Starting with Zaozi Ge, a dream lineup

Chapter 295 Defending the Glory of LPL is Our Duty

"Alright, everyone, welcome to the live stream to watch today's 2018 League of Legends World Championship Finals best-of-five series. I'm your host, Changmao!"

"I am a doll"

"I am Miller"

The classic trio appeared on screen. Historically, this crucial LPL life-or-death battle was actually commentated by Remember, Wang Duoduo, and Guan Zeyuan.

The reason why the "Haier Brothers" were not able to serve as commentators in the S8 World Championship Finals is because netizens jokingly said that the LPL teams always lost when the "Haier Brothers" were commentating.

The "Haier Brothers" even jokingly said that they might be a huge "jinx," and that if LPL could win the championship, it wouldn't matter if they weren't included.

In fact, although many people still dislike that Wawa doesn't know anything and just keeps talking nonsense, Changmao always spouts disgusting dirty jokes, and Miller only blindly praises the players, it cannot be denied that in the LPL commentary circle, this is the best iron triangle combination.

Live commentary and post-match analysis are two different things.

In a 5v5 match, there might only be one ball on a basketball court, football field, or badminton court, but the ten heroes in Summoner's Rift have nearly 100 skills, including passive, active, summoner spells, and item skills.

In a single, lightning-fast attack or team battle, countless changes can occur, and countless factors can alter the course of the battle.

From God's perspective, you can watch countless replays after the game to deepen your understanding of the attack or team fight. But in the few seconds that happen during the live broadcast, what a good commentator can do is try to keep up with the development of the situation and tell you what happened on the field or battlefield.

If a host can explain the situation clearly enough, you can't ask for more.

After the match, some serious commentators, even if they are silver-level players with terminal cancer, can talk for half an hour using pauses and diagrams about a team fight that only lasted 20 seconds. They can explain everyone's positioning, the timing of skill release, and the timing of summoner spell usage in great detail.

At this point, you might have thoughts like, "Wow, I didn't know this was so exciting! The positioning and skill execution of each player in this team fight were amazing!" and "Those two hosts who just keep a running account of events are such idiots."

But undeniably, the fact that the audience's enthusiasm only increased after the trio appeared is the best proof of that.

"The match today is really intense; neither side is joking around. It seems they're taking it seriously!"

The director showed the camera to the two soundproof rooms on either side. In the footage, everyone had a serious expression, waiting for the battle to begin.

"After a year, we see RNG standing on the finals stage again, but this time their opponent has changed from Samsung to SKT. Let's guess who will win or lose!" The players were busy preparing for the match, and to avoid an awkward silence, Wawa forced a change of topic.

"Let's keep it 60/40, be modest, haha," Long Hair said with a witty smile.

"Just kidding. Actually, it's no exaggeration to say that RNG has a 70/30 chance of winning against SKT. I've watched every single LCK match SKT played this season, but there's one problem that SKT still can't get around."

"Faker's role is different. In LCK matches, he's still a team-oriented mid-laner. Unless absolutely necessary, he's less likely to take unnecessary risks, gambling on his lane opponent's solo lane ability or trying to get a solo kill."

"However, in several crucial games at this World Championship, Faker relinquished his command and relied on luck and skill to gamble on solo kills or lane advantages. The risks were too great. In my opinion, the fact that this SKT team has come this far is already quite remarkable."

Long Hair's analysis was logical and well-founded, and it was clear that he had done his homework before going on stage.

Miller, not to be outdone, continued speaking.

"Looking at SKT's key comeback games in this World Championship, they didn't rely on teamwork to turn the tide. To sum it up in one sentence, the old SKT might have been a team of five fighting together, but now, in crucial games, only Faker can step up. This situation has persisted since the S8 MSI, and SKT either hasn't realized it or can't change it, it just keeps going until now."

At this point, Miller gave a strange smile:
"Single-core dominance. Isn't this something RNG already did last year? Although SKT isn't playing a four-protect-one strategy, I think against the current RNG, the game's outcome could be decided very early on, even before the laning phase is over."

