This article is part of our LoL Recap series.
Vici Gaming vs. Invictus
Invictus Gaming started Week 7, Day 1 of the League of Legends Pro League with a win, but it was Vici Gaming that took the 2-1 series home on Thursday in Shanghai.
Invictus Gaming (5-5, 14-11 match record) took control of Game 1 early on as mid laner Song "Rookie" Eui-jin's Jayce picked up first blood around three minutes with help from jungler Ge "KidKid" Yan's Elise. Kid made the top half of the map a nightmare for Vici Gaming (3-7, 8-16 match record), camping the top lane to get iG top laner Lee "Duke" Ho-seong's Renekton ahead with several early kills. After Rookie and Duke turned a 2-vs-4 into a 4-for-0 teamfight victory for iG, the Invictus snowball couldn't be stopped, surging to a 6,600-gold lead at 22 minutes. Securing several kills and a Baron buff at the 26-minute mark off of Rookie's 22,600 damage dealt to enemy champions and 5/1/8 KDA (kills/deaths/assists), Invictus Gaming made a statement with a dominant Game 1 win in just under 29 minutes.
While KidKid got iG rolling early in Game 2 with a first blood kill in the top lane at five minutes, Vici Gaming ended up holding a gold lead heading into the mid game thanks to their superior objective control. Invictus Gaming eventually picked up a 2-for-0 fight at 29 minutes that led to a Baron attempt; however, VG mid laner Lee "Easyhoon" Ji-hoon secured a Baron steal as Syndra, swinging momentum in Vici's favor. While it took two Mountain Drakes, an Elder Dragon and a second Baron Buff, Vici Gaming eventually closed out a sloppy Game 2 win in 39 minutes to force Game 3.
Tired of KidKid dictating the early game, Vici Gaming's top laner Zhu "Loong" Xiao-Long's Shen began VG's Game 3 snowball with a Stand United-assisted four-man dive in the bot lane that netted two kills. Maintaining control into the mid game, Vici Gaming dominated the objective game, securing two Ocean Drakes and an Infernal Drake while sieging down iG's towers with impunity. After a 4-for-0 went in Vici's favor at 21 minutes to give them an early Baron buff, the game was all but over as Vici Gaming forced iG into making crucial mistakes. VG capitalized on the opportunities with Loong, who earned a flawless 3/0/8 KDA for 92 percent kill participation. Baiting Invictus Gaming to the Baron pit around 29 minutes, Vici Gaming found a 4-for-0 in an extended fight that spanned from the Baron pit to iG's base as Vici Gaming picked up a big series win in just under 30 minutes.
Invictus Gaming will next hit the Rift when they take on Game Talents on Saturday at 7 a.m ET, while Vici Gaming have a tough task ahead of them as they square off against Royal Never Give Up on Sunday at 6 a.m ET.
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RNG vs. QG Reapers
Royal Never Give Up stayed true to its name in a battle against QG Reapers on Friday, taking a clean 2-0 sweep in Shanghai to kick off Week 7, Day 2 of the League of Legends Pro League.
While Royal Never Give Up (8-2, 17-7 match record) slipped in the early game, allowing QG Reapers' strange team composition featuring mid laner Kim "Doinb" Tae-sang on Kled to pick up first blood around nine minutes, they never lost focus after that. Keeping even with QG through objective control, RNG kicked into high gear after securing an Infernal Drake at 24 minutes, picking up a 4-for-1 teamfight win. Despite RNG having to use an emergency substitute in the jungle, mid laner Li "Xiaohu" Yuan-Hao's Jayce had an easy time dealing a game-high 19,400 damage, en route to a 3/1/5 KDA (kills/deaths/assists) for 89 percent kill participation. Finding a pick in the top lane and then crushing a 4-for-0 teamfight, RNG unceremoniously pushed all the way to QG Reaper's Nexus to take Game 1 in just under 29 minutes.
