Chapter 635
They've already chosen these? What else can't we play with!
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the 2023 League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational Finals!!"
With a loud shout from the host, who spoke with a distinctly British accent, the stirring symphony instantly erupted—it was MSI's theme song, "Rules Are Meant To Be Broken."
The lights flashed wildly as a huge silver trophy slowly rose in the center of the stage, refracting an alluring glow.
"This is London! This is the night for the LPL!!"
In the commentary booth, Guan Zeyuan sported a slicked-back hairstyle today and exclaimed excitedly, "Who would have thought that we would witness an LPL 'Autumn Season' match in London, a country far from home! EDG vs. JDG, the defending champions versus the super team! This is a script that even novels wouldn't dare to write!"
"Yes!" Miller pushed up his glasses, his face also flushed. "Although it's an internal battle, the tension is just as high. JDG just defeated T1 and their morale is high; while EDG is well-rested, with their Demon King Mo Shen anchoring the top lane, waiting for the challenger!"
"I've seen people online saying that the biggest suspense in this match isn't who wins, but what Mozi will do," Ji De said with a laugh. "After all, 369 has already revealed his hand: I'm going to play tanky and withstand pressure. It will be very interesting to see how Mozi breaks through this situation."
The camera cuts to the players' tunnel.
JDG was the first to appear.
369 walked at the front of the line, a smile on his face, but it looked somewhat stiff. He kept rubbing his hands together; clearly, it would be a lie to say he wasn't nervous facing the man who had once traumatized him.
Next up was EDG.
Su Mo walked in the center, hands in her pockets, her steps light and quick.
He even had the leisure to wink at the camera, eliciting screams from the female fans in the audience.
Both parties took their seats.
JDG players' bench.
"69, hold on," Kanavi said in Chinese. "I'll help you catch this one."
369 took a deep breath, put on his headphones, and said in a mournful voice, "Don't help me, help the bottom lane. I'll just pick a tank and die under the tower. As long as we don't get wiped out, it's a victory."
Knight chimed in, "It's okay. If Mo chooses a weirdo with high skill ceiling, just scream for help. We'll support you."
EDG players' bench.
The atmosphere, however, is completely different.
"Brother Mozi, did you see those signs those audience members were holding up? 'Brother Mozi slacks off at work, slacks off after get off work...'" The factory manager was halfway through his sentence when he suddenly realized he was on the microphone and quickly coughed twice to stop. "Ahem, well, what should I say for the first game? Don't play too fancy."
Su Mo was adjusting the mouse DPI when he heard this and raised an eyebrow: "It's the finals, of course we have to give the audience the best visual experience. Factory, trust my aesthetic sense."
"Okay, let's begin the business process!"
The screen flashed, and the tense and exciting Ban/Pick phase began.
first round.
JDG had the priority to choose sides, and they chose the blue side without hesitation.
In this version, the blue side still has a clear advantage in the draft phase, as they can prioritize picking the strongest heroes of the current meta.
Ban phase
JDG's first three bans were quite "respectful".
First Ban: Jayce.
Su Mo's FMVP skin hero is also his signature hero that dominated the MSI, and 369 definitely doesn't want to encounter him.
Second Ban: Fiora.
The image of 369 being hit four times in one second in the first game against T1 is still fresh in everyone's mind. JDG doesn't want 369 to experience the pain that Zeus suffered.
Third Ban: Kennen.
The creator of the "Heavenly Thunder" meme, a team battle killer, turn it off!
"Another three bans on the top lane!" Guan Zeyuan exclaimed. "That's the kind of prestige Mozi has! As long as he's on the field, it's like the opposing team's bans were made just for him."
EDG, on the red side, banned: Maokai, Vi, and Annie.
Targeting Kanavi's jungle champion pool and Knight's flex picks.
Selection stage
JDG instantly locked in Gragas on the first floor!
“Gragas!” Miller nodded. “It’s a flexible role, it can be played in the top lane or the jungle. But considering 369’s recent form, it’s highly likely that 369 will get it, after all, his Gragas played a big role in the last game against T1.”
EDG's first and second floor picks: Aphelios and Thresh.
Since Lucian was still available but JDG didn't pick him, EDG directly locked in Viper and Meiko's most confident Shadow Isles combination.
JDG second and third floor: Jinx + Lulu.
Ruler countered by picking Jinx, a late-game carry champion, and paired her with Lulu's protection, maintaining the familiar four-protect-one strategy.
EDG, third floor: Fryego.
In this meta where everyone is focused on finishing off low-health enemies, Jiejie's signature move, Fryeko, is a high-priority pick.
JDG continued to target SuMo in the second round of bans.
Fourth Ban: Gwen.
The Scissors Girl deals damage to tanks too quickly; 369 is most afraid of this kind of true damage when playing Gragas.
Fifth Ban: Gnar.
Long-ranged characters can easily defeat short-ranged characters, and split-pushing is unstoppable. Ban it!
"Five bans!!" Rita, who could see it clearly from below the stage, couldn't help but grab Xiran's hand tightly. "All of them are top laners! JDG is going crazy! How afraid are they of Mozi?"
hope Ran smiled wryly: "Even Faker hasn't received this kind of treatment."
