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I can't help but fall in love
It's about the breeze that's crying on your own
Baby, I'm gonna cry just to live for this
Smiling through my tears, but I'm a pessimist
I was trying to be somebody
Great I could never come the day for crying
But often, place me wrong
That's how I'm gonna chase my soul
I was trying to be somebody
But often, place me wrong
I
I want you to respect our lives, respect our values.
Most of us, we respect our values.
More than one.
More than one.
More than one.
I
NRT will fall. They'll put up a hell of a fight here, but no shit.
They are now the team to beat. The question becomes, who is their final opponent?
Coming into a team that just won champs and replacing a player,
there's a lot of expectation on me. Everyone has a trophy and Ethan has two.
I won the Santiago trophy, so at least I'll have something on my belt.
When PipRex first hit me up, I already started dreaming about lifting trophies with them.
Leaving the tournament as a stop-trees not enough for me.
When we lost against Energy in the upper semi-finals, we kind of lost to ourselves.
We played PipRex twice this tournament already. This is going to be the tiebreaker.
If we compare as a team, we can be the best.
FIRE! FIRE! FIRE! KAY! FIRE! GO WIN!
It definitely gives me a lot of confidence knowing that my teammates are so talented individually.
When we start having fun, making a lot of risky plays, that's the purex that everyone knows.
Your Satan is my tool!
Absolute magic!
I'm very hungry for the win. I think it's going to be a good match for us.
Kaco, you've been doing really well with your new team.
But I don't think that's enough to beat us.
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Welcome to the lower final here in Masters, Satyago, where we are going to learn who will be joining Nongshim in tomorrow's grand final.
Will it be last year's champions, winners, and RG, or an all-pacific final with Paper Rex?
I'm moving to my question for you, Mimi and Kukuka. Is which way are you leading?
I would lean on RG, but it's so tough to call. The third time these two teams have played both times.
It's come down to the wire. It's been incredibly close for now today even higher stakes with only one spot in the finals
It's complicated
Especially if we think about yesterday and the results that we already see I want to say energy
But I've lost a little bit of hope so I'm gonna go for paper X today. Okay spicy one
I like that now causes me look towards tomorrow's final remember
There'll be a show match opening things up first where we'll be debuting a new agent and new game mode knockout and have some very special
I guess, including Megan of Katzai and Bunt.
So don't miss it.
Show matches here at these events.
Always a fun time to tune in for that,
especially if you want to see what is coming next in Valorant.
We've almost reached the finals here at Masters South
Yoga, but let's get a big picture view of how our bracket
has shaken out.
We just have one match for today's lower final.
It's a best of five between NRG and PRX, of course,
with G2 having forwarded PRX's Blake.
I feel like we're definitely getting to the cream of the crop yet.
Yeah, I think that probably people are a little bit surprised.
Not if you've been watching the tournament that Nanxin has already secured that spot in the upper final, in the grand final.
Because after the performance that we saw yesterday and how we thought maybe they could be maybe a one-dimensional,
maybe this is one thing that you need to shut down about them.
Yesterday they proved that there is not one, not two, not three, but plenty of them.
And very excited for them coming right off the extension into a Masters Grand Final.
Yeah, and just given the pedigree of the two teams playing today. It's so easy to have sold this match as a final
Especially given how good it was earlier in the tournament, but non-shim going on that clean run
It's done everything for a loop and now a big advantage for them to play against one of these teams who has done it before
Absolutely, and of course and then a map advantage of course how to give it a funnel in terms of how the veto shakes out
But that's something we're gonna get to tomorrow for now the leader caught up with some of our Latin team earlier at the fan fest
Let's check it
Hi everybody, I'm here with the lab them casters Mitsu and Oli and I just want to know how have you guys been looking like
This teams do you like them? What's the do you want to criticize them?
Like how have you seen paper racks specifically in this tournament? Well, but this has been amazing as they fall
They're on the prime. They were playing a really good game. And actually, I think they could be winning the Masters already
Oh, that would be nice for paper racks, of course, but what do you think about energy so far?
I think energy and also like the left board team, I think what's really special is that
everyone, everybody is friends with each other. Like energy is cool, but matter is like synergy
as they pull another level and you have paper racks before us then together for like so many years now
also like Nungshin, in brief they have great history and we have what team left I am missing right now
well I think the three left I like really good friends and that's so special I think
yeah it is really special and we have that vibe ongoing on both of the teams but today I think
they're gonna need more than vibes to win this match because it's gonna be amazing so
thank you very much for the interview back to you guys
Now, before we get into the hardcore analysis...
Yeah, I guess we're like this, and we're like doing other...
Sorry. Before we get into the hardcore analysis, let's play a quick game we'd like to call Who's That.
I guess we've actually trademarked it.
I would need to get it sorted out.
Yeah, we're going to guess who that is.
Yes, I mean, good luck to you guys. We might need to call an emergency meeting to find that out.
We have to guess a player based on some clues about the stat or a fun fact, for example.
Okay.
So here's our call out to players. These are the players that we have to choose from.
And it just so happens they're all involved in the games in the next couple of days
So let's have a look at our first player hint. Give it to us
Right about now this player had to be nerfed from
With the with adding adding walls on the map
Yes
Let's look at our next player ship here with Brawk obviously being the correct answer
This player has attended nine global events and hasn't won
nine global
That's correct. RB is right. We talk about that a little bit early on in the tournament. He's
Finally looking to shake that monkey up
He could do it now
I thought like after Simon Derek's went to an envy had to go over and and play in China
not even getting an opportunity on a Korean team, it'd be cocked for his career, but here
he is again in his first final after all of that time.
From Bishin Strikers going through DRX and now finally in non-shim and he's looking incredible.
His assist numbers are through the roof.
Yeah, it might just be his time, folks.
Let's look at our last player here.
This player's hobby outside of Valorant is going fishing.
So it's America's player?
Yeah.
Are you sure?
No, I'm not sure, but I would assume.
Who likes fishing?
I don't have a thought about fishing.
When I think about fishing in Valorant,
I only think about Potter.
Right, yeah, Potter, she loves to go fishing there.
So is the answer Potter.
Well, she's not on here nor at this event.
I just, okay, I'm looking.
I don't think it's Brock,
and I'm looking at the other map,
because I cannot be bothered.
I can't imagine either of those guys fishing.
You think he could go fishing?
No.
I don't know if fishing is right up in his neck of the woods.
Maybe it's an APAC player.
I don't see the vibe.
You guys are going to lock in your answer here.
Could it be an A-Papla?
Are we doing A-Papla?
Just because we don't know?
Yeah.
Sure.
You both want to have the same answer?
Yeah.
The answer is divine.
Divine likes to go fishing.
Seriously.
I need to know more about that.
I need to see pictures.
I need to see pictures.
You're going to see the...
Yeah.
Yeah.
The this.
I'll catch it.
Yeah.
The tall tails of fishing.
Okay.
Well, hopefully you get something like that from him here.
He's trying to wrangle a big one out there on the stage though.
But now that we're down to our final three teams, who is standing out as a most likely MVP candidate?
I feel like for Nong Shin, this one is pretty dry. It's got to be Dambi, right?
Yeah. Dambi has had one of the most outstanding individual performances you really see at this level.
It's rare that when you're talking about a team, so much of the focus goes to shutting down one player.
But that's really been the story of Dambi. The way that he has taken this neon after she already got a nerf,
Most people weren't playing her and absolutely ran over the competition.
He is the clear front runner.
And if they win that final, I think it will be off of his performance.
I think that in the past, we've had this situation where before coming into a
global event, we've said, oh, this player originally has been a star is going to
shine in the global stage.
And sometimes they do not live up to expectations.
It's crazy to see that Dambi in his first appearance is able to keep up
that performance and do not get me wrong.
Cause Francis and Ivy yesterday were incredible, but if we look at the
tournament as a whole, it has to be that way.
So then who on PRX are we looking at as being their MDP?
We know something, maybe.
Yeah.
I think if you're focusing on playoffs, something is the answer.
If you're focusing on Swiss, Forsaken is the answer.
But if the trends we're seeing right now keep up,
it would have to be something.
He is absolutely taken over in their last two series.
Yeah, and it's been so pivotal.
We've seen him play at plenty of different ages,
as we always expect from players like something.
I would say from paper X in general to be playing a little bit of the wacky things
But especially against the hardest opponents against deeper into the tournament
He's definitely shown up and today he has a chance maybe to there are some doubts
Yeah, well, I think the zombie is like pretty clear. I'd be shocked if anyone else wins MVP if it's a non-shim victory
I think it is a little more open for paper X. I think forsaken is cannibal
I think you could even see another one there players on the big stage
You know sneak up and find the performance to warrant that accolade
So then NRG or team that kind of do things by committee and don't necessarily find standouts
Who would we potentially be giving this accolade to on that scene?
I think that when you look at NRG the matches that they've had when you also take a look at the numbers you can make an argument
For most of the players I think that even leadership in some of the matches has been impeccable
The performance from Mada in shutting down some of this
duelist especially against the match where the last one against Paper X has been also amazing.
But when I think about keeping it calm and collected I would think scuba and some of those clutches.
I don't know what do you think maybe?
Yeah, I would put Moda in the ring as well.
I think he was incredible in Swiss.
He was so good for them throughout that stage and has kept that performance all the way from back when they won in Champions.
I voted for him as MVP at that event over Brock because I thought he was so good there.
But really it's a testament to energy style that even though they have this one solo duelist
But there are so many guys that are stepping up finding huge impact that would certainly deserve that accolade
Are you willing to be swayed by how this game goes if energy winner because
MVP champs, but there was a lot of recent advice. I think in that select reason
Oh, it was amazing in the finals and that could definitely happen again
I think you know that you look at the last game for energy. It was a fantastic one from scuba. Yes
I do think that is a positive because it feels like every time that we are talking about energy, not only this, but as we're saying in chance,
there is many players that you can put in that spot, and that means that as a whole, the structure that works is not that they're carried out by one player having a stellar performance.
Yeah, absolutely. With that single duelist style, we've seen it provide some real results for NRG.
But let us zoom in a little bit and set the scene here.
here. PRX are on the brink of their fourth global final. And they're looking for their
second Masters trophy after of course winning in Toronto last year. But for NRG, there's
a curse at work. They're looking to become the first team to be able to follow up a champ's
win with a global tournament title, with a Masters win. That is pretty wild. Both of
these teams kind of have their eyes set on very lofty and rather unique goals.
It would be history either way, really.
And I think it's especially notable if energy can do it.
We obviously had the back-to-back in 2023,
where Fnatic won Lock-In and then Tokyo.
But energy doing it here would be even more impressive to me.
Because first of all, it's Champions.
It's a bigger picture tournament.
But also because of the way the meta shifted,
it was a much more significant change
than between those two tournaments.
And it's an energy that has positioned themselves
with such a unique style and with such consistency
If they could be the first team to do that, that would be, I think, one of the greatest
achievements we've had in Valor.
It was a big step, right, between champs and the new year.
So many things changed.
A lot of teams literally shine just in kickoff and then have a, they just dip in their performance
throughout the year.
So the fact that energy translated that win into, barely making it into here, but actually
making it now to this lower final with the amount of hurdles, with the amount of different
styles that they've seen in the opponents, just keeping to their guns speaks brightly
of them.
It's a chance for energy to start a dynasty and have an opportunity to be the second team in Valorant
to even have a chance to start to open that conversation
Against PaperX who I think are already in that conversation for Valorant's most consistent team for doing this in so many different events for so many
Years and winning another trophy. I think that would cement them as the most consistent squad
I mean we have the two last the last two global winners of last year in this game
Also, look at this, I mean in these 24 plus round maps, NRG 12 and 4, so that is in either
13-11's or in overtime's, they are successful 66% of the time.
I think that is very important, considering that we're going into a best of 5 and we're
speaking about the calibre of these two teams, we speak about resilience, we speak about consistency
and the fact that energy have been incredible at this very very long maps
especially against an opponent like paper X like both of their maps in the
last encounter went that distance and they were able to push through in many
occasions that being an insane combat. These are the two teams that never look
like they're going to run out of stamina. What's wild about the energy run to me
is that they were doing it at champions last year as well. They were doing it
domestically to even qualify for champs and you look at their route to make it
here to this lower final.
And you think, well, they're the reigning champions.
Of course, they're here.
They almost lost that final against MIBR.
Down two maps on split, down 9-3.
After that, the light switch flicks,
they absolutely decimate to qualify to this tournament.
They are so good at realizing they can always come back
and stand resilient in these like games.
Such a tough opponent to put down.
And don't forget what happened at Champs.
Like at that MAP 3, that they looked
that it was going to be a clean 3-0 for them,
cementing their victory and picking
incredibly big name for themselves. Fnatic started bringing it back. We went into that
fifth map, but even with that, their resilience for NRG just came on top of everything.
Now, this is the third meeting between these two teams. They're one apiece. NRG won the
last encounter in the upper semi-finals pretty handily, sending PRX to the lowest. Now, I
say handily, but this is still maximum ballerina that you see between these two. It just happened
to be a 2-0 result. We saw the bind as a curveball thrown in, but on parol we had a really
Very compelling matchup, very exciting, both teams really staying true to their styles here but NRG has aged about it yet.
Yeah, I think that after that win also PaperX decided to change their composition on Pearl. I love what they were doing with the Phoenix and whatnot.
Maybe it wasn't enough and maybe it was for NRG too easy to read into but when we jumped onto this bind, both of the teams changing the compositions and coming with different approaches.
approaches. I feel like doing that bind energy ended up having a better read on how to react to
paper X and that is not something many teams can say. Yeah, it's really rad to be able to adapt
at that level against a team that pushes you so hard, but you have to give so much credit to both
Ethan and to the coaching staff of this team for seeing new compositions on both those maps that
went against their preparation and being able to take that early time out after round two on
buying for example, figure out the theory of their opponent's comp, their best route forward,
and have the resiliency to even when they fail continue to action on that plan and
eke out these close wins against one of the toughest teams to beat in this game.
It's pretty rare to have two teams play three times against each other in a global event,
so we want a more insight into this rematch here. Jen Lee, catch up with Kiko earlier today.
Alright.
Here with Kiko of NRG and now Kiko after two games against Paper Rex and you guys having
won the last one, do you feel like you've fully figured them out?
I don't think it's always possible to figure out Paper Rex, they kind of like do whatever
they want to do so we just have to adapt in game, I see.
Adapting.
Alright, good luck.
Thanks so much.
Now, NRG, they are coming off the back of a pretty tough loss to Nongshim Red Force.
They showed some resilience on a base, but in general, they just couldn't handle Nongshim.
Was it pace or play?
Was it macro related?
Whatever it was, they did look a little flat.
Yeah, I think it was really the game plan, catching them off guard in both of these.
In map 1 on fun, the biggest issue was that they seemed to put a lot of their prep and
had to deal with dummy.
on his very passive attack side, waiting out a rush.
Instead of what they got was Francis Arpe
taking these very interesting lines to peek forward.
He picked them apart in that half.
And then as we continued in this series,
they went into a map queue on Abyss here,
where again, it's a nonchalant change up.
It's Ivy looking on the cypher,
and she ripped their defensive map for a part.
Ivy was finding so much value and energy
just proved that they were not able to deal
with the pressure that he was putting on the map.
In fact, they look very stale in some of these situations, maybe too plain too much into their protocols and not being a little bit more with the against the scenes that are so fast.
You gotta enjoy and play that rank, just go about a little bit about the nonsense because things were not working out for them.
The utility that we've been speaking about that they use a lot, they play with certain compositions that do not fall into the double duelist, was not creating the pressure that it is meant to create and there was no plan B for them.
The game playing from NIG showed I'm not a full depth of understanding of what Nongshin were capable of,
which I don't blame them for because Nongshin were able to get to this point just with Dumbi,
fragging out, carrying them. So they were accounting for the France,
they're saying all the IV actually pushing off the sides of Cypher, this is all new stuff.
So they're, I think understanding of this Nongshin Red Force team at ours has to evolve.
I think their prep was good, given what they knew ahead of time.
I think where they failed, like you're saying, was that latter adaptation,
once they got thrown the curve ball.
And they certainly tried.
They were trying to flush Ivy on a base,
on their defensive side a lot,
but he would just play back and they'd lose the entire site
and they should be fighting at these points.
It was a very tough task to deal with those new compositions
brought out.
And I don't watch that game and necessarily have my energy
stocks drop precipitously because of their ability
to adapt.
They've shown it all their other matches.
And because they almost brought it back on a base,
despite those families.
Yeah.
They have to adapt again if they get another shot, and that is a big if at Nongshinbred Force.
Meanwhile, PRX, they certainly cleaned up their map from the match against all gamers,
which was a little bit hittily-pittily, and put up a dominant showing against G2.
This for me is pretty cut and dry. Haven, close, like the look of G2 there, but honestly,
that's a map PRX could easily have won as well.
Yeah, I wouldn't say dominant per se just because of this map, and it made us look like,
even though G2 were throwing some of this rounds and some things were not working their way,
I think that their resilience, the adaptations,
how they thought about playing with this map.
I think that the job that G2 put into the entire tournament
and how to improve their haven was absolutely crazy.
Now, for the other two maps, first of all,
something came online.
I am so sorry that that breeze,
he made them look like idiots.
I am sorry.
It just seemed completely unfair.
And the momentum the Paper Rex got out of that
was also massive going on to Corode.
On the other side, we see a team in G2
most a little bit of scheme.
I feel like they didn't have the mental resilience
to go into that best of three.
And against the Paper Rex, they will never lose it.
Yeah, what Paper Rex is really being sold to me as right now
is the team in this tournament
that is best at the fast fix.
You look at the maps that they played in that series,
Goroad for example, even though they won that last time
against V2, they had that really rough game against all gamers.
They fix the issues of how they're applying
their defensive macro against NRG.
They showed a new Pearl comp, loss,
When is their next game?
Played another new pro comp that also looked like it had good theory, good ideas behind it.
More than anyone else in this tournament, PaperX is willing to look at their losses,
look at their failings, and immediately change into something new
and implement that game plan off of very little practice time.
And I think that's why there's such a beast- blatant tournaments,
especially against teams like G2 and NRG,
who put a priority on pre-prep on having the right game plan out the gate.
Now, I mean, this is the tweaks we've seen from Paper Rex.
They've not only changed the face of their macro,
but also allowed them to get some better results.
So you've got to be scared if you're NRG.
There's something up their sleeve.
Gently, though, had a chance to catch up with Forsaken earlier.
Let's see what the man of the moment has to say.
Here with something of Paper Rex now.
Something, simple question.
Do you think NRG can beat you twice,
given the current form and everybody else is in right now?
Kiki and I, it's whether anyone can beat anyone, so I don't really want to sell like we're going to beat them and stuff.
Just want to show our best today, that's it.
Alright, good luck.
Something, something, something, something.
This Aiken looks a little bit different at the moment, but I wouldn't worry about it.
BRX love to make their little tweaks and changes, so I guess I've done that as well.
Now Kiko and Indy both actually joined these winning teams. These things that already were in great positions, right?
I feel like Kiko was like the only way you could make this NRG team better.
And Indy really surprised us and now has played many more games and he has on that team secret outfit.
We've got an idea of what this guy can do now.
Stop stealing from us.
Okay, Kiko was one of the gems that we had in EMEA, but I do agree with you.
Like there were very few ways to make it better and adding such a flexible and impactful player as Kiko
Kiko with how the meta changes and how valuable he can be. Absolutely, just on point for energy.
But Envy now has played more with Paper Rex in the kickoff and masters one that he played in the
entire year, but last year with Team Secret. And the amount of rounds that we have seen him
play into the way that Paper Rex likes playing the game. I think that last year he made already a
very good case for himself and how flexible and impactful he can be. The scene also that he can
can do it in a team like PaperX.
I think that we have seen it in the past,
but it's great to see that it still happened.
I saw that he got signed by PaperX,
and my initial reaction was,
he's just gonna be another Patman, right?
His job in the team is to be the consistent Roth
to use his utility to sit back and let the others frag out.
But he's really exceeded my expectations
in what he's done with the role.
Not only is he doing that,
stuff they need him to do as a team player,
as an initiator player,
but I also think he's done an excellent job
of having his rounds where he's the one showing his agency,
taking over, making the play, and finding himself not just
as an excellent team player, but as an individual,
it looks much better than he did on Secret,
and I think also better than the team looked with Patman.
Yeah, I mean, Patman always felt like the player that
was holding the leash, you know, as the ball dog,
so Paper X was always trying to surge forward,
whereas Indy's happy to get his hands dirty again.
It's a tough balance to take, though,
because you do need that player who's sitting back.
And if he's also running it down and inting
like the rest of them, it could be disaster. But I think what's so impressive is that
Envy has found that balance.
Now, let's have a discussion about Keaton and what he's brought to this team.
We've taken an extra opportunity to extract some insight from the bridge.
So, Tia for the man himself and our HyperX playing moment.
I am currently playing the flex role, playing everything.
So, initially, when I joined Liquid in 2024, I was the main dolist, playing dolist only.
Now joining NRG, I'm replacing Som, who played traditionally Smokes, Viper, Keel or Joy.
So now, on NRG, I'm now playing Smokes, Sentinel, and Doralist, so I'm playing three roles here.
Playing, I think, plays so far as seven agents differently now.
Then after backwards, that deeper side is like, the Dambi, the Hunter, is gonna go looking for Antis,
I mean, starting for the house, the Paranoid business, but Kiko doesn't!
And LX was in the 1v2, a lifeline for NRG!
Playing a lot of different roles is definitely a new experience, you know, gotta be more adaptable, definitely.
And yeah, just learning, learning a lot of different agents and just playing everything and just enjoying yourself.
Yep, Kale does it all, does Kiko, and it's just as well because NRG and PRX frankly have
two very distinctly different styles that require some level of specialty.
Do we feel like NRG's double initiator style just gives them the edge against the double
duelist?
This might be our last chance to really answer this question.
No.
Why not?
I think that yesterday, as I was saying, like even though they had the tools, the pressure
that they were applying with them was not enough to shot or make a nonchalmate any kind
of difficult position. I feel like if you are ready, prepared, if you prep for energy,
the way energy will prep for you, I think that you can shut it down. However, I think
it has to do with confidence, it has to do with exhaustion as well. At the end of the
day, this is a team, one champs, which is a very long route, took the longest route
to come into this tournament and are now in a position where, yes, they were excessively
so much of this global event. Like they are literally over 3000 rounds into global events
against an energy that have done like 1.3 rounds. Yes, for the resilience, I have to
give it to paperettes and the fact that the meta favors them. And I think that yesterday
I saw the exhaustion in NRG being like, man, this is too much. We cannot just yet keep
the performance up for that long.
To go back to your question, I disagree a little bit. I think that they didn't lose
that game because to come the latter ideas you're bringing up is more what I attribute that to
having a notion that switched up going into that game and having to adapt against a team who was
already with excellent and playing very well in that was more of a problem. I think they proved
this tournament that the double drone stuff is great at shutting down tools. It forces the meta
double duelist teams to play differently to respect that utility and I think the way that
that Ethan likes to call. It's so beneficial to this style, where he has many tools to
get in from, many tools to deal with aggression. And they're also especially studed because
they have mana, who is excellent at playing that solo duelist role, creating space and
sweeping up after himself on his own. I don't think it's inhibited them at all. But today,
I think this is kind of the final test against PaperX, who has looked so good with these
double duelist looks.
At the very least we've validated this style from NRG, but we want to know if it's better.
This is our last chance to do so.
Now today's Mastercard fan poll, we want to know who you think has the best read on the
meta, much like this conversation.
Is it NRG with their double drone comps or PRX and they're often double duelists set
up.
Hashtag Valorant Masters, you can get involved with the conversation also with the hashtag
DCT and there's your QR code down there to get involved.
Now let's get into this map veto.
Since they're coming from the upper bracket, NRG the highest seed, so they will get to choose whether they want to ban first or second.
Okay, so this is the map selection for NRG against PRX, because NRG is coming from the upper brackets, they have the priority on choosing to be Team A or Team B.
so energy team A therefore PRX team B energy starts venue map
done by by then for PRX this this first map pick for energy pick for pro side on pro for PRX
defense defense second map for PRX
You have Breeze, Corridor, Haven, Split.
You go Split.
Split, Sidon, Split for Energy.
Defense. Defense.
Now, Mapbeak for Energy.
Corridor, Sidon, Corridor for PRX.
Defense. Defense.
Mapbeak for PRX. You have Breeze or Haven.
go beast, so side on breeze for energy, defense, defense, the sider is haven, side on haven
for PRMS, defense, defense, okay that's it, go let them run, run
I like it. I like it. I think it makes a lot of sense for for energy.