QG Reapers (5-5, 13-12 match record) again picked up first blood, this time on jungler Kim "Clid" Tae-min's Nidalee, but RNG quickly regained control. RNG's first kill of Game 2 went to superstar AD carry Jian "Uzi" Zi-Hao's signature Lucian pick, enabling him to hard carry in the mid game. Taking a 4-for-1 teamfight at 15 minutes, RNG surged to a significant gold lead, bolstered by three Elemental Drakes and several tower kills. After securing an early Baron kill before 25 minutes, Royal Never Give Up cracked QG's base open in the bottom lane with a couple of picks and an inhibitor kill around 24 minutes, thanks mostly to Uzi's stellar performance. Dealing a game-high 16,400 damage and posting a perfect 6/0/6 KDA for 100 percent kill participation, Uzi led Royal Never Give Up to victory in just over 28 minutes to secure the 2-0 sweep.
QG Reapers will try to shake off the crushing defeat when they face Snake Esports on Sunday at 3 a.m ET, while Royal Never Give Up look forward to a matchup against Vici Gaming on Sunday at 6 a.m ET.
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I May vs. EDward Gaming
EDward Gaming struck first on Friday, but I May closed out Week 7, Day 2 of the League of Legends Pro League with a big-time 2-1 series win in Shanghai.
A scrappy Game 1 began with a 4-for-2 teamfight win for EDward Gaming (7-4, 16-12 match record) and first blood for mid laner Lee "Scout" Ye-chan's Zed. EDG held a kill lead over I May throughout an action-packed mid game, securing two Infernal Drakes and a Mountain Drake along with a 22-minute Baron kill to solidify their gold lead. While IM mid laner Kang "Athena" Ha-woon landed impressive Command: Shockwaves as Orianna in late game teamfighting, he couldn't overcome Scout's monstrous performance, dealing a game-high 30,300 damage to enemy champions while picking up a 6/5/13 KDA (kills/deaths/assists) for 86 percent kill participation. Taking consecutive 5-for-2 aces at 38 and 43 minutes, respectively, and a second Baron in between, EDG finally took down I May in 44 minutes.
I May (6-5, 13-13 match record) bounced back in Game 2 in a big way, picking up first blood and camping Scout's Orianna throughout the early-mid game. EDG held a tenuous kill lead early on, but got caught securing an Infernal Drake around the 22-minute mark, getting pummeled in a 4-for-0 fight win for I May that led to a Baron kill. Up just over 7,000 gold at 26 minutes, I May relied on top laner Shek "AmazingJ" Wai Ho's Kled to initiate fights, which he did with impunity. After a second Baron kill at 31 minutes, AmazingJ started what ended up being a 3-for-0 fight for I May, en route to his 7/1/6 KDA for 81 percent kill participation, giving I May everything they needed to take Game 2 shortly afterwards in just under 36 minutes.
EDward Gaming looked to get back on track in Game 3, but were viciously beat down by I May early on as Athena's Fizz and Flawless' Elise took down Scout's Taliyah twice in the mid lane before seven minutes. While Athena opted for a tank build on Fizz, he was still a big assassin threat, finding several kills in the mid game to eventually finish with a flawless 9/0/3 KDA for 71 percent kill participation. As soon as I May accrued their lead, they capitalized in a big way, picking up a cross-map 4-for-0 fight and 22-minute Baron kill. In a shocking display of power, Athena and the rest of I May picked EDward Gaming apart in their base, wasting little time in closing out a lightning fast 24-minute Game 3 win.
I May will next return to the Rift to face Invictus Gaming on Thursday at 8 a.m ET, while EDward Gaming takes on Game Talents on Friday at 8 a.m ET.
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WE vs. OMG
Team WE showed why it is the top dog in the League of Legends Pro League on Saturday, taking down OMG with a clean 2-0 sweep to kick off Week 7, Day 3 in Shanghai.
Team WE (9-2, 19-7 match record) was dominant in Game 1, rotating around the map as a team to secure first blood in a full 5-on-5 skirmish at 11 minutes. With mid laner Su "Xiye" Han-Wei's Taliyah casting brilliant Weaver's Walls to set up picks throughout the mid game, WE jumped out to a gold lead, securing a Baron kill at the 22-minute mark on the back of its strong pick game. Nobody was safe for OMG (5-6, 12-14 match record), as Team WE surged in the late game, with Xiye earning the finishing touches of his 5/1/8 KDA (kills/deaths/assists) for 87 percent kill participation in a 32-minute beatdown.
