SKT Faker Locks in Unexpected Pick Against MVP
By: Sam Lee
Tags: League of Legends, Esports, Riot Games, Gaming, Twitch

SKT Faker Locks in Unexpected Pick Against MVP

Courtesy of Riot Games

PICKS AND BANS

MVP

TOP: ADD on Poppy

JUNGLE: Beyond on Elise

MID: Ian on Viktor

AD: MaHa on Jhin

SUPPORT: Max on Bard

VS.

SKT

TOP: Profit on Rumble

JUNGLE: Bengi on Lee Sin

MID: Faker on Galio

AD: Bang on Ashe

SUPPORT: Wolf on Karma

MVP Bans: Trundle, Olaf, Syndra

SKT Bans: Nidalee, Jayce, Ryze

In an unconventional move, Faker picks Galio, the Sentinel’s Sorrow to square off against MVP’s Ian on Viktor in the Mid Lane. He took Strength of the Ages, Flash/Teleport, and Corrupting Potion at the start of Match 3 Game 1 in the Round of 8 at KeSPA 2016.

According to the commentators of the match:

“In an interview before KeSPA Cup, Faker actually said he wanted to pick, highlight, and master a champion that people would recognize as being uniquely his. Is that the Galio?”

Faker’s Galio not only holds his own against Ian’s Viktor, but consistently manages to stay ahead in CS for the majority of the game. Faker also puts Ian on the back foot when he is forced to preemptively burn his flash to escape Faker’s Ultimate at the 6 minute mark

Despite a 3-man attempt to take out Bengi’s Lee Sin in the bottom lane, Bengi lands a sick Dragon’s Rage on Max’s Bard and knocks him through MaHa’s Jhin and Beyond’s Elise. After a follow up Enchanted Crystal Arrow by Bang’s Ashe, Bengi lands the killing blow on Max’s Bard and secures first blood for SKT at the 10 minute mark. SKT slays the Ocean Dragon as a follow up and cements an early lead.

However, MVP answers back at the ~17–18 minute mark with a small skirmish in the bottom lane. Bang gets caught overextending after securing the turret and Wolf attempts to counter flash Beyond’s flash Cocoon but dies saving Bang. In the ensuing chase, Beyond Rappels to avoid Bang’s Ashe Arrow while the rest of MVP collapse onto SKT to secure three kills leaving them ahead 5–1.

Seeing this, Faker decides it’s time to make Galio plays. After taking out mid turret, Bang lands an Ashe Arrow onto Max and Faker follows up with a flash Idol of Durand catching Max and MaHa. However, SKT only manages to take out Max and loses Bengi in the process leaving MVP ahead in kills at 6–2. Despite a negative score, SKT remains ~2k ahead of MVP in gold and Faker is now 1/0/0 with Galio.

Next, Beyond and ADD secure a quick kill on Profit in the bottom lane. Faker tries to teleport in to help but is denied by ADD who knocks him far away with Keeper’s Verdict. In the mid lane, Faker catches MaHa with flash Idol but is neutralized by Max’s Tempered Fate forcing SKT to retreat.

Then SKT shows why they’re World Champions at the Baron Pit. They win a team fight convincingly by taking out three of MVP’s players and snowball their victory into an uncontested Baron kill. Faker is responsible for two of three kills leaving his Galio with the highest KDA at 3/0/0.

But Faker is Faker and 3–0 is not good enough. He wants to get some assists to show that he’s a team player. He catches four of MVP’s players with his Ultimate during a team fight in the bottom lane leading to three more kills for SKT, two turrets, and first inhibitor down at the 31 minute mark. Faker’s Galio remains with the highest KDA at 3/0/3.

SKT then proceeds to systematically dismantle the rest of MVP’s base by taking out the Top and Mid lanes. SKT takes out the Nexus at the 35 minute mark and beats MVP 11–9.

SKT went on to win at the 39 minute mark in Game 2 over MVP meaning they will face off against the ROX Tigers in the Semi-finals

Watch the full match below on Twitch.tv: