Chapter 246
Chapter 246
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 246
Chapter Title: JaNachGwae Finals - 3
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Thanks to the Bandit jungler's monstrous carry performance, the 'Goobaek & the Yuchulz' team had easily claimed match point.
But the 'Prince Maker' team wasn't about to go down without a fight.
Perhaps fueled by the desperate realization that they couldn't afford to lose like this, the 'Prince Maker' team pulled out a fresh comp in set 4—one they had barely touched before.
It was the infamous "click-click" combo, a teamfight-focused setup bristling with hard crowd control.
They skipped every lane bully, even picking Ashe for ADC despite her CC kit.
With initiating power through the roof and fights that could pop off at the drop of a hat, the 'Goobaek & the Yuchulz' team got caught flat-footed in endless skirmishes and helplessly surrendered set 4.
『Haaah, they won't make it easy. Not easy at all...』
『Their comp was way too well put together.』
『Tell me about it. Ugh, still gives me the creeps just looking at it.』
『I had Cleanse and Quicksilver, and it still didn't matter.』
"Yeah... comps like that are a nightmare to play against..."
As the final set 5 loomed, both teams got a brief strategy time slash breather.
Da-jeong's squad was still reeling from the last game's chaos—everyone heaving exhausted sighs.
It felt like every time they blinked, a brawl had erupted, leaving no room to catch their breath before getting smashed.
『Everyone okay? Set 4 was rough, huh?』
『Ughhh, Coach... we're dying here.』
『That comp was filthy...』
The coach, Glow, hopped into the Discord late and started soothing the team.
They all chimed in unison, heaping praise on the enemy comp—in the most backhanded way possible.
Glow gave a wry smile and pressed on.
『This is on me as coach for whiffing the draft. But hey, taking it to set 5 beats getting stomped earlier. Chin up, team.』
『True, better than eating dirt in set 5.』
『Just means they burned a hidden card. No biggie.』
"Exactly. They couldn't just roll over, so they played their ace."
Glow boldly shouldered the blame for the loss, just like he used to rally his pro teammates back in the day.
The mood lifted almost instantly from its earlier gloom.
『First off, from what I saw, that set 4 comp looked like the toughest matchup. So we'll ban Ornn and Maokai.』
『Ornn too? Bandit wrecked him in set 3 though.』
『Yeah, but still safer to cut 'em. Teamfights have too many variables... same reason for Maokai.』
"Yeah, I agree. Maokai stalled early in the last game, but once fights broke out, too much chaos..."
『Oh? If Lulu says so...』
Nyantamon voiced mild concern over Glow's call to ban easy-to-play, teamfight-strong picks.
But when Da-jeong backed it up enthusiastically, the team nodded along.
And honestly, she had a point.
This wasn't a pro league—it was amateurs duking it out.
Sure, straightforward comps shine in pro play too, but with lower-skill amateurs, that gap widens even more.
Even if you snowball early, it's easy to fumble the lead and throw via comeback.
Games naturally drag into mid-late, where teamfight comps like that thrive.
With that in mind, Da-jeong resolved to deploy the pick she'd been saving for this final set 5.
"Um... Coach? Mind if I suggest one ban/pick?"
『Go for it. Got something in mind?』
"Yeah... not a total joker pick or anything, but Empire's Jeong Hu recommended it. Never used it in scrims, so they won't see it coming. And since we're both eyeing lategame anyway, it fits."
『Jeong Hu hooked you up? Ooh, what is it?』
Da-jeong named it, and Glow blinked in surprise before nodding.
She was spot on—it made total sense.
Especially since the enemy knew she was their ace and would target her hard; this was a great counter-pick.
『Nice! It's post-nerf and weak in lane, so watch that—but Lulu, you lane like a beast anyway.』
『Agreed, looks solid. Lulu owns teamfights too.』
『Show us Great Lulu mode after Great Jeong Hu! Go Lulu!』
『If we land this comp, no way we lose late.』
『Heck yeah, eases my damage burden too.』
And so, with the coach's green light and the team's hype, Da-jeong's final hidden card—recommended by LoL's GOAT—was finally stepping into the spotlight for the finals' set 5.
The finals' decisive set 5.
As the match to crown the champion approached, the casters ramped up the energy.
『JaNachGwae finals at last! We've made it. Over 90K viewers tuning in—thank you all!』
『True to form, these powerhouse teams traded blows beautifully. Can't wait to see how the final page turns.』
『That's right. Let's dive into the set 5 ban/pick phase!』
Set 5 ban/pick was underway.
True to their earlier discussion, 'Goobaek & the Yuchulz' focused bans on hard CC threats like Ornn and Maokai—picks that pop off in teamfights.
『Ooh, 'Goobaek & the Yuchulz' banning heavy from set 4's painful picks.』
『Yep. Click-click comps work even in pro scene. It crushed last set, so they're respecting it.』
Meanwhile, fresh off their set 4 win, 'Prince Maker' stuck to a similar draft.
They sniped a few of Da-jeong's mid picks, plus Bandit's Aatrox from set 3 and strong engage supports.
『Aah, 'Prince Maker' running it back from last set.』
『Makes sense—winners have reason to. Expect similar flow.』
This setup boosted 'Prince Maker's confidence.
Sure, their set 4 stars got banned, but substitutes existed—and the bans themselves proved they were dictating terms.
『Guys, same vibe as last. Mid, just grab comfort. Top/jg fill tank/CC? I'll Varus bot.』
『Varus? You sure? High-carry better?』
『Nah, risky if we lose bot early. Go hard instead.』
『OK, Nautilus for me.』
With Ashe banned, their ADC grabbed CC-heavy Varus.
Support mirrored with CC-loaded Nautilus.
In response, 'Goobaek & the Yuchulz' countered bot with the classic couple duo: Xayah and Rakan.
Xayah's known for her beefy ADC sustain.
'Prince Maker' figured they chickened out after set 4's bot drubbing.
Bans traded back and forth until only 'Goobaek & the Yuchulz's final pick remained—presumed mid for Da-jeong.
So far, solid drafts all around.
'Prince Maker' leaned engage-heavy fight starters.
'Goobaek & the Yuchulz' flipped it, building more lategame-oriented.
Everything hinged on that last mid pick.
Everyone watched with bated breath—what would it be?
Da-jeong's bag of wildly varied picks made it a must-see.
『Lulu, looks good? Lock it?』
"Yep, good to go. Pick it."
『OK, slamming it in.』
Their Discord made it clear: decision done.
Quick exchange between Nyantamon and Da-jeong, then...
Nyantamon selected her champion and locked without hesitation.
Mid's textbook staple, the fundamentals pick in pro play.
But forever bottom-tier in solo queue, dubbed the "pros-only pick."
Azir had arrived.