If it's long-haired, it's fine; Miller just put it directly in the shrimp and pork heart.

The World Finals stage is not only a great opportunity for players to shine, but also the only chance for commentators to leave an impression on new viewers. To stand out, they must have their own unique insights and be different from others. As a veteran commentator, I naturally know how important this opportunity is.

As he said, SKT's current situation is too similar to RNG's last year.

If RNG hadn't had a single point that was significantly stronger than others last year, how could they have defeated both SKT and Samsung in a row? But does SKT have that now?

The answer is yes. Faker is not a god. If Xiaohu wants to play it safe in the mid lane, Faker will never be able to create the same advantage as in the bot lane. If he goes to roam, he will leave his victory or defeat to the fate of luck.

The doll, not wanting to miss this opportunity, added:
"Yes, RNG's strength lies in the fact that, like SKT in S5, they are a team that relies on teamwork. No matter which player on the team, they all have the ability to step up and drive the game. In terms of teamwork, no team in this tournament can compare to RNG right now, especially Uzi. His individual ability is something SKT doesn't have. I don't think SKT will let Wolf roam around and leave Bang alone in the lane."

In just a few words, the three commentators clearly explained Skt's disadvantages, and even viewers with lower skill levels could understand them.

In short, SKT is weak, even though both teams made it to the finals.

Seeing that the commentary had already dragged out the allotted time, the director stopped dawdling and started playing the S8 finals promotional video.

As the somber background music begins, the scene unfolds before your eyes: a red maple forest in Incheon, fallen leaves beginning to drift down, a shady path, a few dappled bushes, and the sun rising in the distance, all exuding an indescribable grandeur and vitality.

The camera turned.

Small bridges over flowing streams, vast fields stretching for miles—the lush green fields, captured quickly by drone, reveal a vibrant and hopeful scene everywhere.

Against a peaceful backdrop, the camera finally zoomed out to the farthest point, where a temple with the inscription "Daxiong Hall" sat atop the mountain.

"RNG is on a killing spree. This match is Uzi's personal show. His Yasuo is going berserk!"

There was an English commentary of a desperate scream.

"RNG defeated RW, achieving a perfect record and equaling SKT's historical record. They have advanced to the finals!"

"RNG's final opponent has been decided! It's the team they're destined to defeat - Skt!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the landscape changed dramatically. The fields, which had once presented a scene of hope, were transformed, through the powerful capabilities of time-lapse photography, from vibrant life to utter desolation. A light snow fell in the depths of winter, and the camera zoomed out to the foot of the mountain, where faint footprints could be seen ascending the slopes.

A bright red team uniform suddenly caught everyone's attention in the white background as SKT's star player, Bang, slowly walked in front of the camera.

"From S3 to S6, for four whole years, the LCK region easily made it to the finals, and our SKT team easily crushed the other teams and took the championship trophy that belonged only to us."

"The failure of S7 was a wake-up call for us, but coming back here again, I have only one goal, otherwise why would we be here?"

The camera pans to the S-series trophy displayed above the main hall, its blue gems gleaming in the summoner's hand.

"It's been about five years since I started playing professionally, and this time I finally have the opportunity to challenge for the world championship. I'm just one step away from it. The key is for me to figure out how to do well, cross this threshold, and break through the blockade."

Khan's gaze wandered, seemingly looking at the championship trophy in the main hall, or perhaps at the man.

"Khan has once again helped his team win the LCK championship. Their dominance is undeniable. Dragon Ball is going to make it to the World Championship!"

"It's a pity that Dragon Ball was eliminated by Samsung; a major upset at the World Championship!"

"Just how strong is Khan?!"

The screen began to repeatedly show Khan's most spirited moments, followed by his moments of utter despair. When the camera returned to him, everyone could read an indescribable burning passion and longing in his wandering gaze.

Night fell, and in the open space in front of the main hall, illuminated by lights, the camera gradually panned across the faces of the two groups.