EDG banned Ahri and Syndra.
Kill Knight's assassins and mages, forcing him to play a support role.
EDG, fourth floor: Lissandra.
Scout picked Lissandra, which can both coordinate with Fryegor's entry into the fray and limit Jinx's damage output.
JDG fourth floor: Titan.
This is most likely Knight's mid-lane Nautilus, or Missing's support flex pick? No, Lulu has already been picked, so this is definitely mid-lane Nautilus, focusing on initiation and crowd control.
At this point, JDG's lineup was basically revealed:
Top lane Gragas? Jungle? No, Gragas was just picked up from the first floor.
A profile picture lit up on the fifth floor of JDG – Sun Wukong, the Monkey King.
"It's locked! Monkey King jungle!" Guan Zeyuan analyzed, "Then Gragas will be top lane! 369 really did pick his savior Gragas!"
At this point, JDG's roster is finalized:
Top order: Barrel (369)
Jungle: Monkey King (Kanavi)
Mid Laner: Titan (Knight)
ADC: Jinx (Ruler)
Support: Lulu (Missing)
This is a very solid four-protect-one composition with strong initiation. The front line has Gragas and Nautilus, Wukong enters the fray, and Jinx cleans up from the back.
All the lights in the venue were focused on the fifth floor of EDG.
The Counter position was reserved for Su Mo.
At this point, there weren't many viable top laners left. Quesanti had been released, but Su Mo didn't seem interested in taking him.
Camille is there, and so is Jax.
"What will Brother Mozi choose?" Remember was full of anticipation. "When it comes to fighting Gragas, there are actually many options. If it's a conventional pick, Camille is good, or Jax."
On the players' bench.
Su Mo looked at the pot-bellied man opposite him and a playful smile appeared on his lips.
"Gragas, huh? Trying to stay in lane? Trying to farm by relying on your passive health regeneration, huh?"
"Then I'll pick an even 'cheaper' one for you."
Su Mo slid his mouse, quickly scanning over the numerous hero portraits.
Suddenly, a portrait of someone wearing green goggles, holding a long sword, and moving with graceful movements lit up.
Wuji Sword Saint - Yi!
"what???"
The audience gasped in surprise.
Guan Zeyuan jumped up from his chair: "Sword Saint?! What does this mean? Is he just playing around?"
However, Su Mo did not change.
Time passed second by second.
369 stared at the Sword Saint's image, breaking out in a cold sweat: "Bro, stop messing around, what is this abstract thing again!"
If other teams pick this hero, 369 isn't worried at all, since it's unlikely anyone would choose it.
Even if he is chosen, he is not afraid, and may even be a little happy.
But the opposing team is EDG!
The opponent is Mo!
Who knows what he's up to this time!
"Crack!"
The locking sound rang out crisply.
EDG's fifth pick: Master Yi!
"It's locked!!! Oh my god!!" Miller exclaimed in disbelief, "Master Yi top lane!! This is the MSI finals! Mozi has picked Master Yi top lane!!"
"This is too abstract!" Remember exclaimed. "In all my years of commentating, this is the first time I've seen Master Yi top lane in the World Championship finals! Not to mention top lane, nobody even plays him jungle! Isn't this champion supposed to be extinct?"
The live chat exploded with comments: 【???????????????????】
[He's gone mad! Brother Mozi has gone mad!]
[Bronze rank? Isn't this the hero I fear most in Silver rank?]
[369: I called the police! Someone attacked me with a rabid dog!]
This is abstract art! Five bans on top lane? I'll just pick Master Yi!
True damage is the perfect counter to all sorts of fancy-looking meat!
The final lineups for both sides have been determined:
JDG (Blue Side): Top lane Gragas, Jungle Wukong, Mid lane Nautilus, ADC Jinx, Support Lulu.
EDG (Red Side): Top laner Master Yi, Jungler Fryego, Mid laner Lissandra, ADC Aphelios, Support Thresh.
Game loading screen.
Looking at that Sword Saint, 369 felt completely awful.
"How do we fight this?" 369 asked, somewhat uncertainly.
Knight was also a bit confused: "This... I haven't played this hero before. Why don't you go up and take a look, Kanavi?"
Kanavi: "I guarantee the enemy jungler will protect him to the death, but we'll see how it goes. After all, we're not afraid of 2v2."
Welcome to Summoner's Rift!
As the system's female voice sounded, the competition officially began.
Level 1 is now online.
Su Mo, controlling the Sword Saint, went directly to the online lane.
His rune setup is Lethal Tempo, and his summoner spells are Teleport and Ignite.
This is also a standard feature of the "mad dog" style.
The minion waves converge.
369's Gragas cautiously tried to throw a Q to finish off the enemy.
Su Mo walked straight up.
369 throws Q [Rolling Barrel].
Su Mo didn't dodge at all, and immediately started with Q [Alpha Strike]!
"Shh!"
The Sword Saint transformed into a phantom, instantly weaving through four minions before finally landing next to Gragas, thus dodging the explosive damage of Gragas's Q.
Landing, a flat attack!
Another A!
Deadly rhythm triggered!
