eSports Star Series Season 3 Finals - Day 3

[r_Damn_Slow0 12,476]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSK1_IylcZg

 

The first round in Bridges ended up in a 1:1 tie.  The second round was more dynamical from GGWP's side managing to capture three flags while losing only 1 to PSYCHOS.  They third round was played on Kungur, in what was a very intense game with teams holding each others flag with GGWP only managing to return their own flag before capturing 2 back-to-back flags in the dying moments of the round. PSYCHOS managed to get one too, but that was not going to be enough.

 

Experiencing server lags, the 4th round was stopped and only to be replayed on the next day.  GGWP captured the first flag and while it looked like it was game over PSYCHOS managed to return their own flag from the grips of GGWP and capture in the last 4 seconds of the round, thus ensuring a 5th round.  However once on Barda PSYCHOS succumbed to GGWP's force after two days of tense battle.  GGWP moves directly into the Superfinal, while PSYCHOS now has to fight 1 more time on Friday for a chance to see the Silver or Gold Paint in Saturday's Superfinal.

 

Final Score:-  GGWP.PRO  3 : 0  PSYCHOS

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Match breakdown  :   @GoldRock's  analysis

 

 

The first round of the match took place in Bridges, and both GGWP and PSYCHOS started off in a somewhat cautious manner.  It was nearly 3 minutes into the round before the first real offensive attempts, with GGWP not really getting anywhere but showing good co-ordination in halting PSYCHOS' simultaneous offensive and then controlling the centre island.  It looked like GGWP were the side with tighter communication, coming close to capturing twice - yet PSYCHOS were able to pull off some effective counter-offensives and return the flag both times in GGWP's own base.  The round ended with ilmo12 running out of time despite an excellent solo run across the map - 5 more seconds could well have seen a PSYCHOS capture.

 

" On face value, GGWP looked like the more experienced and dynamic side, but the energetic style that PSYCHOS have become known for meant that GGWP failed to dominate the drop zones.  A subtle factor, but one which really limited GGWP's potential here. "

 

As Round 2 commenced, PSYCHOS made an effort to control the terrain.  They demonstrated some outstanding teamwork in a capture involving the flag being carried across two bridges and very nearly being returned twice.  But then GGWP capitalised on their moment of success, and Aguer-o counter-captured alone and largely untroubled.  At this stage, both sides look very evenly matched; and then GGWP took control of the 'non-flag' corner of PSYCHOS' base, forcing the PSYCHOS defenders to deal with the distraction created and leaving the centre island deserted.  GGWP then pulled off two successive captures, making use of the drop zones they now controlled.  At the very end of the round, PSYCHOS re-took the central island... but it was too little, too late.

 

" This round saw GGWP outperform PSYCHOS as they managed to establish their superiority in Bridges. In particular, their tactical innovation contributed to a solid victory, as they cleverly invaded seemingly minor areas of the map and caught PSYCHOS on the back foot. "

 

The third round took place in Kungur, with PSYCHOS cleverly using the team chat to communicate that certain drops were due to fall at specific times. As a result, three drugged PSYCHOS attackers were able to take the flag back to their base... only to discover that GGWP had taken their own flag.  This perceptive response meant that a flag stalemate soon ensued, with GGWP managing to return.  However, an excellent cross-map shot by flag-holder Muctep_Kpa6c ( Mister_Krabs ) against the GGWP flag holder meant that PSYCHOS had enough time to escape with the GGWP flag once more, but a supported lutu was able to return it for the capture.  Upon re-spawning, lutu was able to take advantage of the drop zones, and pulled off a second capture for GGWP from start to finish.  A late counter-capture by PSYCHOS wasn't enough, and GGWP edged the round with a 2:1 scoreline.

 

" At this point, the gameplay had really accelerated as both sides constantly pressed forwards.  However, it was GGWP who held their nerve to capture twice from two counter-attacks, with PSYCHOS only capturing once from their own. "

 

Round 4 started with both PSYCHOS and GGWP manipulating the falling times for drops this time.  In fact, PSYCHOS got half-way back to their base with the GGWP flag through what seemed a pre-determined route before GGWP managed to return. Just as a full-supplies Aguer-o carried the PSYCHOS flag back to base and PSYCHOS counter-attack, the whole server lagged; after the lag stopped, GGWP were easily able to capture against a disoriented PSYCHOS.  The referee ordered the round to be replayed... and the server lagged out once more.  A decision was made to reset the eSports server and try again, yet this also failed - and it became clear that Rounds 4, 5 and 6 would have to be postponed.  

 

The remaining rounds took place at 16:00 UTC the following day.  Both sides got off to a slow start in Round 4 with GGWP (blue) playing a full defensive line... until drops started falling across the map, at which point they invaded the red base only to face an equally-well-supplied PSYCHOS defence. With less than 4 minutes left on the timer, GGWP finally broke through the PSYCHOS defence, and with the help of a supplies-fuelled run were able to pull off a fairly untroubled capture.  However, PSYCHOS were then able to go onto assault a weakened GGWP defence with a drugged offensive wave.  When GGWP made off with their own flag, they began a rapid flowing chase involving both their attackers and defenders, and were able to return and equalise with less than 10 seconds of the round remaining.

 

" Here, GGWP made use of consolidated defensive positions to take drops at the crucial moments. However, a moment of weakness led to an unforgiving PSYCHOS comeback... and PSYCHOS' outstanding communication and awareness broke down GGWP under the pressure. "

 

The fifth round began with GGWP taking advantage of Barda's more open blue side.  Straight away, they took out the PSYCHOS smoky with some well-placed shots.  KOT-9 was then able to zoom past a weakened PSYCHOS defence with a Wasp and nitro, leading to a capture before PSYCHOS had any time to react.  The PSYCHOS players soon went on the counter-offensive - eventually, GGWP taking the flag allowed PSYCHOS to counter-take, and a flag stalemate ensued.  Taking advantage of the drops, GGWP were able to return and capture once more without much opposition.  A second flag stalemate followed, but Aguer-o pulled off a stunning double shot to return with his Hunter and double armour/nitro soon after.  However, PSYCHOS responded faster this time, counter-taking and returning... just as the timer ran out.

 

" This last round saw a clear 2-0 GGWP victory.  PSYCHOS often lacked both the time and energy to put together counter-offensives fast enough, resulting in GGWP being rewarded for their perceptive tactical play.  And with the match ending on a 3-0 scoreline in rounds to GGWP, it's fair to say that altogether, PSYCHOS' valiant efforts just weren't consistent enough when faced with a more dynamic GGWP. "

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