Chexx Profile Joined May 2011 Korea (South) 5348 Posts Last Edited: 2013-01-24 06:18:40 January 24 2013 00:15 GMT #1 Photo: GameAbout (게임어바웃)







Welcome to our third review of our OGN series! We have entered the final phase from the OGN Champions Winter and the NLB League. With the semifinals completed, we know know what our top 4 looks like. But the real question on everyone's mind is "Who will place on the podium?" With IEM Katowice still fresh in our minds, nothing seems certain.



This edition will contain an overview of the Semi-Final matches from the OGN Champions Winter for those of you who missed out on the action brought to you by Chexx and GTR. There's also commentary on the Round of 8 from the NLB Winter League, where all the teams who have dropped out of OGN are competing for precious seeds. Wrapping it all up is a short preview for the 3rd place match for the Champions Winter by resident fortune-teller Chiharu. If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to post them and let us know!



The TL Staff has been working hard behind the scenes and we hope in the coming year for more coverage and perhaps some surprises too!



Signing off,

Chexx



Welcome to our third review of our OGN series! We have entered the final phase from the OGN Champions Winter and the NLB League. With the semifinals completed, we know know what our top 4 looks like. But the real question on everyone's mind is "Who will place on the podium?" With IEM Katowice still fresh in our minds, nothing seems certain.This edition will contain an overview of the Semi-Final matches from the OGN Champions Winter for those of you who missed out on the action brought to you by Chexx and GTR. There's also commentary on the Round of 8 from the NLB Winter League, where all the teams who have dropped out of OGN are competing for precious seeds. Wrapping it all up is a short preview for the 3rd place match for the Champions Winter by resident fortune-teller Chiharu. If you have any questions or suggestions feel free to post them and let us know!The TL Staff has been working hard behind the scenes and we hope in the coming year for more coverage and perhaps some surprises too!



Table of Contents

NLB Winter league 2012/13 round of 8



Azubu Frost versus Azubu Blaze



Najin Sword versus KT Rolster B



Third Place Match Predictions











By: Chexx NLB Winter league 2012/13 round of 8

Two weeks ago, the first games of the NLB Diamond league started with NaJin Shield versus MVP White and GSG versus LG-IM.

The match between NaJin Shield and MVP White promised to be a really close and exciting one. On the other hand, LG-IM was favored against GSG. However, GSG did give KT Rolster B a hard time in their group stage matches and they went toe to toe with a number of other top Korean teams. While both series were expected to be good games, sadly, only one of the series delivered.



NaJin Shield vs MVP White



As a fan of MVP White I cringed at their games. NaJin Shield simply dominated them in every possible way in the first Bo3. The only one who maintained his usual skillset was MVP Imp. It seemed that MVP White lacked focus and a game plan. They were just not comfortable with their picks. NaJin Shield instead play their standard game and won two times with ease.



The second Bo3 started similarly like the first one, with MVP White still asleep with no idea what they want to achieve. In the second game it looked like they are finally awake and fought with Shield on the same level and managed to win the second match. This invoked some hope that MVP White is back to their standard form but sadly they could not take the momentum in the third game and lost with a 9:0 kill disadvantage.



GSG vs. LG-IM



While it was expected that GSG could give LG-IM a run for their money, LG-IM was still favored to win. However, nothing went as planned. GSG played like their team's future depended on this series while LG-IM was not prepared for the uncommon picks of GSG. Cheonju the ADC picked Rumble and Easy, midplayer, went AP Ezreal. GSG, in good spirits, managed to take the second game as well.



The second Bo3 started with a convincing victory for LG-IM and it looked like that LG-IM reassessed the situation and started to take the match series. But by then, it was too late and GSG swept through the final two games to seal the second Bo3 with a victory. It is a wonder how there are still talented Korean teams like GSG that remain unsponsored. I hope that with the start of the OGN Champions Spring Season we will see them in a professional team.



Xenics Storm vs. CJ Entus



The new Xenics Storm showcased several good games and proved that they have the potential to seriously contend in the next OGN Season. But their efforts were not enough to beat CJ Entus, who have improved a lot in the OGN Winter Season and have pushed Azubu Frost to their limits. Xenics Storm started with a very convincing victory in the first game in the series, but in spite of this CJ did not panic and kept their cool. CJ continued on to win the other two games and CJ Space impressed with his strong caitlynn play. The second series was a clean 2:0 for CJ Entus. CJ 다데 and CJ Kkinsh convingly carried games 1 and 2 respectively as CJ shut out Xenics Storm.



