I recall another big Royal hype train at the start of the year but it went downhill fast when they had a dip in form. Tabe left, they kep switching positions, were middle of the pack in LPL and most of the hype died down.

Haiq343

United States2548 Posts

September 25 2013 15:03 GMT

#42

Will be very interesting to see how Fnatic handles a very strong Royal team with decent prep-time. I hope Sword learns how to not draft Nunu before they play Skt.

Sandster

United States4054 Posts

September 25 2013 15:07 GMT

#43

Even if Uzi/Tabe and Piglet/Mandu are an even lane matchup, which I suspect it is, the pressure from Faker+Bengi is going to be higher than from Whitezz+Lucky, which probably forces them to play more cautiously. I'm also guessing Impact will outlane Godlike, so standard lane matchups are not favorable for Royal.

SidianTheBard

United States2474 Posts

September 25 2013 15:36 GMT

#44

Crazy to think because Najin is probably the weakest looking team in the semis.

I'd love for Fnatic to get to the finals but after watching those Royal games last night...holy shit they were very strong. Going to easily be SKT in the grand finals. Hoping Fnatic makes it, but wouldn't be upset if Royal did. I'd like Royal or Fnatic to win the whole thing (sorry faker bro!)

Lylat

France8575 Posts

September 25 2013 15:41 GMT

#45

Good guys Riot putting Fnatic game on a watchable time for Europeans, nice !

Alaric

France45622 Posts

September 25 2013 15:53 GMT

#46

That Tabe interview ;_;

Also crap I'm out saturday, even for this one I'll have to use the VoDs.

Leeto

United States1320 Posts

September 25 2013 16:02 GMT

#47

Damn how can you not root for Tabe after that interview. Best of luck to Royal.

wei2coolman

United States60033 Posts

September 25 2013 16:24 GMT

#48

I thought Uzi's Cait play from game 1 was overall more impressive than his Vayne play in game 2, barring the ridiculous flanking highlight reel he did (he would have killed varus too if San didn't barrier).
His ability to keep leash range on all his opponents was simply ridiculous.

Fusilero

United Kingdom50293 Posts

September 25 2013 16:31 GMT

#49

On September 25 2013 23:55 Dan HH wrote:
I recall another big Royal hype train at the start of the year but it went downhill fast when they had a dip in form. Tabe left, they kep switching positions, were middle of the pack in LPL and most of the hype died down.

From what I've heard uzi doesn't respect any supports except tabe so the uzi/atu synergy probably wasn't there. Tbh from all that I've heard it almost sounds like tabe is the only thing holding the team together I'm actually really curious to see what happens to royal after tabe goes.

Navi

5286 Posts

September 25 2013 16:34 GMT

#50

imo yango's hipster power will cause conflict with his love for uzi + tabe + wh1t3zz causing him to implode

royal may have a 0 win record vs SKT but if their forms are like they were yesterday they can definitely take games off of them. we will have to see how royal do in the bo5 format vs fnatic to see if they have any chance of taking the series, though. T1's jaedong power is too stronk

Fusilero

United Kingdom50293 Posts

September 25 2013 16:37 GMT

#51

My concern for royal is that they're inexperienced in the BO5 pressure situation, sword/fnatic/SKT have been through countless long series now while all royal has is stomping OMG 3-0 and a 1-3 loss to WE god knows how long ago so it's something new to them.

MCMilo

United States365 Posts

September 25 2013 16:41 GMT

#52

all my salty bucks on yango's fanboyism. hohohohohohohoho

Nos-

Canada12016 Posts

September 25 2013 17:32 GMT

#53

I just want good games

Hesmyrr

Canada5776 Posts

September 25 2013 18:07 GMT

#54

Cheering for SKT1 and Royal to move on. I'm going to bet on Royal being more favoured.

WhiteDog

France8650 Posts

September 25 2013 18:15 GMT

#55

Imo Royal vs fnatic is a pretty nice match, because if any of those two teams move on I'll happy and cheer for it in the final.

Too bad there are no 3rd place match tho, seems like a waste.

Leeto

United States1320 Posts

September 25 2013 18:39 GMT

#56

Yeah, why don't they have a 3rd/4th place match? If venue is an issue they can always just play it at the Riot studios..

Lylat

France8575 Posts

September 25 2013 18:44 GMT

#57

On September 26 2013 03:39 Leeto wrote:
Yeah, why don't they have a 3rd/4th place match? If venue is an issue they can always just play it at the Riot studios..

Because Riot wanted to make this format horrific until the end

Kuja900

United States3564 Posts

September 25 2013 19:06 GMT

#58

I just don't know how anyone can stop SKT1 they look terrifying :|

Shikyo

Finland33997 Posts

September 25 2013 19:46 GMT

#59

Venue can cost alot for the few hours the bronze match takes(could even make it Bo3) and all but wouldn't 300k+ viewers for that entire time like, pay back for that with some extra?

Haiq343

United States2548 Posts

September 25 2013 19:55 GMT

#60

On September 26 2013 03:44 Lylat wrote:

Show nested quote +

Because Riot wanted to make this format horrific until the end

I put up the Ricky Bobby quote in jest, but in major NA sports there is just a winners game. I'm not suggesting that makes it a good idea, but it's fairly easy to see how they could either: 1) forget that 3rd place can produce interesting matchups as well, or 2) decide that the casual 'Murican fan base they are trying to cultivate would either be confused by or hostile to a consolation game for the also-rans. Taking their statements on Double-Elim into account, those sorts of considerations are clearly on their mind.