The Carnage in Caldavar Pro League started back up this week, as two teams looked to kickstart their Playoff dreams. After a disappointing opener, the newly reborn Team Excellent was looking for their first win against the dogged Reason Gaming. Turns out, the CEO of xCet may have retired and left the day-to-day operations to Superkge, as the notorious hooker took the position of captain in this best-of-three series.

The CEO’s Still Got It

Game 1 saw fairly typical line-ups from both squads with Rea going for an early game draft focused on ganking, and xCet grabbing their signature hard carry team revolving around NoX. Despite being the drafter, Superkge gave up the crowd pleasing Devourer to probusk, who pulled off some sensational plays.

Rea started the game very aggressively with a trilane bottom consisting of Andromeda, Engineer, and Devourer. Pew’s Tempest was very vulnerable early on and went down to Rea’s roaming supports. Rea kept up the pressure on the Legion, and were rewarded with a four-for-two, long, drawn out teamfight taking place in their opponents jungle and the middle lane. Another teamfight erupted in the bottom lane where xCet utilized two early buybacks to avoid disaster. Despite a shaky start, xCet did a fantastic job of splitting up and farming while avoiding Rea, who spent a large amount of time trying catch Superkge’s pesky Madman. Finally Rea had enough and took a free Kongor, followed by a push in the middle lane with a heavily farmed and Token of Life equipped Drunken Master.

Around the thirty minute mark xCet put their farm to good use, especially Pew’s Portal Key on Tempest, landing a fantastic Elemental Void to stop a push. Rea retreated, licking their wounds, and once again searched around the map for opportunities to pick off their enemies. A spark of hope ignited the team after a gank on Madman, followed by a push in the middle lane, but it was, unfortunately, once again repelled by another massive Tempest ultimate, courtesy of the CEO.

Desperation set in for the Rea squad as the game slipped out of their grasp. Another forced engagement resulted in a four-for-zero trade for xCet, and they cleaned up two sets of their enemy’s Barracks. The game ended after another teamfight bottom, where at the 50 minute mark NoX’s Gemini netted a Quad Kill and Rea conceded.

If It Ain’t Broke...

In Game 2 we once again saw both teams drafting to their comfort zone, with Rea going for an aggressive early game gank squad with Pebbles and Nymphora, while xCet drafted a short-lane Soulstealer and great counter initiators like Pharaoh and Rally. probusk’s Pebbles has had success in past matches, but would unfortunately fall short in this game.

The game started out with each team trading kills; Rea barely scored the bloodlust kill on Superkge’s Pharaoh before Imbaboy’s Masters of Arms fell in the middle lane. Around the nine minute mark Pebbles picked up his Portal Key and Steamboots, but was surprised when multiple xCet heroes were waiting for him in the bottom lane. Team Excellent obtained four easy hero kills and a commanding lead heading into the mid-game. Rea, frustrated by their lack of openings, took a poor teamfight in the bottom lane after a botched initiation. xCet once again came out ahead, and were compensated with a free Kongor kill around the 26 minute mark. At 29 minutes xCet, with vastly superior levels and items, pushed the issue, culminating in a dominating teamfight in the middle lane. The Rea boys decided to wave the white flag as there was no coming back.

xCet Gains Confidence

The xCet veterans came out of this one big, with a respectable three points and some much needed confidence, something they’ll need if they hope to be victorious over Sync this weekend. Rea will have to shake off a tough loss, but their next opponent, The Last of US, should give them space to rebound. They’ll need to take down the last place team to have any hope of recovering in the standings.

Tune in for the next Carnage Pro League match, Wednesday as REXXARS look to upset the seemingly untouchable Bad Monkey Gaming. It all starts at 12pm EDT | 1800 CEST with coverage by BreakyCPK and Honcast, so make sure not to miss this important match!


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CEO Squad Falls Flat In Pro League Debut
Reason Prevails In Carnage Pro League Week 1
Carnage In Caldavar Portal


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