Best/Worst: Week 1 - That Smeb ult and International Wildcards

Riot·Oct 3, 2016·3 votes·38,128 views

The 2016 World Championship kicked off on the right foot, which then missed and smacked all of our shins as upsets and surprises popped up all over.

If you missed any of the action, these are some of the best and worst things to have come from the first weekend. And, also, you should do your best to catch up on the VODs so your friends won’t go, “What! I can’t believe you missed it!” or whatever it is they say in disbelief. I get it, though. Sometimes life comes up. I get it. And I got you. This is what you missed:

Best: This Smeb ult

Or as I prefer to call him -- Lolesports’ Worlds 2016 Top 20 No. 1 ranked player, Smeb. Talk about a shameless Acer-sponsored plug! This 4-man Kennen ultimate secured a comeback win for the ROX Tigers. They trailed significantly throughout the game but managed to hang in there thanks to Lolesports’ Worlds 2016 Top 20 No. 5 ranked player, Peanut (I hope you’re as ready for hyperlinks as I am) stealing Baron. This Smeb ult was the proverbial every-nail-in-the-coffin. It’s an early contender for Play of the Tournament (do we even do this?).

Worst: Europe

Alright, it’s not as bad as 0-10, so at least there’s that.

But it’s still 1-8, so there’s that, too. Some of the losses have been heartbreaking -- see G2 Esports vs. ROX Tigers and Splyce vs. TSM for a couple examples. But their sole win was also a comeback, so maybe it goes both ways. Europe entered this tournament with hopes of redeeming their performance (or lack thereof) from MSI 2016. What’s happened instead is they’re being outclassed when it comes to macro play. They’re being out drafted.

And it sucks to see. It’s a region that has historically done very well on the international stage -- and G2 in particular is a better version of the OG squad that made the Semifinals last year. They’ve got some soul searching to do if they want to flip the narrative next week.

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Best: Cloud9 vs. Flash Wolves

You learn a lot about a person based on whether they liked this game or didn’t like it. In fact, this should be a mandatory question the judge asks before handing you your marriage license. And let me say firmly that I loved this game.

Not because it displayed the kind of League of Legends that got these teams here. And not because it was action packed. But precisely because it was neither of those things. Throughout the game, ultimates were shot and whiffed. The teams slapped wet noodles against each other before returning to the fountain to slap cute little animal band-aids on their wounds. And while it was a massive comeback -- FW had all three of C9’s inhibitors down at one point -- it didn’t, for some reason, feel like a comeback.

Cloud9 was like that Solo Queue Blitzcrank that misses every single hook in the game. He misses them so bad the minions stop attacking him -- they listen to his problems and bake him desserts. You start to wonder if things are going well in his life. And then -- at the last possible moment -- he hooks the enemy carry, and that let’s you ace them right into a win. And just as the Nexus falls, he flashes his level 7 mastery emote. That’s what this game felt like. And I love that Blitzcrank player.

Worst: Aurelion Sol bug

After what we saw it do on the last day -- from Counter Logic Gaming’s Huhi’s brilliant overall play to the giant death star (literally) from FW Maple -- it’s a shame it was disabled on the first couple of days. Unless Bjergsen finds another bug, though, it’ll prove to be a huge pick going into Week 2. Bjergsen pls… (but, also, really -- Rito pls… -- wait, that’s us…)

Best: Albus NoX Luna

ANX finished the first week of Group Stage tied for first (with like ten other teams but whatever)! They matched paiN Gaming’s two wins from last year for most ever for an International Wildcard and we’re only done with half the games. Aside from their play, they gained a lot of fans thanks to their surefire confidence in some candid interviews. And they did it with flair -- in their victory of G2, we saw Brand and Anivia. They gave us the song of ice and fire and forced G2 into the role of the Starks.

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Worst: Pick’em brackets

Look, I get it. There’s a couple of you out there who face-rolled your way to a good bracket so far. The rest of us didn’t expect G2 to go 0-3. But you also probably play a Zoolock deck. What I’m saying is this week threw major stones into most predictions and expectations.

Best: These memes

Meme <- this one

Meme

Worst: Korea's reputation

Okay, so, all of the Korean teams are 2-1 and look good. They’re tied with North America for the best cumulative record at Worlds. Their wins have been convincing. They'll probably still come out as favorites. So what’s the caveat?

