LOL: What does it mean to torture players?

After a short break, the lights at the Chase Center once again focused on the center of the stage.

The background music changed to more rapid and exciting drumbeats, as if urging the final battle to continue.

"Welcome back!" Wawa adjusted her headset, her voice still high-pitched, "This is the S12 World Championship Finals! EDG is currently leading T1 1-0!"

Miller looked at the data panel in his hand with a serious expression: "In the last game, Mozi's Jax really caused T1 a huge psychological shadow. Everyone saw Zeus's expression after leaving the stage. In this game, T1 took the initiative to choose the blue side, which shows that they urgently need to regain the initiative in the draft."

Guan Zeyuan nodded: "That's right, the blue side's first pick is crucial. And T1 needs to release some of the pressure on the bans. They can't give all five bans to the top lane anymore, otherwise it will be too difficult for the other lanes to play."

The two players took their seats.

Faker adjusted his mouse expressionlessly, while Oner occasionally glanced at Zeus in the top lane, who was gulping down water, seemingly trying to calm his mind after being crushed in the previous game.

Meanwhile, Su Mo from EDG remained languid, even chatting and laughing with Jiejie next to him.

"Alright, let's begin the business process!"

In the second game, T1 was on the blue side and EDG was on the red side.

In this game, T1's ban strategy did indeed change.

In the first three picks, T1 eliminated: Jax, Aatrox, and Heimerdinger.

"They banned Heimerdinger!" Remember keenly noticed this. "T1 was disgusted by EDG's bot lane push strategy in the last game, so they directly shut down Meiko's Heimerdinger, while continuing to block Mozi's signature Jax and Aatrox."

EDG's first three bans were still aimed at their team composition: Yuumi, Lucian, and Ryze.

Block the Yuumi system, dismantle Luna, and simultaneously shut down Faker's hot Ryze.

The selection phase has begun.

T1 has the first-round pick.

Without any hesitation, Varus was instantly locked in on the first floor of T1.

"Pick Varus!" Guan Zeyuan analyzed. "This is a hero that Gumayusi is very confident in, and Varus is very strong in this version, whether it's armor penetration or attack speed build, so lane control is guaranteed."

The pressure is on EDG's side, on the first and second floors of the red team.

EDG's first floor lock: Sejuani.

Jiejie's signature tool is to use stealing instead of banning, preventing Oner from getting it.

EDG's second-floor lockout: Sylas.

Scout's Sylas is a very high priority in the current version, as he can both attack and defend. Moreover, T1 hasn't released a mid laner yet, so Sylas is a versatile choice.

T1, second and third floors.

Locked on the second floor of T1: Lena Tower.

Paired with Varus, forming a classic "double R" strong initiation and counter-attack system, Keria's Lenata is also a signature move.

Locked down on the third floor of T1: Fryego.

Oner got his signature hero, and although he had a frustrating game in the last match, T1 still values ​​Fryegger's ability to finish off enemies.

EDG, third floor.

Viper revealed a hero, eliciting gasps from the audience, and then locked it in:

Kalista, the Spear of Vengeance!
"Kalista!" Wawa exclaimed, "EDG is going to play an extreme laning phase! Even though Heimerdinger was banned, Kalista's dominance in the bot lane is still top-tier!"

The first round of player selection has ended, and the second round of player banning has begun.

EDG, on the red side, bans first.

Abu, holding his notebook, said quickly, "Kill Zeus's warriors, don't let him have any fun."

EDG's four bans: Jayce.

Zeus's Jayce, those who know, know; you have to press it.

EDG's fifth ban: Yone.

Yone, who performed exceptionally well against JDG in the last round, cannot be let go either.

On the T1 side, Coach Kouma also had a furrowed brow.

T1 Ban: Fiora.

Although they wanted to relax the restrictions on the top lane, T1 still didn't dare to give Su Mo a champion like Fiora, who is unstoppable in split pushing.

T1 Ban: Camille.

Continue targeting single-band systems.

The second round of selection has begun.

EDG Red Team, fourth floor.

Meiko locked in Ashe without hesitation.

"Ashe support!" Miller shouted, "EDG's bot lane is going to exert maximum pressure this game! Kalista and Ashe, with these two marksmen in the bot lane, Gumayusi's Varus is going to be stuck in jail in the early laning phase!"

