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This is my weekly series of short articles picking out my favourite game of the week from the LPL, NA and EU LCS and LCK. I'll be taking into consideration overall gameplay, importance of the game within the region, and unique strategies. If you disagree with me on anything, let me know why!
EDward Gaming vs Qiao Gu - Game 1
Let’s set the scene here. EDG had finally gotten their MSI roster of Koro1, Clearlove, Pawn, Deft and Meiko together and had gone on a 6-0 win streak. Including their performances in the Demacia Cup with a different roster, they’d come into this game on an 11-0 win streak. QG on the other hand, were the second place team and were within a chance of getting first place. They were also undefeated in the Best of 2 format of LPL Summer.
EDG’s pick bans were filled with signature champions. Clearlove picked up Evelynn and Pawn was playing Kassadin, a champion that has reentered the Chinese meta after the AP changes. Koro1’s Shen was an important pick in their draft, as it solidified their composition as a skirmishing composition, where Pawn was able to play aggressively with the backup of the Shen ultimate and the invisibility of Evelynn being a continued threat.
QG’s pick bans were focused on one thing, and that was team fighting an aspect that QG has mastered over the split. The early game went to script for EDG as Deft -- who’d been on a minor slump previously -- manhandled the much hyped TnT in lane opening up a massive CS lead. In the mid lane, Kassadin’s mobility proved too much for Doinb’s Victor as he continuously dove him.
While EDG were quintessential EDG, QG’s time came in the mid game as they out team fought EDG again and again to claw back from a seemingly untenable position. EDG however, were not to be outdone, as they turned around what appeared to be a pick on Clearlove to defeat QG in game one. They then swept aside QG in game two to inflict QG’s first best of 2 loss, and prove undoubtedly that they were the best team in China.
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