Boards›Esports

Big Plays from the MSI 2016 Group Stage

Riot·5/9/2016, 4:59:32 PM·1 votes·35,315 views

It’s been a loaded week here at the 2016 Mid-Season Invitational. The new double Round Robin format has coughed up some insane back-and forth between regions as they fought for a top four seed at Worlds 2016.

We wanted to relive the biggest plays from the tournament thus far -- so we caught up with our team of casters and hosts (both here and back home) to see what their thoughts were on the tournament's trends and biggest plays of Week 1.

Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere​

[[{"fid":"22604","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/26849980406_cdf79dda89_k_0.jpg%3Fitok%3DXW_a7KdJ","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"661","width":"992"}}]]

“This isn’t so much a play, but I think it’s something worth noting. The coolest thing about this tournament in general is that it’s incredibly open. People underestimated China and didn’t know what to expect based on their recent trends on the Worlds stage, and RNG have done fantastic. Similarly, no one expected CLG to do this good, or NA as region. But CLG have adapted through the tournament. Flash Wolves are no longer an underdog and have grabbed their chance to win with both hands, and are now a contender to win the whole thing. We have no idea where this is going to go and it is probably the most diverse tournament we’ve had in two seasons.”

Max “Atlas” Anderson

“My favorite play was RNG vs Flash Wolves in Game 1. Xiahou had his Azir -- which is just beautiful to watch anyway -- and they managed to get Looper on Poppy and they had Kindred. Lamb’s Respite is sitting there keeping everyone alive. Maple dives the backline on Zed and I was like “Oh crap, he’s made it in at exactly the right time, he might be able to get a pick off here.” Then he’s immediately heroic charged out, right against the wall, gets deleted and the whole game wins off this one snowball play.”

“Watching RNG five vs. five this beautifully as an LPL shoutcaster and fan made me feel so damn good.”

Trevor “Quickshot” Henry

[[{"fid":"22597","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/25875665233_2050bd54e7_k.jpg%3Fitok%3D8pMnoehc","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"661","width":"992"}}]]

“Favorite moments? Let’s go with Game 1 of the tournament where Huhi was playing Aurelion Sol and pushing down middle lane with the very first Starsurge -- it was absolutely massive! Then, in the rematch, when they were down 17K gold, watching everyone go huge. Xmithie was finding the teamfights, Stixxay and Huhi stepped up and they came back from a 17k gold deficit is unheard of and they won being down 5k gold.”

 

Mitch “Krepo” Voorspoels

[[{"fid":"22595","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//riot-web-cdn.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/lolesports/s3fs-public/styles/centered/public/cyw_20160705_msi_shanghai_3889.jpg%3FXs6yuG.RLDSHTw.gYw71yPKAlt7ns79D%26itok%3DIAqQmBgn","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"661","width":"992"}}]]

“Biggest play of the tournament so far has been the turning Baron stall fight from CLG vs. SKT where Aphromoo successfully defends the Baron while Stixxay is kinda trolling around hitting Baron first and then realizing they can still win the fight. It was a three man Tornado and a two man Janna ult that splits the fight in half. They heal a little bit, it buys enough time and Stixxay picks up a triple kill. I think it was indicative of Aphromoo’s Janna play that game and generally CLG’s solid peeling and teamfights for Stixxay. It exemplifies why they’ve been doing so well.”​

 

Aidan "Zirene" Moon

[[{"fid":"22596","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/26406026021_2558bd88f1_k.jpg%3Fitok%3Dy8JRBEKq","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"661","width":"992"}}]]

“My favorite moment was when CLG beat RNG, because this is where Xmithie gained the attention of everyone. He has been overlooked for so long and many people called him a liability on the team due to his Sejuani play in Spring 2015. Not even his perfect Gragas ultimates of Summer 2015 could shake the negative public perception of him. Then, in this game, he finally captured the spotlight and the attention that his play deserves.”

 

Devin “PiraTechnics” Younge​

Every single fight from RNG vs. SKT Game 2. Holy sh*t…

Joshua "Jatt" Leesman​

[[{"fid":"22599","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//riot-web-cdn.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/lolesports/s3fs-public/styles/centered/public/rngvsskt.jpg%3FhGFyokTQAc8FmnKPvOE8A9SMI4bzyjxo%26itok%3D2p1hOkbr","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"561","width":"992"}}]]

My favorite moment was any team fight from the final RNG vs SKT game. The game had no competitive implications and sometimes the tendency for teams is to troll around in those games. However, it was clear that both  RNG and SKT wanted to win, and we got perhaps the best game of the Group Stage.

James "Stress" O'Leary

One of the most memorable plays for me was the Quadra Kill Stixxay got on Caitlyn vs. RNG in their first meeting of the Round Robin. The fight where CLG boxed in RNG mid, and Huhi's Aurelion Sol stun landed on two with the cleanup from Stixxay. It was one of the first signs that CLG were aiming to place way higher than everyone had predicted. Even though that game ended up being a loss, it was the beginning of people seriously reconsidering the narrative that Stixxay wasn't cut out for this level of competition.