Pearl has been one of the most consistent maps for the side of PaperX.
They've shown five different compositions in this year only.
So maybe a little bit of the question marks split for PaperX incredibly consistent
in a map pool that I would say for most of every team in the tournament so far.
I would say that with all the changes that we see in bar nonchim,
that we've seen from
compositions and adaptations.
There's not one map that I'm
like, oh, yeah, 100% this team
is going to do three. Oh, very
easily. The only map from energy
that we still have not seen. So
very exciting first three months
now very quickly. Only we asked
you who you thought had the best
read on the minute in our last
card fan poll and results are
in. We're going to have those
for you just as these teams
come out. B. R. X. You'll believe
that they have the most valid
It's pretty hard to argue with that, folks.
Yeah, I agree. I think they personify this meta.
They have looked like the double-dualist team to be...
The only squad that can test them at that is Nongshim.
It's an NRG who's playing exploitatively,
trying to go to the next level and out-game theory
what comps look the best right now.
It's a question of who's style is better,
who can perform in a best of five.
Two teams that refuse to die.
One match that will define who gets a shot
a second trophy. It's NRG vs PRX, Information vs Entropy. Please welcome your players to the stage.
the
Diego Bona, Bay-Bam-Ram!
It's W Gaming, folks. A gameplay style as immutable as the laws of physics versus NRG's insatiable desire to solve the problem, to come up with an answer.
But going up against PRX feels like trying to divide by zero, it just doesn't make sense.
The third time these two teams have played this tournament. So rare to get to witness a match that many times.
Both times it has been down to the wire, 13-11s, overtime. Energy won the last one.
They won it 2-0 with curveballs in the compositions, but it's a B-05 now. It's a big stage where both of these teams have performed before.
where both of these teams lifted a trophy last year,
but only one of them gets to challenge a squad who just came from Ascension in the finals.
Almost 5,000 people are esta ciervesco here today to witness this amazing lower final.
And you'll see they're going to get incredibly loud and they're going to be supporting
both of the teams for PaperXV's winning a fourth grand final under their belts.
And for energy, they're fine in everything that the game imposes onto you.
You think it's all about shooting well, we'll bring a different approach.
And the map pool is a best hit of the previous times.
These teams have played.
We start with Pearl.
It was a new pump from Paper Rex.
And she just barely edged out the wind in their last showing.
First time they played, it was split.
See, the team that adapted was Paper Rex going up against a Vice Cump,
meant to counter their style.
They defeated it, pushed it over the line, and won that match in this mistake.
The later we go though, the more interesting it gets, seeing that corrode for the first time internationally,
since Paris for NRG breezed down the line where pay prices look excellent.
It's just such a cool map pool to display the depth of these two highly experienced teams.
The question also is, does now energy look vulnerable?
What happened yesterday? How much can we read onto that?
Mada himself was speaking on X about how he did not have a good day.
He felt like he was being shot down and the man on your screen right now something will make sure that he doubles down on the 4th performance.
Have you given that guy any space? He is going to make a mincemeat of you. I'm very curious to see what his role looks like on that breeze map because yesterday he was absolutely dominant.
This split though for PaperX, you can't argue with the data. 4 per 0 for PaperX. They are undefeated on that map at this event and honestly, most of those games went even close.
It's interesting though, because they haven't been kicking it.
They've been floating that for Mount 3 and it's so successful there.
And I think maybe now prove to themselves that it's actually at the top of their hole.
They want to prioritize that one early in this map pool.
And it's so important also that Pearl is the first map.
We were speaking about Paper Rex changing the composition and whatnot.
NRG deciding that this is the first map is very important.
We saw that Paper Rex moved away from the Phoenix into the Neon,
giving them a little bit less flashes, but more flashy playstyle with the versatility that you have with the Neon.
I really like the way that they were using the Phoenix to put something in very annoying positions,
but I think it became a little bit too readable for Enagy to work onto that.
And fun fact, in every single Masters, the team that has won the first map of the lower bracket final has moved on to the grand final.
Magneto puts even more weight on this first map of Pearl. Let's jump into our
agent select now and it is going to be that Teho composition featuring the
waylay for NRG. Paper X will be running back this Neon and Uri Lung. Paper X
played the Phoenix comp the last time they went against NRG. This was the comp
they displayed against all gamers. I like the change. I thought it gave a lot of
freedom to Jing and something the way that they're fighting around the map
and in particular on their defense having these incredibly fast rotations. I want to
the energy on this attack side prioritize using their double drones to
three push players who have embedded in the extremities and putting a priority
late round on getting mid control to cut those fast rotates and allow them to
split sense instead of hitting into the bias I want to see an energy that is
proactive as you're saying I want to see the control of a yes I'm saying of
getting something into those positions will be a priority for paper X and he
can be an absolute nuisance to deal with my eyes go to actually the most
Supported players it goes to scuba it goes to ether on this head-to-head against the foreseek and they can turn up
And any given moment it was something and gene who were absent in the Swiss stage first time these teams played
They showed up massively in the playoffs and I think that pressure reverses on to Mata. You talked about his tough game yesterday
He's the only solo duelist player left at this tournament time for him to show out
Well, sadly though in the A team is made at this far, but don't worry the region has its people in the building bonkas coaching
Kiko's fragging and apparently you two get to commentate.
Pansy and Hypo, get stuck in.
The audacity of a game like this.
I didn't even cook up a reply and I'm not witty enough.
But what I can say is it is truly the jewel of fates between these two.
How many times have they met?
How many times they had to try and live through this matchup?
But again, this is the one that matters.
All the others now fade away.
But NRG looks human, and Pay-for-X, you never know what you're going to get on a given day.
Absolutely right. Pay-for-X could have been watching yesterday's games.
They're coming here with an opportunity with Jing.
So I've been out a little bit, now a massive change up in terms of the approach.
I love this crowd!
Looking to come for blood here for sake and an early challenge here in the pistol,
There's probably an early 4 stack towards B here, 4 paperex, just send out...
So I need it to clear through, and it looks like they might just follow through here.
And again, just that early information is huge considering they're going for such a heavy stack, but...
Not being able to site just yet, the martyr, straight out for blood, but dealt a...
Well, deadly blow right back, Jing! Binding both!
And there's something already, this is looking a little bit messy as NRG!
Very messy. Yeah, willing to take the brawl on this but it's devised to continue going still looking for fights
Still looking twice of later player and it looks like energy. No, there's a chance
Paper X by now for a free him to heal they bow to no man
By waiting to try and strike. He just needs that one
Those got it. That's a great start
Big 3k from Kiko
After an issue, looks like Jin gets two kills able to really hold down the site.
NRG gonna pause the thought outside art, but the approach
crumbles initially comes down to just two members.
NRG.
And then for me, my eyes are on the scooter.
He was absolutely sensational.
Previously, in terms of clutches, in terms of finding early kills in rounds,
where the pacing was completely off, Renard G.
Against me, though, looking at this is the best of five.
They're just tuning in.
You see the matter then changes.
However, sadly, we don't really get much rest in these sort of games,
with these sort of teams every round has a potential threat.
A couple of sheriffs coming in, but more on that note.
I think it's so rare that we've now got, I guess,
enough depth in the scene to have these sort of repeat games coming back through.
teams that have great. I'm just
gonna see if Scuba can keep us
in check. Okay, that's that's a
walk ups that might cancel
plans as they did start kind of
feeling this way bikes moving
this way still though. Well,
potentially challenge this
progress that paper X have made.
Very willing to go for it. Um
put them around the 42nd mark
is James curiosity is peaking.
It's going to be the first blood drawn, people are going to follow up.
Three big kills again, the man is on a bit of a start.
Not dealing with the threats, it should become a more traditional round.
But again, it feels rare, as I was saying, that we have now
team signing shows from Real Valiphty and Best of 5s.
We know they're a depth of map, Paul. This is the brilliant of this title, at least in this game.
I thought for a moment here, just in case, of course I can get some chance.
the team. It's all it needs.
sometimes. Look at the scoops.
HP there. There is a window of
opportunity, isn't there? But
again, Kiko's position. It's
all about timing. One thing.
He's quick today. Okay. Direct
Stullified Kiko looking like he's
in the building. Just to come
back to that point again. We
always talk about teams kind of
scaling up throughout an event
here to have some data between
But I'm more concerned. They look like they were running out of ideas of ways to really
Yeah, I'll stop you there because the other thing is like when you see NRG out called out guns
Yeah, and I see even then we come to the discussion about us outclassed in a role that shines in
Yep. Hold on.
A bit of a brutal bonus coming in.
Look at Brock. I already...
Odin's out to play. NRG keep their life,
but you can see the HP cost on this.
Um, Marta down on 12, Ethan on 8.
And it is that Phantom with Marta that you can keep your eyes on.
That would be a little bit of a costly one.
There's a pivot.
I don't want to say happening yet. The spike is still with Brock,
so you've got to be a bit cautious in this.
Yeah, if you're certain about King's progress, he's made.
He's going to confirm total absence on the side of NRG.
Doesn't get spotted in spawn here.
It doesn't catch Tommy on Braw.
I thought he might have caught a bit of a second to catch it.
He's just going to tuck in now for info.
Yeah, he could catch the very low HP players as well
in a perfect position to do so.
But something's everything here.
It looks like NRG are aware to a degree
that someone's going to slip the net.
They have to check diligently if Jing deadly is ever.
He's been spotted.
Ooh, just couldn't quite control it.
And it's great for the stinger.
But that should be the alarm bells ringing, but NRG pausing in a really curious position.
His mother, gonna clear it, big work from him, but there's another play to do in this.
Forsaken also slipping through, NRG just taking space, pausing and waiting for these over-pushes from Paper X.
Now looking towards Devine, turned to the side, hold towards A.
Well, Taken's gonna come right behind us, he's like an editorian!
Oh, he gets out of all of it!
Taking heads on the way, and Kiko called upon again.
He's the only one sitting pretty on HP.
Marda down on 12.
It's forsaken something, my God, Marda!
You're barely breathing, you're doing this.
Potential bonus conversion, but something was extraordinary before,
but Kiko is online today!
Untouchable so far, 9-0!
We talked about Kiko having a quieter series previously,
already coming out of the gates, flying.
These first three rounds already up to nine kills.
And that's a scary prospect.
It's something like Kiko can really track energy online in some of these rounds.
Such a versatile player.
Again, if you're getting picked up into the current champion team,
there's a reason why, right?
He was the player to coach.
He was the player to bring on board.
You see a bit of that here.
Paper X, however, never quite down the wall.
Still going to have sheriffs in a bucky.
very highly contested around it was a well-invested bonus there was a lot of
upgrades there so don't think it was a walk in the park
I think we'll get early contact and fall off
and I'll cheat just going through the paces here and for each of us it's got to be a
dream star for him you're talking about being an in-game leader
you're getting a lot of weight off your shoulders give him some space to breathe
early on get a feel for the game because that's what they were not allowed to do
in that previous series
As much as we can see the scoreline, 3-0 right now, NRG, it's a lot of your ticks in the box.
I think with PaperX, when you look at them just as a whole, it doesn't really matter the scoreline.
It takes a moment, it takes the penny-dropping, it takes one player activating, and they have five of them that could do it.
So it's more just a matter of time to see if they can find form here.
NRG's approach, Mike, seems very deliberate in how they're freezing like this, taking a bit of space,
and see if they can catch someone on those push-ups for Pigs.
That's obviously stacking towards B here.
A wide-open sight for NRG.
30 seconds left.
Forward.
Do you have a couple of ults to invest here?
Shouldn't they?
Some issues.
Jin's on a bucky side.
Being to really close the gap as early as possible here in this retake.
Maybe the classical approach against Scoob is the one who's a little in the process, but able to slip through to a top, does get noted for safe and strikes.
Broke's gone down, but the back line still holds. How do they break this?
Really clearing site, making sure that there's no one really around there. They're doing good progress, but it's just trying to dig these players out is incredibly hard.
I'm not sure if it's certainly on my stay, however, but again, to figure out the time now I'm paying attention.
Now, I'm fully paying attention as DeVy, you can feel it, he's reading, it's right for the time, the time purchase from Scuba.
Again, it's too little too late, Shory, they've done enough for this one.
Yeah, they have, it's closer, this is what I'm near with Payflex, you're never quite sure, you're never quite safe.
Right down to the wire here, Red Bull clutch from Scuba once more.
As soon as the Vi finds that follow-up kill and has to slip away, the end is, what play
by NRG in terms of the stall, we know with this sort of composition they're able to play
the timings really, really well.
Do you think that's what this timeout might be about or do you think it's just overall
start from NRG, just kind of like understanding okay, just having a play us, let's get that
in one.
No, I don't think that, I think for Paper X they've obviously got a clear intent of
what they want to do.
Actually, I don't think, really,
very much so not a grip on the timings at NRG.
Again, when they slip forward in the previous round,
we'll want to do double doors.
So, I don't know what,
but our activity is going to continue throughout this round.
Just about now, on the break of some ultimates,
an issue being something that's going on.
The operator, you receive a go,
hyper-aggressive,
it was dialed in previously,
one of the masses of value,
which is lacking earlier on in Santiago as well.
That's going to be the Coinbase Wing Condition for them coming out of this time out.
They said they are on the brink of a very, very old cycle.
On the other side, still, he got a mother with theirs.
He could not go too far away as well.
We haven't actually seen, I mean, we can see where they're coming, leading towards the start.
If we haven't seen this approach around our jeez, I think both folks should not be psyched.
It's been all on head control, all on a control, all on the freezes.
The first thing I want you to see is being explored and I wonder if they keep in mind the opportunity for something if he was on our people line, he's not going to be, he's going to be forsaken down there.
So a little bit of a tough beginning for him, forsaken and we're able to control the pressure all the way.
He's got the right here so it sets in motion a potential retake approach here.
If Caprex do progress through the map or if they're fully conceding the site,
rightfully so with the lockdown here to clear, nobody coming towards the backlines of Caprex though.
It's going to be a fairly direct approach from elsewhere.
It's really being pushed on the time. It feels like that's something that I know you're trying to time up here.
But we've got counter-rotting, and we're gonna push from afar.
Does he get the tag? I actually don't know if he did.
He's getting... Oh, Kiko!
This guy is on today, like it.
Keep your eyes on this man. It is a 5v4. We are in post-plant.
NRG not willing to actually fall away from sight.
The flank is on the way, though. Two players down a push through long.
Brock's got a lot on his plate here.
If he's already down murder, either fight's forward, Kiko falls.
Brock and Scuba the last two alive.
as Paper X, closing the gap here, closing back in on the round.
Scuba is going to have to clutch up big first.
Not going to happen! Jing, sharp to date.
They've handled that well.
It took a couple of tools coming through,
but you'll take that every day of the week.
Diviners are going ahead of the spike here,
allows Paper X to isolate a couple of players.
But basically, they're playing so far forward
because of the lockdown, because of the space it gives them.
Fantastic retake here from Payprex, he's so sharp on those first two kills.
Unfortunately, Borussia's overwhelmed here.
Initially, the timing didn't look as if it favored Payprex to get somebody behind NRG.
This is the first round conversion here.
On the back of that, Jing, Divyte.
Ultimate's in hand, something just one point away.
Operator well handled here, but in that sort of situation, not fit an opener.
something is back over towards art
Paper X, oh my god, Marta
I mean, getting one is quite impressive
the fact that Indy still lives though keeps that space on their side
Walk with a quick execution opens up that line towards A
they could maybe springboard but there is a backfill
device still nearby and something controlling over towards middle of
feels like this
I'm getting curious about this
that feels pretty audacious approach
but I guess it's PaperX, this is in there.
DNA is divided, does go down though,
and this could open up this site completely.
Now, this one does have a hole.
Could he see fit?
I'm not sure what the confirmation is, but Forsaken got 40 smokes.
I don't know if he got spotted just on the drone coming back around.
So he's been given a newly supplied,
and we can see the patient there waiting a split second longer to take.
A headshot, Ethan!
Ah! Oh ho!
Forsaken!
We told you, it doesn't matter the score line,
and it takes one player, one round and one moment.
He's catching, even with a headshot there.
Beautiful reposition from the back of the drone.
Just punishes from this corner.
Forsaken good, good for a couple of multi-kills this event,
but again, the spacing here between something,
and this is all Forsaken, ball or nothing in this scenario.
So well played by him.
So, so good at just slipping those smokes, being undetected and still just finding that
corner to play from. Dreamy stuff from him. And it's caused enough of a problem. His
last couple of rounds at NRG, don't like what they're seeing. Instantaneous reaction,
timeout comes in.
Not entirely sure if that's based on the losses or just a chance to maybe review all these
rounds previously. Maybe a playbook issue, it's been identified by a bonka. Again they
will struggle to get a purchase together here, perhaps some ults with online walks, just
one way for Hunter's Fury as well. Maybe a consideration for the follow up round here.
one looks as if paper is going to have a huge advantage.
Divide and jink.
Optimus online here.
Yep, so a couple of key tools in place.
You're looking at the on-site internet.
There's this round doesn't feel like it's going to be one of those.
They can bang find it really at this sort of position.
Cherefs, stingers, it's light.
Paper has carved enough space back into the stage.
space back into the South,
at least keep the economy building on their side
and continue to maybe close back in on the score.
I'm gonna have a ton of bodies on the other side.
There's something posted up with the operator.
And the turret's there, I think, to take contact anyway.
See how identified here,
but something able to actually be back
and will reinforce this A-Sci hold.
Playing in a jing too on this corner.
Oh my God, it's a split second!
And it is!
Massacre! Get your gun out!
AFB's got your back, you're fine in the end.
You get the initial work.
Fortunately enough, NRG were working with just odds and ends.
It's five alive, it's flawless.
Abrets, either in the store.
There's a moment there where you feel like jinx
may be going to be isolated, but in the support play-up
we've seen shine here in Santiago.
able to bail out in this situation and RG in prioritising this area repeatedly even
as someone slow around towards the back end. Now with something tasked with, well I was
going to say tasked with holding down mid but he's actually able to be now weeding.
Could have been an adjustment here on the side of NRG.
First time we're seeing him on the side of the map I said it was a sacred last time on
solo endeavour. Not confirmed. No, he's got a good angle on this, but in a shot. He's
not rescindin' though, he's still happy to stick around until they're more than with
that beat longer. You see the response here from PaperX, stacked three into R, trying
to contest this mid-drift. Are we going to be scuba potentially to be caught here?
It feels like such a great read from PaperX, so they have all bodies basically on the side
I think the safe is already working, his timing on this is fantastic.
This pro activity is marvelous, but he still needs to control the site.
There's Scuba, should be ringing the alarm bell, there's two fouls, and Marta still just goes head first in.
Jinx's gone, the rest of the players are towards secret, and actually is to buy a tryout, Scuba.
Now they control working back towards the site, braw.
Doesn't find much, they should be able to get a free plan here.
Something is creeping close, a pixel at a place and Marta is gone.
It's gonna get messy, and Ethan tries to find a fight.
And again, PaperX keep their cool in all of this chaos.
Just walking Geeko, maybe just walking in a 1v3, a good walk.
You're in this code, Dubai with 4.
And again, the diligence is there.
PaperX now building momentum,
committing to some of these set pieces where previously NRG had some freedom across the map.
Great usage from Dubai as well.
Perfect timing to make use of his ultimate.
We'll find four on the round to tie things up for a piece as well.
He breaks in a really good position now in terms of the ult.
A massive advantage of the chance.
Now to break the bank of NRG.
Their ability to find stability at these points is so impressive.
I mean, the retakes look really well crafted.
A couple new looks at the beginning of rounds like this from something.
And if they want to just set the precedent that he will be here, then there's not to show as much in the future.
But it is working down to that utility, but Maat is quick to business.
He's right through the double doors and wants to find a new pressure point to open up with.
Something is...
Supposed to have passed Pillar here.
Spike hasn't made progress yet, so NRG actually...
Conscious now, but Jing has backfilled this space with a judge.
Jing again!
looking like he wants to get involved is gonna be hindered so can't quite get in
on this. Indy's right there! You talk about the one-two punch every time you
think they could be a trade. Indy is so quick to this.
The fork can't forsake him. The chance here for NRG to recover.
Is she being, I still don't know exactly where something that blinds position.
They just can't pry these players out man. It's so tricky and paper it's so
reactive, so responsive, and still such a problem. Even if you know where Jing is, how
you meant to clear him with a judge like this? You can't, and he wants to get involved. They're
still holding the extremities. They still have utility. It's 30 seconds. NRG are hitting
a brick wall as the Vi. Gonna take one good trade, but then there's still another player.
Indy is so close. Jing's trying to close the gap here.
Turn nicely on the back of the tap of the spike. Yeah, Bronx in danger! Wow! Okay, you're not
not meant to win that fight, almost trying to, yeah, 10 seconds, because something get
on the cross, though, oh my God, bounding forward, something, oh my God, how does NRG
get away with that. Even getting to a point with a safe plant as well, something just
missing the cross. The tag here. They have so few options here by the way. The moment
they get these two kills, it's an instantaneous decision to pop a 1 HP. 1 HP.
That's where it takes. 1 HP in 1 second. That's the difference between these two.
This is a ridiculous round from NRG, looking a little, I don't want to say lost, but hesitant in the mid-round.
You're trying to make it to Mavericks, it feels like. They're trying to wait for that moment that's just sometimes not coming.
As you played into there with a couple of seconds to spare, and well, a couple of points of HP, but very direct this time going to depend on that divide to maybe facilitate this push-off of Forsaken.
Fancy's his chances. He wants Marder, but while he can see what happens, he's lost his backup.
Goal!
Goal! Defy!
Absolutely unreal to find three. Again, they're getting some bailout moments.
Marder's right behind this. That doesn't spot some things.
He'll get popped here.
Only two players behind the divide.
Jing and something have a ton of work to do here.
Jing trying to chase him down. The lockdown's invested.
Oh, this is taking everything. The kitchen six getting thrown in. Jing's going to do this.
And he has! Jing won it much as most!
What the hell?!
Jag!
That is unbelievable!
The miracle against the machine!
And Jag is on today!
What the hell was that?
I mean, both players
seemingly
a little lost in the
source of the situation.
They line up for a triple kill.
Just here, the swap out, the weapons.
The martyrs on the reload
Reload at the worst possible time.
Always got it.
Oh man, these moments are just like stars aligning for Paper X.
They are so good in such bizarre conditions.
They thrive in it.
Jig this time actually.
Hold on, Mario's a firing squad there.
That's a lot of bodies behind this.
And they're not fucking alive.
See, that is what we're talking about.
They keep putting bodies behind this.
might just tilt those scales towards NRG side this time finding upgrades where
they didn't have these weapons before
I'm gonna clear a lot of space for the drone here as well
4v2 for NRG in this post plan
the Valkyrie was taken already here though
the Valkyrie's got ult as well
I could set something in motion
there's the divide
try and keep this in a manageable size
you can see he's come across the Marder
shot now and a thrifty that I feel like paper X kind of took their eyes off the
prize for a second then. They basically roll the dice here and fully commit
behind this and a delayed recon from broad just dismantles this. Been here in
being unable to retreat back. Rex feeding into that just a little bit. Yeah, I feel like I'm going to get some of that.
Yeah, good thing for their own success.
You don't want to open up those small windows of avenues back into this.
It felt like a bit of a drought.
Look at the round run that PaperX were on.
Well, it's PaperX.
Why not double down on it?
Push again, push on both sides.
Keep the adrenaline running.
Forsaken trying to stand guarded.
Oh, he still gets one on the way down.
Scoob has done brilliant work, but they are down in numbers.
37.83 here for Scoob.
We'll be able to get the plant.
No brakes, ah.
They're hot to this.
They're hot to this.
And he's got ult, device got ult.
Yeah, he's thinking a million miles away right now.
He's all the way in mid-jigs, racking back behind him.
Oh, this is going to be bizarre, isn't it?
There comes the ult.
There's the corner found.
Scoob is safe from it for now.
He's got to buy time.
He has to be hard to dig out this position.
Ethan's actually gone away with this to a degree.
Still has utility, but doesn't want to show where he is.
Oh!
That's a shock dart right to the feet of Scoobah.
in V
The ball rolling is even now required to pull off the 1v3 he's been spotted and hunted
Paper X not gonna fall back on this right back to business tied up six of PC a paper X showing the pace is the answer
What they'd seen previously energy struggle with?
Really tapping to hear a couple of times maybe going awry for them, but
energy able to
Find a couple of response rounds here and tie things up.