MVP Blue vs. KT A



This series surprised many as KT A entered as the clear favorite in what ended up as a hotly contested 3-game series. NoFe and Me5 of MVP Blue were especially strong in the first game, with MVB Blue Jungler NoFe contributing to 94% of all of MVP Blue's kills, and Me5 with 88%, with their efforts being rewarded with victory. The second match was a good team effort from MVP Blue whereby Hermes carried his team with his Ezreal. KT A however prepared for this game better than the last and they proved it with a comeback with a brilliant performance from KT ReSEt. In the third game, while KT Vitamin was in the front and centre of the stage crushing top lane, it was largely thanks to his supporting actor KT ReSEt (Jungler) who kept the tempo of the lane in KT Vitamin's favor. KT ReSEt also extended his prowess to midlane, crushing the enemy mid early on. The score was even and for the second time in NLB Winter the game went into the deciding game in which, of these two teams, only MVP Blue had gathered experience to rely upon. This experience showed in MVP Blue's performance, which seemed to be at another level as compared to KT A's. In conclusion, MVP Blue advanced to the Semi-Finals.



Next Games will be the Semi-Finals.



Najin Shield vs. GSG on Tuesday, Jan 22 9:00am GMT (GMT+00:00)

and

CJ Entus vs. MVP Blue on Thursday, Jan 24 9:00am GMT (GMT+00:00)

Two weeks ago, the first games of the NLB Diamond league started with NaJin Shield versus MVP White and GSG versus LG-IM.The match between NaJin Shield and MVP White promised to be a really close and exciting one. On the other hand, LG-IM was favored against GSG. However, GSG did give KT Rolster B a hard time in their group stage matches and they went toe to toe with a number of other top Korean teams. While both series were expected to be good games, sadly, only one of the series delivered.As a fan of MVP White I cringed at their games. NaJin Shield simply dominated them in every possible way in the first Bo3. The only one who maintained his usual skillset was MVP Imp. It seemed that MVP White lacked focus and a game plan. They were just not comfortable with their picks. NaJin Shield instead play their standard game and won two times with ease.The second Bo3 started similarly like the first one, with MVP White still asleep with no idea what they want to achieve. In the second game it looked like they are finally awake and fought with Shield on the same level and managed to win the second match. This invoked some hope that MVP White is back to their standard form but sadly they could not take the momentum in the third game and lost with a 9:0 kill disadvantage.While it was expected that GSG could give LG-IM a run for their money, LG-IM was still favored to win. However, nothing went as planned. GSG played like their team's future depended on this series while LG-IM was not prepared for the uncommon picks of GSG. Cheonju the ADC picked Rumble and Easy, midplayer, went AP Ezreal. GSG, in good spirits, managed to take the second game as well.The second Bo3 started with a convincing victory for LG-IM and it looked like that LG-IM reassessed the situation and started to take the match series. But by then, it was too late and GSG swept through the final two games to seal the second Bo3 with a victory. It is a wonder how there are still talented Korean teams like GSG that remain unsponsored. I hope that with the start of the OGN Champions Spring Season we will see them in a professional team.The new Xenics Storm showcased several good games and proved that they have the potential to seriously contend in the next OGN Season. But their efforts were not enough to beat CJ Entus, who have improved a lot in the OGN Winter Season and have pushed Azubu Frost to their limits. Xenics Storm started with a very convincing victory in the first game in the series, but in spite of this CJ did not panic and kept their cool. CJ continued on to win the other two games and CJ Space impressed with his strong caitlynn play. The second series was a clean 2:0 for CJ Entus. CJ 다데 and CJ Kkinsh convingly carried games 1 and 2 respectively as CJ shut out Xenics Storm.This series surprised many as KT A entered as the clear favorite in what ended up as a hotly contested 3-game series. NoFe and Me5 of MVP Blue were especially strong in the first game, with MVB Blue Jungler NoFe contributing to 94% of all of MVP Blue's kills, and Me5 with 88%, with their efforts being rewarded with victory. The second match was a good team effort from MVP Blue whereby Hermes carried his team with his Ezreal. KT A however prepared for this game better than the last and they proved it with a comeback with a brilliant performance from KT ReSEt. In the third game, while KT Vitamin was in the front and centre of the stage crushing top lane, it was largely thanks to his supporting actor KT ReSEt (Jungler) who kept the tempo of the lane in KT Vitamin's favor. KT ReSEt also extended his prowess to midlane, crushing the enemy mid early on. The score was even and for the second time in NLB Winter the game went into the deciding game in which, of these two teams, only MVP Blue had gathered experience to rely upon. This experience showed in MVP Blue's performance, which seemed to be at another level as compared to KT A's. In conclusion, MVP Blue advanced to the Semi-Finals.Next Games will be theon www.nicegame.tv andon www.nicegame.tv

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Azubu Frost versus Azubu Blaze

By: Chexx

The Semifinals was the continuation of the on-going rivalry between the two Azubu teams. Ever since their inception, it seems that both teams seem destined to always face each other. And like all their confrontations, we were treated to extremely close games with the final game going to blind pick again.