They’re tied with North America for the best cumulative record at Worlds. This isn’t supposed to happen! Korea looks mortal. And while it might just be false hope for the rest of the world, another slippery week might open the necessary doors for another region to finally claim the Summoner’s Cup. This is like when you finally stand up to the bully for the first time and it turns out they bleed, too. Except, probably, they'll still beat you up after they patch up the wound.

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Best: INTZ e-Sports’ upset over Edward Gaming

This set the tone for the entire weekend. EDG was one of the top three teams at this tournament, and they looked hapless against the Brazilian squad. Lee Sin made his yearly return to prominence in the meta (Rito TM) and dazzled in the hands of Revolta. While China was immediately subjected to flashbacks of last year, it was ITZ who reaped the benefits. It was an inspiring moment for all the regions across the world.

Best/Worst: Every team has a loss

The old saying goes: if there’s one thing better than seeing your team win, it’s seeing everyone else lose. Well, maybe that’s not a saying, but this year it is for me. And it’s really freaking fun as a spectator. Fourteen teams are [2-1] or [1-2]. The groups are about as close as it can possibly get.

Often, we say, “Anything can happen,” when really we mean, “We’re optimistic people.” But this year, at least so far, there hasn’t been a clear cut favorite. And for the first time since this format started (2014), we won’t have a team go undefeated in groups. And that’s a big boon for everybody who just wants to see parity. I’m absolutely pumped to see what happens next week.

63 Comments

p0psiclesOct 3, 201632 votes

World Championships 2016: Where every team can win... unless they're EU. Korea: 6-3 NA: 6-3 China: 5-4 IWC: 3-3 Taiwan: 3-3 EU: 1-8

DerpalarOct 4, 20162 votes

I predit NA go 5-4 second week, TSM takes 2 wins, CLG and C9 combined take 3 wins korea 8-1

iluvsanwichesOct 11, 20161 votes

Looks like Forgiv3n H2K'd on yo face.

p0psiclesOct 11, 20161 votes

H2K did well. Unfortunately the rest of Europe and America crapped the bed. Every other Western team went 1-2 in the final weekend. Only C9 had a group where that was good enough to get out.

RiotSpinneliOct 3, 201612 votes

Man for this Worlds, one of the best parts of Week 1 is how exciting Week 2 can still turn out to be! I thought it was super fun to watch CLG spread their wings a bit with A. Sol and agree that Smeb's ult was still my biggest OOOOOOOOOOMGGGG moment of Worlds so far.

TBakesOct 3, 20169 votes

When Smeb went in and took 50% off 4 members of the enemy team I reacted as if I just saw someone in a skateboarding accident. SO brutal. I love those moments when you are following like "Okay. Okay. That was pretty good. Wow, nice. Peel, good, peel. Back to OMG THAT WAS CRAZY! HOW DID HE DO THAT! gg..."

Sabotage979Oct 3, 20169 votes

I think I agree with everything on this list-well done! Also, you sir have a very fun writing style to read. Keep it up! [slayer-pantheon-thumbs]

ChymaerusOct 4, 20168 votes

My favorite moment of that CLG vs ROX game was when Pray tried to ambush Huhi's ASol in the top lane on Ezreal, and Huhi just turns around and vaporizes Pray in a fraction of a second. It makes me laugh out loud every time I see it. He just...evaporates.

DaMunkeyOct 4, 20166 votes

Best part is Kobe's reaction. It breaks him

uCantGetMe1Oct 4, 20161 votes

nah, you should've seen faker burn his flash as syndra trying to finish off a rumble...i forgot which game it was in...

YascobOct 4, 20161 votes

That was in C9 vs SKT. Also faker was just BMing at that point. He could have just as easily pushed mid with the rest of his team but he wanted to see if he could get the kill on rumble.

VMystikageOct 4, 20161 votes

I didn't understand why anyone would flash into A.Sol that's fed enough to 2-hit your entire team. I think Pray did a lot of bad mistakes that game which also caused them to lose.

tplegs0708Oct 4, 20162 votes

whats even better is seeing Kobe's reaction when he does it!

[slayer-pantheon-rainbows]

Nico0404Oct 6, 20161 votes

To quote Aurelion, "Boop"

UrLosingToADadOct 3, 20167 votes

Great article. This has been such an exciting world's.... watched every game this week.