Yeah, and at six apiece, we're giving Hanigo a two-point.
MUSIC
Can I help you, sir?
Here's the bill from the dealership where I got my car,
and I'd like you to beat it with a better deal on one of these fine cars.
Not how it works.
I guess you're not as cool as Verizon bringing your AT&T or T-Mobile bill for a better deal today
Let's sing a little Paper Rex!
They're going to leave me alone to energy, no, you can't, right?
Now!
Energy!
Energy!
Energy!
Energy!
Energy!
Energy!
Energy!
Seriously, and I tell you from all the heart,
I'm very excited to be able to join them.
And they are an incredible audience.
That this is repeated a thousand times in Santiago.
That it is repeated forever.
And I'm not going to leave it alone, neither do I.
Santiago!
Grito Colenormo!
That's what it's all about here.
The lower final in Master Santiago already as close as you'd like.
A brilliant beginning from NRG, four good rounds back to back.
And the reaction from PaperX was perfect. They found the solution.
And again, just talking about some of the response rounds found,
this could have spiralled out of control for NRG.
It's a crucial round, round nine, round 11 to follow that.
Leave things in check on the back of that 50, which was,
I said, PaperX really looking to double down on that aggression.
Across here to the attacking side previously,
in the previous matchup something really struggled to find value and acquired to first half for him for sure.
I hate his life.
Nafi's thrown a shoulder on it, falls in for the cavalry.
It's a little help back on the angle and goes looking, finds a body, puts it in his place.
That's it, they've gone, but he breaks from the space as a reaction.
Mada goes in again for seconds.
It's paper-rex, time to lose out a little in this.
I don't know if you're really there to throw bodies behind that, Jing.
Just trying to catch potentially a timing to trade that.
Still two goes to the sheriff here, but here's a 3d5 for PaperX.
Well, a single point of damage done.
Any of the NRG members.
It feels like earlier conversation we had a lot more, but we need to see discipline here from NRG.
I don't think we're teamed up, I've been too worried about with that regard,
but if you're facing someone like PaperX you need to keep that in mind.
There are problems to be made by every single player on this roster.
If you make a mistake, you get caught out by a forsaken, for example, going on a really long flank.
There could be troubles.
They are playing those minute percentages, but they exist.
For these players, he's having a look, but he's certainly not picking...
Oh!
I can't believe it! Is it Vassal on the misses?
But something in the meantime has got Kiko.
But for sake of being busy, he can't get back until now to use his stall to the paper X.
Still trying to hold on to Fuse.
Coming in and Archie finding stability.
He's giving us so well to slow this down.
Little bait on the corner here, just to keep Forsaken interested.
And the plant is good for him.
At this point here, a slight overstep from him.
He's just re-challenging, and Jin goes ahead of the rest of his teammates.
We need to hear the half of the moves.
You've kept a miss it, yeah, it's all in your moves, but all it is.
Absolutely right, Scuba effectively wins this by timing.
I mean, that was huge. Scuba's sitting on what, six to nine?
No, exactly eight. Absolutely in a compact form yet, but again, good start in the second half,
but a quick reminder of what Paper X can do, right?
You already looked at that round, they were down off the monitor, a great start,
and still looked like a threat.
Ethan, can you stall this out on contact?
She already forced off the ankle and he hands it down.
They are bloodthirsty and they draw blood.
You say you could remove Ethan, get to the lock brief, and now it's game on.
The crowd quickly is moving into the back lines as well.
They get right behind, potentially, the players towards the envy.
We get confirmation here with Brock.
Trying to dart out.
It's a weird setup now for NRG.
The modder, I feel like, I don't see him in the eye, I don't know how to get him out of a straight.
Kiko's down, look at the strike, back!
Forsaken was there so fast, scuba in response takes space towards B-Long, but he's got something on his doorstep!
Still does damage on the headshot, but he gets to keep his life.
Clank is coming, he look at what remains Forsaken still has to find some of value.
Kiko's got a judge.
Again, they're gonna be able to play range on this now.
Yeah, this is still pretty solid for the Envy.
a big opportunity one bullet to play on and he's got the tag but they're still standing Kiko still
on that judge is an issue the sake of them getting closer are they turning this one around
no Kiko flies in saving energy of all the things to work out there at the end of that round is Kiko
with the judge god that was labored maybe sure if he had a pistol behind that didn't feel like it
able to close the gap and even here with a scope.
Indy's challenging, didn't reload, doesn't have a chance to get the second shot off.
Still, we said it previously, always a threat in rounds like this.
NICE!
It's not clean, but it's honest work to find the second hit in the second half for NRG.
Look, PaperX are the never-tell-me-the-odd side.
Have a look at the buy.
Hmm.
This is disgusting.
They're like, for PaperX, so they're going to have to try and be careful about this one,
because in RG with a buy like this, we'll be playing a little bit more fast and loose.
I guess you could say, right, taking a couple bigger chances.
Bob has found a timing here.
Got a ton of space to work into.
Something, the only one over at the A side of the map.
Now walk into Kiko's setup.
He still has that judge.
Real spotted player until now.
Even the ones we noted.
He's still looking for Morgan, Sengen in Kiko.
Can you do it again?
He's still impactful.
He's given a corner, Kiko.
When does he go? He doesn't.
He holds the line and actually they've held paper at top there.
I mean, Kiko's going for it.
He's trying to be a problem. Maybe tear up the others to polish that cross to him.
The upgrade now, so they can just swing onto him.
Scooby-Doo with a bucky, though!
Doesn't expect that, a bucky to the back.
He's always going to hurt, but the back pedal could be the problem,
because Marta took the space early.
Yeah. Something's calling this rotation as well.
Oh, it's good!
They walk right into Marta's sidelines.
Slightly more aggressive risk.
Should be very effective left.
And also, something's going to be able to backfill this,
so he should be able to call out there on the hunt.
If you can hear it, I don't know.
Well, NRG have identified there's a lurk somewhere.
Except something was orchestrating this rotation.
Mike coming through from Ethan very early on, but we'll be identified.
That's a big tell. Nice having DeVy still alive, and that's...
Well, I'm just gonna be in, but we're down to the guy and something.
DeVy with a 3.
Close in the gap.
Getting much closer.
Ethan now noted something's on the case, but the other 2, is this their time?
Then trying to swing? Yes.
DeVy forced off the angle, 33 HP.
Something needs to come back. He's gonna try and help his boy out.
Now just trying to bind some time.
Something! It's one of the greats we've seen as he's done!
Can't do it alone! He's already up! He's already pretty good on a show.
Look at our quiet, the first half here. A bailout to find the third.
I mean this second eyes, yeah it's so and then you see something he's desperately calling.
I've found a ton of space guys.
Only thing that's not considered is Marder and his crucially doesn't catch that follow
up tag onto Divyte.
They're both still healthy enough to pull off a miracle.
Round 15.
gets going. I'm already grinning by the idea of it. Mechanically a treat to watch, he always
has been. Indy this time, he's gonna have his hands full. Already information gonna
be relayed, doesn't get noted. Look at Spam it now. But Indy's so fast with it. Yeah apparently
he's good. Oh! Okay I thought something was a mechanical monster, but apparently Indy's
right in the conversation. Walks in trouble. Nice to slow the roll here. Simmer it down
a second but look what the spike is it is going to cause some timing problems something
just considering getting behind the back lines he's got to work to try and secure the site yeah
you have dimension and a divide here all pay for x ethan again now with the
identification of mid presence here he's got to be conscious he doesn't get wrapped in spawn
one once more. He goes in a hole in our trophy. Where did you go? Oh! You beat the
Saken like that. Now something's dead. I thought Paper X had found the exact
route they wanted. That looks a little bit miscalled and a bit messy. 30 seconds left.
Play the help. This is one of those that when the pressure's on, always command
attention. 13 to 11 so far. The discipline's kicked in. NRG,
to keep them very safe. Kiko
down. Yeah. He is on this one.
to get a lead. You think we're
going to see a time out here
for paper? I imagine so. It's
a little bizarre to see the
type of a commitment to that
engagement onto Kiko. The event
is fired up. It'd be with two
beautiful openness here, but
again, after they don't really
towards a to scramble decision but there's no which is why it's weird to see
the commitment to that engagement maybe just thinking there's one side anchor we
have to kill him even at that point something doesn't get himself into a
position to really offset that at all no it's gonna sit to his old screaming the
key goes here brilliant help me someone help me kill the guy he is currently on
17 to 10 keep going Korea I think he had some very impactful perhaps previous when
saw them even in their loss but we hadn't seen this sort of I guess individual form coming into
effect so again if you're in RG it is going to be a nice boost to the Coinbase win condition
potentially right if he's going to be having a big game like this certainly up there with
Marder as it stands but on the other side it is a team effort but the problem is the buy is in
a bit of a spotter bother we've got nine rounds with NRG that gap can't stop being taken away from
The tempo, it's going to be quite high here potentially, and the jing, that Bucky doesn't get to even have a say in the round, he's already got Marder on this deeper line, he's going to spot this out, but again, he's got a better shot, not a good connection towards Forsaken.
Pull back to slightly different position, make him work, try and gap close.
I don't know if jing is going to be able to get close enough.
They are very aware of what paper it's going to do.
Here, RG continuing his space apes, and Jinx taking a tag already.
Yeah, it is truly uphill trying to push them into why even you can see...
Hooks, man, yeah.
They're trying it right, you can see the intention from PaperX, but NRG's awareness is really solid in this.
And the enemy, Mark, deadly is NRG, very meticulous here.
It's mitigating all this risk so well.
Well, scuba defined another onto Jink.
It's just for safe and left.
With a ghost, we'll get a consolation.
And it's 10 for NRG.
That's going to feel good round as well, though.
Coming out of the timeout, the paper, it's just called it.
Obviously, that's not going to be for that round.
But again, you keep that, like, we're in your heads.
We've got you red here. We know exactly what you want to try and achieve.
And we're just not going to let you have play here.
The key here for me is that a series previously for NRG
really got out of control.
When they were starting to get outgunned,
they were starting to get out called here
the control of the composure is fully on display here on Pearl. Here he is now. Hey, Briggs's
approach. Look at the ultimate in place for NRG. It's only the Hunters' Fury missing
for Brock.
The other side, yeah, I mean a couple here and Divide just want to wait.
He looked at his positioning at the start of two in the middle, what through are.
And already just timing in purchase for Brock.
They're setting up scuba, they're setting him in, they're setting him in with Marder.
And it's got their reward already, removing something is a big scalp to claim.
Now they can sit back, kind of, you know, make them work again, have to really force the fight on this space.
Brock's doing really well at the balancing acts as well.
It's going to get challenged here though.
Forsaken not reading into this.
He does clear it!
Oh my god Forsaken, a fantastic trade for Scuba,
but if he could find him he does.
Okay, they're still in this one, 3v3.
They've somewhat got sight,
Brock is still nearby,
and they're all still there in something we noted earlier in this gym.
Has to move out of the way.
But a respect to not finding security on the side yet
as he can wait and strikes.
diligence, good understanding of what papers would have wanted and now that
plan feels harder and harder to get.
Alright, definitely looking for something here with 42 HP. Can't really go forward.
Envy has found the spam on the port.
Alright, he's going back on now, isn't he? Yeah, Devine maybe down lower, 42 HP, 49 with Envy,
but locked down there with Kiko.
Evens position should be noted. That's a time buyer.
Fully affect the NRG side, but it does cost them a couple of seconds.
Yeah, try and take space on the back a bit.
Oh my god, the timing.
The timing, Ethan, get your gun out.
Oh, he's going to need to stay up!
Ethan!
He's up!
He's letting them know.
Today, on point with the ball in.
On point mechanically.
And the point on the board.
Wavewreck's a little slower than you'd expect to see Kiko
fall so deep because of the ult from Divide.
And I'm just hesitant to take space here.
and Ethan is isolated, even goes for a drone here, which is wild to see, but
able to catch both of them lower HP, obviously, not able to piece together a trade.
NRG up to 11 now.
I keep waiting though for that next gear from PaperX, but I'm not
seeing it yet. I haven't seen it kick in. We saw it in the first half,
not bound it now, and the problem is the buy might, they are intact as financially.
Guardians, no shield on the buy as well.
Push it all in here in round 19, again on a beta out of some of these views.
NRG been so good at finding these first bloods and immediately peeling away,
forcing Marie Claire and some payprex, and that's what payprex have struggled here in Santiago,
where they're forced to contact onto sites slowly. NRG doing so well,
to control the tempo and the aggression. Which is so hard against team like payprex,
One of the greats are being disrupted, one of the greats are dictating the pace in their own minds.
Here's the reaction, NRG, look all the way slightly, going to get through that scale-up, it's coming in through our least few players there.
He's ready for this, still has dark, find the timing right though.
NRG very much on the verge here, information not forecoming and broken.
Over to spam, this is super, super, 10 stuff, good shit damage.
Over to spam, you can see the pressure he's under, and now Scuba strikes.
He takes, forsaken answers back in the site, not secure.
Kick a brace forward, traded one for one.
Ease the bow, deny the plant, that's the big one.
He's now Devai, has to try and find him.
Doesn't quite know about Marvi yet.
Doesn't have the time on his side.
And in our G, just get it again.
Sit, patient, play it back.
You can play away here to allow the regroup to come through,
Mada.
Let's have a look if things get dicey here.
Positioning here is certainly going to favour them.
I don't think Dubai is going to have an opportunity to isolate somebody unless they split, they are actually splitting.
Time harder. First man in, you can see the intention from Dubai was to strike there.
Oh no! Oh my word, he was a lucky boy to be alive!
Ethan's there, it is all coming together. NRG having fun with it. He's throwing it on the camps. They're giving it.
This is perfect for NRG, as again, it takes a great team to try and control PaperX, but the tempo read is stunning.
Scooby does so well to find both kills here. At the moment where PaperX are about to flip the site, Ethan went out of here on the back of Martyr's investment as well.
You see the respect given to DeVy in the clutch here.
You've got to, you've got to.
I'm going to go up to map point now a string of four rounds, very little in terms of response
from PaperX.
I'm going to have to lock down the driver to test if nothing available for PaperX.
Do you just want to weigh something too off the dimensional drift?
I walked an eye on one of the Orbs early.
I can't hear one good confirmation, but what a good idea, something that shows his hand
towards art.
I'll say you can land a blade in off that.
Oh, the timing on that one.
LNG are really unwilling to give up even this sort of space, still willing to kind of shoulder
it.
And make, paper X have to fact find so much deeper in their life.
Look at this, look at Scrooge and Borg, doubled up here, something.
I mean, he's still sharp, isn't he?
Still good, still gets the man up for Paper X.
Maybe that A site is still for the taking.
Move it back here, Borg, just caught.
Pulls out the dart for some reason, but Ethan goes forward, the viral ball.
Ah!
The two-time champ still holding the line.
The second is right next to this.
The swing and an absolute knockout punch from the second.
Mada.
Mada!
You're absolutely mad, man.
You can't do it all.
Kept in check and PaperX keeping themselves alive.
Boston.
Basically everything except Envy's rifle here.
The knock-on effect is for the purses to follow but something not shying away
And this challenge of energy is so well-timed because of contact taken elsewhere
Yeah bold
Look at the old slope
Nearly full hand for energy again
We've been waiting with that judge just holding the space a little bit deeper.
See if NRG do decide to try and input, he'll be noted.
I'm gonna dig him out though.
I don't see you two invested to force him, but we'll be here with the trove.
Oh, we didn't kill him.
Whoa, that's Scuba.
Scuba, let up the leash, he's a threat.
And now he's got support going in as well.
That hunts is fury, just trying to be a fact finder, right?
The circuitry trying to get him to die though, taking space by art.
Brokes on that case, but he's taken...
Try to find him, it's in me again!
Double damage done for Paper X!
4v3, Marder on the workaround in middle.
You still got something though towards B, this is so fractured!
Walk here if you find a kill, though.
Is he wielding the rival full once more?
Even numbers.
Marder's missed the rotation, he's already went back through to art.
Something has found so much space once more.
Vlada could be behind them.
More machine than man, the timing could be great here. He's watching.
He's on the case and he is on it today!
Indy with some aerobics to keep paper X in this map for Kiko 30 HP. He's committing towards this.
I'm just fury on top for him, get that one dealt with.
I like to put it on here.
Oh dear, okay, look, I'm destroyed, but Kiko's catch is forsaken. It's on Indy.
The hero has to ace today. That shock dart is exceptional, forcing them forward into the fight.
But still NRG trying to tie with the timing!
Akiko will not be playing with the same!
23 kills and NRG getting map 1 onto their belt!
Alright boys, very important to listen to my voice.
True, calm, and collected when you play, all the way, boss.
When we're scaling, we're scaling together.
Make a plan and come mix with the plans.
If you wanna make a play, you make a play.
You wanna shoot someone in the head, you shoot them in the head.
You are allowed to do mistakes, boys.
Keep playing the game at all times.
Doesn't matter the score, guys.
Let's play two games.
Let's go!
It's finally here.
And they fall to the turns, yet again!
He snaps up to the plate, and he can knock this one out of the park!
Now they shall be in grave alongside the plate!
You know how getting a kill in Valorant just feels so good and satisfying?
We see you to the round, dude.
Enemy.
Enemy.
Remain.
Oh, that sound is beautiful.
A lot of that is due to the sound effect that plays at the same time.
In Valorant, we call these sounds killbatters.
Killbatters are audio cues that play when a player gets a kill.
These are five individual sounds that ascend through the E minor scale.
The first four kills are a single note, that's an E, F sharp, G, and an A.
But if you hit the ace, you get that...
...which is an EE energy.
The goal of these is to create a sense of increasing accomplishment throughout the round.
This killbatter sequence is consistent across all of the skin lives.
Each one is modified to work with the skin's theme, but the overall musical structure remains the same.
We just have one exception to this, and that's a worried dreamlings.
Because the theme is so upbeat and magical, we wanted the Kill Banner to better match that five, and minor scales are kind of inherently dark.
So, while we kept the third Kill Banner the minor third G note, for the ace, we changed the G to a G sharp, which changes the scale from E minor to E major, giving it a more upbeat vibe.
It's interesting how one tiny note can change the whole vibe.
I think it's all going to stay for a while.
I think it's all going to stay for a while.
Just know I'm going to stay for a while.
Love at the end is easier than breathing.
Just know I'm going to stay for a while.
with Bunker of Energy. Great start, Bunker for Energy on the map of Carl.
Now, not the usual pace we would expect from the Yoru, Neon, come from the side of PaperX.
Did you guys feel that way as well?
And how was it compared to the last time you faced them on Carl when they were running the Phoenix Yoru?
I mean, we expected into today the Neon Yoru today because they won yesterday with Atcom.
It's different when you play against a Phoenix compared to a Neon.
The neon is more fast kill pressure on you and the phoenix is more poppy with fashions and stuff
And kind of similar though in general with the pace and the tempo and these things that didn't play super super quick
They're they're very strategic and with what they do
So just because they have a neon doesn't mean that they're just fully gonna send it on us
All right. Thank you very much and thank you for the insights to best of luck
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It's a full circle.
NRG, what a great start to this PESTA5 series in this two-word-dive game.
It seems like both teams are not afraid to throw themselves at them
and really express themselves at their own point.
Yeah, I think that Energy had a great read on how to deal with the pacer paper-axe in this match.
I love that speech from Bonkar that we heard right after the match included,
where he's talking about making the play, not being afraid.
I think one of the big issues in their match against Nonship
was how passive they played waiting for aggression.
What impressed me in this game was how decisive Energy was
and how willing, off of seeing any action from paper-axe,
they were to immediately find the correct reaction and full commit as a team into fighting through that.
That kind of decisiveness is exactly what you need against a team like PaperX,
who is creating these very chaotic situations.
So the thing is for the side of PaperX in that first half,
I think that they had a correct idea into never play alone against the double drone composition,
right? Like always make sure that you have someone with you with the power of friendship
and just deal with that. Literally, that is going to be helping you get in out of those
situations and finding those skills. But when we swap onto that second half, I feel like the plan
from NRG was so impeccable in how to use that, how to try and find that first skill completely just
out of discipline, wage your back, and when the execute is coming in from paper X, all the utility
falls down. So while the paper X is trying to find the kills, they actually have to deal with the
fact that if you do not break that recon, Rock will come for you. Now let's move on of course to
our hyper X reflex moment from Kiko in round one, who had an incredible start to this use in general.
out with a very fine, massive score line, but I'd say this is a good way to put your
best foot forward early.
Yeah, absolutely. Not only in this half, also in the second one, Hiko was a complete nuisance
to be dealing with for the side of energy. Not to do a lot with his utility, but actually
about how he was willing to take on those fights as Bonker was saying, he probably took
it to heart.
The pistol runs were so important as well, seeing him perform here. Energy won both of
them this map, and also picked up that bonus in the first, and would have been the second
as well. If it weren't for that something clutch right at the very end, I think it's
so key to see Kiko coming online individually in this way, such a one of the maps where
he's playing that kill drive. His biggest addition he's brought to the team, I see,
is his flexibility. He's managing to play so many different roles, even a lot just within
the series you'll watch today, and he absolutely excels on all of them because of your toss.
Oh yeah, because I called that in the end. I mean, Kiko's going to play two duelist throws
Well, he calls it a series if things play out the way he doesn't find her on the bottom breeze between the jet from him
So that has definitely has that flexibility no doubt about it
But someone with that in spades is PRX and they definitely need to get cracking after a slow start to the series
Let's see what Alex had to say ahead of this next time
Here with Alex of paper X
So coach on pearl it looks like the team was in a bit of a fickle working around the neon and it looked like
You know, you guys try to minimize the damage and kind of snowballed into energy's favor
So do you feel like it was the pressure getting to you guys or it was more of a comfortability issue?
Yeah, I think it's a comfortability issue. I think having only one day to work on it is
It's difficult, you know, so the best we could do and I'm not I'm not happy about it
Well, June is gonna be on the raise on split, you know, let's just wish she picked up the skills. I think it'd be fine after this
Thank you
So that does mean, of course,
NRG are three and zero on Pearl
against PaperX over the course of this event.
Suffice to say they've got that one on lock.
Split those very much a different story.
Yes, this has been an incredible map for PaperX.
They're on a six map win streak here,
both domestically and bring it to international competition.
And this is one of those maps that I played the first time
that these teams faced.
I thought what was excellent work from PaperX
was their approach to the attack side.
It was NRG switching to this vice composition.
I just like the ice composition, which is so good at hard stalling even dive agents like
Raze in a joke, but they put a great priority on fighting up towards heaven on the A side,
same over towards B, and putting pressure on cutting the players rotating in before
then dealing with the hard anchors later in the round.
They have very creative ways to path.
I can get the rounds where they're sitting like one player satcheling through a one
up ramp to split into A heaven.
This has been a great map for them.
They have an excellent approach on attack.
It really seems like a perfect place to bounce back.
Yeah, exactly. We saw the Forsaken also TPing until their old utility. They get very very creative as you're saying Mimi
From the attack now on the other side we have to talk about energy
They changed the composition a little bit to go up against them and it looks like we are not going to be seeing
Changes for the side of energy. They're going to be sticking with that vice the last time that we saw energy playing on this
Hub you will remember it. It was against BBL went to another crazy overtime and energy of course came out on top
I think where it enters you got most exposed was that a heaven hold I'm interested to see what they're looking to change up
His reaction
I think you can go for pushing through in other parts of the map or I think you need to absorb for that dive and then fight back in with
The flashes from the sky in this deal speaking about chicken is I want to keep seeing them out of performance that we're seeing today
It's an oh in opening duels on a map one definitely one of the wind conditions
And especially his opportunity to bounce back after his performance yesterday
Yeah, I mean 291 ACS is what he clocked at the end of that game. Very strong showing
Conversely, PaperX, they do us for a little on the quieter side. Sure, but this is again a perfect map
A very comfortable one for them to bounce back. For energy though
I think the deeper we go into this series we get maps like Breeze, like Haven that are excellent for the PaperX chaotic brawl style
That I think are a little more difficult to prep and have a perfect game plan for the way energy likes to go into maps
I think if they want to win today, it's gonna set them up for a lot more success if they can take a map where they know
They can prep into of split, but that's tough PRX excellent here paper X
I offer perfect five and zero record on split here for Santiago can they land that pain will find out as we head over to
pansy and high-five
Hansi and Piper you can't call me Hansi and Piper
I see I see you shaking the head buddy. It's been it's been a long week. I get you I get you
Luckily, we turned your mic off now so you can't reply after your sassy little start.
