The Cloud 9 Outlook?

Padres·Sep 17, 2013·15 votes·3,927 views

Now that we've had a chance to watch every non-quarter finals (C9, GB, NJBS, RC) team play at least 2 games, how is everyone feeling about Cloud 9's chances?

Personally I think they are going to absolutely shock the rest of the international scene. We've already seen TSM manage to win team fights against OMG even with a massive gold disadvantage and Vulcun not only defeating Fnatic but gaining an early lead against SSO. And while TSM and Vulcun haven't exactly been dominating their groups, it's important that we don't forget exactly how much C9 dominated the NA scene.

Another thing that should give C9's fan base a lot of hope is the fact that the foreign teams have been showing lots of weaknesses even against lower tier teams such as Mineski or GG.EU. Hopefully Cloud 9 are watching these games and realizing that even SKT T1 is beatable and that this is no longer season 2 - NA is a force to be reckoned with.

21 Comments

RiotHitstreakSep 17, 201324 votes

No matter who comes out on top, I'm just pleased to see that there isn't the disparity between regions that everyone was anticipating. Each team has looked vulnerable in different ways, making for some very competitive games.

RiotShoefaceSep 19, 20132 votes

Agreed

PriorityOneSep 20, 20131 votes

Well it was fairly obvious there wouldn't be this time I think.

Last season, there was a huge pushing meta that wasn't in the NA scene at all. This took the competition by storm. This time there is no giant meta swing. There's no "new meta" being run by other teams. They're all essentially "playing the same game" now and it's about who can play it better.

Who can pick a better team composition?
Who can pick better lanes (1v1, 1v2, 2v2, etc)?
Who can do rotations better?
Who can fight, gank, or rotate better for early dragon control?
Who can establish lane dominance for early towers?
etc.

The field is more level than it ever has been and who comes out on top is anyone's guess.

Not AwfulSep 17, 20135 votes

[deleted]

PadresSep 17, 20136 votes

I'd like to emphasize your point on Cloud 9's ability to "adapt." Specifically with patch 3.11 it is massively important that they are aware of the current OP champions and items and aren't afraid to exploit them.

We've already seen SSO not live up to hype because they're stuck in patch 3.9.

mrfiddlesSep 17, 20133 votes

Despite being a C9 fan, I was actually rooting for TSM in the finals just because I didn't want to have to wait so long to see C9 play some international teams. :P

RiotMagusSep 17, 20132 votes

Worlds is wide open and I think there are quite a few teams that could win it all. Personally I'm glad to see the unexpected happen - it creates way more drama and excitement!

Chase MDSep 17, 20131 votes

I agree. I was sitting here watching the first day realizing that what everyone was saying about the Korean teams going to stomp every team here isn't true. To me I don't really see the Korean teams as the favorites anymore. They are strong don't get me wrong but its not what everyone was thinking, they aren't months ahead of the rest of the world.

RiotomgscuttlecrabSep 18, 20132 votes

One thing that C9 has on all the other group stage teams is that C9 has had the opportunity to do nothing but watch all the teams play while keeping their strategies a relative secret. By the end of groups, each team will have played at least 4 games which lends to a HUGE amount of up-to-date research that C9 can do to prepare. By the time C9 steps up to play, they'll know A LOT more about their opponents than their opponents will know about them. That in it of itself is a HUGE advantage.

Capt CarmineSep 17, 20131 votes

I was think very similarly to your vain of thought, and I have really high hopes for C9 to possible win the whole tournament now

Chase MDSep 17, 20131 votes

100% agree unless one of this teams that got byes is stronger than what we have seen I have high hopes for the NA scene.

WiliestSep 17, 20131 votes

I think C9 has a great shot at winning the whole thing! Remember that nobody has seen them play up close and personal while they have no doubt watched and noted every game of the tourney. Although teams will have watched VoD on them, they will undoubtedly have a few tricks up their sleeve in order to adapt to the new patch.

Just SupportSep 17, 20131 votes

I'm waiting to see how SKT T1 plays on Day 3. But so far it's nice to see that our gods bleed =] It's also great to see OMG being top contenders too.

In the end, CLG undefeated. So we win.

Capt CarmineSep 17, 20131 votes

Oh man,and actually doublelift has some losses, but that is besides the point.

Vince MasukaSep 17, 20131 votes

I'd like to add that this kind of shows that C9's overall playstyle is actually pretty similar to the korean meta. Not in terms of champions (which I think they have an edge on), but its clear that they like these korean teams seem to have a lot of trouble in the early game. I'm interested to see how they play, because it may not work on EU's or CN's teams. Anyways, I hope they pull through :D

Capt CarmineSep 17, 20132 votes

They have similar picks but they play a game that is all their own, the way meteos farms the jungle is so different from any other team, but i really wonder how they will do against the aggressive chinese teams whose jungler doesnt farm, he is really just a roamer

VaIseSep 17, 20131 votes

I'm curious to see how the style of C9 will match up against the metas of the Koreans/Chinese. Their high-pressure jungling may cripple Meteos' power farming style. While he has an efficient play style and high kill-participation, one reason C9 is so strong is because their laning is reliable enough for Meteos to farm and gain that teamfight edge in the all-important midgame. When faced with a lot of aggression, they risk getting put too far behind for this strategy to be advantageous. If I remember correctly, this is how Vulcun beat them.

Granted, I've underestimated them before. We'll see how they respond to high pressure.

UglyDogeSep 18, 20131 votes

The powerfarming jungle style was a part of that korean post that came up a few weeks ago. While the post itself was very caustic, I think it's a valid concern, and something that Meteos will take into account when they play. I really want to see C9 go to grand finals; I don't think TSM quite has it in them to go that far.

lefty5000Sep 18, 20131 votes

C9 is going to put the same amount of great research as always. They have proved that they can play on a large stage and I believe they will be on point like always.

Seminole SunSep 18, 20131 votes

One counterpoint would be that the best teams haven't played yet. However, most people seem to think that OMG and SKT are the best two teams in their regions so maybe we've already seen the best the world has to offer.

I agree that C9's chances seem to have increased though. Really hoping we're not wrong!