Counterpick Gambit
There was no real feedback from the first set. They hadn't even played a proper game to begin with.
That's just how mirror matches worked.
With such extreme compositions on both sides, the burden of defeat weighed heavily, and once one team started losing ground, they kept losing it endlessly. That was why no other teams dared attempt mirror matches.
This was exactly why composition mattered so much.
To cover for inferior individual skill, the best strategy was always to gain a compositional advantage.
And from the start, there was no upside to facing off against Siwoo, who was dominating the league as the sniper monster. The sniper role itself was notoriously difficult.
Anyway.
Siwoo, sitting in the player lounge, grabbed a banana. His stomach was growling after expending so much focus on the sniper mirror match in the previous game.
"What do you think their next comp will be?"
Kim Yong-taek asked.
"Hard to say, but they probably won't try mirror again. Maybe a counterpick? GZ's solid with close-range and assassins too."
Kim Ho-jong replied.
"Data-wise, assassin attacker has the highest odds. They used it in the last match too. Probably assassin close comp."
The coach added.
"We'll know for sure once we see the map and mode, but they'll likely go assassin close unless something crazy happens. Let's build around that expectation. Rifles are easy to handle even if they pick them."
Next set.
GZ would probably bring an assassin close comp. They'd boldly tried a range fight and gotten crushed. Counterpick was their best bet.
"Let's stay focused for the next set too. First one went great, so let's keep it cool and collected."
The coach said.
The match time was approaching.
"Okay, everyone ready?"
"Yeah."
"Let's go!"
The time arrived.
Siwoo and the guys left the player lounge.
Waaaaaaaaah──!!
The cheers from 30,000 fans in the arena hit like a storm.
The GZ vs. Kaiserst match had generated massive hype, so it was only natural the crowd was pumped. Two undefeated league powerhouses.
'Let's carry this set too.'
Siwoo clenched his fist as he walked to the capsule booth.
He'd grown used to the fan cheers lately, so they didn't hit quite as hard anymore.
But thinking back to why he'd wanted to become a pro gamer in the first place, it would've been weirder if he wasn't bursting with motivation right now.
'Today, I crush GZ.'
That was his only thought.
"Yes, GZ versus Kaiserst! Set 2! Kaiserst took set 1 in overwhelming fashion—what's your take, caster? Think set 2 will play out the same?"
"I reckon GZ switches it up for set 2! Set 1 ended quick because of that extreme range comp clash! Expect a new strategy this time!"
The caster knew GZ's crushing defeat stemmed from the range comp mirror match.
"Right! Similar comps in set 1! Will set 2 shake things up? Let's check the predictions! Map and mode incoming!"
Ding ding ding ding ding—!
"Map and mode out! Eternal Base, contention mode!"
Eternal Base contention.
The fans buzzed. The reason?
"Tough matchup! Eternal Base has slow movement due to space gravity! But tons of high ground and cover—perfect for snipers! Great for Kaiserst's sniper comp!"
Eternal Base contention heavily favored snipers.
"Eternal Base has key chokepoints and high antenna towers essential for fights! Slow movement hurts assassin and close attackers! Kaiserst might stick with snipers again!"
Map and mode alone made the advantageous comp obvious.
"That said, GZ won't avoid assassin close just because of the map! We'll see how it plays out!"
Still, no room for complacency.
Why else were they called Korea's overlords?
They won unfavorably composed games, flipped the entire meta.
Set 1 was mirror; different comps would change everything.
"Tough one to call! Time for picks! Selection phase!"
The screen spun, bringing up weapon and trait selection.