“Faker has shown a unique temperament since his debut. He created the SKT dynasty, but even at the peak, he never forgot his original intention and worked very hard. Last year, after defeating SKT, I saw Faker slumped in his chair and he covered his face and cried. I was deeply impressed by that. From that moment on, I made up my mind that if I won the championship, I could not lose. I had to win everything.”

"I never expected to win every championship, but we won't stop at just two World Championship titles!"

This time, we are determined to win.

Xiao Hu's gaze was firm, and he spoke each word slowly and deliberately, as if he were under a thousand pressures, yet he could still stand tall and fight against heaven and earth.

Under the cover of night, a creature resembling a special effects summon from an animated film appeared behind Xiao Hu. The giant white tiger coiled up, suddenly opening its scarlet eyes and gazing ahead.

"I will not stop at each World Championship. Last year we fell in the semifinals, but this year, we are stronger than ever."

"I don't expect to win all the honors; I just believe these are what I deserve, these are my honors, and these are the honors that belong to SKT."

"Many people said that SKT would fall in the semifinals, or even the final four, but without exception, we proved ourselves."

"Believe in me, believe in the future of LCK"

The background music reached its first climax, with Faker sitting alone on the edge of a rooftop a hundred-story building, gazing serenely at the dazzling lights of Incheon at night, evoking a feeling that was hard to describe in the audience.

He didn't utter a single harsh word, but just looking at Faker's godlike eyes was enough to make everyone feel his determination.

“Every year I never imagined I would stand on this stage and become a winner, but I know that now that I've come this far, I believe I am the strongest top laner in the world, and no one can beat me.”

"Even SKT won't do!"

Letme's gaze was unfocused, as if he had returned to S7, when his teammates didn't give him any feedback and his hands were shaking. Every year he wasn't RNG's strongest point, but he was definitely not RNG's weak point either.

He is RNG's most balanced and stable player, and is the fundamental condition for RNG to execute various tactics.

This promotional video is different from last year's and MSI's tense atmosphere. Everyone seems to have realized their own strength. Even without harsh words, the various highlight reels on the screen are enough to say it all.

Amidst the resounding toll of bells and drums, and amidst everyone's anticipation, the main event finally arrived, with the camera focusing on Uzi's composed expression.

S8 was a year full of amazing plays, from the double W flying Kai'Sa to the incredibly fun Yasuo dominating three opponents with his god-like maneuvers, one after another. Of course, the heart-wrenching voiceovers from the English commentators were also indispensable.

"RNG, RNG has won the championship again! They crushed SKT with an absolute 3-0 victory, becoming the strongest champion in the world in the first half of the year. Who can stop this RNG team!"

"OMG, this is unbelievable! His Yasuo is so powerful! He's a mechanical monster! A complete alien!"

"RNG has won the league championship again, and they will enter the World Championship as the number one seed. Which team can stop RNG's advance? Sorry, I can't think of any!"

As countless classic moments of victory appeared, and the voice-over reached its climax, it suddenly paused—
"Rng fell twice on the final stage, and I remember both times vividly."

The scene flashes back to S3 and S4, where the old Royal Club made it to the finals twice. The first time, they were completely crushed by the young SKT, and the second time, they were crushed by the powerful Samsung.

"Ever since winning the S7 championship, I have been constantly reminding myself not to be arrogant, not to get cocky, and not to lose!"

"Having come this far, I think I can finally say this."

"Defending the glory of LPL is our inescapable duty!"

boom!
With a domineering gaze, the scene freezes abruptly, and the 2018 World Championship promotional video ends!

The entire Chinese audience went wild! Even some foreign friends who understood the explanation were stunned by the sheer power of the performance and screamed repeatedly!

That deathly gaze made it clear at a glance that this contestant desperately wanted the championship and was determined to win.

The director also gave the camera a shot of the audience, where countless fans were waving their support items and screaming.

Amidst the cheers, and as the excited commentators received a message from the director, they shouted passionately, signaling the start of the highly anticipated first draft phase of the finals!
(End of this chapter)