DroogzyOct 3, 20166 votes

Man its a shame ROX lost to CLG with such an amazing Poppy game from Smeb. That ult to separate Stixxay off by himself with Aphro was just eye popping. (Don't get me wrong, go NA!)

MVpmackOct 3, 20163 votes

that play by ROX was just as godly as the Kennen play tbh, so well-coordinated by so many people

VoltorocksOct 5, 20162 votes

couldn't agree more with this. The CLG/ROX game was so illuminating in so many ways; despite losing, I think ROX's superstars (peanut and smeb imo) put on their best display of technical prowess yet with some jaw-dropping ambushes and flanks on poppy and rek'sai. Particular Smeb on poppy, crushing a matchup that should have been a counter to his champ and exerting strong map presence besides. Definitely more technically impressive than the "press R to win" kennen ult against g2 (which, while impressive, is more about Smeb being fed and g2 making a bad positioning mistake - whereas in the CLG game he is pulling this shit off while behind in gold and while CLG is actually positioned well and he still catches them out twice.)

It's much to CLG's credit that they didn't let these plays shake them, though; even that incredible #livingthedream poppy ult only resulted in one kill. certainly huhi and aphromoo displayed great technical skill all game as well but ultimately it was their flawless macro play and dominant pick/ban phase that sealed ROXs fate despite great personal play by their stars. here hoping they can repeat in week 2!

C9 UltraOct 3, 20166 votes

Best worlds week 1 ever?

TrollFan01Oct 3, 20165 votes

NA, like EU last year, is getting the boost of s lifetime by having Worlds on home soil.

MsJennyOct 3, 20164 votes

Rito pls show CLG some love and put Huhi's brilliant play under a best something and not the worst!!!! I get what you are saying..but pls they beat ROX!

RiotMean Mister KienOct 3, 20163 votes

i'm sorry! i loved it, though, and gave him the header image!

NoobGoesBoomOct 3, 20161 votes

When I was watching that ban/draft, I was thinking... "I wonder if they only told ROX that ASol was re-enabled in English... cause they clearly don't realize he's up." I mean really. That game was decided in draft. I didn't even need to watch the game. Just shrug and congratulate CLG on the win. Not saying that Huhi didn't play like a beast. He did. But Aphro deserved MVP more than Huhi. His play was far more impressive. Huhi just happened to be on an ungodly champ in an ungodly perfect comp for him that should have never seen the light of professional play. This point was hammered home by Maple.

"Oh by the way Ssong: (mumbling) Asol is back in the game. What was that? You don't understand? Oh sorry! Time to draft, better get on stage! Good luck."

AsianEquasianOct 3, 20161 votes

I agree that Aphro also deserved the MVP, but remember, Huhi has been criticized and put down since he's been added to the line-up. Yes he hasn't been that good, but you can't disagree that based on how many plays he made this game compared to how he had been performing recently, he looked like an absolute god out there. I mean if you watch some of the fights, Aphro and Huhi initiated almost all of them. Now it makes sense that Aphro initiated them due to him being Alistair. But Huhi caught out so many people, and most of the fights were won/lost according to how he played them. I merely think the MVP was based on how people thought he would play and how he actually did play. Based on that since Aphro almost always plays well, it only made sense to give it to Huhi who played out of his mind. There was almost no instance where Huhi was not starting engages or following up perfectly.

TylerJaden24Oct 3, 20163 votes

EU [slayer-pantheon-thumbs]

DeathToEcchiOct 3, 20163 votes

I don't get the hype over that smeb play. all he did was press R on kennen. yah, it was a clutch play in terms of the game but that was g2's fault for ignoring him and stepping forward. he didn't even have to flash for it.

GixiaOct 3, 201614 votes

The thing about it that's impressive is simply the fact that he didn't use it sooner. Kennen's ult is typically used at the start of a fight to cripple the enemy team before they even have a chance to fight back. He could've panicked and used it to try and burst down Olaf when he was diving the team. He could've even rushed forward at one point to get a 3 man ult halfway through the fight. Afterall, there was no guarantee he'd get a better use for it by holding on. By waiting until the moment he did, it showed a huge degree of coordination and control over the situation. That's the aspect of it that's impressive.