Now, focusing on this map though, right, like, this has been the stronghold of PaperX, one of the best we've seen from the one that got you on board.
Those retakes perfectly timed, great positioning, lovely mentality.
Hey, energy in those slouches here, but it feels like a different caliber to face PaperX on this map.
Yeah, initially we saw PaperX demonstrating a very, very strong approach versus G2, but straight away from that, ever so slightly,
previously here in the Swiss stage, 13-10 in favour of PaperX on Split.
How's he kicking things off on the defense?
I don't know, he'll find here.
He's sent forwards, but won't catch any damage to the wall.
And a ton of players already making progress towards ramp.
I don't think he knows about it, but he's got to be careful to not just get pop flashed or just swung on the wall drop like there's a lot on his plate that I don't think he quite knows about, but...
Don't bring it.
Forsaken's tucked in.
Thinking about scuba.
Oh dear Forsaken.
Check baits.
Perfectly positioned and perfectly handled.
They get the first man to the good and they go.
Wait, look at Vents.
He evens here so fast.
Yeah, they're going to be right behind.
He's here, something.
They would get into elbow here.
Ting now.
Isolated, but...
Grop's going to fall towards screens.
Yeah, they're starting to struggle in numbers.
just numerically the difference is there as in our G close but sadly no cigar.
This paper is a five alive. Beautiful.
Average was never the plan for this team and map one already looking way sharper here.
Flawless pistol round here.
Way to put themselves back on the board here from map two.
Yeah, the RG, right place right time, but just missed the timing here towards Vence.
Initially, he saw three players stacked. They concede the Heaven space.
Maybe expecting a bit of a pop here with the paranoia sets up.
Paper X were ready to push in.
I genuinely thought that there was suddenly a sky on the Paper X side.
I was baffled at how close he's gotten that, but it's a bit of getting close, I think.
a couple of shots out there, but
we need them to be punished on this.
Jing with a very early catch.
There's going to be classics behind this
and a stack towards eight.
So, uh, paper has got me a bit
careful to not just go in.
But again, you look at the spike,
they're not fully committed to this idea.
They are taking space though.
Indeed.
Post up outside B won't have
any idea of presence
towards the site here.
The very happy...
still post up in towards main.
in forsaken making ways back towards the spike some things we've given a ton of space to work into
behind scuba in the harder of the clearance here in some of the antico rounds you see on split so
first obstacle well handled by paper x yeah and and again their discipline has been something to know
and also just kind of their contingency plan she looked on the other side of the map okay kiko
That's
Jim's keeping things. Okay, Kiko Kiko Kiko not another one Kiko. I mean, thank you something. It took a little bit to get there and actually broke
But in the meantime speak to their contingency plans in who's working the entire time as well
Nice for something good built for his old as well getting three kills here. Nice little beginnings
I don't see showing a bit of
danger. Well, keep on. Yeah.
Eyes on something here as well
in terms of this ability to
lurk forwards in map one on
Pearl, find a ton of space.
Unfortunately, things not really
aligning for Payprex and some of
those later rounds. Yeah. Again,
unnoticed players like Mada on
the other side. Curious if
that's going to be the approach
for him here on split in another
numbers up and the previous matchup in the Swiss was a little behind the curve.
It felt like deeper into this, starting to really find stability as Jing. I mean,
confidence has never been a problem, but Mada with a slightly better shot gun. So,
judge wins out. Still have decent buy behind this for Payprex, but Mada,
Even the first, maybe he's got all the way past this to heaven though.
He's got the spot on scuba.
Yeah, now Kiko's maybe noted as well in the prowler.
This actually gets quite tricky to hold, but Maad is there to try and bail him out a little bit.
Here being tricky, Forsaken doing it right back.
Ethan's going to find him so there.
Looking safe in the end.
The first buy here, they handle the bonus with relative ease.
I'm going to try and do here.
I mean, there were rifles here.
Okay, please.
Not necessarily a broken by to
follow up.
And you thought they had the sweep
on the site considering they got
the input.
Exactly.
Yeah, scuba able to peel away
and just go fresher come in his
way.
Didn't know the paranoia time in
there.
Maybe keep going able to slow
things down at the right moment
and just keep going.
I'm going to try and do here.
I'm going to try and do here.
I'm going to try and do here.
I'm going to try and do here.
I'm going to try and do here.
I mean, there were rifles here.
at the right moment, something already investing towards an operator.
Oh, I was going to say Kiko, going to be caught.
A little bit of a jump scare there on the peak.
And that should be a very stark wake-up call as well, that something is going to be working.
This is going to be present across the board as well.
You're not going to get it on just one side, he's doing it again here.
Succeeding on B, succeeding on A.
He has given them the keys to the castle.
This map is theirs to manipulate now.
something that's in takes the
TP all the way to the other
side of the map might even
catch this mid push. Oh, you
can't get away from him. Omni
present. Something is a problem
that they cannot solve right
now. Running rings around NRG
walk able to densely find two
does for taking them be will
fall, but Jane could for the
trade. Will convert here on a
third. Something everywhere
I mean, start to B, he's then at A and then he's catching you in middle, feels impossible.
This is all ahead of the minute mark as well.
Yeah, literally.
Come on your side, six to one, Zuzi gets that up man.
One away for the dimensional drift and one away for the showstopper, for Jinx, I think
really in touch and distance for NRG just yet.
So they said Marder to be kind of the opposing number. Yeah, good luck. I wouldn't fancy
my odds, but then again, I'm certainly no Marder. So see how he wants to try and deal
with this. Two really rather generational talents and it's Marder to find Jing. There
was a shot sent back, but it finds no purchase. So 5v4, Kiko gonna be noted, but he can then
slip back towards site, pop the smoke in. But in the meantime, you look at the paper
X and DeVy taking space towards ramp. The reaction from NRG is in. They already have
bodies towards heaven.
Second try to maybe feign some presence elsewhere, but he's going to be posted off outside B
to try and control Qico. Man advantage here by NRG. Smoke will come through. They won't
really buy the much space, but he's thinking of respect for the time being.
They've got them somewhat pinned here, they've allowed that heaven control to swing over.
I guess it is how much threat, I can say, can even imply, but with 30 seconds they are
going to be heading right towards scuba, and something's got an ether, but it's scuba's
curiosity that could have been there down for.
Clares towards events, Kiko's caught towards B, they've got to go towards A, rock in the
a hard place and Manus waited. Patience is rewarded. DeVy with the spike has to go blind
in towards B. Gambling on where Kiko may wait. DeVy looks like he gambles wrong. Kiko numbers
up. HyperX not running away just yet. So crucial that Kiko is able to stay alive here long
enough and see the initial intention from Forsaken. Again, just trying to buy time for
something to find another pick, maybe manipulate the map. There's a great
cash from Marduk, even better than Alteith, didn't you see that?
A crucial impact from Kiko once more. He's elevating here, big player in map one,
could potentially keep that up here in map two. The paper X forced down, a bit
of a broken bite. Maybe Pacer here on the back of the showstop under the
dimensional drift. He'd imagined so, but it's Kiko actually controlling the
So a big switch up here.
Dragon brought over towards B, putting Mada in towards our mail room, but
it's just the read from NRG of how they want to handle it.
Again, there's still a lot of danger when you look at Jing with that ult.
It feels like he lands him.
Yeah, you can see NRG respecting that presence.
You can see the tunnel space here, the snakebite going to slow things down for sure,
but looking for them to play the range advantage here.
I mean, Dubai, actually, I mean, he's not bad.
He does have a Guardian in hand.
They are really close, though.
Clash ahead, doesn't find it.
But then, I guess the backfill works out.
We're going to punish something.
I'm looking at Jing here.
Oh, OK.
The second time I've asked him to get to the deco.
That is bold for Ethan.
I mean, it's a brave look.
I wouldn't be going in there.
You don't know how many were up towards ramp at that point.
Big breaks, looking like a bit of a danger.
They make it towards site for a plant, though.
NRG are just playing super deep.
Can't force them to get this upgrade. He does. Wife in hand now. 10 seconds off a smoke. Divide.
30 seconds left.
Who are you gonna get themselves onto site here?
Gonna get Pip from that fight.
Yeah, he will.
A couple of key tools coming through.
And it's going in.
Carter does have ult if he needs it.
It's a weird spread though.
Yeah, it's not ideal and Mada is gonna use the ult to try and clear it through on this space.
Takes away Indy almost instantaneously.
The second and Divide getting cleared.
And Divide the last one alive here.
to his days on this, but he's
been in reaction. And in RG.
There is a good look to how they
want to handle pay for exit feels
like they've done their homework
today. They're coming in ready.
Just how deep pay for X would
have had to have gone this round
to find yet to find something on
the back of. I mean, this is a
step into the snake bite as well
to find that against the Bucky
of all things. Yeah, it's
to really force the hand of
Payprex, respecting the
lesson by massively investment
doesn't necessarily go outside
of the pit here. Have in these
nightfall.
Still got his didn't burn it.
So again, it's still some
controls. I mean, something's
got his as well. So we've got a
couple of big alts online for
Payprex. But I think I'm just
just seeing how deep they're sitting,
how that kind of tempo is almost being applied
from that pearl mentality here on the split.
Now, whether or not you can keep doing that
is what we're here to see.
There's some deep felicity in it,
but I liked what I heard coming in from the coach, right?
During that halftime there,
keep playing the game at all times, stay active,
call up your own number, take chances.
And I think with the right dose of discipline,
with that touch of aggression on top and no fear,
it creates a very scary prospect for NRG.
I think paper X needs to wake up to that. I think they have it. I think they'll put on onto this
But they can't let the game shift away from them. They are a map down. That's not the end of the world
It is still a best of five. You start feeling it if you start to fall out to the same issues in that too
Expecting to see the investment here, especially with jink picking up the judge
Maybe see them
I mean, it's not gonna break the bank here of energy who also have ultimates themselves scuba Ethan and Kiko
Marders investment came previously to counter the pit in that retake
Skipper might even just on the back of contact here invest the pit. No, Jim
Loud safe passage with scoobers spammed out here by Forsaken
Yeah, it looked like you were trying to slip behind on those vents
But gets caught on that one a really good pickup for paper X and the good at the one minute 20 mark
But look how proactive energy are getting they are moving they've got the ceases coming through as well
It's highly indicted now this a-hit. No surprises in that but Jing gonna show his hand and also
Is he something getting the information towards heaven here? They're gonna have the site
You're gonna hear those alts coming online
That's the same part of the paranoia here, but if he's gonna find Kiko, Ethan under a ton of pressure now
Yeah, it's down to okay. That doesn't find a body
She doesn't do as much damage as I thought and the spikes aren't down yet. I'm looking at Mada
harder. Slow and steady approach on the flank and the timing is there. Forsaken spots him,
something gets saved and Paper X hold big numbers now.
Just walking Ethan left. They can find the kill, they can make an attempt here, but again
with Jin being a little slippy, can he get back in with his judge now?
Jin's a problem, all eyes then focusing towards that site, the distraction there, but Brock's
taken away for second. And the turn, Brock! How are you aware of this? So smart, but Defy
is still here. Ethan wants half. He can go, hahaha! Ethan, you might get half, but you
don't get any more. Defy, marvelous in the clutch.
Beautiful work here from NRG to even make that possible. I was concerned with Jin's
spacing here in terms of NRG getting back into heaven. The flash comes through and just
King from finding a crucial kill on to Brawl, and you see it fully blind.
There's Divy, cool, calm, and composed to find Ethan as well.
It is just a heavyweight battle though, we've seen Brawl then just absolutely pop off and then just get outdone by a quick reaction.
Speaking of quick reaction, oh no! Outdone! It's King the icon!
I'm doing this, that judge is staying firmly in hand for now.
He's got a reward early again, so much early impact.
It's just a lick of H3 here, not so after decay, 17 in total for him.
I'm spotting here from something, won't find anything else left.
A wide open A site right now.
Maybe on the back of... Rocks Ultimate, but...
I don't know if they don't catch somebody towards mid.
There'll be way behind the curve here.
It should be, and Jing is tucked into Suez.
They send in all three forwards, or what, going back?
Yeah, he is.
Oh, oh.
Yeah, he's not going to pull punches on that one.
Jing's done God's work in this.
Oh, he's back to it.
The temptation is calling him back.
But by now, the site's already firmly under the pay-per-expanner.
And NRG's options are near on zero.
It might be time to save.
Another two before.
I don't think they fancy their chances this time around.
Ground is out today for it though.
Again, it's not able to convert some of this progress they make in mid.
Jim does so well to slip away.
I mean, initially he didn't even put that spam towards Mayo.
Yeah.
Okay, certainly a slower pace than I was expecting here,
considering the performance in Swiss.
They are able to whittle away at the defences of NRG.
But I do want to see if there's a quick identification of how to just try and survive in middle.
Jinz managed it, was it twice now?
It was scuba the first time, I think it was Marda this time.
I want to see if maybe NRG can slip a bit deeper on that, or how far willing paper X are to explore those options further.
It's the other consideration as well. NRG have to be conscious of the operators are coming back out.
I'm not sure what the fund is
sitting currently something
on a rifle but the time out here
called by NRG. I'm not selling
any concerns here. I mean,
some of these rounds are dead
and buried NRG able to still
make it go with things.
The gaps in the purchase, we're
not sure utility wise, you can
probably sit on a stinger.
We've got blocks, ultimates,
previously mentioned. Again, you've already seen the switch up here from walk over towards
B and Kiko now tasked with anchoring the A site. Kiko did well in a few other than something
climbing in with the operator, he's really been able to slow down that late round contingency
on the back of Forsaken. Yeah. And Kiko, that's easier said than done, right? Like these sort
of options that paybacks are really good at getting is hard to deny. So I don't think
I just want to see how they try and handle that mid space, right?
Like what you put behind it, what's the game plan to try and deal with it?
Jinx now just kind of set the tempo and standard that we are going to pressure this.
What is the response?
I don't know if they have anything to really put there to create enough of a like back, I guess.
Switch up here from play breaks at the back of that time now.
and see it might be something alongside Forsaken
the challenge in towards B but with Kiko in opposition towards Pillow it looks like
N'RG might shift their focus entirely towards mid
it's a spread here with
now Max is of control
Spam will come through here Kiko
happy to dip his toes as well with the shorty
I like what I'm seeing from Ethan on this reposition but he's only got a stinger
right so that's I mean don't expect them to be challenging. No, um, what?
It's not going to be as clear to get towards this, but that should be easy.
I don't see that being an issue and Jin's entries are getting scarier and scarier.
Confidence getting taller. Again, Sight, firmly and quickly won.
Everybody's here, going RG. And then to fight back in, we've got, oh, I guess, it's quite shallow though.
Look at that, it's just space on the back of that.
Yeah, but something's still going to stand in this ground.
That said, finding very little with that office way comes in.
Ethan on the trade, Jin still stands.
Paper X not respecting.
This goes back in at full by NRG.
That is backbone and that is NRG not finding the answer.
Paper X with a lovely pivot towards B,
reading that adjustment from NRG and keeping 4 alive.
back and away here, it's still under your stinger. 200 credits behind this.
You're going to want to give this up, but
paper X, just sweep the site.
Then on the back of Warks Ultimate, this plan really
lies on a ton of value being found.
Very, very curious of if that just flies and dies on Warks Ultimate.
I've been here, I said it's just space on the back of this, and then you look at the
space it's coming back through, after the paranoia, mother falls and walks tucked into
a corner, scoopers barreling out with a bucky from heaven, at that point you force the players
out of the range that the stinger and the bucky are going to do work.
My eyes go directly to Jing again though, he's been solid on these entries this time,
a little more tempered in pace.
Marta put to test and tasked towards middle judge there.
But again, it looks like he want to pressure this to his side.
And this time, it is just going to be Kiko here.
Still has to power an oire.
And he's going to send it out now.
Kiko's in trouble.
Look at this.
Marta, though!
Where did we catch for sake in the smoke?
Maybe they could actually play back towards Clear and Pillar.
It is a bit of a stalemate now.
Marta goes in, Kiko on the trade.
And NRG is facing out way better.
Absolutely down to just two now divide and jink try and consider the plot
Be any pressure coming back?
From an RG just yet the right guy for son
I mean never tell me the odds with this team the energy stability is there
It's there. It felt a little bit dangerous
With a reaction
Fantastic and actually dealing with some really high pressure coming towards up
He's like, not willing to back away.
Well, say could be cool here with the TP.
Just catches a glimpse as well as that reveal.
There's that killer instinct.
Tech effect.
Well, say can unfortunately not able to capitalize that.
I mean, this thing, I mean, device is desperate, I guess,
to find something ahead of the retake going on NRG.
Switch up once more at the setup here.
They are absolutely waiting for what Jing is about to do.
Kiko first contact gets warded away, paint shell to follow.
Marder and Scuba, stay interested.
Stay looking this down to Saker tries to spray into it.
He does get a really good shot towards...
You know, Scuba.
forwarded away, paint shell to follow, Marder and Scuba, stay interested, stay looking this
down to Saker tries to spray into it, he does get a really good shot towards, you know,
Scuba, Scuba's gonna be lower than that honestly.
He gets healed back up by Ethan.
Something on the back of this though, has TPed all the way behind the B site.
I don't know if that consideration is there, Marder, yeah it is now I think, just get,
Oh, Indy with a run and gun on that mod is dead.
That should be pa- Oh, Scuba!
You can't see anything, Scuba!
Replay please for that one as something trying to cut behind her
and giving some safety to play into.
Allow for this plant to come down, the paranoia.
Gonna keep him honest in this.
But then the curiosity peeking towards the site here.
NRG starting to work back in.
Indy again, huge denial.
This is miraculous!
From Paper X at Scuba, he did well,
but Will is not good enough against this side.
They found the pressure point to play into.
Yeah, NRG with the right responses, right?
To prevent this early drift into mid.
From Paper X on the back of the showstopper.
Oh, I mean, I'm just dreading the triple, what is that?
I don't know.
Because he's not even planning right against the wall.
It's just a hope of the prayer into the smoke.
Maybe a quieter performance here on Split, but finding three...
The paper X up to 17 up to find a huge advantage here, broken by from NRG.
Just seeing what something good then as well is just ticking the box.
Very pacey for Mada. He's already behind. Mada is on the move.
And DeVy's taken down Brock, so that looks like the A site is ready for the taking,
but there are other bodies here, and it's scuba waiting, get to Mada!
What a shot! So where was something in this?
You see Scuba trying to tunnel and dying and then fight for Seiken.
Easier set than done.
That's for Seiken and Envy trying to put it together now.
Marta, they don't know about this man.
That is the nuisance.
Maybe the nail in the coffin in this one.
Envy's magic has been absolutely brilliant though.
But these three players are going to make it pretty impossible, you feel.
Can they try?
Got some space here.
He's got time.
I think Ethan doesn't want to give too much weight or take any higher risks than necessary.
Just keep the space.
still waiting. Indy took a look, taps the spike, Ethan smart, just goes to the jump spawnness,
if you try to slow it down, that's solid. Indy's doing exactly what you need to put yourself in
for a fighting chance, sends that trying to catch Mada, Mada's in middle and now they're
going to fud through CT. Indy what can you do? 1v3, they are so close, Hilo set up, never going to
Let it happen. NRG clawing back this game after PaperX went on a bit of a run.
U-Tempo shipped here for the last round for NRG to find their fifth really catch PaperX off guard.
I'm sure I'll be able to play this game with you guys.
I'm sure it'll be fun.
I'm sure it'll be fun.
I'm sure it'll be fun.
I'm sure it'll be fun.
Red Bull gives you wings.
And the other day, I was blessed thanks to a woman named Maria.
I would not, I would not.
I would not, I would not.
You're crazy, eh?
We have some friends who know us very well.
Fran, any words for the audience, please?
This is the story of the event of Valorantia.
I mean, Chile, I'm history.
Pereira.
Hello, Chile, how are you? This is the fucking shit.
Viva Chile, joder!
InX, I've been waiting for you all, I think.
We learned together to play, you've always supported me throughout my career.
I feel like home, that in Chile, thank you very much for always treating me well.
I love you very much.
Viva Chile!
Two, father, father!
Mix-a-bar-ra-pa
Mix-a-bar-ra-pa
Mix-a-bar-ra-pa
Mix-a-bar-ra-pa
Mix-a-bar-ra-pa
That's the support, everyone, the result of the talent, all of you here, my dear Chile!
They're defending sides showing that ability to be disciplined at that timing right the thing that I think you now the view with this roster again here at this event
But on the other side NRG did show good signs of life towards the end of that first half
Yeah, definitely did I mean a lot of these were stacked against NRG so still be separated by just two rounds of particularly final round
that first half
Still kept things in check here pistol around to just right back on track
inside of NRG. While open B site here, no challenge comes through from PaperX.
Everything's very best back in here, but Mada so far forwards.
Mada giving PaperX a place to their own medicine for second. Paranoia in hand!
Should have been more paranoid in RG. Somehow out doing PaperX with their own sort of style here.
And then look at that crossfire, how you meant to get through. You've got CT and two players.
That's going to help it, I guess. We're all going down.
look like he was going to consider it. Look at the trade out his face. It looks like the
retakes now with NRG almost. Boy, he's waiting. Patience for Paper X to make a mistake and
Jing doesn't. Takes away Ethan and makes it look doable. Now, Scuba and Mada need to
be brought into question, but the time's up, and Mada is just toying with him. He's going
to keep them humble on this. Keep them under the clock here. Scuba delivers it from heaven.
by the time, but is that just spacing they had on CT?
It's just completely free.
All the way in the back lines of Payprex.
The paranoia here posted, I think it's just a jump scare
for the rest of Payprex.
Lazy clearance up towards Rafters as well.
Really bizarre approach the way back in here.
At least now, the early precedent is set.
continue in that early trend you saw in Santiago in terms of flanking on the attacking side
sorry against the attacking side yeah you might just come on away with the space one sport
up close and personally here with the stinger oh my god but these three players divide Jing
all there expecting that paranoia swing though so they already shift back a little bit deeper
this does give Jing the all that's a nice self-aligning but on the other side in order to
trade-out look at the damage on scuba there
just reading this a little bit
and that then puts indian spotter bother does get back away
gotta get punished on this it looks really close to the point further
stinger here i was gonna want to get up close
oh not again the second round where he's just
caught with you two in hand.
Ask me so frustrating.
Brookes actually...
You know, dude, dang.
He doesn't look left, right?
He doesn't look left.
Right?
Oh, look at this, too.
Yeah, the crowd makes some turns.
Both at the same time.
Divide is a bit quicker to it.
High flash in.
Does note that the progression from Divide is there.
He should be on site, so they should be aware of this.
Heads up, work, needs to come down.
Stun comes in, Indy strikes.
Marder with a clear towards sight, though.
And you're looking for that plant to come through.
Maybe five HP, but still alive, being Jing in the back lines.
Have an awkward engagement towards Ethan, because he's got a rifle.
Yeah, there's only a classic with Jing, that's pretty tough.
The others were a little bit more punched to a beef, and they'll bring a touch of damage, right?
Has a little bit of look, of back towards something.
And now Jing's at the door, oh no, Mada! Mada is just being toyed with Jing!
Look at the HP!
Pink Evis about it, and you're right, look at the HP!
three for something, five for me, scuba, a breeze would take the, ahhh, but it doesn't!
Scuba can't deny them! There was nothing in it, seven HP combined.
Well even before that I felt like only 15 HP between the three of them. Absolutely ridiculous.
Round two flip here from Paper X.
Never tell me the odds on these boys.
Look at this. Again, you look at the way the round goes.
They're making something out of nothing so often.
Mada and Ethan just unable to keep Jing at bay.
Super usually so good.
In this situation...
things fall apart, a little bit of frustration shown from Bonka.
Oh, Jing! I mean, both of them exchanging! Marta gonna go down, does deliver a good amount
of damage towards Jing, but he's still breathing. At this point, where'd you go from here?
Ramp doesn't feel so safe. Something's already clear and closed, just to make sure no one's
managed to slip up a little bit of the chaos. And still, a lot of bodies up here, envies
on one side of this too something start getting more interested and it's getting
closer that sees it stunning there no one's rework off it at this point but
they're gonna know there is players off that he's not spammed on the tree
able to get past that though and RG to plan their flag in heaven already though
look who's making progress behind this jing the ones I open up this round 33 HP
in no fear. I think he's ever felt fear, if I'm honest. The way he plays sheer and utter
brilliance and confidence. But, let me count back here. He can hold this passive corner
though. So, Brock tries to play up. 30 seconds left. I don't think there's a shot in it for
Brock. His energy can pause. But right now, they also are around here. Oh dear, Jing.
