Semi Finals:
[SdS]SdS advanced to the Finals after defeating [3E]Non3Ense 2-1 in their Semi Final match.
Finals:
Game 1
Blind Bans: Drdz – Ophelia, Demented Shaman; SdS – Ophelia, The Dark Lady.
After being blind banned throughout the Semi Finals, Bramble finally made it into the lineup for SdS and would actually make it into all three Finals games. However, looking at the two teams’ lineups for the first game, it was obvious that Druidz was going to have a huge late-game advantage. SdS was going to have to rack up the kills quickly if they were looking to take the first game, and they got off to a great start when they snagged the Bloodlust kill in an epic 5v4 warding battle in the Legion jungle.
In the laning phase, SdS just couldn’t find a way to finish anyone off for kills. Rhapsody and Bramble mid opened up time and again on Aluna and Engineer, but just couldn’t seem to get that last hit or two to net a kill.
The same thing happened in the top lane as Fayde and Plague Rider had no problems keeping Bubbles harassed, but couldn’t turn in any kills on FibUnk0. Finally, SdS starting moving around trying to make something happen, and they quickly showed why they love playing Pharaoh, Bramble, and Rhapsody together so much.
Bramble Vine Wall + Pharoah Mummies/Hellfire + Rhapsody Disco Inferno = Hilarious Destruction. Druidz found this out the hard way.
SdS started roaming the map a bit and set up kill after kill with Fayde and Pharaoh leading the initiations. The score was quickly getting out of hand at 14-5 at one point in favor of SdS. Normally, a score like that would indicate an imminent 15 minute CC, but while SdS was busy murdering anything that moved in the top lane and jungle, probusk pushed four towers playing on Wildsoul. So not only did this keep Druidz pretty much even in terms of gold, but also meant that Wildsoul was going to have a huge experience lead on the grouped-up SdS heroes.
SdS knew they needed to push and try to end the game while they were in their mid-game prime, but simply couldn’t due to the fact that both their mid and bottom lane rax towers were susceptible to a Wildsoul push at any time. So anytime they tried to push towards the Hellbourne base, they’d have to port back to defend.
probusk did an amazing job of drawing the game out long enough for himself and FIbEli3 on War Beast to get farmed enough to turn the game around and make SdS pay for not having anything resembling a carry. Eventually, Druidz out-leveled and out-farmed anything SdS could throw at them and took game one.
Game 2:
Blind Bans: Drdz – Ophelia, Keeper of the Forest; SdS – Wildsoul, Fayde.
In game two, Druidz went with a much different lineup than the previous game while SdS featured nearly an identical lineup, but with one key difference: a real carry. Despite the changes, this game followed pretty much the exact same storyline as the last.
SdS got the Bloodlust kill defending the ward spot in the Hellbourne jungle this time. This game though, SdS started making things happen a lot earlier than in game one. One important difference: they got Doctor Repulsor the farm he would need to carry.
SdS had this ward placed in that location for literally the first 15 minutes of the game. Anytime Plague stepped a little too far forward, he was being jumped on. And SdS actually turned in some kills this time around and helped PuK take off on Repulsor.
They decimated Druidz as they forcefully ended the laning phase. In what felt like déjà vu, the score was 14-4 as they hit the 15 minute mark. And again, Druidz had the top gold farmer in the game with FibEli3 playing Soulstealer this time. Thankfully, SdS learned their lesson from last game and went after Soulstealer, killing him once, then again as soon as he re-appeared in the bottom lane. SdS continued this onslaught as they mercilessly hunted the Legion jungle and started pushing towers.
As the 22-minute mark rolled around, the score was 25-5. Druidz conceded before any of their rax towers went down seemingly out of both frustration and understanding there was no way they could “cheese” their way out of the hole this time. Game two goes to SdS.
Game 3:
Blind Bans: Drdz – Fayde, Keeper of the Forest; SdS – Wildsoul, Fayde.
SdS again gets their Pharaoh-Bramble-Rhapsody combo, but decides to go with a jungling Warbeast this game after Doctor Repulsor was banned. This choice to go with a jungler may have single-handedly sealed Sds’ fate in the decisive third game.
Druidz had a clear advantage in every single lane and capitalized on it. Landing the Bloodlust kill, Druidz quickly pushed their lead to 4-1, which included a kill on Warbeast in the jungle. For a team that looked to take control during the mid-game, it was going to be extremely difficult for SdS to come back from this horrible start.
Then, Druidz did what they’ve shown to be their clear strength: they grouped up, pushed towers, maximized farm, and most importantly they went for the throat. The next three screenshots are all you need to understand how this game finished up:
GPM Chart at 10 minutes:
GPM Chart at 15 minutes:
GPM Chart at 20 minutes:
So as you can see, Druidz put their foot on the gas and didn’t let up until the Silver Division Cycle 1 title was officially theirs. FibEli3 played a masterful Zephyr as he ended the game 26/2/12 with a hysterical 744 final GPM.
A huge congratulations goes out to [DrDz]Druidz eSports as the first cycle’s Silver Division champions! They were extremely impressive throughout the entire cycle, and are going to be a force to reckon with as they move into the Gold Division for Cycle 2.
Thanks to [SdS]SdS for bringing us an exceptionally entertaining Grand Finals in their 2nd place finish, and best of luck to all 8 teams moving on to Gold!
-Speidel