VMystikageOct 4, 20163 votes

You sort of proved that he made a great play. Flash-ult on Kennen is easy... he was able to get them without flash like you said. From the outside it looks simple, yes, but in the game there are thousands of things you're focusing on. Remember, G2 engaged on them (a good one actually), many players freak out or panic, some just runs, others ult on the spot and hit no one just to 'scare' them off. He didn't panic, was able to remain calm and be focused through all that, and was able to spot the exact moment to counter-engage and make them pay for their mistake. I've been watching competitive league since S2 and it's definitely a good play.

DeathToEcchiOct 4, 20163 votes

I'm not saying it wasn't a great play, it just seems like people are making it out to be more than it is.

shoot the moonOct 4, 20161 votes

He did use protobelt though, and that item is broken.

Dao78Oct 4, 20164 votes

You're right. It was a good play, but not as godly as people think. How did he "control" the situation as a kennen that fired a few qs into the enemy team? Smeb saw a perfect opening, went for the play, and made a really good play that sealed the game. However, it didn't require the "best player in the world" to make this play. The fact that he didnt even have to use flash to make this play work means that g2 literally showed zero respect to Kennen, and had zero clue about zone control. They were too desperate after losing that baron. Again, it was a really nice play from Smeb, and most players wouldn't have been able to pull it off with such perfect timing, but it didn't prove that he's the best in the world right now.

Nico0404Oct 6, 20161 votes

My favorite part of the entire thing is how nobody mentions that Kuro silenced the entire enemy team (3/4, but non-silenced was olaf so...) so none of them could flash away. Perfect setup for Smeb. Its all Smeb. Kappa It was a pretty sick play tho. I recoiled in disgust at the dmg, especially as I know the feel as a Kennen player. FeelsGoodMan

woodvsmurphOct 3, 20163 votes

As long as we get FW through group stages and SKT has to face them again, Korea can't win worlds this year. Ok, bad joke, but they do appear to be the closest thing to SKT kryptonite.

woodvsmurphOct 3, 20163 votes

NA better make sure they practice during the break between wk 1 and wk 2 so we don't have a repeat of last year. Now that you showed you know how to play the meta at worlds, show you know how to play the comp(s) that beat the meta in week 2 please.

woodvsmurphOct 3, 20162 votes

Go IWC. It would be so awesome to see one of them not just make quarterfinals but maybe even semi-finals.

MonarchOfCoolOct 5, 20162 votes

Bruh, my boys in blue (C9) are about to RUN STRAIGHT THROUGH SKT THIS WEEK. SKT may come out on top of the World Championship standings, but C9 know what's up. All they need is to know their opponent can bleed. Meteos is a far better mechanical jungler than Hai, even though he may have had some good plays last year at worlds, he didn't seem to do literally anything the week after. We saw Meteos show up at the end of C9 vs FW, and he showed up HUGE. Hai's shotcalling may have been world-class, but his jungling play certainly wasn't even close.

T H U C COct 3, 20161 votes

Can anyone explain to me what does 0-10 (1-11) reference mean? I keep seeing it in twitch chat and now it's here.

ether007Oct 3, 20166 votes

It refers to na last worlds after there 6-3 group stage in the first week. Went 0-10 in the second week and blew it at worlds

T H U C COct 3, 20162 votes

isn't that supposed to be an 0-9 instead? O.o

OOOOh BawwwwwOct 3, 20162 votes

C9 lost a tie break game as well as their 3 scheduled so 0-10

T H U C COct 4, 20161 votes

makes sense, i paid too much attention to SKT last year that i forgot about NA :3

RiotRiot MeekalOct 3, 20169 votes

C9 was forced to play a tiebreaker because there were two teams that had a 3-3 score - they lost it and thus NA went 0-10

p0psiclesOct 3, 20162 votes

At last year's world champs NA looked good after week 1 and then went 0-10 week 2 (including 0-4 from C9).

Just Go BananasOct 3, 20161 votes

Excellent article! Although, I don't think you know what a "meme" is, those links are just screenshots of the results lol.

TFBaamOct 3, 20163 votes

the link to the clg vs anx game is meant to be a joke they mean like how bad they played, dont get them wrong but edg vs intz is also a meme but they have to be careful chinese overlords remember?