Scrooge is looking back. Are you checking? Surely not. I don't think they, oh my god,
they do. Unbelievable heads up work for the time. They're so low on time here and
something's still on site. There's still one tucked into hotel. Something! Oh! Trying to lock in on this, but gets clipped!
Five seconds now, we're down to the wire. Just taking sprays and sprays, but this
time the pawns now hit the guy. Scuba 1v2, then we drop down. Decided to mine!
Doesn't know if this time, Paper X pushing forward, pushing up to 9.
That's just mental to see Paper Egg still able to claw their way back into this.
King identified early.
They're still able to scale towards site, sure, but here's the time it becomes just crippling for NRG.
Looks like having just one bullet would have killed Ethan regardless.
We're late. Snake bite here.
Absolutely crucial. Again, I think we're round two falling and things may be going totally off kilter for NRG.
That's why we see this time out called now.
Ken, they did have a chance to buy back in. We saw what? Three rifles?
Yeah.
back into round 15, but now it's just the Seekers,
maybe pistols for NRG.
Paper X, knocking on the door of double digits.
It's got to feel that pressure now, don't you, right?
It's that Paper X methodology just coming through.
They are all good at this.
Again, you saw Jing on that opening side of things.
Loved what he was doing, but now it's kind of divide,
kick it and in fact, Envy's having some big rounds.
every single player style to find some form here.
And he was on two kills up to like round 10
or something in the first half,
but Invy was the player to impress me
previously on split on the defense.
His ability to solo anchor the A site
and put a string together like three or four rounds
or either a red ball clutch or a three K.
To hand deliver a round for paper X.
Again, not been present so far here,
but something looking to.
And that's a purchase here.
And our Geeko's taken, confirmed early on.
Yeah, but hard to flash and hard to clear.
Already divided my ways there.
Punched through middle.
And Geeko's trying to be tricky with this, but...
Oh my God, he's...
Oh!
He just turned away from it!
To take him with a second lease of life!
Shutting down the attempts with NRG!
Hey, Brex! Five standing!
Even amongst all that threat.
Flawless up to ten.
Kiko, with a huge opportunity to find a freebie to open this up.
That force a could path in.
All the way up to Rafters.
Oh man, Steve.
So quick with it too.
Unfortunately, I know you two invested for Mada to
invest in pressure forwards, but
Divyte was just a smile across the stage.
No nonsense for you here Mada.
Well, as I say, he's got just enough again.
No nonsense. No nonsense.
No loud. You can't be doing this to us.
Survive, aka the Fun Police.
Yeah, he is on duty today as Envy.
Waiting on a lovely off angle.
Oh, it is the fraction personified.
You said it. We saw it.
And NRG felt it. Ethan.
Well, give it to him at this point.
Yeah, in me. You are the real deal, anchoring that site like an absolute champion.
Poor Kills here.
Paper X up to 11. He's just so clean on this off angle.
Close it inside out.
Yeah, definitely. Probably a little bit of paranoia from NRG of a counter swing coming from somewhere.
I'm not sure. It wasn't even
after that look like. Four is
not enough for him. The into
five situation, but aim five
and fast. So we look at the
buyback in for an RG and it's
been a bit of a drought, right,
but they do at least have a
purchase. They have a couple of
volts, but paper extiner hit
their stride here. This feels
like the turn of pace. Slow
for another round here there's still a problem towards heaven in the form of
jing with that judge they're looking for information outside a scuba is kind of
tasked with dealing with that but they've already cleared towards ramps so if
they do try and shift through then it's gonna be hard to handle
I've been put here with a prowler
all that tradeoff of position yet so deep towards spawn yeah but now it's it's
It's just a bit of a game of chase, isn't it, but something turns, I can't just Kiko.
I thought Kiko would be on that, but Mada answering right back.
Boy for boy here.
Battling in each other's spawns basically.
The plant's now in, and NRG need to batten down the hatches, because if he wants his sight back,
he's gonna only get one, leaving Jing and something to find the final three.
Look at the rewrap from NRG.
It's unbelievable how far they have to go into this.
Jing is gonna do the damage on Psyche though and something waiting in the right place here scuba
Has been caught and now it's on Brock
Old Panther Jing
Oh
Even get a chance at him. He's styled on him
Beautiful shot from Brock
Get a beautiful reposition here the trust in Ethan to just slow things down as a safe plan for heaven
Look at them paper racks find the right kill in that situation.
Fake out here with the flash.
Team 30 HP was...
Not really teeth up for success here.
NRG, everything but the seekers here.
A chance to piece together. I come back here, Mada.
He goes forwards once more, but...
He strips his toes towards B main.
Haven't seen this operator yet, really patrolling in middle.
Should be noted now.
What's he saying?
Yeah, now things better of that, probably rightly so.
The flash got exchanged to make sure you had back up that people line.
Now, you've got to be careful of those extremities, because look over to what's been happening.
Forsaken's already made progress here.
You can get right behind this.
Especially with something climbing a pick.
Yep, that's Mardagon, and in on G.
Oh, just being massacred in middle!
Paper X firmly in control, and as you said,
Look who's coming! Look who's going! It is stylish and it is special from something here.
Forsaken will wait.
No, no.
To do this in front of the audience like this, Forsaken.
Oh, dear Amy!
That is something you'd sort of forget if you're right, aren't you?
And for PaperX, iconic is always.
They just don't care in some of these situations the balls to go for the night
We saw it earlier on I believe it was in the previous no was it to fire in the
economy somebody on paper for sake and happy to take another one
They're so cheeky.
Breaking or attempting to break the mental of NRG and something going forward once more with the operator.
It was a bit rinse of repeat here, doesn't it, but...
I'm worried where that spike's going.
Heading over towards the A site where actually something waits.
He let a shot fly and rocked match takedown for a second.
So they are pulling rotations but something is not moved.
something is still here. If he's still here, there is still a problem. They've seen no further noise towards B.
Yeah, the old phone out kind of on a whim from Brock. Not sure of...
What that was meant to be, because it was so shallow, it was only really going to catch hell when somebody posted up really deep on Pillar,
but something now going to be played in. A ton of bodies on the other side of this does have to buy alongside a mistake by as well.
Oh my God, almost had him, but Mardell wants in.
Divide now noted, Kiko with the TP, gonna get himself up towards Heaven,
but it's only a clear sight to buy.
Trying to control it, gets outdone.
Something won't be the final line of defense.
Is he gonna die?
It goes down!
Alark, he's still in this one.
Jhin in Vilo, and Jhin's got ult.
Jhin's also got Kiko dead.
Stands out the ult.
Doesn't find it!
It's the desperate connect, and Jhin with the paint shell will!
Paper x2, Paper x things, but that was simply magic here. 13 to 7, that's back 2, we are going back and forth.
Don't go anywhere.
It's more than a game, it's a world shaped by you, the fans.
And our mission is to elevate that world by building technology that creates moments that
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That's why we're joining forces with the Valorant Champions Tour, to transform how fans experience
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The time to reign the next chapter in the Esports history books is finally here.
And they fall the unit hands yet again!
He steps up to the plate and he's knocked this one out of the park!
And now they shot the ingraved alongside the plate!
Hi guys, I'm here with Chesady at the Artist Valley
and we have a lot of things in her stand that are actually great intensity I
just want to know what do you have going on here what type of products to yourself
okay so basically I have tote bags with my illustrations I have some glasses that
can be customized with your favorite agent I also have like key chains that
are double-sided with the agents faces and they're actually handmade everything
is made by me. That's amazing.
Everything is handmade and you can
personalize your items here at your
step. Yeah, you guys. Oh, that's so
cool. And I just want to know now for
closing the interview. What's your
favorite agent to design? It's Gecko.
Why? Because he's American Mexican and I
relate to that because he has Latin
rules and I think he's so pretty.
Definitely. And this is all amazing.
Remember, you cannot miss this artist
Valley because we have a lot of things going on. You can customize your own
glasses. So it's amazing. I just want to know now also who's your pick who's
going to win energy or purex. Oh, I wouldn't really tell you. I'm rooting
for paper rakes. Totally. Okay. Okay. I like that. Let's see what's going to happen back
to you guys.
Santiago we are joined by two very special guests it's levitant king and
Sartre guys thanks for being here how you join the event so far the event has
been incredible me personally as a Chilean I'm just I don't know I see all
my people who's screaming doing everything it feels like one of the best
master's event so far the crowd has been so special so far this turn at the way
that they're getting into every game I know you guys have said you're down
here you're bootcamping how is that experience been getting to play a
against some of the teams here.
Oh, it's really fun.
I feel like every day doesn't feel like work at all,
I mean, which is easy to think that because you play games.
You are professional.
Yeah.
Yeah.
OK.
But it's always like an experience every day
playing against the master team because they're
the top of the world right now.
And we learn so much from playing against them
that it's actually insane how much we've grown.
We want to kind of pick your brains a little bit
on what we've seen in this map so far. I mean, TRX on an individual level, looks like they're
making plays, they're standing still, they're gunning it down, and it looks like NRG are
kind of opting into that game style as well, which kind of isn't what we'd expect to see
from them usually.
Yeah, I've seen like so many mistakes from NRG that you're not just, you know, look at
them, like this round exactly here, they're not taking the risk to help Vice to cross
right side into T, have a proper ult and do a very good retake. They're just like all over the place,
just throwing the ult, going in like one by one, and it's supposed to be a perfect retake. It's just
a one-by-one like fiesta who goes a dice first, you know? Yeah, from a player perspective, it must
be hard though to make that right choice against paper because they're so willing also to take
fights that really no other team will. Yeah, I feel like they play very, definitely they play
very freely around the map doing some of our practice against them they felt like what the hell
is going on there everywhere so yeah it must be even harder to play against them on stage because
you know the pressure adds up the crowd adds up and if you get if you get lost on their train
you're gonna you know get hit by a truck I need that in a in a big raving I think now the rides
That's a high-speed moment for this guy, goes to the 50 in round number 14.
I'll tell you what, man, moments like this, it really feels like only PRX can get away with this stuff.
In the especially at an individual level, so good.
I mean, Invi was already a very good player in Team Secret, but he unlocked his full potential.
He was just like balling with everyone, he doesn't care about anything, he even said it.
Now he trusts his teammates fully and he's just literally...
He feels like he's been a paper wrecked T-School career.
Yeah, he looks like the perfect upgrade for the same as Slotan.
So perfect.
What I really liked about that round in particular as well
is that he's almost always, even on defense side, forcing a bandit after losing pistol.
But against NRG, they're a team who, if you don't normally force Outlaw,
they'll always buy Light Armor or Regent Shields on their round twos.
And that bandit headshot absolutely cooks you.
So he was getting kills from like 50 meters in that round.
I was going I won by one. Again that weapon team is like pretty sloshly powerful against like your teams that are taking half armor.
You touched on it briefly Sardo. You've had a chance to play against some of these teams.
How can you kind of describe the experience of going up against Paper Rex to someone who's watching you?
Never maybe had that experience or maybe won't.
I feel like they took the idea of playing individually to a whole other level.
I feel like if you play individually, then maybe you're failing as a team overall, but they make it work in a way that they bring out so many rounds that they shouldn't be able to bring out just because they're allowed this freedom.
You know, I think Indy sat on an interview where he learned so much more about, like,
micros, about playing, like, individually, shooting his gun with Paper X, and it's kind
of funny because normally what you learn when you join a stronger team is that, oh, I've
learned so much, so many fundamentals now, like, I get to play with my teammates properly.
Forget all about that.
And it's like, nah, just shoot your gun and do it well, you know?
It's interesting because Energy is such the opposite to that.
They're the only team in this tournament that has rejected double duelists.
He's trying to play this counter meta style.
For you guys obviously having known them from flying in America,
it's not yet this year, but in the past,
what's your kind of read on Ethan as an IGL King
and how he's approached this meta and differentiated his squad from the rest of the teams?
Yeah, I would say Ethan always tries to
infoserve as best as possible with a less amount of fights, you know?
So that's why they're often always with kind of the double drone in some of this map
So they're always trying like pick some parts to like info service with some smoke some drones
We're we're and they make you think like three people here, but we're actually just like looking up already
We're making a good a good access. So I will say it's he's been pretty comfortable since
2023 G where he was like the mid-round color around Bussy being agile and I've always
because I was recovering and they always told me they learned so much from each
time about all of these movements and moving his teammates so perfectly around
the map. Yeah in ten years now for him playing FES games at the highest level
really for this squad. Do you think that Paper Exo, a team that always wants to
like always plays double gulis is a good match into that that they're trying to
disrespect that utility and go forward or is this the kind of style that energy
really wants to counter? No, I would say playing games, play for Rex. I, I haven't
figured out how to counter them because they will just do the craziest thing you
can't imagine. And the thing is that they, they're not scared of taking the
risk and whenever they take it, it's actually incredible how the teammates
just know someone's gonna do something crazy and they're like, okay, I'm gonna
play around my teammate doing this play and they're all over your face and you
don't even know what is what's happening so it's so hard. We haven't seen this
cop with the turn from energy for a while it's already in kickoff and it was the
KO server double initiated. The next one for the sky instead here obviously with
the wane lane in the mix. Sangin, can you do really? I think it is interesting because
I felt like the the KO is very good at shutting down hard X hits on their
defensive side. It was an awesome tool for recoil. I think part of the reason
and then switch to these guys, like you're saying,
prioritizing that drone to be able to actually
re-clear space against a pickbox who loves to get
aggressive on defense.
Looking at this come for you, Sato, solo duelist
for Mata on the way, what is it like having to
feel into that role for a player and step onto a stage here?
I think, honestly, I, personally speaking,
I prefer single-dualist, Mata.
I used to enjoy more in the double-dualist
just because I'm a very greedy person,
so I would like much more support for myself
rather than having to share it with another Duelist.
And I feel like Corode is a map where you can run
solo Duelists.
I think it's one of the only maps where I would rather
have more U2.
I just don't feel like you need to have
strong dives in Corode, even though it's good,
but just a way to create enough space
I think. That's okay. It's
been a pleasure having you here.
Thanks so much for your insight,
and hopefully you can enjoy the
rest of the event. It has been
incredible crowd in Santiago.
Let's get back to the action.
Take it away.
Penzi in a high pop for Karo.
They were actually fire on the
desk by the way, like, and they
bring up some great points.
I do want to kind of talk about
that kind of single approach as
a dualist. Which side are you
sitting on here though? Which
team would you rather be on?
Would you rather be in something
shoes or martyrs right now with
the teammates around you?
I mean, I do agree with the
I do agree with the premise that here, the more you tilt, just because of the rotation time,
it doesn't have a lot of mid control, there are a ton of question marks in terms of losing
one of these extremities.
But I've got to say, right now with the way Invis playing, you've got to feel a little
more comfortable.
Again, there's a question mark, is there going to be a huge switch up here?
The paranoic comes through, something to find Ethan first.
Yeah, set to succeed with that paranoic coming out from Jing there, but keep going, a quick
trade going to keep it within touching distance.
But they're not really willing to continue on that popping you're already looking them turning around scuba
Staying semi-close to this gonna know that prowler going past as they start the re-clear. This is a very oh my god. This
This is a really good read from an RG and it's actually the doubtful of paper
It's wanted to recollect that space and it's a perfect re-hit
Another three K from Kiko on the pistol can he make it four here for second
Just cresting through spawn now
It's a really nice push and pull effect coming in from NRG again.
I thought maybe that could have been lost when we saw Scuba kind of turning eyes, which
is fair, but...
Um...
Forsaken.
Did you not want me to talk big a picture because you still have a good shot at this
round?
That's on me.
Alright.
Scuba's 1 HP.
Rock and Marder are a little bit better off here, but Forsaken's going to do something
about it.
He's trying to.
And well, he gave it a go. Brock did it better.
Hit the head shot. And again, I just want to talk about that push and pull there.
That ability to freeze for a second.
And just noting that Prowler instantly locked back in.
Which again, with this sort of composition you are unable to do,
take these sort of crucial points in terms of towards sight.
Just peeing away, I have noted it previously as well. NRG.
desperate to try and nullify that mid-round from PaperX which can get so chaotic.
Rifles will come out here for Bork and Kiko, but I'm going to frugal purchase.
Might as well just try to make the gore things with a stinger.
It's a stack towards B for PaperX.
Nothing on the other side of this.
It should all be considered now.
I feel like the penny is dropping, but they probably don't know it.
probably don't know it's not like a 4-1 or something of that. So they'll take a little bit of a time
on this, you know, pop the flash in, do everything else, kind of keep it secure.
And they've cleared well here. Just checking towards elbow so NRG can pretty much get the plant.
It's pretty comfy, but I guess it's then that silence becomes loud. Where are they,
what are they doing and why haven't they seen them yet?
You see the things in this room that everybody's going to prioritise towards this position now but
they're unable to create a little bit of space between them.
There's a couple of warning shots here.
Take a ton of space towards spawn here, we'll catch him.
We've got to wrap back behind this.
You know, the fire's going to sheriff at that time, it's already quite quick.
And this should be farming, Mada wanted to, but not gonna get as much seed like that.
No chance really on the views at this point.
Thanks for sakin'.
Gave it a good go, Crock should.
No, they both get caught on that.
I thought they might have had one out there, but actually they lose quite a bit.
They do.
Made very costly.
Yeah, two rifles and a stinger invested there.
which is bold considering around to flip previously on paper accident. This is just
NRG's controlled purchase to account for the possibility. Still, of course, too many issues see it.
Scuba probably just considering. I forgot about it. You know you've been good at something. They
They had to make changes for it, but it's forsaken on the one two punch perfectly teed up there played out brilliantly on B main
It'll put more to right to bed
You're gonna now explore back towards mid, but there's three people on paper X
To control this space and catch the mid rounds I
Love that step-for-step approach here
I mean they have to mirror them yet. Yeah, they have they did it really quick
And Scuba catching Gingo could open up that springboard towards A if they read into how many players were behind that presence early towards B, at best would have been in mid.
Oh nice shield tip, something not going to matter with that, it's a headshot.
And Scuba barely gets to see it.
NRG really hoping they get more play on this, but they're not being given the fights they want and in the meantime, look at what Forsaken's doing.
Again, his positioning might just be the downfall of NRG's attempts here.
Do they even think about it?
Do they check?
Do they clear it diligently enough?
30 seconds.
Lovely off angle, Ethan's trying to be careful.
The course should not enough to get past for Sake and Kiko will at least allow for the trade,
but now something's back on the line.
The first problem, and the final one as well.
Something is here.
He is absolutely landing shots.
effectively a round 3 operator for him. Considering the bite, again NRG's approach here will put them
in a position to effectively even this up, I mean other than Ethan again. Issues maybe,
some of the shields will have to see what they decide on, but something absolutely lethal here.
already won away from his ultimate, he's going to land on Odin of his own.
That's it, Stooper's the only other gap in the buy here on a Guardian.
Maybe a turn of pace here towards A for NRG.
Oh my god, Marta is getting manhandled.
Paper X is so good at dulling the spear.
The NRG keep trying to throw at them.
Dubai unwilling to back away or surrender, and that's why
That's why! Stands his ground and claims all three! Zephin's just surrounded!
Scuba noted, sent, packing, pay for X. Larger than Charge here, hunting Scuba down.
And there's something bittersweet about hearing that olden Rattler shot.
Right out in RG.
The first one though.
Three more.
to work with. You should be
in space elsewhere. Ready for
safe and the cast amid
rotation. It's going to be in
a good spot here to find the
plan. I don't want to go
forwards, but. I don't work
this one. 30 seconds and they
like what he's trying right
when I catch a body to drop
three they're kind of done for. Now the issue being because he's shown his hand
he might just catch him on this plant.
I think he knows he might be done for that spam might be fatal I'm just clearing the corner.
Doesn't get revealed on the horn though but still it's so indicative he's trying to make
Mounted Atomall Hills this guy is clutch as hell though.
Scuba why are you making me believe here they're going around the site the time
I thought you could set your clock by that man in the clutch, but still, I'm done in the end by a fraction of a second.
Still a chance there for Scuba, even being spotted early on enough, but looking at the damage done to Marder early on,
The fight just welcomes him on the other side of the dash.
As you said, you move the tip of the spear here and NRG back a bit of that pop to follow up.
Which again is the other side of the conversation.
My mother could be so far ahead.
Yes, you can create that space, but unless somebody can really reinforce that,
it's really difficult if he just dies for free in that sort of situation to utility.
Or to a peak, potentially.
I'm going to start to come on line here.
I think I'm safe here on the side of paper. It's only a few for Kiko.
What do we just want to wait?
Oh, I can't play with that a little bit of timing, but...
Again, they only have plastics here.
Trying to maybe overwind one.
They scaled up quickly, though.
Yeah, they made it through. I guess that horned in might make it out.
But the problem is that Indy is still sat on this.
He may be hoping to catch Jing, potentially, but...
Again, watching it straws it, Jing leads it very well, Mada still not finding the ability
to gap close on one of these, actually does find it with Kiko in the end so Jing's gone
down, that's a big upgrade and they are behind the wire now, that's an issue for Paper X
but not a huge problem yet.
It's so weird here, forsaken, catch Mada, look to the side of the heads.
Try to work it, if I read that really well, that's just like a little predictive fire
was right lovely control from him. I think it's a bit of a risk for it. Don't get me wrong.
But you kind of need Divide to do that. Sometimes it feels like just take that
and I think these nerd steps for the wall got triggered as well.
This is what enables Divide to take it away from the site.
In transition, once more brought and noted as of yet.
They do need damage here. That's the question.
He has got shock darts and device.
Ooh.
Oh.
Oh.
Oh.
Oh.
Ha ha ha.
Applying something will do the job in the end.
I like the energy, trying to find a threat there.
But again, Paper X, they look very well equipped, even in these chaotic rounds, they're very
good at catching that wanted outcome, denying it.
Again, I like what divided.
I know it's a bit risky, could have potentially gone down there, but you've got to call your
number up sometimes.
I mean, so it's effectively jinx to take our first risk.
Yeah.
for NRG, maybe to snowball on the back of that upgrade, but
the Vi has the freedom, the walls have been triggered, he knows
come back and throw an extra body on the line. As you said, take
a risk to really secure the round.
Early time I called it from NRG. See that a couple of times
already in this series, maybe in terms of the preparation
and opening string of rounds, gassing NRG off, Gerardo guessing
some way shape or form.
Yeah, I'm not sure what it would actually be, if I'm honest, because it's looking quite...
I said earlier, it might be just a playbook sort of issue, where some of these set pieces aren't going the way that they want,
which, again, versus team like PaperX, can't ever really account for somebody getting in and finding two or three kills.
Which they do.
Yeah, they do, and they have.
Yeah, it will continue to happen. They are still...
It's crazy to think that they sit within such a high margin of talent, right?
Result wise they are more often the not top three team pushing high-end deep runs
But even amongst the best they still find that extra 10% sometimes that extra weird X factor that no one else can do
So as if they've never told me the odds rounds they pull that off incredibly well now energy whatever the adjustment is
Let's see how it works. It's gonna take coming out of that time our mother
Actually gonna pick up an operator here. So
intention to slow things down, work a pick here, attack the side, maybe on the back of him falling previously to devise
Utah, being a little bit fragmented in the approach. That's a pro.
I think I'm looking to maybe power an eye on the back of the dog taking contact.
Yeah, I think in my mind, I really want to see how they try and implement Barber better,
which is easier said than done because the first couple of rounds it's been quite hard for him to get that pop towards site
There's been a lot of setups
I don't think this week just to catch him but device done really well to control the space around it keep him very limited
So I do want to see what the next layer is for an RG and obviously paper XR in control here
This is very much their game now momentum wise at least
See if there is a difference. It kind of push that model towards middle. That will do the job. That is a good find on in beat
Now they can start working the rotations around 50 seconds
anticipating the paperx would rotate off that though still. I mean Forsaken's got a very
deep hold towards B. Let's have a little bit of support from Dubai both with Ultimates
as well. Something to judge in hand, but he also has ult. It could just be a full intake
approach here. Dubai could create space for the pit to really find value here. Industry
They would have said things down in a safe fight, but they can actually go forwards.
And the safe can slip in the net. They don't know about him just yet at all.
He has not been found. He has not been seen!
But Kiko heads up in his work.
Makes him a waiver to buy!
What the hell?
He has to red flag to a ball, goes flying in.
Maybe a little too wild there.
Pants in play. Something close, but Jin's just been caught off.
Something's gonna have to climb four here.
NRG.