OMG took control early in Game 2, picking up kills through early ganks. They couldn't fully outpace Team WE, however, who stayed within striking distance through picks of its own, biding its time while AD carry Jin "Mystic" Seong-jun's Kog'Maw scaled up into a late-game hypercarry. OMG's attempt at sneaking a Baron kill at 21 minutes backfired horrifically, as it secured the buff but lost two kills, giving WE control of the map. Invigorated after the change in gold leads, Team WE returned to its powerful Game 1 form, finding picks and crushing skirmishes while forcing OMG into bad teamfights. While OMG managed to buy some breathing room with a 5-for-1 ace, its Nexus was left with barely 800 health at 35 minutes, which allowed Mystic to shred through OMG shortly afterwards en route to his game-high 26,600 damage dealt to wrap up a 2-0 series sweep with a 37-minute Game 2 win.
OMG next return to the Rift on Saturday, April 1 when it takes on LGD Gaming at 4 a.m ET, while Team WE look forward to what should be a big matchup against QG Reapers next Sunday at 7 a.m ET.
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NewBee vs. LGD Gaming
Newbee took down LGD Gaming during Week 7, Day 3 of the League of Legends Pro League in Shanghai, outlasting its competition to take a 2-1 series win Saturday.
Newbee (5-7, 14-18 match record) looked solid in Game 1, picking up kills as a roaming pack throughout the early-mid game. LGD Gaming just couldn't seem to find any openings as Newbee was relentless in its pressure, led by mid laner Yu "Cool" Jia-Jun's Orianna. With big Shockwaves in late game teamfights, Cool posted a flawless 6/0/5 KDA (kills/deaths/assists) for 79 percent kill participation as Newbee took a 3-for-0 fight and a Baron kill at the 27-minute mark. Using the buff to push into LGD's base, Newbee crushed a final 4-for-0 teamfight to take Game 1 in 30 minutes.
Game 2, by contrast, saw LGD Gaming (3-9, 11-18 match record) jump ahead early by employing Newbee's strategy of grouping and forcing skirmishes. LGD had a huge advantage in the mid game in the form of AD carry Gu "Imp" Seung-bin's signature Twitch, who ambushed other lanes and created openings for LGD to take advantages. While LGD stalled in the mid game due to Newbee finding a few picks, LGD's three Infernal Drakes and 28-minute Baron buff were too much for Newbee to overcome, as Imp dealt massive damage en route to his 18,300 damage dealt in a final 3-for-0 teamfight as LGD fired back with a 30-minute win of its own.
In a crucial Game 3, Newbee jungler Baek "Swift" Da-hoon's Rek'Sai popped off early on, picking up several kill credits in the top lane as NB jumped ahead. While LGD managed to wrangle the gold lead away from Newbee shortly afterwards, Swift's oppressive jungle control gave Newbee everything it needed to break away from LGD, ultimately securing three Mountain Drakes, an Infernal and a Cloud Drake. Newbee showed impressive teamfighting as Cool had another icy performance as Orianna, dealing 33,600 damage to enemy champions while earning a 7/1/10 KDA. While LGD managed to stop Newbee from ending the game on a Baron empowered push with a 5-for-1 at 29 minutes, Newbee had already exposed LGD's Nexus, allowing AD carry Lin "Lwx" Wei-Xiang's Caitlyn to stroll into LGD's base for the backdoor win in 36 minutes.
LGD Gaming has a tall task ahead of it as it faces Royal Never Give Up next Thursday at 5 a.m ET, while Newbee takes on the QG Reapers on Friday at 5 a.m ET.
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IG vs. Game Talents
Invictus Gaming closed out Week 7, Day 3 of the League of Legends Pro League with a sloppy but hard-earned 2-0 sweep over Game Talents on Saturday in Shanghai.