T1's last two choices.

On the fourth floor, Faker locked in Viktor.

The Mech Pioneer, a late-game powerhouse, is a classic matchup against Sylas.

Finally, the fifth floor.

All eyes were on Zeus.

The top lane only has a counter pick left. Although the blue side picks first, Zeus must choose a hero who can withstand pressure and even make a sound in team fights.

Crocodile? Nar? Or...?

Zeus's hands were shaking a little, but with encouragement from his teammates, he finally locked in what he considered the safest and most compatible champion for the jungler.

Renekton, the Desert Butcher!

“Crocodile!” Guan Zeyuan nodded. “Picking Crocodile is no problem. He’s strong in the early game, has crowd control, and paired with Foygo, it’s a classic zoo combo. The top and jungle 2v2 capabilities are extremely strong. Zeus is trying to get back at the top in the early game!”

Now, all the pressure, or rather, the expectations, have reached the fifth floor of EDG.

Red Counter position.

Su Mo looked at the crocodile opposite him, a cruel smile curving his lips.

"Crocodile..." Su Mo chuckled, "Trying to dominate the early game? Trying to coordinate with the jungler to gank me?"

He scrolled quickly through the hero list.

"Since it's the final, let's show the audience some abstract art."

Su Mo's mouse hovered over a portrait with wolf ears and a ferocious face.

At that moment, the entire audience was stunned.

The commentators were silent for a second.

"This...this hero is..."

Warwick, the raging beast of Zaun!

locking!

"A werewolf?!"

The doll screamed in a broken voice, "My God! Mozi locked in Werewolf! Warwick top lane?! What kind of logic is this?!"

Miller was also dumbfounded, then slapped his thigh: "Is this what Mozi was talking about as 'even more ruthless'?! Warwick top lane with Barrier! This is a black technology specifically designed to annoy melee fighters! Renekton against Warwick... this is like a father beating his son!"

Guan Zeyuan was grinning from ear to ear: "It's so abstract! So artistic! In the do-or-die game of the S12 World Championship, Mozi pulled out a Werewolf! If they win, Zeus's mentality will completely collapse!"

Final lineups for both sides:
Blue side T1: Top laner Renekton (Zeus), Jungler Oner, Mid laner Viktor (Faker), AD Varus (Gumayusi), Support Lena (Keria).

Red team EDG: Top lane Warwick, Jungle Sejuani, Mid lane Sylas, AD Kalista, Support Ashe.

This werewolf pick drove not only the commentators crazy, but also the chat went wild.

【? ? ? ? ? ? 】

Am I seeing things? A werewolf?

[I haven't seen this hero go top lane in ages, except in Bronze and Silver games!]

[Mozi: Since you want to focus on the early game, I'll pick a champion who's invincible in a straight-up fight and play with you!]

[The werewolf with the barrier is going to get bitten to pieces by the crocodile!]

[This is so abstract, hahaha, Zeus must be dumbfounded!]

The game has finished loading.

Su Mo controlled Warwick, but instead of the usual Flash + Teleport, he brought Flash + Barrier.

The talent tree further emphasizes offensive power, and the secondary tree includes the Resolve tree's Resurgence.

This is the ultimate lane dominance strategy.

"Army attack!"

Su Mo bought a Doran's Blade and a health potion, then headed straight for Yicao.

Zeus's Renekton learned Q at level one and cautiously went to lane. Seeing that the Lycan had Barrier, Zeus's mind went blank.

“He’s using a barrier… he’s going to fight me to the death,” Zeus said in the voice chat.

Oner reassured him, "It's okay, stay calm. I'll catch him at level three. Werewolves have no way to escape."

However, Su Mo didn't give Zeus a chance to stabilize.

1 minutes 50 seconds.

The first wave of minions made contact.

Su Mo crossed the minion wave and positioned himself between the crocodile and the melee minions.

"You want to eat soldiers? Ask my claws first."

Zeus tried to use his Q to chip away at the minions. Su Mo simply walked up and auto-attacked!

The attack was triggered, and with three claw strikes, the crocodile's health dropped rapidly.

The werewolf's passive health regeneration makes him invincible in trades of health.

2 minutes 40 seconds.