369 tried to counterattack with an A attack to trigger Grasp of the Undying.
However, Su Mo's movement was extremely skillful, and his retreating and pulling caused the barrel to also take a step forward.
The moment he landed his A attack on the Sword Saint, a flame appeared above his head.
The Blademaster immediately applied Ignite!
Keep going, A! A!
The Blademaster's stacked deadly rhythm delivers devastating blows to the Gragas.
369 was so frightened that he immediately used Flash to create distance.
Although he didn't die, he was forced to use Flash at level one, leaving him with only a third of his health.
"This suppression..." Guan Zeyuan clicked his tongue in amazement, "He's using Flash at level one? This Sword Saint seems even more ferocious than Fiora?"
"The main problem is the immense psychological pressure," Miller analyzed. "369 doesn't know where the Juggernaut's kill threshold is, and the Juggernaut looks terrifying, like a mad dog chasing you down and hacking away."
3 minutes.
Su Mo reached level three.
He has already pushed the minion wave up to the tower.
369 trembled under the tower, even his last-hitting under the tower seemed hesitant.
Just then, Jiejie's Fryego arrived.
“Beyond him,” Su Mo said.
Fryego W charges into the tower.
369 wanted to crash into Fryegor.
Jiejie reacted quickly, flashing to dodge the impact and using W to stun the barrel.
Su Mo activated his E skill, "Limitless Sword Path," and the longsword in his hand glowed white.
Q [Alpha Strike] Enters the fray!
True damage!
With each strike, the barrel's health bar dropped significantly.
The barrel's large belly is as fragile as paper when faced with true damage.
Finally, Su Mo used W [Meditation] to reset his basic attack and took some tower damage.
First Blood!
First blood secured!
Su Mo swaggered out of the turret.
"That's it?" Rita stared in disbelief from the audience. "Isn't that too easy? How come a 369 barrel looks like it's made of paper?"
"This is the Sword Saint!" Luo Xin excitedly explained from the side, "His E skill deals true damage. No matter how high your armor is, as long as your attack speed is high, even tanks become health banks!"
6 minutes.
Su Mo went home and immediately took out the Noon Quiver and two short swords.
This is the pace to quickly get the [Siren Slayer].
Back online, the level 6 Juggernaut became 369's nightmare.
As long as 369 dares to leave the tower and take a look at the minion wave.
R [Highland Bloodline] Unlocked!
"Hey!!"
The Sword Saint, glowing red, charged forward like a madman.
Immune system slowed down!
Gragas' Q skill slow is ineffective!
The Gragas' ultimate was intended to blast Master Yi away.
Su Mo reacted with lightning speed, unleashing Q [Alpha Strike] and Gragas' ultimate simultaneously, using the untargetable state to avoid the knock-up!
Landing, unleashing a flurry of basic attacks!
With Lethal Tempo combined with E's true damage, 369 simply couldn't withstand it.
Solo kill!
"Another solo kill!!" Guan Zeyuan shouted, "Completely unreasonable! He just charged in after activating his ultimate! 369 had no chance to fight back! This Master Yi turned the finals into a stomp on noobs!"
The time has reached 9 minutes.
The situation in Summoner's Rift is extremely fragmented.
On the road, it was a one-sided beating.
After dying twice, Gragas could only play cautiously and farm, completely afraid to trade blows with Juggernaut, lest he be chased down and killed by Juggernaut in one combo.
"This Gragas is unplayable." Remember looked at 369 on the screen and couldn't help but shake his head. "The Master Yi is now a level higher than Gragas! And the scariest thing is that Mozi is controlling the lane. He blocked the minion wave in front of the top lane tower ruins. If 369 dares to go over, the Master Yi with his ultimate activated is like a mad dog."
However, compared to the collapse in the top lane, JDG's bottom lane performed admirably.
Ruler picked Jinx, his signature champion.
At 8 minutes and 30 seconds, Kanavi's Wukong abandoned the top half of the map and focused all his efforts on protecting the bottom lane.
The monkey, in coordination with the Titan's roaming, managed to force a gank on Viper.
Although Meiko's Thresh used his lantern to save Aphelios, Viper used both of his summoner spells and was forced back to base, losing two tower plates and a large wave of minions.
"JDG's strategy is very clear now," Guan Zeyuan analyzed. "Top laner 369 is already 'dead,' there's no saving him. Kanavi is directly stationed in the bottom lane to feed Ruler! Jinx is currently doing very well, outfarming Aphelios by 15 CS and also having tower plates. If the game drags into the late game, JDG's four-protect-one strategy isn't unbeatable."
At this point, the game time is 9 minutes and 40 seconds.
The Rift Herald is about to spawn.
This is also the most important rhythm point in the early stages.
"I'm going home."
Su Mo said in the voice chat, "I'll take the lead once I come out."
He controlled the Sword Saint and pressed the B key from the bushes.
After the recall animation finished, the Blademaster appeared at the fountain.
At this moment, Su Mo was rolling in money.
Two kills, three towers, plus perfect last-hitting.
It's safe to say he's currently the man with the highest economic standing in the entire arena, and his rank is also the highest. (End of Chapter)