This one work something not getting an early plane on the corner either
Think yeah, he's gonna give it a suck. I'm the back away
I'm curious to know what the cool was there or if this was just an anticipation
Of piecing together a retake. Maybe the clock is what forces for taking to go forwards there and really gamble on
Effectively winning what I want me three to deny the plan from happening
Yeah, and it's one of those that maybe you're willing to throw them one off
But again, you know device diving in as well. You got your players just throwing bodies at it. I
Think it can be a quick way to lose a game
But we also know that pay breaks can do a couple of each round then get back on track that spam on to the wall
Okay
Anything to do it up against it feels fair
We're gonna be missing the nightfall now because the investment didn't come
I think it has a huge impact in terms of the outcome here, because of the approach initially
from Payprex, but the intent that they did show, NRG will get effectively a buying in
hand now.
something you're not going to be spotted like this corner from Martyr. Yeah he likes it too!
That's a lovely pick. Indy's starting to struggle in middle here that's two rounds now
they're quite close to this pit and no way he walks this right it's forsaken it's forsaken
of course it's going to go for something a little while but that felt a bit too far we're seeing
a couple of these rounds now we put a question mark to it one's allowed more when they're getting
being punished comes a bit of a problem. James going for a walk, regrouping slowly but steadily
towards the A site it looks like but again, Ethan still in patrol out here. Device paranoia
is sky high as well.
Because he's fallen where he did.
I've got the situation now. I have to freeze.
Okay.
I can capitalize on that.
This could be huge. Device still here. Can he get to the bay by the smoke? I'll go to
be down on top. He's just got to wait for this. Does he get out with his life? Smoke
is keeping him safe for now. Hindered up, comes out of it, but look at the flank. Look who's
here, Jing. He just waits, and then he strikes, and now they're cornered, and paper X on the
punish! You get a couple of rounds where they may make some questionable choices, but this
is your reminder of who they are! And Jing wants to double down on the connected corner.
They're all stuck here. Something getting closer. This turns into just a brawl on the site, and
already Kiko wants out. He wants to plant something on his side. This has gone absolutely
Topsy-Turvy
Finally trade-outs or rifle here try pieces together the 2v3. It's on a nice edge
Just go either way look at it defined by smokes
divided
Scoob over one to catch jing
Navigating that smoke but bloody hell. What was that round NRG almost falling victim?
Trying to cling on to this space get Marta posted up very deep with this operator
I can't. Oh my god. Look when
spots there unreal. And yeah,
I don't know. Maybe for
Saken's reading. It's just one
person on the old but it's a
team like energy. Especially
where they've slowed things down
early on. He's just not giving
that sort of play in. Also, it
comes out of spamming in and
Again, though, I'm quite interested to see what the problem solving for Paper X is now there.
So I'm losing a little bit of control in the middle.
Yeah, I say it. That's just Alex's talk button press.
You think so?
Oh, yeah.
Yeah.
Just wants to have a word?
Yeah.
Is he smart?
No.
No, not after that round.
I mean, within me falling twice in mid for taking, walking out of a pit,
this is a crack at a whip.
Timeout from Alex for sure.
Should be.
And I think in that same breath, we can also kind of highlight the adjustment
from Ma to come in with that operation,
a plane a little bit more around middle,
less centric towards the sights,
looking for those picks to punish rotations,
up some pressure, be alright.
It probably is just a crack in the whip,
get them back on the same page,
make sure they're not making silly over mistakes
or kind of over pushing things.
Tough in this round though,
because they are gonna be on a lighter perch,
think the Saken and Jin can still get a rifle,
the rest will be down low on pistols.
I think Ethan's reading there's a lot of pressure behind this and now Paper X is going to make
something out of nothing.
Ethan, quick cycling on that juggle back to try and make sure that the operator doesn't
fall into enemy hands.
But they've already drawn blood.
That's a big scout to claim.
The second Imada starts working back towards Scythe's.
Alright, obviously taking a ton of damage there.
They're not great found, so...
...GlG able to stabilize here.
Things get out of hand just yet. There's still four players, four payprecks on the other side of this.
We'll be identified back at the wall.
Maybe just waiting out the timing here to...
Oh, Kiko's regrouping. Death ball in towards the A site.
This one's coming in.
Still a good lift, yeah.
Yeah, okay. Kiko having to invest a little to make sure they scale up together,
because she don't want to, again, get picked apart.
There's a lot of threat to this.
NRG now noting that.
Ooh.
Unconfirmed.
Even the crown for a little excited. Unconfirmed.
And they are now potentially surrounded here.
RG gonna have to batten down the hatches in amongst the storm, but well
Broke's gonna find them some safety taking away device second attempt on the plant something to the operator
See him on the x-ray. He's hunting it down scuba. Oh my god
This is the round that you start looking like a threat again
This is ridiculous, but down a three broke even in Kiko
Should be on red alert cuz suddenly the pilot's threatening something's got an operator for sake
It's got rifle and it's changed with a ball dog.
He got the journal!
It's Paper X with a quick correction, answering right back.
Well, gee, desperate to find another kill there.
It just doesn't come through.
Paper X will find a thrifty conversion.
Massive upgrade for something as well.
It's the flash here from Ethan.
It's a force monitor back inside the smoke.
Mavericks continue to go forwards there, catching him on the repeat.
Take two huge kills from him on the bulldog.
More frustration shown from Bonka.
Get a couple of rounds now where...
He's looking very confused in terms of the approach.
Not just the outcome.
Forsaken, look at this man.
The audacity to sit on this corner after getting tagged up like that,
But I guess with an operator why not I'm gonna go jing holding down middle of the sun putting a lot more pressure behind this
It's not just gonna be in here. You've got three players now put the task of put to test
Need to put to bed
Keep going scuba irrelevant to this round looking like a formality spikes actually ahead of the wall as well
They press gonna have a chance to wait out this smoke and take full control
keep on scuba
Super clutch for the 2v5 they have to piece together here
the game. Plenty of time for
scuba to reposition. In the
threat, still here, outside B
forsaken. A little more
tempered. They are
considering the save now, with
Pico appealing away a little
bit. This is a by-product of
Alex's time out here. So they
go forward on the thrifty, get
the conversion way more
controlled here towards mid.
to see it again I think it was the biggest change in paper x in general right was 30 seconds left
you got your mind back the train effect all of this yeah the overheat factor always something that
especially with a more structured team like nrg they can actually get a grasp on the pacing
Well, hold that thought, Scrooge is getting two.
Why didn't he speak?
Why?
Oh, good.
Yeah, it's one of those things where I think paperx learning about that gear shift for
themselves gave them so much more validity for deep runs, right, consistently, against
all types of teams, however we need to see it kept in check.
You saw it slip there, those two rounds, so we saw kind of hit back.
Let's look at the end here.
I mean, there's a lot going to affect, I think, what they take out, 500 and 100 credits
between the two players that fall there.
I know it's just unnecessary.
Yeah.
I have to see where to spread the funds a little bit.
I'm seeing full sake of the out shield.
Yep.
Oh, well.
Good to fancy it.
Okay.
Good to fancy a shield.
Oh, brilliant.
Oh!
Well, that's a good one.
Okay, hit the fancier shield. Oh, brilliant. Oh! Well,
right off the rope, it doesn't seem to matter, because Indy's got you too.
And right back to this brawling mentality, Paper X just put the firing squad towards the B side,
and they're not backing away from it. It's Debye with the operator now.
He's finally forced off. Flash comes in. Ethan's had enough of it.
How did he get down the door, though, just to get close to this site?
It's a late investment here from Debye. Just take it on the flank.
This is here. Very early on in
towards NRG spawn and they are
together outside B right now.
Confirmation of presence still
here. Turn. How far does it go?
Yeah, I was going to say, a
turn of attention here from
scuba. Maybe just waiting out
an opportunity to find back in.
reinforce this and Forsaken's tucked. He can't die though, Forsaken goes down. Can't go forward without shielding.
Yeah, it's a weird spot to be in. He's got a scream by. Headshots only. 30 seconds left. 28 seconds.
The only way is forward now, to buy an Envy, waiting, poised, and has to be precise. Envy is, that's three for him this round, but there's still a chance in this.
Operator noted, Forsaken noted, but he's still firing on all cylinders.
Ethan on 30 HP, nothing to do but die.
Paper X!
They stabilize here in choppy waters.
They might not feel like it, but that's the momentum swing, really.
Three rounds converted, and this play-out in be the one to find two kills.
to open this one up a third.
And finally, the side here comes through.
Forsaken plays the timing well, bides his time.
And again, crucial to see previously him drift out of the pit,
here being a little more controlled.
Faith in his teammate's information.
A broken by here from NRG, maybe a turn of pace towards A.
Hey, Drax, read it really well. Look at mid, though.
Look at mid.
Hard has gone up here.
He does have the Vandal, but something's already on the case.
already on the case, sniffing this one out. He's scoped in as well. Yeah, I think he might
clear this to be fair. How deep does he dig on that corner though?
He was a problem, but now he might be encouraged to play this forward. They just started to
apply enough pressure. He has to make a bit of a move. There's still putting a lot of
faith in Envy here. Full kit still to play with. And there's the real trap being sprung.
Now the layers to this port decides to get involved into the action trying to set them
up towards the site. Envy playing it deep on CT, but he's lost out on the vine. Nice answer back.
He's got ult as well. He still has wands. It's hard to clear these players now who are disconnected
from the site itself. Well, safety has to find something on the back side. Repositioning to mid,
but two players from NRG post it up. Yeah, they're waiting for it. Ethan going to get caught in this.
That's the swing. It's a one-for-one trade, not quite enough. Unless Envy can do magic with 30 HP.
And RG, bring it back from the brink now, with a good answer.
Broken bite, able to stick the landing and find a fit.
Like I said, just as you feel as if Apex have got control of the momentum,
scuba, beautiful catch.
I want the G to open this round up.
Without that, you may not have seen Mara catching that, you know,
tiling on towards something who just...
Nice, nice, nice, nice, nice.
Nice, nice, nice. Odin's back in. Outlaw's coming out as well.
Couple of shields to punish, but again, operator with something.
Don't think that's not going to be brought into effect here.
The timing is right, but the swing was wrong.
But Invy's one out on the other side, so they lose on the extra-
Sorry, they win on the extra-
But lose out in the middle.
Jing chomping at the bits, trying to get involved here.
Invy, he's got to take him by his side.
Marta's already in towards Heaven.
and this is getting a bit weird and wonderful, kids come in,
Marder wants some safety, he wants to find them,
he wanted to play from, but Jing doesn't allow it.
Massive kill for Jing to find here.
The pit will spread allowing a safe plant infront of him.
Look at this man, watch him!
Oh my God!
You're a lucky boy, Broke, but only for a second.
They're flying back through Ethan and Scuba,
trying to make it out of this nightmare of a pit,
leaving just Scuba alive, gets one.
Surely he's only got one more bullet.
One more man to find out!
Went down swinging here!
God say he didn't!
Paper X will find number 7.
Get himself a 2 round advantage here in the first half.
I
Me too!
Hey, me too!
Me too!
Me too.
We were very in a way, eh?
We were very good, and we were trying to do a game
and we were all dancing.
And when I say the word,
everything is frozen.
Ess, ess, essence.
Ess, ess, essence!
Ey!
Joc nigel!
Eshow!
Hurray!
Hurray!
Ens!
I thought I'd seen it all, Michael.
No.
Correct.
There is more to be seen.
That's all though.
Truly one of the goats of Santiago.
For sure.
How is he still going?
I don't know.
Even though he doesn't know how to balance,
but how do you have a voice?
Not a clue.
There's a much needed support there from mid-suit.
My Rada! My Rada! My Rada! My Rada!
So which ones are you taking?
I'll take the competitor.
Yeah?
Yeah, I've seen you in the ring man, so...
What can I say?
Hi!
It is starting to heat up here again.
First two maps, 13-8 for NRG on pole, split 13-7.
Year, 7-5, still anyone's game.
I think the control from PaperX got brought back in. I was worried there was a slip, but for NRG only clenched in five after getting those first two from the pistol
There's a lot that's to be desired.
It does
Here in terms of the discussion around the comps
Certainly NRG leaning towards a stronger defensive half
In terms of information gathering really figuring out PaperX's intentions
paranoia here
considered close contact taken scuba
back away from this. Can't go down here. Slip CT waits for the support through middle,
but the carpets rolled out. Paper is going to be in the door. I'm going to get a quick
pick before this though, so I'm going to have to plan after the plant. I think they go here,
it's a massive wrap. They keep back towards elbow. I don't think there is ever a limit
to how far they go, but for Sake and once again, showing restraint here and gets rewarded for it.
Ethan going to be found first, he can then slip back further.
Second fancy, now he goes!
Mesmerizing on the second!
Oh, he's on for third, no proc.
Just a second quicker to the angle.
But in this position, it's really tough to break through.
Doesn't even have to.
This is nice for Paper X.
This could be the first nail in the coffin here.
At least in this map.
And the scuba locked out from here.
Limited options.
Yeah, limited options.
Still some time to play with,
but we would need a huge round. Time going to decide this one now as Paper X is going to go forward.
Maybe find another kill, progress, but Team decided down here, cast the upgrade, will fall to the spike.
Paper X are well considered approach, unfortunately NRG not able to get
walk in position to really deny entry to site, and here just two fantastic kills from Forsaken.
I mean, he just catches a glimpse of
boys that are now Mr. Diamond.
Yep, see, but again, if you look at how this goes, once you go into the majority, the buy
rounds, very good for Paper X.
Yeah, they've got a little bit of a chat.
Yeah, they took over the home stretch of that first half and rightfully so, you know, about
the time out from Alex.
Draining them back in a little bit.
They're now on this half and they're allowed to run off leash.
Well that's the thing isn't it? It's that fine margin that once they get onto the attack
they can hunt them down. Easier to be the hunter than the hunted.
Something. Doesn't catch Kiko here. Oh my god, the timing on that.
Tries to whip around but it's actually scuba to stall them out here.
Paper X, not the one they were on.
I'm just down with the wall. Yeah, actually coming online and finding
Jing is something a little bit weird. Brought back into effect by Forsaken.
it's starting to hit some
shots here. Okay. Alright.
Alright. Is there a little bit
of front? No. N R G. We're
going to find two kills in
nearly making it possible.
Damage is done, but already
going to see something picking
up an operator.
on the bonus, no less.
Yes, it's coming out.
Not from Alex.
Yeah.
Haven't seen enough Alex Cam.
We will need that one production.
Well, maybe he's already trashed the room.
That could be the case, but the track was set.
But look at it, something so fast,
it caught the observers off,
and apparently,
all the FnRG is...
Whoa! Stop it!
You're not meant to be doing that here.
I'm willing to relent on the side of a finally falls towards NRG's favor.
But by now, look at the build up here.
Scoob is just giving up this angle.
Brock's going to be tucked behind this smoke now has to drone out just to confirm.
Slip, try for Tray Greggs.
Yeah, not going to be able to export towards mid at all.
Doesn't have the opportunity to do so with Kiko, but Scoob are now finding contact.
It's going to bring Brock right back this way.
And, uh, a bit iconic for this weapon, they're not got the same ability to spam through and cause problems on the plant, and the guy doesn't need that many bullets, he'll just put two to the brain and it's job done!
Scuba already noted on this side of the map, you can see Indy in a nice passive position in case he does try and play ahead of that box.
Kiko showing a little bit of curiosity from the middle, but again, trying to break those
back too is going to be the problem.
How do they get past the likes of Defiant Jing?
I think the answers they don't.
Yeah, just coming in, it's so late.
Yeah, I think it's way too late to even try and deal with that deeper post-bomb positioning.
And PaperX just being given a lot of opportunities here.
I'd love to see the start of that again.
I mean, yeah, walking the park to find the bonus conversion.
little threat, so beautiful catch onto Ethan. Again it just spirals out of control so quickly.
Again you're seeing now hints of the momentum divide, swinging solo, things like this. When
paper racks start to heat up, you just get individuals making unorthodox plays, decisions
really tapping into being the anomaly in a lot of this for NRG. Well I think if we're seeing the
the upswing from PaperX, Bonkar is as well, time out for energy, and he's not happy.
We saw in the previous, we saw in round two, the Deathslam, he's looking like he's barking
out the commands here, because Analogy are being dictated to in this one.
Yeah, they are, which is something we talked about in the previous series, where they kind
of got behind in terms of the tempo, and this is where this sort of approach, the structure
approach, you can be embarrassed, it looks like you just don't have a say in what a team
is just hitting you relentlessly across the map.
Talk about Ethan having to put in a shift previously.
It's so hard to call against teams like this.
You mentioned the X-Factor, the anomaly,
whatever you wanna call it.
The things that you can't consider
here to purchase, obviously not gonna be there.
Apex will be teed up to find number 11.
a couple of sheriffs, couple of
off set that either forsaken
to a pit. The virus to a way
for NRGs by back in
behind this.
aggression. It's it's already
right. Okay. Definitely now.
It's so well read that little
just seems to lack a punch
of their. Doesn't really get
caught. Yeah, flashed up, but
there's still bodies behind. And
this is that again, something
that you start seeing when
paper X get into their full
form is their ability to play
disciplined in these situations.
Wait for someone to go for
something. Play those deeper
spots, catch and then start
building on a site. This is the
new depth of this team, the new
quality they can do, but the
sides click he go. It was one of
the X factors and evens on the
previous series for energy has
been once again shut down. This
It's really well controlled here by Paper X, leaving nothing to chance Ethan to slip a little deeper towards the spawn of Paper X, but it'll be hard for Scuba to break back in here.
Stingers really needs to close the gap to find value.
It's good from Scuba though.
Gonna need more. Ah, okay.
There's more. Envy.
A little off on the placement here.
There's still a bit of time to play with two, but they're gonna need someone else to land a big boy shot.
They've got the upgrades there with more than Ethan, but they've got to get going.
However, they keep him off this corner.
on a pop flash and in the stands and delivers as Ethan just have to watch that one pass
you by. Eleven on the board here. Another big round from in the four in a row to kick
off this second half. Look at what's left behind this purchase. If anything, NRG desperately
trying to keep their head above
mother will throw an operator in the mix here
where he's positioned over towards eight again
paperx spread thin here but it's free to challenge from nrg at the choke point
they're putting everything behind this right this is just everything on the
line here and this is where paperx can thrive
sees
comes in going to be handled but again something much to check your
position. Doesn't get to turn the flash, just attacks his fate at that point. The power of
the air layered in, MV has to fall. The options being looked for on the other side of the map,
Mada ready. That's it from NRG. Keeping control of those extremities and then eyeing up middle
is that rotation point. You have to deny information to the docket. Still shown by Jing.
to show presence in the spike
in hand. Now, if they can draw
the eyes elsewhere, might set up
one of these players to find
entry. Now, position does have
a smoke or paranoia. Set
something in motion here
potentially for divide to pitch
behind this needs to be a lot.
Scuba taking a bit of damage
Geng now goes in, gets one. I don't know how he gets one, but DeVy is that X Factor and he is striking perfectly.
This is a stunning plan from PaperX. Now he's seeing a 2v3. Alt there for Envy. Plants in play, time on their side.
They push towards scuba here.
I think they won Super Mada.
Takes away Invi in a deep position from scuba.
Keep Sanarji living and breathing for now.
Mada succeeds with the operator.
And the aggression on the other side just to force.
Almost heard Payprex into his sightlines.
We get the number six here.
Great timing on the flash as well.
And something just has no time to react to that.
At all.
Nice, Scoob.
Forsookin' the devised ultimates to bring into this.
Something just too away.
Missing one for the TP on the other side, NRG.
Everything except the Seekers.
So finally,
stopped the bleeding after a string of four rounds.
Yeah, but that scoreline, you can't ignore it.
No, this is absolute...
I mean, they need to build up a cushion here.
Still seeing Mada and Pico struggling financially behind this.
Back in a flash.
Scuba the ones we tested first and foremost something gonna go in spray in get on identifying early
She's going towards our boat Kiko still around though
And there's gonna be that just fury, that was huge damage
Broke this very well before I get in feet. Oh, what's the second? Reads him like a book! Claire's Kiko and now
I don't think he almost got a second
I think Ethan got given a haircut but he fights back again something. I was back at least safe for a second
You can see the paper here. There's the plant. There's the pit.
The spread is good as well. Access back in towards Link.
This is really awkward here for NRG. The pit is outside. They cut some of the sight lines for them to re-approach site.
Oh my god.
I don't think you know what you're looking at. You certainly don't, but a 2v2 is what we are left with.
One towards the pit, and indeed the dog was the only tool that he really had to work with.
Martin's gonna get going. He's just got a classic!
Ah, I'm forsaken!
Ethan's a busy! Wait, wait, Ethan!
Ethan! Oh my God.
I thought he almost got away with it. Daylight robbery nearly happening.
But paper X checking back, pushing up to 12.
I didn't get a glimpse of how close he was there, but my God.
It felt close, it felt close.
When you see the sight lines they have, there's a chance.
that easy to just steal this away oh device super clutch the cat's mother on
yes a retreat away when everything's invested towards Forsaken just locked
into the edge of that pit for taking okay bulldozing no fair it's through me and
I mean speaking of no fear they go flying in but in the ice cold backbone
to clear back through mid, at least we showed presence here with some util. Perfectly placed
as well to stop a double swing from top mid. How do they read this Kiko? No paranoia, both
smokes, TP. You can check towards one side here. They're gambling the wrong way.
to the right. It's a roll. The
dice. Time it goes. They're
going to. It's going to take
him forever to rotate as well.
It's going to be so many
questions across the map. You
got Kiko's TP. But would you
want to take it alone? No.
And there it is. There's that
Now roll your minds back Ethan. Once at the helm of gifting Paper X their greatest defeat
ever. Nowadays looking like a different side. Divide and something. Wanna get the advantage
here Ethan. Back on the side though. Look it's cleared through. Has to get past something.
Can't do it yet. Divide buying time on the side. Swing comes in and Paper X a different
All together now another win in their name 13 to 6 more definitive than before
When we start sound designing an agent in Valorant, we had to
consider some key questions, like who the character is and what materials are
associated with them. Every sound designer has a different process, but I
like to start by developing a foundational sound, something that
everything else builds off of. For Veto, we face two challenges. Veto's arm and
abilities are made out of the same substance as Gekko's creatures. So how
do we differentiate these sounds from Gekko sounds? We decided the
distinguishing is by making Veto's goop sounds more crunchy and less fluid
sounding in gecko. One of the fun ways we added that crunch was by destroying a cabbage.
The second challenge was how do we communicate danger? We did this by thinking about Veto's
abilities as ambush predators. Imagine you're in a movie exploring a cave and there's a
giant spider lurking in the darkness lying in wait. What would the music sound like at
that moment. We landed on this aggressive synth which ended up as a foundational sound for Vito.
Well, as NRG's map pick of Karoad that goes anyway, but there's a bit of a rough start
back and forth early on where NRG, their smiles, they feel like, okay, we've got some run
on this map.
Feel like we have some runway as well to start to put together a bit of a lead, but it's early
on that they're stopped in their tracks on a lot of these fast sighted attempts.
Yeah, I thought that Payprex came into this game, this fight not having seen this call from Minergy since earlier in America,
because they haven't played it so far in this tournament, made a really good rep of how to deal with Mata and his dives on the way.
Like, I wanted to look at round four to start that one off where I think Dubai, who, the first time they played this comp,
we really criticized him for buying up for, you know, to unbursting too many routes here,
that perfect board, that perfect deep positioning to punish Mata's dive, and then he's fighting forward for more.
And it took this really early time out from energy for them to even get any motion in this half, slowing the rounds down,
playing that off instead to get a little bit of success, but they were fighting every moment against a paper X that was so prepared.
Yeah, exactly. Mades started having a lot of pressure. We can see it here with the operator. What a crazy shot.
It felt a little bit easy to play around Kiko Smokes in some of these situations, but I think that the highlight for this has to be the way that
Devai was playing, as you're saying.
It makes no of the fact that he was dying first or last,
it's the fact that he was actually playing for his utility,
and he had incredible impact.
It pisses me off so much what we saw the other day,
knowing that this is the level that Devai can give us in this map.
Individually, he was absolutely brilliant, having the 3Ks.
And actually, I think that he played with a lot more confidence
after we were able to see things like this,
especially in the Eco-Raz having this skill against Mata.
We saw it from the POV also doing this,
But in this moment, slowing down NRG so many times, they had to respect his utility.
Oh, everything runs.
So you're saying you didn't like how he ran ahead of his thorns and took 1v1 5-0 in the tournament?
Apparently he was lagging.
But did you tell him he was lagging?