Both sides have been promoted to level 2.

Zeus's Renekton learned W and wanted to use it in conjunction with his Red Fury W to poke and then leave.

Su Mo seized the opportunity and activated his E skill, Ancestral Roar, the instant the crocodile used its E skill, Charge, to charge forward!
Up to 35% damage reduction!
When the crocodile's enraged W bites the werewolf, the damage is negligible!
Immediately afterwards, Su Mo released the second stage of his E skill.

fear!

The crocodile scurried backward uncontrollably.

Su Mo used Q [Beast's Mouth] to bite down, and by holding down Q, he directly followed the crocodile!
A! A! A!

Zeus's health plummeted, forcing him to use his second E [Straight Charge] to create distance.

But Su Mo had already pushed him out of the experience zone.

3 minutes 30 seconds.

The most crucial wave is here.

Oner's Fryego finished the red buff and immediately leveled up to 3 to enter the fray.

"Catch him! He's deep in the lane!" Oner marked the werewolf.

Although Zeus's crocodile was only at half health, he still mustered up the courage to approach when he saw the jungler coming.

"T1 is about to move! Two against one! Mozi didn't bring teleportation, dying there will be a big loss!" Remember said nervously.

Su Mo looked at Foyego, who had circled around the river, and instead of running away, he revealed a bloodthirsty smile.

"I've been waiting for the two of you."

Werewolf health: 70%.

Crocodile's health: 40%.

Fryego's health: 100%.

Oner Foygo charges up W, then flashes into W!

He wanted to kill him!

Su Mo reacted with lightning speed, pressing and holding down the Q skill the instant Foygo flashed!
The target is—a lowly soldier!
Using the displacement and crowd control immunity mechanism of his Q skill, Su Mo actually...
He dodged Fryegor's W stun!

But Oner and Zeus are already face to face.

Zeus's Renekton immediately used his Red Rage W to bite the Werewolf.

Su Mo's health dropped to 30% instantly.

This is the werewolf's strongest form!
Passive skill [Blood Thirst]: Maximizes attack speed and lifesteal!

"barrier!"

Su Mo activated a barrier, a thick shield that withstood the first burst of attacks from the two.

Then, he activated E [Ancestral Howl].

Instead of immediately unleashing his fear, he tanked the damage from the two opponents and relentlessly attacked the low-health crocodile with basic attacks!

One claw! Two claws! Three claws!
That attack speed is ridiculously fast!
With each swipe of its claws, the werewolf's health visibly recovered!

"He's sucking blood! He's impossible to kill!" the doll screamed. "What kind of healing power is this?!"

Zeus panicked and wanted to retreat.

Su Mo unleashes the second stage of his E skill.

"Ouch——"

fear!

Both the crocodile and Fiogo were gripped by fear and ran around uncontrollably.

Su Mo chased after the crocodile and auto-attacked it twice more. Finally, when his Q skill was off cooldown, he bit down on the carotid artery!
First Blood!

First blood secured!

After Su Mo killed the crocodile, his health was still around 20%.

At this point, Conqueror stacks are full, and passive attack speed is maximized.

He turned to look at the fully healed Foygo.

Oner looked at the werewolf covered in blood and whose eyes glowed red, and a sense of fear crept into his heart.

"I can't beat it... the more I hit it, the more health it gains!"

Oner wanted to run away.

But the werewolf's W passive was triggered.

Su Mo chased after Foygo, hacking away relentlessly.

Although Oner eventually used Flash to run back to the tower, this 1v2 comeback, killing one and driving away the other, directly declared the top lane a disaster.

"This is too abstract! It's really too abstract!" Miller exclaimed in surprise. "Oner's gank on top lane was practically giving the werewolf a health pack! Zeus is numb again!"

Guan Zeyuan was overjoyed: "That's the charm of the werewolf! You thought I was done for, but I'm just getting started! With the barrier activated and the damage reduction from my E skill, I'm practically an immortal god of war!"

The time came to 6 minutes.

Although the "disaster" on the top lane has come to a temporary end, undercurrents are surging in other corners of Summoner's Rift.

T1 knew that Zeus's Renekton in the top lane was no longer reliable in the short term, and they had to shift their focus.