Game 1:

Azubu Blaze's teamcomp took full advantage of the pressure Nidalee splitpush placed on Frost and rode upon that pressure for the win. The highlight of the game was when Azubu Frost chased Cpt. Jack, but escaped in trademark Jack Sparrow style. All it was missing was a witty one-liner in all chat. While Azubu Frost typically has strong objective control, Blaze was able to pull a ninja-Baron which sealed their lead for the opening game of the series.



Game 2:

With Nidalee banned, Azubu Blaze went for strong AoE teamfight centred around the combination of Miss Fortune and Amumu. The combination of the two strong ultimates has coined the nickname "Curse of the Sad Bullet Time", which is an incredibly cheesy way of saying "Press R to Win". While it secured Blaze the early advantage, thanks to Teleport Karthus Frost was able to match the threat potential from Blaze. Once again, the game came down to a Baron and with the clutch CC from Cho'Gath Frost turned the tides and took Game 2.



Game 3:

Amusingly, the roles were reversed from Game 2 where it was Frost who opted to pick up Amumu and Miss Fortune while Blaze picked Cho'Gath. At the same time, Twisted Fate slipped though and Blaze took full advantage of this, using him to apply strong pressure throughout the midgame. This allowed them to secure safe development for Kog'maw. With Nunu's Bloodboil enhancing him and raidboss Olaf charging forward forcing Frost to deal with him instead of the Kog'maw, Blaze smashed their way into Game 4.



Game 4:

With their backs to the wall, Frost went all out. With Blitzcrank slipping through the bans, MadLife took full advantage and proved that he is a god amongst men. Blaze's response to the Blitzcrank threat in lane was early roaming. However, Frost responded well to the pressure an focused on controlling objectives picking up every single Dragon and Baron. With Shy suppressing his opponent in top lane, Frost secured their lifeline and went into Game 5.



Game 5:

OGN's classic Blind Pick mode. Blind Pick is incredibly interesting because it reveals a lot about not only what a team feels is the most powerful strategy to run, but also because it is layered in mind games. Do you blindly try to counter what your opponent is running? Do you just go with what is best? So many yomi levels.



Azubu Frost chose to run a near identical composition to one they had run earlier in the Quaterfinals Blind Pick game against CJ Entus, substituting Ryze for Evelynn. Sticking to their guns they had the exact same success they experienced against CJ Entus, completely dominating the game and never letting up. It is incredibly interesting to note that Frost is currently undefeated in Blind Pick games.

Will Azubu Frost be the first to successfully defend their OGN title? Find it out at 02.02.2013!



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Najin Sword versus KT Rolster B

By: GTR

NaJin Sword 3-1, 3-0 KT Rolster B

In what was touted to be a tightly contested match, NaJin Sword defied expectations and crushed KT Rolster B in a manner so convincing that it appears that they are the heavy favourites to take this seasons Champions tournament. The two-match series was highlighted by Sword's top laner MakNooN stepping up his play, providing a remarkable performance in all sets - while on the other side, questionable team compositions and drafting mistakes demonstrated KT Rolster B's inexperience in the later stages of such a prestigious tournament, leading to their downfall.



MakNooN began the match with a dominating performance on Kha'zix, earning him MVP honours. Despite some cute tactical play from Rolster B involving Renekton and Nocturne's ultimate, Rolster B got overzealous and lost the critical Baron fight, leading to a surrender. While subsequent games saw Kha'zix for the most part being banned or taken first by Rolster B, MakNooN was able to show his versatility, demonstrating some solid play with a wide array of champions such as Elise, Rumble and Shen. It appears that MakNooN may have finally found his groove, and his performance on the day of the Grand Final may determine whether Sword will end up victorious or not come February 2nd.



Leading up to this semi-final, KT Rolster B were favourites to be OGN's first League of Legends Royal Roader. Behind one of Korea's best ADC's in Score, they were poised to prove that their 2-0 sweep of Sword in the group stage was no fluke and progress one step closer to Royal Road status. However, their inexperience and lack of versatility would be exploited by Sword, who allowed Rolster B to completely play into their strategies with open arms.