Isaac "Azael" Cummings Bentley

There have been many crazy Dragon and Baron steals throughout MSI which have lead to some amazing comebacks and devastating thrown games, as well as a whole lot of excitement.  For me there's one which stood above them all, not only because of the intelligence and high level of execution required for the play - but also because of the circumstances in which it happened.

 

Xmithie's dragon steal against RNG propelled them to come back and win the game at a time where they were down 14.5k gold, 2 inhibitors and 4 dragons to zero.  MLXG had been putting on a clinic the entire game, dominating CLG at all stages and this 5th dragon would've been the final nail in the coffin. Xmithie was able to hop the wall, anticipate and immune MLXG's Takedown -> Smite combo with Lamb's Respite then time his smite out of the immunity to take down both the dragon and a 7-0 RNG who were looking unstoppable.

So what’s your big play from Week 1? Share in the comments below or let us know on Twitter with #MSI2016

25 Comments

II Wolff II5/9/2016, 5:45:25 PM7 votes

Aidan "Zirene" Moon

“My favorite moment was when SKT beat RNG because this is where Xmithie gained the attention of everyone." The play he talks about and the play posted is from the correct CLG vs RNG match. Pretty sure it's just a typo, might want to make the correction.

ahsaya5/9/2016, 6:41:33 PM6 votes

My favorite moment was the memeing of the G2-8 dream

OutlawHunter5/9/2016, 5:33:53 PM5 votes

Only Jatt knows what a really high quality match is. The last game of RNG vs SKT was definitely insane and outclassed all the previous games.

PainlessFiend5/11/2016, 8:18:09 AM3 votes

This wasn't really a play but my favorite moment from the group stage was when CLG beat RNG and Kobe lost his mind. i was laughing my ass off at that lol.

Banana Girl5/9/2016, 5:43:29 PM3 votes

"My favorite moment was when SKT beat RNG because this is where Xmithie gained the attention of everyone." Now what does SKT beating RNG have to do with Xmithie?

xPlainDollx5/10/2016, 5:07:43 AM2 votes

Favorite moment? How about the Stixxay v Looper fight in the first game of MSI?

Synergý5/9/2016, 7:53:26 PM2 votes

Yeah dont really understand the xmithie skt and rng thing

Other than that great article

EtherealDesign5/10/2016, 12:51:39 PM2 votes

You know, as much as I am a NA fanboy at heart and this group stage had me squealing the whole way through, I have to hand it to Supermassive's defeat of CLG. They came by it honest, and I was surprised at their level of play in all of their games. They were pretty competetive in most cases, and they've only been together six months.

Delete the Elite5/11/2016, 5:41:30 AM2 votes

TLDR: Everyone going nuts over CLG and no one praising the upsets by Flash Wolves.

ƒifty5/9/2016, 10:56:00 PM1 votes

Xiahou had his Azir: plays Ryze [zombie-brand-clap]

Fan Tuan5/13/2016, 10:55:39 AM1 votes

Wow obviously the best moment was when CLG beat RNG ( xmithie's dragon steal

woodvsmurph5/11/2016, 2:28:05 AM1 votes

Don't worry Zirene -- some of us have been on board with you for longer than you think. I've actually placed Xmithie in the top 3 for NA junglers all spring. He may not be as flashy as some others, but he gets the job done more consistently than most. He is honestly a lot like Pobelter -- capable of wowing you at times, but mostly playing a champ that enables his teammates to shine via them getting the focus from friendly jungle ganks. It is sad that a number of solid but supportive focused players are often overlooked by both fans and sometimes even casters. Glad to see Xmithie getting some of the recognition he deserves.

pmw0075/11/2016, 5:16:07 AM1 votes

love the entire tournament! [slayer-pantheon-thumbs]

InspireMee5/19/2016, 8:43:04 AM1 votes

CLG Beats RNG

hotarse5/9/2016, 8:08:25 PM1 votes

the coolest thing about msi? seeing the same champs over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again!

xexner5/12/2016, 5:41:50 AM1 votes

Mine was when Riot banned 3 teams from the LCS without showing a single piece of evidence but "we know what we are doing". They Nailed it.

WebmasterBrent5/13/2016, 1:53:59 AM1 votes

"I NEVER DOUBTED THEM!"

MimiDivine5/10/2016, 2:52:27 AM1 votes

My favorite moment was to find out 3 team got kick out of the NA competition right after group stage done :))

BloodLustReaper5/10/2016, 2:57:00 AM1 votes

MSI was so fantastic but as a Na fan I am blown away at how well CLG has done. They have really won me over as a fan in the way they believe in each other and it amazes me that a group of players that on paper may not be the best but together play as a team and win over and over again.. That rng game where the dragon was ulted and stolen and clg came back in amazing fashion to win. I cant wait for the next series of games i just hope clg don't lose that hunger between now and then. They have had some success and i hope they don't slack because of it but work even harder and maybe, just maybe na will take home a msi victory and put na as a threat in the international scene for the first time ever.