Apparently he's not lagging anymore.
Yep, they miraculously got it completed.
No, no, same PC.
Literally, that's the same one.
Again, it seems like it's really hard for NRG to adapt to this adaptation though from PRX.
It feels like the kind of out of ideas up they make that change to pay for the default style
Yeah, I really like this round to showing that they're willing to still go for some of these aggressive plays
But then collapse back behind the utility
I think paper it's do a lot better job of choosing when they were going for aggression
They initially conditioned this very far back very deep defense prioritizing punishing the dive later in half
They were throwing in some of those older aggressive rounds
They were repushing into mid when they felt that execute coming in from energy
It was a very proactive defense from them.
They played off their utility very well.
And I think this is such a great position for them now,
going into Breeze, up a map in this series,
to honestly, I think now be favored to go to the finals here.
I think that there's some benefit also in the fact
that they've played every single map bar,
the abyss that they parry them about in this tournament,
because they have had the chances of failing
before this moment, right?
For the side of energy, they've already made so many changes
and so many adaptations, depending on their opponent,
the Mimi Carrova is a step too far.
Let's look a load about Forsaken, obviously, in this game.
Has moments where he's able to have high impact,
definitely feels like here on Carrodi
demands attention and respect.
More than a lot of other players,
I think Forsaken is one of the most consistent
at showing up to big games and finding his play.
He's the ideal of this team.
He's playing a million different roles,
but what's so consistent about him
is that he just has this mind
for realizing when he has a moment.
I think in this game, a great example
was the rounds where he's solo pushing into flames,
like that one you just saw.
Or even here on the eco round,
where he's preempting where these players are
with the Sheriff, and being so good
at finding his individual impact.
That's the kind of confidence it comes from,
not only knowing how good you are,
but knowing that you've done it before,
you've played against the scene,
you've played on a global stage for literally years,
and been consistent at finding that value.
Yeah, and of course, the forum going into Greece
is going to be very important.
We see a paper X that has an advance,
but they have everything in their back to close this
in a 3-1 fashion. And I do have to say, yes, having Forsaken being always as reliable,
always going for the place. He's the kind of player that you, he pushes, you see three
people holding the angle, and he's at least good for one. And that is so incredibly frustrating
to go up against time and time again.
Someone who like was fantastic in the series on Split, for example, early Rod, is something
he's going to be going up against potentially Kiko on this next map. It's one of those,
only one of two maps where NRG, you know, put Kiko in a duelist role.
It's so interesting to see this position now, where it's energy on the verge of elimination.
Their only way to come back and win this series would be to beat Paper X on the map that I
think identifies Paper X's style.
The double duel is something on the jet.
Absolutely dominating.
And while energy have looked good here, and Kiko has actually been quite impressive the
game we got to see and play on that jet, it's a composition.
It's a map that runs anethema to the rest of the read and style that energy have been
going for this tournament. Yeah, we speak about the flexibility that Kiko has proven to have.
Maybe this is comfort, but there's also a map that they haven't played since this first
stage, and that feels ages ago when we talk about how close some of this matches have
been. We saw also energy changing compositions here in Corral, swapping the Keio for this
guy. Do we maybe would like to see something different or do we think this pound for pound
is something that they want to go up against? I think it's just a solid meta composition
on Breeze. I think they really wanted to win Corote. That's why you saw how frustrated
Bonkar is. I think they know they're not really favored here, but energy, the thing about
them is always that resiliency. I felt the same way going into a map four in their final
back in America where they pulled off that reverse sweep. So I won't count them out,
but I do think this is a very favorable position for Paper X. And I don't think there's like
a comp change or any one up that is going to put them far ahead in my mind.
It feels like this is a map that's styled for the individual in a big way where something is already demonstrated quite a level of dominance here.
I mean, outside of the fact that NRG had to move over the wall as a style, maybe that they don't normally want to adopt.
One thing that concerned Neil Corobe was that they were not able to make that adaptation to respond to Paper Rex.
Paper Rex sort of were able to get a feel for the chained up pace from NRG.
You know, maybe get a hand of some of that early sort of play, adapt to the default sort of shift we saw from NRG.
but energy just let themselves get right over the intercorroated.
There wasn't actually any change up from that point on where they just said, okay, you got us.
There were some improvements from Matthew and to Force from Split and to this corridor, sorry, from 2-3.
And it's the fact that I did not see them taking that many isolated duels.
I did not see them going one by one. Yes, from NRG.
So that is the shining and lightning grace on that side.
I want Mada to have the confidence to go up into this one.
We've spoken about Kiko, but I think that for the flexibility and for the endurance of this matchup,
I think the mud is more important.
He certainly will be.
He is that flyer who I think took their last loss
against Nonship to go down here.
A little bit harder, right?
You saw him putting out the tweet,
blaming himself a little bit for the underperformance.
But he's been the guy who always steps up
in these big games for NRG.
It's like across the stage, though.
This is such a comfortable spot for Pay-Per-Ex.
We see two maps.
One, the double duelist, the aim map,
where they've been excellent.
Even if energy wins here, we go to Haven,
where they've been playing this phoenix scott defining their own unique style there.
This is exactly the position that paper X wants to be in.
They're primed to make another deep run, make another final.
They've been so consistent at finding this performance late in tournaments.
And you're seeing it today, the resiliency, the reserve of energy left at the very end
and the ability to adapt so quickly, even under immense pressure.
You speak about adaptation, G2 also struggled a lot
because the chaos that we saw last time around for the side of PaperX was on a different level
and NRG looks like they don't have the confidence to go round for round.
I hope that bonkers have that kind of chat with the boys.
There was a map pool. That's the problem for me.
We know Pearl is always great for this NRG squad,
but outside of that, there's nothing really that should fill you with confidence
if you followed NRG over the course of Santiago here.
Whereas the PaperX looking at their breeze, they're having a great time there.
Yeah, the opportunity for NRG, they're really slipping.
They could be the team to make history and make another final to avoid that champion's curse to prove that you can stay together
Go to another meta win again
But the squad who hasn't had that accolade of going back to back but has been so consistent across every meta
You wouldn't think it would be anyone but them to put them down
And it's just got to play against paper exit style on one of their best maps if they want that opportunity
Whichever way you slice it the deck is stacked against NRG the odds for the world champions
are not good. This tail end of the map pool in this best of five isn't flattering for them,
which means they need to take a step above what they've displayed so far. It's been enough for
the world champions to turn up to make it to this point in Santiago. And now we need to see
something new, something a little bit deeper from this NRG outfit. Let's see who's going to come
out on top again in this clash of styles where NRG have to play more paper. Rex's game will head
over to Pansy and Hypo. Time to find out how bad they want this. On one side, PaperX, who'd
gone back to the drawing board, Rebelt, built themselves as a team. Look better all around.
And again, continue that search for a second trophy. NRG on the other side, you've had
a great tournament. You look competitive. You played your own style. But is this where
it stops, is this the end of the road or is there more to show?
I think Koguka uses a crucial word here, confidence, not seeing it in some of the rounds where
NRG have to fight forwards, don't allow Paper X, the sort of freedom they have to play.
As we know they will, unfortunately come to a map that absolutely epitomizes the approach
paper X like to tap into. A lot of this rides on Kiko here. He set up to shine. We talked
about his impact previously. Against his old team. On this map he was pretty nasty. Now
to do that here though is a bit of a different beast altogether. Again paper X back in the
day you could you could find ways you could imagine how that route would look for a team
to potentially get under their skin to exploit how they play.
They've shown that they've grown since then.
They look on the same page with a quick timeout or two,
a quick reminder of the new version.
Coming to the timeouts, are you worried with what you've seen
from Bonkar?
Because you think about it like if the initial plan,
the prep, yeah, falls.
And that's where we then start discussing confidence, right?
And NRG's ability to really go off script
and play very reactive to what paperwork's
But then in my mind it rolls back to what he was saying at the start of the day, if you missed it, it was something along the lines of just keep playing the game at all times, call up your own number, go for those fights, actually be in it to be willing to take those fights and take high risks.
But it's easy to say that when you're now...
I'm not seeing it, RG, take risks. I'm feeling shy away from a lot of these situations where the structure is set up to shine and be the backbone of this team.
And I hate to say it's a follow-up series where we're seeing some of those things from white on photos.
Yeah, I caught a glimpse of one of them.
But it's not even the elephant in the room anymore.
We've seen a number of examples and even so, coming out of the previous series,
like I said earlier, Paper X would have had the chance to go back and watch that and see what worked,
what NRG struggled with. I don't think we're seeing Paper X really explore that as deep as
is possible for a team like them.
Yeah, that's also the layer that I don't think's
had to kick in, right?
That's what fills me with a little bit of fear,
is we haven't seen them push to their absolute limits yet.
As you may have noted, there is a slight delay.
We are going into game now, I do believe.
So thank you for your patience for playing along at home.
If you are just tuning in, this is the one for pretty much all
the marbles here.
And barring a string of rounds from G2 previously,
A dominant performance, a very one-sided affair.
It has been...
Pape Rex said, epitomising their approach to the game,
their overall ethos,
certainly a chance here with a match to the good
for them to really explore that freedom.
Hey!
Keep going!
Battle of X!
Goal!
Goal!
Thank you.
Back to the wall time for NRG.
Coming into this after a brutal corrode
and have to correct on Breeze.
The Paper X starts to feel tangible.
You start to see that confidence, that tempo,
and that pace, but Ethan,
playing to try and stand his ground,
but only for a moment,
as already they get the first body dropped.
A lot of damage done! A good shot from Kiko, but instantaneously answered.
Look at the numbers here. It's a 4v2.
Down, and you've got to hit it to buy one of the adjustments.
These are high caliber players here today, and they are hitting hard.
Scuba clutches you like, but he is being hunted down.
They first don't even let you play out of a smoke.
They're starting across the T's, dot the I's,
And they're starting to look in high, high form.
Invictive of what I just said.
Tapping into now the momentum.
They know they've got NRG.
Scrambling for answers.
But Pacey here, even,
for just spamming everything into that wall.
They just fight together, man.
Doesn't have anything left to contest that second wave of pressure.
Of course, you hear the dart basically mitigating the paranoia.
Hey, Brex, disrespecting the timing.
Might actually be a little bit behind the curve in terms of the TP.
I didn't see when it was sent out, but...
Can't get there quick enough.
Okay. Early note.
Gork, uh, really...
Alright.
Fancying a go at that.
Right here.
On the other side, two of them doing it.
Sheriff's the other three with the investments for the Old Bear Guardian.
Reflight towards a main.
And it's all through a main, actually.
If you look at the minimap right now, it is...
Trailering in from this side.
getting the shots he wants.
Trumpdark could do quite nicely.
Doesn't do as much as I'd imagine.
But still, hey, Prex, do you carry on?
Do you power forward?
You got, oh!
Why wouldn't you?
Something gifted from the gods at times.
As now they have to just bulldoze the sights,
and they are.
Kiko, you can give it a go, mate.
It's going to come down to Mada in a 1v2 here.
Note something.
He'll be toying with the timing to get the plant.
Mada's got to read this right.
spots it, sees it, prepares himself, the push is coming.
Ring a ring a Rosie we go, Mada, how long can you play the game?
I guess about double doors.
And they are, but he's got an upgrade for it.
Mada now, equipped to potentially make something of this round.
30 seconds left.
Something's got to be able to reposition to here.
Farn will come through, Mada still considering a freeze outside eight.
Now some question marks in terms of navigating his way through mid.
Does still have a decoy here.
Look around, right behind us.
Open plan, so when he spots this, it might...
OK, another question mark.
Something will be the first.
It'll be fully disconnected from this,
but now drifting back behind the pillar.
It's a world of possibility. This could happen.
He's got to get a move on, he's got to find something.
Now, not gonna be it, something clean, sharp, concise.
PaperX make it through the storm, but it got pretty choppy again.
A little bit of danger there, Kiko keeping it competitive.
And also though, but PaperX just seems not care.
They went and stacked knowingly at that point.
That's here from something onto Ethan.
Yeah, not much to do in that situation.
It's only really the very light purchase.
The Navels payprex actually recovered from that financially.
Something our Guardian envy on a bulldog.
Very well invested here in the bonus.
It's what he talked about today.
Payprex's ability to set themselves up with a huge cushion.
Let me start off some of these halves.
Yeah, seeing something in that position, such a nice,
on a spot, Marder, and a note, forsaken, but doesn't really give them too much to play off.
Again, if you're looking at where, paper is tapering off towards, it is the weakest side of the map.
Certainly is, Scuba. You're tucked in here, Kiko. We're not fangirl here towards me,
not necessarily holding the cross. Yeah, he can't see them cross out to site,
and now he's going to know at least something getting towards site, but it's going to be,
can they keep control of the back lines here? Double swing!
Kiko on red alert, he needs help here. Scoopers by his side, but the flash is exceptional again!
It is stunning! From Paper X and harrowing scenes for NRG. Losing Alan's sight control here.
The plant next on the cards and look at that lurk.
Divide the same. And he's here first. Hello.
Gonna keep you honest in this one now.
Force attention, turns back in time.
Stunning shot, good thought from Mada.
We're in 3v3.
Game's still on here, oh, until then.
Jingham Forsaken.
Perfect timing on the peaks here.
Send them packing.
A third to be converted here.
Divide up to seal the deal.
Remove the rifle from Mada's hands.
Spotted here, Mada force back a little bit.
I don't think the interest of Payprex
This is going to be pushing really deep in here, I can't say.
They're fast on the side.
Oh, yeah, they're open.
Can't catch it.
Oh, mother.
Yeah, I think he's just about got safety here.
I don't think they'll get there in time.
No.
Well, he's having a try.
They really did try.
Just about got there.
But this is where we look at the problems, Mike.
This is a bonus conversion.
Yes, it was well invested, but the score line is 3-0.
I get a little more active here on the side of NRG, but I haven't been able to pin anybody down just yet.
It's hard to keep that confidence high, right, when you're in this predicament.
Harder needs to be an instigator. Needs to be an X-Factor.
Living up to the task so far, giving Ethan an opportunity as well.
That's a nice recovered weapon there. Add that to hand.
What's got a bucky? Right on the choke point of being the three players still
positioned on that side here. Get a cast of I down to 10.
Pulled rotation though. That's going to be Kiko leaning closer towards that A side.
Oh, you can sniff out this crossfire very easily.
Does he invest it?
That's a little like the ones you're trying to be potentially reserved for.
Oh my god, he's gone down. I thought he had that.
And now Marley looks dead to right! Again! Paper X! No respect! It's only earned here!
And NRG do not look threatening enough.
He's walking dry to the beach site. I think Brog's in a position here to find a total sitter.
This is systematic destruction of NRG currently. Paper X in full control. Scuba a little stylish.
But ends the same. Device had so much freedom as well. A real problem.
But that's not even the bigger problem happening. They are losing on every front and waiting for a timeout.
I don't know if it's now...
And another early timeout with Boncart.
Again, with the catches a glimpse here.
Forsaken. Beautiful entry into the B-site.
Not much of the former positives here in the opening string of rounds.
Kiko maybe they want to offset that now with an operator in hand. Oh, that's pressure though on him, isn't it?
The brink of a ton of holdings here.
Oh my god. Oh my god! Get from above!
Jake, they outdo them so easily! It feels like they are in their heads!
Cool, you want to get Kiko involved? Sick, I'm already there waiting for you.
The operator removed.
Yeah, off rip. Now Ethan again, tasked with just, I thought here, look at the gap between him and the second player of NRG.
He's so alone and Jose can knows it. He's haunted him down. This team is absolutely falling to pieces in front of our eyes here.
Something's on a heater. Marne is still trying to fight back but it's traded. And now you can see the numbers game.
Scoob is a million miles away from this.
to watch this one pass him by.
I feel like barring a 1v3 from
scuba. He needs this one so early on.
It'll be number five for paper
accent. The way he's playing this
now, he's going to wait it out.
We're on the brink of some ultimates.
Kiko still one away from the
Bladestorm. Mada and Brock have
theirs to bring into round six.
Yeah, Steyer. I mean, we talked
about their concerns previously
previously a lack of ideas in the mid-round and the problems of the troubleshooting on
the fly not favoring NRG. It's the same diagnosis once more. Now I'm expecting a timeout.
Yeah. They need to cure to the woes, right?
See how tilted Spooble looks there.
He doesn't look happy. And these are frustrating rounds. You look at it, it isn't.
They are. Yeah. In terms of how NRG built and where the pedestal they put themselves
up in terms of structure, discipline, control.
Currently just choking on all that wisdom.
Look at it.
Again, the second you want to bring that operator out,
it's just handled.
And it then leaves Ethan so alone.
This is the early turning point for an RG.
Now it's like, OK, we basically give away
another couple of rounds here.
And the buys are going to be there or thereabouts.
Give me bonka cam.
Give me bonka cam now.
I dare you.
It's Somba scenes.
isn't it really? I know they can bring a bit of levity to it sometimes, but this is not
a fun position to be in. Frustration.
Fun looks checked out.
Yeah, they don't look happy.
And you've got to come right to this feeling like it's
NRG relying on the strength of that structure that's
really destroying the morale right now. And again, if you had a chance to listen in and see what's
being called in some rounds, then you could maybe come up with some answers, but Paybreak's
just peeking NRG apart.
And again, I know it's noise that's thrilling kills, because maybe he's not on the site,
he's on that late lurk, but a big game player for me is always going to be divine.
You get towards these maps, you get towards lower finals, grand finals, he is on it.
Yeah, Heliklotz, so much impact here, or value in terms of his positioning.
come back in. I said the buy is there or there abouts for NRG, continuing to go forwards.
I mean, rightfully so, they can't just let this pass the buy.
It's your time to make a stand. Time to fight for what you want that chance at a final.
Unwilling to adapt to the sign of the times.
Conditioning though, they forced them to address this B-side hold.
and they get to flip the script.
Yeah, these Ethan who's been unable to anchor towards B,
and how tasks will hold him down the fort.
But, Bolly's in place early enough,
in order to maybe contest early on in this retake.
Well, it does have Alt as well, Marder's got his two.
They look a little hesitant.
Look how much space something is taking.
He wants to get involved.
He is just absolutely on the hunt here.
They want to make this hurt.
They want to absolutely punish Enargy!
And for saken is!
He goes down, Brock sends it in.
But again, something's still alive. He's still breathing in this one.
Mada, he's just surrounding Paper Rex!
Absolutely making them sweat here!
Ethan desperate to do it back, desperate to try.
But he will fall like all the others as Paper Rex continues on their flawless march.
Six on the board. Another round where Paper Rex are able to just...
get right in and amongst NRG.
Again, for sake of able to TP back out.
Something then goes even further
forwards towards double doors.
Father, unfortunately, just sticks around
in the ultimate so long desperate to find
some sort of value on the way back out.
And he's just in no man's land.
And that's after a timeout.
That's after you've had to check in now.
Just dig deep, boys.
Give us something, run it mid.
Take a chance, take a risk, because right now you're 0-6 down.
It's the choice of...
...dying on your feet, or dying on your knees, it feels like Scuba trying to find a window, a pocket to play from, and he's got it.
Got something dead.
Good follow-up potential towards Forsaken, but he's having none of that.
But he goes here quick.
Ethan now, punching back as well, starting a little bit more fiery.
Maybe willing to play Paper X in their own game, but...
...they are the masters of it, for a damn reason!
Forsaken!
Two kills!
Maybe getting two more turns. A flash, you can't flash this man, it just seems impossible.
Marder on the case though. Bring it down to...
Look to Defy.
It's just unbelievable, an envy though. That's a checkmate spot beneath and a nice deeper off angle.
Gonna pause, gonna wait it.
But Defy could still...
Do damage here.
Ooh, just a slight glimpse.
Oh my god, oh my god.
Defy making the impossible look so doable.
Barely contained currently.
Still noted, Marder, shifting closer, playing on the wall, even down incredibly low.
There's now down to a 1v1, Marder. How brave are you?
My God. There's only really the clone that draws the visor's attention back in that direction.
NRG, the first on the board here, but they took everything.
But they were playing aggressive, they were taking big boy fights, they're walking down middle.
If this is what it takes, if you have to play Paper X at this game, can you keep doing it?
This is where you talk about the sustainability of this approach to NRG.
Throughout going against the grain plain off meta here with the double jewelers, they have to go against...
...everything they believe in effectively elsewhere.
Find that level at this point would be almost unfathomable.
And for Paper X, they continue.
I got a block. I'm not going to
fall back from this. They found
something that works. Oh wait,
for a second, it was ready to
be behind this. Yes, he was.
Yeah, he was so ready.
I still interested. I like this
potential crossfire. They're
trying to make towards double
doors just in case that pit is
really trying to tailor them
through.
has committed towards
position. Scuba noted it. Yep, he might have caught some help here. Marder on an island.
There's three on the other side of this door here. Marder, that's the first. They turn on a dime,
they look back to it, he gets out of there. Good adjustment on that. At least keep this in a 5v4,
but then you look at the pivot, you look at the options. They are heading towards that B site
right now. They're looking to filter through middle. They're leaving a problem over towards that
a pit that is going to be a very late point from Divy and he has no idea so now you look towards
Envy didn't go and get the shot but now the twink from top middle Kiko with a big kill towards
something five still standing for an Archie Envy now I mean I don't have to get to live here yeah
with a bailout like that from Jing and now Divy strikes in the back lines Jing the TV Jing the TV
They've got a... Wait, where's the option?
What's going on? What?
Oh, no, no, why?!
What?! What is that from Jim?!
Are you kidding me?!
I have never seen something that wild!
But of course, it's Paper X. You're pulling fakes.
In a lower finals, are you?
Brock must be absolutely dazed after this.
Where the hell's DeVy? Where's Jingon?
And I've got nothing but a Guardian to try and do this with.
No, it's DeVy.
Test them! But they pass! We're flying colours!
Show me that again!
That is one of the most insane misdirections I've ever seen.
The scramble from NRG.
Because there's no way you'd make that right!
There's no way you'd make that!
I can't believe it.
Hey, hang on. Where did he click? Where did he click?
I don't know.
Wait, hang on.
Should we get...
Give me that again.
It looked like he clicked onto the backside of A.
It looked like it, but...
It still worked.
By madness or miracle,
the last accidental clutch ever.
I am stunned and probably so are NRG.
If we are losing our minds,
I'm sure they are baffled by this.
It's reset as well, the fans looking at Kiko, a Guardian in hand.
Oh my God.
No.
This game's going to kill me.
It's going to kill me.
I can't take it.
It's 7-1.
It shouldn't be this dangerous.
We're going back to Watch Middle.
Well, timing on this smoke could be crucial here for MV.
Played him soon.
Oh, Kiko.
That's a nice shot.
That's a nice shot.
What's going on this smoke could be crucial here for MV.
Played him soon.
Oh Kiko!
That's a nice shot.
That's a nice shot.
It's better of Jing on that cross.
Be sight wide open here because of the rotation.
Seen out.
Well taken, taking that space, orchestrating this audible call here from Paper X.
What are you meant to do with your scooby?
You've got a classic.
Let him plant.
Yeah.
I guess. Kiko go fight middle.
Oh! Kiko go fight middle.
It's a big call. No.
Ah, man, wait. NRG.
There is a heartbeat still.
I can't take it too far.
I mean, you might need to.
You might need to because maybe they're going to flat line from this one.
Invi in something.
Something's got all two of it.
Comes down to it.
He's still with a shock dart to play with as well.
Oh my God.
They've got upgrades, they've got three vandals coming in,
but Envy has another kill.
Oh! Line them up and knock them down!
NRG, would you just thought there was hope?
Get absolutely brutalized something.
Oh! Oh my God, Mother!
Time! Time!
They've done it! Oh my God!
They've done it! They've done it!
I can't take it! I cannot take it!
8-1, a red bull clutch.
You thought NRG had done enough.
If there was any hope of regaining composure,
a course correction in terms of the mental here for NRG,
those two rounds will destroy all of that.