The ever-so-popular 'Curse of the Sad Bullet Time' (CSBT) composition running hot in Korea with Miss Fortune and Amumu was shut down in every match by Sword, namely by building their draft choices tanky, or by selecting those with a range advantage over Rolster B's composition. Whenever Sword had their hands on the CSBT duo, Rolster B made some very dubious draft counter-picks - most notable on the second day, where they went for an unorthodox Annie/Jarvan IV bottom lane duo in the second set. Unsurprisingly, the lane failed to materialize, snowballing into another defeat for Rolster B - the worst of their defeats through out the two match series.



In preparation for the 3rd/4th place play-off on the 25th January against Azubu Blaze, KT Rolster B will need to rethink their overall draft and ban strategy, as it was exploited by NaJin Sword, allowing them to win before the matches even commenced. Blaze will be using this to their advantage. Rolster B will also need to figure out how to get their star player, Score, into the game more. In all seven sets against NaJin Sword, Score was no where to be seen, and for Rolster B to have any success in the future, must allow for Score to demonstrate his play.





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By: Chiharu Harukaze Third Place Match Predictions

Predicting the results of the up-coming third place match is like moderating a Reddit subforum; no matter how hard you try you keep finding ourself stretched in multiple directions. On one hand coming first in their Group Stage, with a 2-0 victory over Azubu Blaze no less, suggests they offer serious competition to break the NaJin/Azubu grip on the Korean scene. With Azubu Blaze smarting after their loss at IEM Katowice and likely conserving strategies to support their sibling team, there's the very likely chance Azubu will once again fail to place both teams in the Top 3.



On the other hand, KT Roster's loss to NaJin throws that all in doubt. KT Rolster can win games, but elimination matches are completely different to Group matches. With both teams having a large amount of time to prepare, things will come down to how well they know themselves, and their opponent.



KT Rolster's loss to NaJin is perhaps not as surprising as it first seems. Their practise partner team (KT Rolster A) is less experienced and with experience comes the ability to identify flaws, play mindgame and understand just how to approach the pick/ban phase. It was clear from the drafting between the two teams that NaJin knew exactly what they wanted to do against KT Rolster, responding to their threats and having clear plans in mind. KT Rolster simply fell into line like a student in language classes as NaJin dictated the game to them. While this will no doubt fade away as a factor as time progresses, unfortunately KT Rolster don't have a year or two to play their OGN match. However, thanks to Azubu Blaze likely only playing what they have already revealed in order to assists Azubu Frost, it opens up an opportunity for KT Rolster to draft around what may be a predictable Azubu. So, the ₩24,000,000 question: Can they do it?



If Azubu Blaze really choose to reveal absolutely no information at at, absolutely yes.



KT Rolster 3 : 1 Azubu Blaze : 1 Azubu Blaze

Predicting the results of the up-coming third place match is like moderating a Reddit subforum; no matter how hard you try you keep finding ourself stretched in multiple directions. On one hand coming first in their Group Stage, with a 2-0 victory over Azubu Blaze no less, suggests they offer serious competition to break the NaJin/Azubu grip on the Korean scene. With Azubu Blaze smarting after their loss at IEM Katowice and likely conserving strategies to support their sibling team, there's the very likely chance Azubu will once again fail to place both teams in the Top 3.On the other hand, KT Roster's loss to NaJin throws that all in doubt. KT Rolster can win games, but elimination matches are completely different to Group matches. With both teams having a large amount of time to prepare, things will come down to how well they know themselves, and their opponent.KT Rolster's loss to NaJin is perhaps not as surprising as it first seems. Their practise partner team (KT Rolster A) is less experienced and with experience comes the ability to identify flaws, play mindgame and understand just how to approach the pick/ban phase. It was clear from the drafting between the two teams that NaJin knew exactly what they wanted to do against KT Rolster, responding to their threats and having clear plans in mind. KT Rolster simply fell into line like a student in language classes as NaJin dictated the game to them. While this will no doubt fade away as a factor as time progresses, unfortunately KT Rolster don't have a year or two to play their OGN match. However, thanks to Azubu Blaze likely only playing what they have already revealed in order to assists Azubu Frost, it opens up an opportunity for KT Rolster to draft around what may be a predictable Azubu. So, the ₩24,000,000 question: Can they do it?If Azubu Blaze really choose to reveal absolutely no information at at, absolutely yes.

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Art by Caulo (Deviantart) This edition of the TeamLiquid LoL write-up was brought to you by NeoIllusions, JBright, MoonBear, Chiharu Harukaze, GTR, and Chexx.



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