Eurospective Live Blogging - Day 1 MLG Anaheim

Hello, I'm syeren; I will be your host for today's show, and given the teams we have lined up in this tournament, it should be a good one. We have the US vs EU debate to be settled (for now at least), BB aiming to take back their old title of 'World's Best RMP', and a few new rosters aiming to prove themselves to the world.

I will be doing the usual play-by-play you have come to expect with the whole live blogging business, as well as hopefully giving various opinions on the games and players involved from the likes of Kalimist, Hydra, and maybe you! If you're suitably high-up in the 'WoW Scene' and are interested in sitting on Vent with me, Yiska, Hydra, Kalimist, and others to watch the games, feel free to send me a PM on Gameriot, and if I feel you're suitable (and you're of course willing to give your thoughts on the games), I'll happily invite you along.

The pre-game show starts in around 15 minutes; it will be hosted by the extremely lovable Jared 'vhell' Coulston, and the equally hardworking guys from Arenacast! For a full schedule of tonight's proceedings; be sure to check out Yiska's Tournament Schedule and Guide!


Day 1 Conclusion

No surprises really from a European perspective. I did find SK.US losing to be quite surprising though, they seemed to have complete control of the games, but somehow choked when it mattered.

Reckful the 'Rogue hero' showed why he's inferior to Kalimist in everyway. Sodah also played poorly in his games, which was quite disappointing from the 'US's best Priest'.

I believe the tournament is going to come down to x6 vs SK.EU, I just hope Inflame is able to cope with that damage, but knowing that guy; he already has a plan.

I hope to see you tomorrow, sorry for any inconsistencies with my blogging and what actually happened, but the amount of work I have to do combined with the absolute terrible MLG stream, it was more difficult than I expected it to be.

Thanks to Spoh, Wisdomcube, Kalimist, 2GD, Hydra, and Ghingis for their time and comments.



x6 vs Fnatic

Predictions:

Kalimist: 3-2 Fnatic
Hydra: 3-2 x6
Ghingis: 3-2 x6
Yiska: 3-2 Fnatic
Spoh: 3-2 Fnatic

Game 1
We're finally in Blade's Edge Arena. x6 open heavily on Fnatic's Rogue and almost kill him, switch to Yog and kill him in 5 seconds. x6 just overwhelmed Fnatic which didn't allow them to recoup their positions or actual play style. Really good job with designing the game Blizzard, my hat goes off to you.

Score: 1-0 x6

Game 2
We're on Ruins, a map I feel heavily favours the reta.. Beast Cleave. x6 blo all the cooldowns for their opener and zerg Yog. Fnatic are take control of the match with a blind after x6 fail to kill Yog, they do a quick switch to the Shaman and ultimately kill x6's Shaman. Fnatic handled the pressure well this game.

Score: 1-1

Game 3
We're in Nagrand. x6 open with all their cooldowns into Yog, Douga got Hexed; instantly used his trinket, but Yog died in the global he was casting his lusted LHW. Clearly outplayed...

Score: 2-1 x6

Game 4
We're on ROV, this won't be pretty. x6 open with all their cooldowns into Yog while Toez uses HoJ and Arcane Torrent on Douja; in the blanket silence Yog dies. I'm simply amazed at the true quality of the play at hand here, and the state of the game Blizzard have designed to be this way.

Score: 3-1 x6

Game 5
We're on Ring again, I expect the same thing to happen. x6 blow all their cooldowns into Yog. Fnatic take control of the damage for around 10 seconds, but x6 just turn around and kill Yog. Not even a competition, and not really Fnatic's fault really.

Score: 4-1 x6

Opinions

Kalimist:
"You call that a series? Disgusting"

Ghingis:
"RLS getting massively outskilled by yet another cleave, grats"

Spoh:
"Beastcleave lol. Only Druids can stop 'em"


SK.US vs BHMS.Complexity

Predictions:

Kalimist: 3-2 SK.US
Ghingis: 4-1 SK.US
Hydra: 4-1 BHMS
Yiska: 4-1 BHMS
Spoh: 3-2 SK.US

Game 1
We're on Blade's Edge. SK.US are playing extremely aggressive with their opener; forcing an early AMZ from BHMS. The DOTs are taking their toll on SK.US as Pooks had to block. SK.US zerg the Druid down in an effective manner and go on to win the game. BHMS don't play this comp correctly.

Score: 1-0 SK.US

Game 2
We're on Ring of Valor. SK open hard on the stupidly position Druid of BHMS and continue to train him for the first 20 seconds of the game. BHMS's DK save the's Druid with an AMZ as BHMS recover while the Druid kites to a new pillar. Realz dispels a UA and just completely destroys himself as the BHMS kills him. A mistake on SK's part ultimately cost them the game.

Score: 1-1

Game 3
We're on Dalaran. Pookz gets the game started quickly, SK go straight on to the Druid of BHMS; the DK saves him temporarily with AMZ, but he ultimately falls over quickly. SK are looking dominant in this series, while BHMS looks our of their depth.

Score: 2-1 SK

Game 4
We're on ROV. No real surprises with the openers from either team. SK are ultimately trying to chase after the Druid while BHMS keep control of Enforcer while putting out a bunch of damage on him. SK get back on to the Druid and force barkskin, while BHMS put a ton of pressure onto Enforcer; which ultimately leads to his death.

Score: 2-2

Game 5
We're on Dalaran, the pressure is on SK going into this game I imagine. SK use the innovative zerg the Druid tactic they have used every game, and it seems to be working pretty well. BHMS recover and just turn around and kill Enforcer with little resistance from SK; was Realz AFK melee'ing while thinking he was on his Rogue?

Score: 3-2 BHMS

Opinions

Kalimist:
"SK.US seemed to have a lot more confidence going against that comp, maybe it was the calibre of the players they were going against? Either way, it still wasn't enough"

Hydra:
"Pretty much the match between SK.EU and coL, but much much worse."

Ghingis:
"I have no idea what just happened; that Druid is not at all impressive, and apparently seems to think pillars are overrated as a form of LOS. Still SK managed to lose, IT BOGGLES MY MIND."

Spoh:
"Although it was a close series, I still though SK would have taken it in the end. Between it being everyone's first time on LAN for BHMS, and their positioning in some of the games, I thought SK would have taken it."


SK.EU vs Complexity

Predictions:
Kalimist: 3-2 SK.EU
Ghingis: 5-0 SK.EU
Hydra: 5-0 SK.EU
Yiska: 3-2 SK.EU

Game 1:
We're on Blades's Edge. Complexity open on SK's Druid and force an extremely early trinket. SK.EU are starting to do the playstyle us Europeans have come to fear/hate and coL are struggling to keep up with it. SK target Reckful, a pitiful performance from coL, quite clearly not used to this playstyle.

Score: 1-0 SK.EU

Game 2:
We're on Ring of Valor. coL open on the Druid and fail pretty hard. SK are spreading their DOTS, and putting a lot of pressure on coL. coL put a lot of pressure on SK's Druid and get him low, but coL all seem to fall over from Inflame's DoTs while SK recover from the pressure. coL are looking lost.

Score: 2-0 SK.EU

Game 3:
We're on Ring of Valor once again. coL are going for a slow start while SK just charge into coL, coL get a better opener this time. SK pressure coL's Priest hard, but coL seem to recover. coL score a kill SK's Druids while SK get a cross kill on Sodah. Comes down to a 2v2 which is an easy win for SK; as Reckful and Venruki are out of cooldowns.

Score: 3-0 SK.EU

Game 4:
We're on Ruins. SK open hard on Sodah forcing him below 50% while coL put out no pressure on SK. coL are going on Another out of desperation, while this is happening coL's mana and health is quickly depleting; leading to Venruki's Death. SK are in total control of this game.

Score: 4-0 SK.EU

Game 5:
We're on Ruins, and it is quite clear that SK is simply playing with coL now, as they're playing Wizard Cleave. coL have opened hard on Another, forcing him to Ice Block. SK just turned around to Reckful and put him down to around 1% HP which they are able to recover from. coL open on Another again forcing him to Ice Block. SK turn around and kill Reckful. This is hilarious, SK are simply playing with their opponents. EU > US.

Score: 5-0 SK.EU

Opinions

Ghingis:
"LOL, that's pretty much all. Inflame is a God, and this is what you get when you mess with a God."

Kalimist:
"Ok, Complexity's bluffing made me give them far too much credit; which lead to my prediction of coL being able to compete with SK.EU. Turns out Complexity got wiped out."

Hydra:
"Complexity have absolutely no idea how to beat this comp. They're playing the game far too slow, and Sodah is playing too defensively. Wow at the last game."


Button Bashers vs Evil Geniuses

Predictions:
Kalimist: 3-1 BB
Wisdomcube: 3-1 EG
Hydra: 3-2 EG
Spoh: 3-1 BB


Game 1
We're on Dalaran Arena. BB got a terrible start with their Rogue being sapped which allowed early pressure for EG. BB Seemed to manage to weather this and quickly turned the tables on EG's Rogue. BB are completely outplaying EG in this game, and BB score the first kill on the Rogue of EG.

Score: 1-0 BB

Game 2
We're on Nagrand arena.  BB Sap the Shaman while EG try going on BB's Priest. The usual Rogue duel takes place while Azazel DOTs up the team of BB. BB are the aggresors in the game in all senses, but EG are having some nice attempts on the BB's Priest. BB attack Azazel and get him low, forcing a portal from Azazel which breaks up BB's momentum while EG score a kill on BB's Rogue.

Score: 1-1

Game 3
We're on Ring of Valor. BB opening on Azazel extremely hard, kill him with little effort. Azazel is wearing A LOT of PVE gear, as the match has clearly showed.

Score: 2-1 BB

Game 4
We're on Nagrand. BB with a lot of pressure on EG's Rogue at the start of the game, but EG recover. EG heavily pressure BB's Priest with BB being able to peel the Priest extremely well. BB pressure Azazel hard, Shaman NS's Azazel back up, get's CC'd and then Azazel dies.

Score: 3-1 BB

Game 5
We're on Ruins. Both teams open hard on each other, of course EG should have the advantage here with Bloodlust; but it seems BB is able to break the flow of EG. EG do a crazy switch on to BB's Rogue and leave him around 1-5% for over 10 seconds before they're able to recover. EG go on BB's Rogue again with some crazy pressure, and finally kill him this time.

Score: 3-2 BB

Opinions

Kalimist:
"Hiren is a good Rogue who is great at managing his cooldowns, Tenderloin also impressed me. BB's team work in the last game was great, but they're losing due to bad target decisions."

Ghingis:
"I think Azazel played well over all. The reason they were able to win the games they did is because of Azazel's PVE gear setup. He spent a lot of his free time well; making it extremely hard for the RMP to score a kill. His play ultimately kept EG in the game."