Throughout a chaotic and scrappy early game, Invictus Gaming (6-5, 16-11 match record) made sure that mid laner Song "Rookie" Eui-jin's Orianna got fed early, which wasn't hard since both teams constantly fought each other tooth-and-nail. While Game Talents (4-7, 10-17 match record) took a kill lead in the early game, a 4-for-2 teamfight at 23 minutes and subsequent 3-for-1 at 37 minutes for iG put it decisively in control. It took a long time to push into Game Talents' base, but Invictus eventually succeeded on the back of an Elder Dragon and top laner Lee "Duke" Ho-seong's Rumble, who dealt a game-high 55,700 damage to enemy champions. After a final 5-for-0 teamfight for Invictus Gaming, Rookie was sitting on a 6/3/21 KDA (kills/deaths/assists) for 90 percent kill participation, taking Game 1 in 51 minutes.
In another bloodbath of an early game, both teams picked up several kills, with Invictus Gaming coming out ahead to accrue a modest gold lead. Invictus Gaming looked poised to dominate with a 3-for-0 fight and Baron kill at 25 minutes, but had a hard time closing the game out. Despite taking a 4-for-1 at 33 minutes and later a second Baron at 46 minutes, it took Rookie's Orianna to carry Invictus to a win. Landing big time Command: Shockwaves while displaying great ball movement, Rookie controlled teamfights with ease, dealing a staggering 43,200 damage to enemy champions as Invictus secured the series sweep with a 48-minute Game 2 win.
Invictus Gaming returns to action on Thursday as it faces I May at 8 a.m. ET, while Game Talents have a tough task ahead of them in EDward Gaming on Friday at 8 a.m. ET.
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ROX vs. MVP
ROX Tigers picked up a close win over MVP on Saturday in Seoul, South Korea, to close out Week 9, Day 4 of League of Legends Champions Korea.
From the very beginning of Game 1, MVP (10-6, 23-17 match record) was in complete control. Kicking off a killing spree with a double kill from mid laner Ahn "Ian" Joon-hyung's Ahri, MVP held on to a kill advantage before ROX (83-8, 20-22 match record) came back with a couple of kills of its own. Ian secured another double kill around 12 minutes to give MVP a sizable gold lead that it never relinquished. While ROX jungler Kim "MightyBear" Min-soo's Elise managed to steal a Baron kill at 25 minutes, MVP never faltered, simply grabbing the next Baron at the 35-minute mark. Finishing the game how he started it, Ian tallied yet another double kill in the final push into ROX's base to lock in his 7/0/9 KDA (kills/deaths/assists) and secure the 37-minute win for MVP.
Whereas MVP was in complete control of Game 1, ROX took the reins early in Game 2. Once again, it was a mid laner that helped turn the tide of battle, as Sun "Mickey" Young-min picked up an early double kill as Talon to get ROX a 1,000 gold lead by the five-minute mark. MVP didn't waste much time getting kills of its own to make things interesting, which kicked off a back-and-forth struggle between the teams for map control. Things were even all the way until ROX took down four members of MVP following MVP's early 20-minute Baron kill. ROX continued to grow its lead, picking up a Baron of its own at 27 minutes to start pushing for the win in earnest, led by Mickey and his stellar 8/3/6 KDA.
Building off the momentum generated in Game 2, ROX came out firing on all cylinders in Game 3. Outside of the first couple of minutes, this match wasn't even close, as ROX quickly surged ahead to a 4,400 gold lead by the time 10 minutes had passed. There was simply nothing MVP could do to slow the Tigers down as ROX, led by MightyBear's 6/1/8 KDA on Rengar, easily ran away with the game. MVP only picked up two kills to the 21 of ROX and destroyed only one tower while ROX took down all 11. After securing the Baron at 21 minutes, ROX picked up an ace and decimated MVP's base to take Game 1 in 25 minutes.
ROX will next hit the stage when it takes on SK Telecom T1 on Wednesday at 4 a.m. ET, and MVP has a date with Samsung Galaxy the same day at 7 a.m. ET.
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Snake vs. QG Reapers
QG Reapers easily dispatched Snake Esports on Sunday, with a 2-0 sweep to kick off Week 7, Day 4 of the League of Legends Pro League in Shanghai.