I can't believe what we've just seen the last couple of rounds feel like I've
slipped into an alternate reality a fever dream but for NRG it's just a
nightmare as the pace never stops they continue to look posturing Ethan
desperate to dig deeper scuba by his side but it's still a 3v3 and you've
traded off side control for this sales into the front side here Jing able to
anchor fairly comfortably pretty far forward as well look how far NRG are
waiting this 3b3 but Jing is just waiting in a smoke he's got another
smoke to layer this as well yeah just coming up now get to play around that
box to this is just a legit this is just a legit so far and he still goes down
swinging divide now that's just the point in V is a checkmate position but
you can get past the bike I don't think you do keep those desperate for the
pressure is mounting as energy choking on all that wisdom they once had paper
X finding round after round miracle after miracle and I think it's time out
time you have to you have to with these last few rounds paper X just channeling
some of that BS that comes out every so often that truly is the X factor of this
roster I haven't seen it in a minute I know we joke about it the kind of any
percentile team right there doesn't really matter but these sort of rounds
are like vintage paper x what do you say to NRG if you're bonkard right now what
can you say I'm struggling and I'm not even on this my job to have something
to say and I can't think of a thing to describe what we've just seen
a lot calmer this time around has to bring these guys back online in terms of the mental
here because they must be stretched to their absolute limit in the server. Coinbase win
condition coming out of this for NRG is going to be around Mada potentially with this dimensional
drift. Kiko, one away from the Bladestorm, brought one off the Hunters Fury. The buyer's
going to be, well I say it's going to be there. There will be no shield for brought, a Bulldog
in the hands of Ethan. It is
desperation. The NRG here. Just
one round in this first half
of Breeze. Hey, Bress. Only the
blades don't use but it hasn't
even needed Oats. No, no.
Other than the two three. Well,
I don't think it does. Marder though willing to be brave about this one but
bravery not save him this time. Still standing on this corner though wants to
try and keep security on some part of this map. They desperately want to fight mid.
Marder gonna find one something will fall. Be sight-wide open Kiko slipping a
little deeper. Trying to get proactive towards A main as well. Marder he's
after the information and I think he's going to get a whole lot of it but for
sake in the meantime find a fight in the middle this guy is clinical
follow up!
What Ethan! Lucky to be breathing and lucky to be alive it's still powering towards the ASA
Here's the TV, it's Goober, 5 HP, can we set a little bit of fire, looking to pop out of the smoke bar
We'll clean it up, a 3K for him.
All invested though, come into the last round now.
And you are preying on a curse here.
Preying to find a 9-3.
I don't know what you're meant to do with your prayers though.
When you're fighting against a team, whose religion
has they got still very much alive and in this?
you look at Divy, you look at Forsaken, you look at Jing.
That's when we are going to envy you as I clutch in that moment of converting around
the looked unwinnable. I mean, what are you meant to do?
Knives on, Kiko trying to hold on.
Something on the other side here. Ethan, close by.
That's the one way. A little bit bold for Forsaken to try and disrespect that.
I don't mind the confidence, but that allows Ethan to shine more bodies more
victims if it takes everything he will do it himself divine
Back to watch as NRG clutched at every straw to give themselves the finest of margins
Coming through for Ethan. He wants that ace.
Scuba will let him have it if he can. They are fighting together for this one.
That is your captain, Ted!
Pekiko on the trade! An NRG with barely breath left in their chest.
Three rounds, but it's three that keeps them maybe alive.
Maybe. Paper X look absolutely lethal. Don't miss the next half.
I
that knows the whole world, Mr. Secretary, how are you?
Very well, friend. Today, the truth...
Today, the truth is that I want to fight against you.
It can't be possible for you to be so patchy.
I want to...
I'm in a fight with a lot of clothes, so...
I want you to help me. We're going to divide the risk of this side.
We're going to make the Alfa, and they're going to help me, friend.
Do you think so?
Adelante a ver si pueden.
A ver chicos, todos los de acá, equipo alpha, griten con el alma!
Eso se va a olvidar jamás, eh.
But, I know you won't let me die, friends.
I'm behind the mission.
Where is the Omega team?
That's up for it.
I mean, they're getting their money's worth today.
Oh, they are!
If that's not going to get you fired up, I don't know what will, but a 9-3 reality is
here. It was pandemonium on the first half, but NRG scraped together two rounds at the
very end.
That's where you pin your hope, Stu. Paper X, in terms of starting halves, have looked
Fantastic today.
The pistol here would feel like the first
Lomino to food
in the second half.
And seal NRG's fate here in Santiago.
There's been a
quite a tendency here over towards the B side,
but the Vyatarsk with maybe finding some chip damage.
Respect this initially.
Oh no!
But a little asleep at the wheel, maybe admitting that moment on just an off-set of timing, but they won't pay any attention to what's in front of them.
So down a three, they're feeling the strain.
Now they'll be feeling nothing as Ethan and Brock last two alive.
And look at that surround coming in as well, some things on the way.
This map is not feeling comfortable.
A little bit of safety gathered by Ethan, but overwhelmed.
There's just numbers here. Paper X.
This is the one to really start feeling like you're so close now.
What do you know? Well, there's
a reason there's a buy here,
Michael. Yeah, and it's the
other side. Frugal from
Paypress. Probably willing to
almost allow NRG to take
control of this year. Don't
want to risk. Things build up
in terms of the finances early
on. If they lose this, it's
It's effectively 12.
Okay, we're exiting.
Does that attack yet?
I'm on it now.
It's 10.
He's been through something nearly punished.
Look at the orb out of this.
That's it.
NRG will stack up behind him.
Shandar from the behind doesn't connect.
I don't believe.
Jane, maybe tested.
NRG trying to compound it,
but the problem's starting to mount
and Divide finally falls.
It is to be three though numbers still sitting on their side report take it deep here, man
Everything on the line for it
Soaks the shot and I'm seeing paper-rex shoot bodies
Comes down to just a
Key piece about the connections there from scuba, but it's not the right scope
So, to close this out, Jing does so well to slow things down with the paranoia here as well.
Tease DeVy up to reinforce this side-hold, and we've walked us so well in this situation.
For Saken, as you said, more salt in the wound.
NRG throwing funds back into this now, nothing left to lose.
I'm going to lose his head though numbers up and they build harder with decent performance
here 15 to 9.
You can see the nerves.
to win this, doesn't he? He's
going to find it. He's going to
know now nothing's behind it.
This is maybe the start of the
end, but NRG trying to put the
site and they do at least get to
buy down something trust to
throw around in time. Can't do it
in time.
This is the start of the end,
but NRG trying to put the site
and they do at least get to buy
down something trust to throw
around in time. Can't do it in
time.
I don't know if you're interested
in time. Can't do it. It's not
pretty Valorant but it's oh my
god. Oh my god. Are they going
to win this one? Okay. That's
the one you get. That's the one
you're going to get. 4 to 11.
Not pretty at all. Brex losing
out. A couple of engagements here
allowing NRG to at least catch
their breath. Potential for a
Something going wrong on the site. How does he get murder and get out in time? I do not know
Finally called by scuba but by now
Problems key goes on 22 scuba is the only one to stand
It's on something now the one the two the spike is with scuba. Thank God you go for that
You saw it I saw it the hell was that
Chin nearly coming I mean you think I would say yes, he did I'm nearly finding another forsaken
Catches
Stupid kill I feel like I'm on a verge of a breakdown through every round here
I'm going to go back to the
side.
So he said, yeah.
Well, I don't know.
Maybe you should have as well
by his back in the operator into
something.
Everything they need.
Martin does have all those
and they're making no
subtleties of this.
Not going to pave the way
for expecting this
go down on top of this.
But the road to hell was paved with good intentions.
Let's see if Mada can at least keep this in check.
Already they are so close by.
Look how close they are to this.
Mada going to get out of danger,
but Jing backfilling the space here
and starting to clear through that back corner of site.
Envy's caught Ethan.
Is that spam?
Have they not figured out that Jing could be here?
Envy's cleared another and they'll be hurted so much closer.
Oh, Envy, it's just wrecking house.
Jing was the threat that was never seemingly needed, Italy!
Maybe enough to do it himself, still trying to stand as Scuba, desperate attempt at keeping themselves alive in this.
He's gonna be down incredibly low, sending some blindshot darts in.
Scuba is the real deal, though!
Four for him.
How?
Just a ridiculous post plan.
Paper X.
I said the first kill comes from Ethan.
And you think, oh, OK, yeah, they're going to readjust here.
The Hunters' fury comes so early on.
Unfortunately, just not finding the follow-up in here
was just a shot ahead of that.
Look at Invy's work, man.
Oh!
I mean, he finds everything but Scuba inside this fit.
They just can't dig him out of this corner.
He's done so well for the side there.
So, so well, I mean...
What a nutty, last two kills as well.
The guy has been incredibly clutched throughout.
I mean, rolling my mind back through several of the series, several of their games.
One of the X's don't seem to make a blind bit of difference to that guy.
Absolute, just heroics from him.
Now, I thought Jinx's position was gonna be it.
That was gonna be the end of things.
Mate, in that situation.
especially like said in be finding everything inside the pit
sorry
go away bomb and beyond man weird as little pocket
ha ha ha no wall to hug
the spam would have been just bonkers
for paper X to find
just sheriffs
just sheriffs
NRG, once his fury is brought to B for Ethan, they're just sheriffs.
The more you tell me the worse I feel, they're just sheriffs.
They can't hurt you, they're just sheriffs.
Ah, there's three here.
And here we go.
Already something in to take the corner.
Poised in position. NRG.
You want to try and pull those forwards, you've got to get past them.
There's a lot of bodies here and they're willing to brawl.
Jing sticking around too.
Now, there is four players and one's on the flank. NRG, you can't really backpedal now,
DeVy, is in the backlines.
This is actually a new position here. If I were to be able to catch potentially the
likes of Mada, we know, so if you're taking space elsewhere, confirmation from Envy, and
smoke to slow things down even further. NRG held outside.
This is putting the fear of God in me.
Because they're stuck, they don't know what's behind them.
How are they going now?
That's a huge question mark.
It's going to take them a long time to clear diligently back through mid.
If you clear diligently through middle.
Ethan trying to put a question mark there, but it's cleared instantly by Forsaken.
So they keep the stack.
Well they can because of device position.
They're walking into a trap.
There's 30 seconds.
30 seconds left.
You ever feel like someone's about to prepare every wrong?
time to be brave about it trying find your way forward something's got one
jinks you're waiting strikes but he doesn't get what he needed Ethan's
gonna get them three here for sake and super close to the site though and look
at the flank look who is behind you Ethan looking for information I don't
think you caught it on that the fire is coming though the second cautious on his
steps forward to buy the last one here though and he's found energy with a
a little bit of brilliance from the captain himself for kills.
Another 4K from Ethan in a crucial round.
I said they walk into this initially.
See something getting one onto Kiko.
Look at Ethan's kills.
Look at how they come to be.
Bratby, man.
Up to seven.
Just for separating these two teams,
NRG, finding something from nothing.
Speaking of something, I'll break this there again.
And his directed approach is pasty, and it is them proving a point.
Trying to regain some of that confidence, but does it get called as quickly as it started?
Kiko looking to take space as well.
Double Doorjack coming in fast!
Scuba saving Kiko in that one.
They get the site, and they send Paper X saving.
What a game, man. The
pendulum swings. N. R. G.
hitting their stride in this
second half of Breeze. You
have to hold onto three rifles
here potentially. I mean, N. R.
G. They have the money to go
hunts it. It could really,
the ball firmly into paper X is caught. I just, I just feel like I'm waiting for it to go wrong. And I know I
shouldn't. I know I should be, you know, I didn't want to say it. I didn't want to say it. I'm waiting for
nine. I'm waiting for nine. And then you got me. But this so far is
not even no money and unbelievable. Yes.
It's still paper X for me. I hate that. I just I can't believe in it yet. After what I've seen, we've
I've witnessed miracles on the first half.
I cannot believe it yet.
A timeout for Payprex and they've been very good.
They've been very good with these.
Super extended as well, considering the garbage time
in that previous round.
It's really fired up here.
Probably feeling as if this should have been
dead and buried already.
I gotta say, I'm kind of in the same realm as him.
only three now, NRG able to string together.
I mean, what did I say?
It was one sided versus G2 other than a string of five rounds.
Five rounds back to back.
But what's the, are you seeing easy adjustments here?
I feel like we're seeing a lot of expunge around for NRG too.
I'm seeing NRG go above and beyond the call of duty
to find some of these rounds.
like being able to topple paper
exponent, basically hitting full
speed, full momentum. It's just a
joy to watch. But it's it's it's
you walk the tight road. Yes, it
is a tight. That's the best way
to put it. You're like
balancing spinning place. It's
like if one and I said it's it's
it's oh god imagine even in
this route. Shating. Both sides
some of the plans that must be
at the start of this round versus
just how I scrapped that scrap
that. Oh, see it heavily
favouring paper X. This is the
snowball round. They've been
banking on. Something either
to be decisive. Ethan is in
that smoke. Something is
waiting there. Looking like he's
about to hunt his prey. I don't
to each other, man.
Ida, who's gonna come out swinging?
Who's alive?
Somehow they're both still standing here.
This is what I'm talking about.
This is why I'm terrified of this game.
One knife left, something has to back away.
You get three set now.
And get some other five times.
Get me out.
We're all in the asylum together now.
Why do I feel like Jinx's position is the next one?
It's like Forsaken might get a good tag there and have to fall away, or maybe even drop a body, but...
Oh, God! He gets more than one!
And Jing gonna give it away, though. Hacks away. Doesn't want to outstay his welcome.
Trying to play a little poise with a little bit of discipline, but in the meantime, he's got Ethan dead.
And now he goes. Call the bomb! Can't do it!
Scoobin' out! The clutch kick himself has to find three. 28 seconds.
something divide and jing within touching distance of 12 they've got to bury
this man they've got to do it clean but he's working just on the turn something
comes back around and it's paper X up to 12 the taps from the Guardian so clean
look at it I mean that's the start yeah I mean what the hell is this oh that is
gorgeous I thought it was a one of them yeah more for me
they found the response here Jing Forsaken still ults to use energy still
sitting on nothing. Closest being Scuba and Ethan.
It's just going back to the safe piece. And look at the rest of the map.
We've already cleared towards that B side. The clear, deep on elbow.
Since we decided by a 5v5 postplot. I mean, Morsaken's, oh, is everything here.
Everything in terms of pay for accessibility to close this out in round 21.
He's pinging though, he's pinging something there. They've got an awareness but Jinx
fallen. He's going to fall back in and try to get some safety to play from. Something
on the flag though, bound this time. Even though not going to let him get away with
an NRG. Putting up a brick wall of defense. Divine for sake and some fancy. There are
I can't blame you. 2v3 surely not now. They're still going.
Nothing short of protection required. Not going to happen now.
And RG is still alive.
Up to 9. I don't want to say it's a gamble, but they just fully commit to this take once more towards 8.
unfortunately, we'll say can
just can't get somebody down
from the outside of the hole
and Payback's can't find a kill
based on the information
and the frustration still
on display
we'll say can operator in hand now
it's that final round right
the last one is always hardest to get
they have chances here
and a different approach from NRG
approach from NRG for Seken's timing, turns it, squats it, here's it!
It's a stunner from Seken, as Marder, dead and buried, leaving the rest to pick up the pieces and they are!
Still here, same position, the fake of the TP, and look how spread NRG are.
Kiko probably called back into formation here.
Ethan has to be the one to open this up probably waiting on a smoke over towards double doors
Scoober still have the ability to late invest some utile
It's not clear Gingo
And he fell back before this time he will not fall back
He sets up the second
And I think this might be the one as Ethan and Brock
it looks impossible and it might just be as broke the last one alive 17 HP as the
princess of Pacific continue their pursuits to claim another trophy but
this was simply simply sensational
This roster truly knows no heights. The ceiling still just continues to creep higher and higher.
Absolute domination here. Basically they're hard counterpart. NRG.
God, they fought with heart and soul.
I can't give enough credit to them to be able to bounce back after some of these rounds
and still string together a possibility.
Absolutely insane, but that's the calibre of NRG and it's what PaperX have had to overcome today.
What an insane performance, Lauren.
across the board, everybody elevating here for this roster.
As you said, the sky is the limit with this team.
Yet to meet their ceiling. Yet to know when they're done.
And today, defeating an old nemesis, Ethan, the man who took champions away from them so long ago,
But it has been a long road an arduous one, but paper X continued that path
And we'll hear from them in the horizon post-match
And they are going into the grand finals
Forsaken, how are you today? I just want to know you're the America's final boss
You send energy home, you won from them this time, and tomorrow you're playing in that grand final.
How are you feeling right now?
I'm feeling really excited that Pacific will grand final together, but this time only us can kill Gambia, I believe that.
Ok, let's talk a little bit about what this victory was, they really ended up leading to energy.
And I wanted to know how it felt.
He says he's very excited because he's going to have a Pacific final.
And they can only stop Adam.
In fact, that's what I want to ask now.
So you said it yesterday, you said it now.
You are the only ones that can stop Nungshin and Dembi.
What are you doing to ensure that victory tomorrow
and win this Masters and being a back-to-back Masters winner?
I mean, for me, I think we just have to play confidently.
And my mindset is for the tournament,
like I want to show my Toronto form again.
I want to be able to have a game like usual and confident
like that so we can win the match.
That could be really interesting.
We'll talk a little bit about what he's going to do in that game tomorrow.
What are they doing to win that game?
He says they're going to do what they're doing now,
but he wants to be in that form in which he was in Toronto.
So that can be the secret to win tomorrow's game.
Now, also talking about the maps,
you guys have that fair map on,
as you've not played it since last year against Gen G.
Now you're going into that match tomorrow without any vetoes.
How's the pressure with that?
I mean, for us, I think, no pressure because we always try it from any way, we always try, like, weird comps, and even though we lost, but we're just having party room, maybe, if we lost, maybe, it's okay, we're gonna go move on to the next map.
And we have a spoiler for Abyss.
But we confident, confident all the time.
Just confident, we don't get any ages, nothing.
Maybe Gekko.
Oh, maybe Gekko.
And well, talking a little bit about what are the maps, tomorrow they will enter the
confrontation without those two bets because it does not come with that advantage.
Also talking a little bit about what there was if Beravis had not played it and says that
maybe they are always trying different compositions, so they are going to see the same confidence
as always that game.
I told him, some spoilers of the competition, and he said, maybe it's a joke, so I don't
know because tomorrow we are going to discover it.
Thank you very much for this interview.
You're free to go and take pictures with the fans because tomorrow we will return with
We're coming back with this Pacific regional finals.
It's going to be amazing.
So stay tuned for tomorrow because we have our show match
with the new agent and the red silence.
Thank you.
Welcome everybody to the post show.
It's out of state.
It should be joined by DeVy after a fantastic victory
in that series three to one.
You've got to be feeling pretty good to have another crack at a master's title tomorrow.
Excited, I would say. You know what, we've been to the finals.
But yeah, I'm still kind of nervous from the brief game.
We kind of had good lead, but kind of like playing around to the end and almost got punished by that.
But overall, we're good.
Yeah, no surprises. Alex, Luke.
Yeah, what was happening on those timers?
Because as you were saying, it got very close towards the end.
So, the last time I was, we should just say, like, oh, guys, maybe stop dancing around
and try to close out the game, because we were dancing after the diffused ride, the
spike.
We were doing the emote, so it's like, oh, maybe stop dancing around, so we're like,
yes, sure.
Yes, yes, yeah.
Your showing in this series is fantastic.
It feels like the first corrode that you guys played here at Masters, it was a little awkward,
little uncomfortable.
We saw you on the other bikes, playing pretty far forward, like getting aggressive on that
It feels like you've really reeled that in now, and that cop and that map for you guys
looks to be very dangerous.
Yep, somehow our coach got them better throughout the tournaments.
I would say during the kickoff, our coach wasn't the best.
We changed a lot of like agents and stuff, and I mean thankfully throughout the final
now, we got them better, and I like it.
Oh yeah.
The way I did when you were playing today was absolutely amazing.
Speaking of the maps and the maps and the map bands that you're not going to have tomorrow.
Yep.
We were asking just for a second, but I want to know your opinion as well.
What's going on on Abyss because it's...
Hey, like what's going to happen?
I'm not sure what to come.
I think that one we're going to let Ash to cook.
Maybe we should put Forsaken on Gekko just to like, you know, finish his quest.
Yeah.
What would you like to play?
I don't know. Maybe... I don't mind Chamber.
Ooh, Chamber. Okay, I like it.
How do you feel about going up against this Nongshin team?
You guys have not been an official, have you ever played against these guys?
It's a weird, have no idea what to expect.
I mean they are very good roster I would say.
I think people kind of like mislead other players.
People are just focusing on Dambi and I think the rest of the boys also very good players.
And we screen them a lot, we just never play them in official.
I mean screen in screen anyway.
But, yeah, I guess tomorrow is the day we finally play officially together.
I mean, I don't know, they've been playing very good.
I hope we also play our A-game and make the best team in the season.
Yeah, regional final. Great day for Pacific.
Seth and Kiana are going to be living for that.
I wanted to show you a moment that we saw during Breeze.
I know that it got very hectic, but there was a moment where specifically you and Jing
I need you to tell me from inside what is going on here.
So basically, I was just having a coffee behind the vipers.
I was just chilling like, hey guys, let's go B2A.
I'm gonna throw all the smoke on the yellow in the container and then you guys are gonna go there.
And somehow the plan got stopped.
I think Keiko or Mada picked one of the boys and they end up going to B.
and suddenly they went inside the beam and we saw it was too big to light right now and
We called Jay you got out you got it and this guy he went press the out he pressed outside of the man
Haha, I was like yo, you don't have time, but I thought it's over
But he got second option. He canceled out he wishes I was quite surprised by him that
Decision-making was very good that he knew that if we come into the out he is not gonna win the round for us
he canceled and they're not gonna expect for I mean there's no way we're gonna
expect that right? Yes. You catch someone running I was like you see I'm not to get the
plan I'm coming I'm coming I'm like I was just trying to get to him. You had pitted all night.
I was chilling and chill scuba I was like yo I guess I'm coming being you know
but that was insane decision making though I thought he would call me the
but nope, he got another plan.
That is only around the scope.
Yeah, it was the most paper-rex.
Very proud of him.
I think they only need that and you shooting a teammate, thinking that it's an enemy and then the tournament is done.
Yeah, it's funny, you treat your gameplay like a language, you know what I mean?
Like it's a real expression, you don't have to think about it so much.
It seems so instinctive. Let's have a look at our bracket here of course, device.
We look forward, we all know what is awaiting us.
It is going to be an all-pacific matchup between Nongshim Red Force and Paper X.
Devine, do you have the air-to-dotes to the chaos that is downbeat?
I'm not sure. I mean, we started the chaos a long time ago,
and apparently, he's been a nightmare for the rest of the team,
but I hope the training is here to stop him.
We imagine it's a legendary game.
I think it's such a treat that we haven't got to see you guys play there yet as well.
So thanks for helping us have our expectations that we can't wait to see you guys of course tomorrow
Thank you everybody home as well for watching today. We'll see you tomorrow
We're on top of a long-awaited firstly count between nonchim and paper Rex on the grand final
We'll also have a show match day viewing Valorant's newest agent. So we'll see you there
Welcome to the lower final here in Masters, Santiago, where we are going to learn he'll be joining nonchim in tomorrow's grand final
Will it be last year's champions winners and RG or an all-pacific final with Paper Rex?
Don't know if he got spotted just on the drone coming back around.
So he's been given a new lease of life and you can see the patients there waiting a split second long.
The headshot Ethan!
Oh! Oh ho! For saken!
First man in, you can see the intention from the virus strike there.
Oh no! Oh my word, he is a lucky voice! Even the alive!
Ethan's there! It is all coming together!
Yeah, right behind this.
Especially with something finding a pick.
Yep, that's Mardekon and then Archie.
Oh, just being massacred in middle.
And as you said, look who's coming!
Oh, look who's going!
It is stylish!
You could do this in front of an audience like this for Seiken.
Oh, dear Amy!
That is something you'd sooner forget if you're in Archie.
But now something's back on the line.
The first problem, and the final one as well.
Something is here! He is absolutely landing shots!
Invinom! I mean, I don't think he gets to live here, yeah!
With a bailout! Like that from Ching! And now to my strikes in the back lines!
Ching TV! Ching TV! They've got a...
Wait, where's the option? What? What?
Oh, no, no, no!
Why?!
What?!
Why is that from Gene?!
Are you kidding me?!
I have never seen something that wild!
Don't survive!
Test them!
But they pass with flying colours!
That's the one way.
Yeah?
A little bit bold for Forsaken to try and disrespect that.
I don't mind the confidence,
but that allows Ethan to shine!
More bodies!
More victims!
If it takes everything,
He will turn himself!
Oh, Puppa's coming! Here I come!
Look, does he give him the one that he wants to start?
Coming through from Ethan.
He wants that ace.
Scuba will let him have it if he can.
They are fighting together for this one.
That is your captain dead!
Bikiko on the trade!
As the Princess of Pacific continue their pursuit!
Declame another trophy, but this was simply, simply sensational.