Dark Passage stake their Worlds claim at Gamescom

Day 1 of the Gamescom International Wildcard Tournament ignited international rivalries, as three teams from Oceania, Turkey, and the Commonwealth of Independent States battled it out for one of two wildcard spots at the League of Legends 2014 World Championship. Oceania’s champions Legacy eSports came ready to play, opening with a 2-0 record against the Turkish Dark Passage and CIS’ representatives Russian Force. Legacy’s support Bryce “EGym” Paule was instrumental in propelling Legacy through to a strong midgame against Dark Passage, setting up crisp team fights as Alistar. The Australians did not relent as they established a firm grip on the competition, with jungler Tim “Carbon” Wendel stating that the games felt “almost too easy”. Despite dropping a game to Legacy, however, Dark Passage remained unfettered. Their early loss to Legacy would be their last of the group stage - and indeed, the whole tournament. AD carry Anıl “Holyphoenix” Işık spoke of how this year’s International Wildcard Tournament was his first chance to compete at Worlds, after being ineligible in Season 3 due to his being 16 years old. His desire for victory was on show, with a ridiculous 22/4/11 game on Tristana against Russian Force injecting some confidence into the Turkish side. Dark Passage switched gears against Legacy eSports, devoting a little attention to Carbon’s Rengar and mid laner Aaron “ChuChuZ” Chu’s Orianna in their bans. Needless to say, EGym’s Alistar was also removed from the rotation. Dark Passage unveiled their secret weapon: a top lane Nidalee pick for Asım “fabFabulous”, which completely dismantled An “Minkywhale” Trinh’s Irelia. Crippled by Dark Passage’s choice of bans, Legacy fell in 27 minutes as Dark Passage trampled them with a textbook split push. Russian Force swiftly fell to Legacy and Dark Passage, setting up a rematch between the Australians and the Turks in the grand final. With both teams taking fast, kill-heavy wins off each other, this contest was sure to be an explosive one.

Game 1 - Split Push, Continued

Legacy found themselves in a nightmarish repeat of their loss to Dark Passage in the group stage, with fabFabulous’ Nidalee once again establishing an early lead against Minkywhale’s Irelia. Aided by Atakan “Crystal M” Aydın’s Lee Sin and Koray “Naru” Bıçak’s Twisted Fate, fabFabulous pressured tower after tower. Not a bad strategy. That is, it would have been, had they not been inadvertently feeding farm to ChuChuZ’s Orianna and Harry “Cardrid” Archer’s Jinx in the process. With their carries swelling in farm, Legacy resisted a very long siege by Dark Passage, perfectly answering the Turks’ rotations and valiantly defending their towers. A botched initiation from Crystal M at Legacy’s top tower would allow Legacy to claw their way back into the game, as Minkywhale and ChuChuZ immediately charged down the map to take some objectives back. Unfortunately for the Australians, a timely Gate/Zhonya’s Hourglass combo from Naru would pick off ChuChuZ, and taking Game 1 in the process.

Game 2 - The Unseen Blade is Deadliest

Oceanian fans will recall Legacy’s defeat at the hands of the Ex Dreamers at ACL Sydney, in which ChuChuZ was baited into picking Kassadin and punished severely for it. Dark Passage forced Legacy to revisit this nightmare, as Naru responded to ChuChuZ’s Kassadin with a Zed pick. Crystal M’s Nunu was all over Carbon’s Elise, as he exerted superior map pressure to propel Dark Passage to a hefty gold lead. With a smoother transition into the lategame compared to Game 1, Dark Passage made quick work of Legacy. Crystal M and Naru led the charge, significantly ahead of their Australian counterparts, as ChuChuZ’s Kassadin was kicked (or stabbed) into the ground, never to recover.

Game 3 - Three Bans, Three Games

Dark Passage’s greatest weapon over Legacy in their four wins against the Australian squad was undoubtedly their superior Champion Select. By banning Legacy’s three greatest weapons in Alistar, Rengar and Zilean, Legacy were forced onto less influential picks. In Game 3, these picks were Nami, Nunu and Ziggs. Dark Passage responded with a strong diving composition, drafting Vi, Fizz and Braum. Game 3 continued in the same vein as Game 2, as Dark Passage’s overall superiority as a team was exacerbated by their proactive picks. Cardrid’s pocket Vayne was unable to mount a comeback, even with First Blood in the 2v2 matchup. Dark Passage proved without a doubt that they were the best Wildcard team to show up at Gamescom, and punched their ticket to Worlds as a result.

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