While Snake Esports (4-7, 10-16 match record) struck first in Game 1 with a 3-for-1 skirmish in the middle lane at 10 minutes, QG Reapers quickly pulled ahead with consecutive skirmish wins in the top lane at 16 and 18 minutes, respectively. QG was dominant in the mid game, thanks in large part to mid laner Kim "Doinb" Tae-sang's Viktor, who channeled his inner Batman villain by freezing Snake with an Iceborn Gauntlet and Rylai's Crystal Scepter. The unconventional build worked wonders for Doinb, as he dealt a staggering 45,200 damage to enemy champions, which was 58 percent of his team's total damage, while posting a 7/3/5 KDA (kills/deaths/assists) for 86 percent kill participation. Doinb carried QG Reapers in the late game, where it secured two Baron kills en route to a 40-minute Game 1 win.
Snake Esports again picked up first blood to start Game 2, but QG Reapers (7-5, 17-12 match record) came storming back in the mid game on the back of Doinb's Viktor. Picking up kills throughout the mid game while top laner Kan "Kabe" Ho Man's Nautilus split-pushed as the unkillable colossus, QG was all over Snake, taking a 3-for-1 fight at 30 minutes to secure a Baron buff. QG crushed Snake's defenses on the subsequent push, with Doinb dealing another game-high damage to enemy champions at 26,700 damage while posting a flawless 4/0/7 KDA for 92 percent kill participation, finishing a relatively easy 2-0 series sweep in 32 minutes.
QG Reapers will take to the Rift against Newbee on Friday at 5 a.m ET, while Snake Esports will seek redemption as it faces I May on Saturday at 7 a.m ET.
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Vici Gaming vs. RNG
Group A leaders Royal Never Give Up survived a frightening series against Group B bottom-dwellers Vici Gaming on Sunday, taking a 2-1 series win to close out Week 7, Day 4 of the League of Legends Pro League in Shanghai.
Things couldn't have gone better for Royal Never Give Up (9-2, 19-8 match record) to start Game 1, picking up kills in every lane before 15 minutes. While Vici Gaming found scattered picks throughout the mid game, a big 3-for-1 fight at 32 minutes gave RNG a Baron buff, which it capitalized on with aplomb. Bolstering top laner Yan "Letme" Jun-Ze's split-pushing on an already fed Camille, Letme picked up a solo kill in VG's base as part of a 5-for-1 ace for RNG, adding to his game-high 28,900 damage dealt to enemy champions and 6/1/9 KDA (kills/deaths/assists) as RNG methodically took Game 1.
Despite picking up first blood in Game 2, Royal Never Give Up fell apart in the mid game, allowing Vici Gaming (3-8, 9-18 match record) to pull ahead. Mid laner Lee "Easyhoon" Ji-hoon's Vladimir was massive throughout the game, picking up early kills en route to a 5/1/5 KDA for 100 percent kill participation, but the true hero for VG was top laner Zhu "Loong" Xiao-Long's Kled. Engaging on RNG's immobile carries with his Chaaaaaaaarge!!!, Loong set up Vici's sudden win with a 3-for-0 fight in the top river after a Vici Baron kill. Sweeping through the top lane with a massive minion wave, Vici Gaming turned the teamfight win into a game win, as it ended Game 2 decisively in just over 32 minutes.
Easyhoon's Vladimir picked up first blood and first tower gold in Game 3, but Vici Gaming's hopes were quickly dashed. While RNG mid laner Li "Xiaohu" Yuan-Hao's Syndra suffered from positioning woes, his damage output and kill potential carried RNG in the mid game. With a 4/1/2 KDA at 29 minutes, Vici Gaming was terrified of Xiaohu in the mid-late game, allowing RNG to pick up a 31-minute Baron. Not one for getting overshadowed, AD carry Jian "Uzi" Zi-Hao's Ezreal gave RNG room to secure the Baron by jumping into Vici Gaming in a 1-vs-3, picking up all three kills with some help from his team as RNG pushed to end the game. Xiaohu picked up another kill to complete his 8/1/4 KDA as Royal Never Give Up secured a 5-for-2 ace and 34-minute win.
Royal Never Give Up will kick off next week's LPL action when it faces LGD Gaming on Thursday at 5 a.m. ET, while Vici Gaming have to wait until next Sunday to next take to the Rift against Game Talents at 4 a.m. ET.
