Unicorns of Love jungler, Kikis, surprised everyone today when he locked in Shaco during the pick and ban phase of game four in a best of five playoff series against Gambit Gaming. It was the first Shaco pick of the 2015 European LCS spring split.

Shaco made his 2015 European LCS debut today thanks to Unicorns of Love jungler, Kikis. The stakes were high with Unicorns of Love going into game four against Gambit Gaming. A win meant advancing on to the next round of the playoffs while a loss would mean going to a deciding game five and giving Gambit a chance to send the Unicorns packing. Trouble in the jungle would have spelled disaster for UOL. Kikis, however, was not about to let his team down.

Kikis did everything right as Shaco. He ended the laning phase with 2 assists which did not give him a huge advantage but it was enough. When UOL and GMB met in the river for the game’s first teamfight, Kikis stayed top lane and used Shaco’s black-cleaver-induced wave clearing ability to push the lane to GMB’s inhibitor turret. When GMB’s Hecarim dove on everyone’s favorite demon clown, Kikis simply Deceived away into the jungle.

Kikis then made his way down to bottom lane where he once again used Shaco’s overpowered wave clear to take an inner turret while his teammates battled Gambit in the jungle. Once the team fight had ended with the advantage going to UOL, Kikis took dragon and UOL went on to win the game, taking the series 3-1. You can watch the game here.

End of game screenshot for UOL vs GMB game 4.

I loved the Shaco pick. UOL’s team composition was perfect for the Demon Jester. They were strong enough to handle 4 v 5 team fights so Shaco could use his wave clear to take turrets in both top and bottom lane. It is so entertaining to see a pro player step outside the meta with a pick. In this case it was the current meta of tanky, cinderhulk equipped, junglers. He took a huge risk and it payed off thanks to pure skill and help from his teammates. Kikis continually makes Unicorns of Love one of the most entertaining teams to watch with his ability to make big plays with champions no one else uses. You can catch him and the rest of the Unicorns next Sunday, 4/12, as they take on SK Gaming to see who will advance to spring finals.