In the bottom lane, Viper's Kalista, paired with Meiko's Ashe, displayed an overwhelming level of dominance.

Meiko is using Hail of Blades, starting with a support item, and leveling up W at level 1, so he's going to shoot as soon as he sees an enemy.

Gumayusi's Verus was in dire straits.

"This Ashe is so annoying!" Gumayusi complained in the voice chat. "I get shot in the face every time I try to last-hit a minion. Keria, your shield is just not enough."

Keria's Lenata has a strong counter-attack, but against the long-range poke of two marksmen, she can only passively take hits.

6 minutes 20 seconds.

Jiejie's Sejuani finished clearing the bottom half of the map and then immediately appeared in the bottom lane river.

“Yue Yibo,” Jiejie said succinctly.

The minion wave pushed into the tower. Viper's Kalista kept leaping, stabbing the T1 bot lane duo one spear at a time.

Oner's Fryego was trying to catch up, but he was a step too late.

Meiko's Ashe initiates with W to slow down Varus, and Jiejie's Sejuani uses Q-Flash to knock up Varus who doesn't have Flash!
"They've moved! EDG's bot lane is ganking 3-on-2!" Miller spoke rapidly. "Gumayusi got knocked up! Viper pulled out his spear! Slowed him down! Lena used her W to save the day, but the damage was too high!"

Gumayusi didn't even have a chance to maneuver before being instantly killed by Kalista's E skill. Although Lena's W skill revived him, getting back up would have meant certain death.

In the end, Viper secured the kill, while Keria barely managed to use Flash to escape back to the second tower.

Oner's Fryegor arrived late and could only helplessly eat a wave of minions under the tower.

"T1 is having a tough time this game," Guan Zeyuan analyzed. "The top lane is destroyed, and the bottom lane is also being ganked. Now their only hope is Faker in the mid lane."

In the mid lane, Faker's Viktor truly proved to be a pillar of strength. Facing Scout's Sylas, he used precise positioning and skillful range control with his E ability to not only secure kills but also gain a few gold advantage.

"Stay calm," Faker said in the voice chat. "Renekton should build Ninja Tabi and tank items. Let's drag this out into the late game. Once Viktor and Varus are fully equipped, Warwick will melt as soon as he enters the fray. That champion is just a super minion in team fights."

The entire T1 team instantly reached a consensus: stall!
Thus, the style of the journey suddenly changed.

After Zeus respawned, he immediately bought a pair of Iron Plate Boots and two Cloth Armors, which was quite outrageous.

"Zeus... has completely given up?" Doll looked at the crocodile's equipment slots and couldn't help but laugh out loud. "A pure tank crocodile? He's determined to be a punching bag."

Su Mo looked at the crocodile hiding under the tower, waiting for the minion wave to reach the tower before eating it, and felt somewhat helpless.

"You're already chickening out? I haven't had enough bites yet."

Su Mo controlled the werewolf, swaggered around and cut off a wave of minions, then disappeared into T1's upper jungle.

Since you're too afraid to come out, I'll gladly accept your monsters.

Stone Man?
Eat it.

F6?

Eat it.

Oner looked at his empty upper jungle, furious but unable to utter a word. With the werewolf's current physique, he couldn't do anything to him even if he encountered him in the jungle.

Time passes minute by minute.

T1 adopted a "turtle shell" tactic, with all members avoiding combat and focusing solely on development.

They were gambling, betting that EDG wouldn't be able to push in the mid-game, and betting that the hero Lycan would be weak in the late game.

Soon, the time reached exactly 8 minutes.

A roar echoed from Summoner's Rift.

Rift Herald has spawned!

This is not just a vanguard, but also the key to EDG's acceleration.

"Herald team fight! T1 might have to engage in this team fight!" Remember observed the situation, "Although T1 is at a disadvantage, their lineup is very strong in positional warfare. Viktor and Varus both have their ultimates, and Lena's ultimate is also a huge weapon in the narrow river. If we give up the Rift Herald and let EDG destroy the mid tower, their vision will be greatly compressed."

As expected, the five members of T1 quickly assembled on the map.

Despite his poor equipment, Zeus's crocodile still gritted his teeth and approached.

His task was simple: either initiate the team fight himself, or go in and absorb damage. (End of Chapter)