should swap the ban slot's Male Gun for Thresh; but if they ban Thresh, XDM will likely first pick Leopard Woman, so I think it's better not to waste the ban slot on the jungle position, since you can't possibly ban everything."

Apart from that, Wang Jide's prediction was still accurate.

FW's first pick Ekko was indeed used for top lane.

As a new LPL commentator, it's clear he cherishes this opportunity and is also willing to share what he knows with domestic viewers.

"Zed—"

Su Xiaoyan's face turned pale, her voice becoming sharp from surprise: "Flash Wolves had Maple pick Zed to counter Ryze; this is clearly prepared in advance!"

"Leopard Woman plus Zed—looking at this mid-jungle combo, Flash Wolves are indeed well prepared."

Wang Jide raised his volume, showing a professional side: "Compared to Male Gun Thresh, Leopard Woman's biggest weakness in the jungle position is that she herself is an AP-type champion; it's best paired with an AD mid laner."

But after the 6.7 version heavily nerfed the brave grenadier Courage, there are no longer any usable AD champions in mid lane this version.

Almost all the strong champions in this version are AP, making it hard to compose a team.

Remember shouted wildly on the analyst desk: "Setting aside this factor, I personally truly believe that Leopard Woman is the top jungler in this version, her strength surpassing Male Gun and Kindred."

Indeed, in yesterday's two matches SKT prioritized picking Leopard Woman, although the results weren't great. Su Xiaoyan also did her homework very thoroughly.

The two matches SKT lost yesterday were one against QG and one against Flash Wolves.

In both games, Blank got the first pick of Leopard Woman.

At least in SKT's coaching staff's view, Leopard Woman's priority is higher than Kindred and Male Gun.

In the conversation between Wang Jide and Su Xiaoyan, the lineup was confirmed.

FW (Blue) vs QG (Red)

Top lane: Ekko vs Poppy

Jungle: Leopard Woman vs Kindred

Mid lane: Zed vs Ryze

Bot lane: Ezreal vs Lucian

Support: Bard vs Braum

Upon entering Summoner's Rift, the on-site big screen played a pre-match interview of Xu Dongmen.

In the picture, Xu Dongmen wearing a white polo shirt sits on a stool; this is the 2015 QG summer team uniform.

"I think Karsa is the second-ranked jungler in this MSI."

"Who's first? That's definitely me (laugh)."

"I quite like Karsa; I know his best champion is the Blind Monk, and I hope that when we face each other we can put on a great match."

…………

"Wow, it seems Chadimu is also very concerned about Karsa."

Wang Jide beamed with joy, couldn't be happier.

The point isn't that Xu Dongmen placed Karsa behind himself, but that he placed Karsa ahead of both SKT junglers.

Upon hearing Xu Dongmen say that, as a fellow townsman of Karsa, Wang Jide also felt a sense of recognition.

This is XDM, the brightest new star in our home region.

And there's the sense of belonging, right?