Chapter 144: Unexpected! Mid Laner Master Yi!
Beijing time, May 22nd, 2 AM, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s Olympic Stadium.
The venue, capable of holding tens of thousands, was packed to capacity, with the crowd roaring. Esports enthusiasts from around the world waved their support items, turning the scene into a brilliant ocean of red and blue glow sticks.
In the center of the stage, the massive ring-shaped screen lit up, immediately followed by highly rhythmic background music. Riot Games truly is a music company held back by game development.
The quality of their music is exceptionally high… If they focused solely on music instead of games, they’d probably do just as well.
The exciting finals opening countdown began!
“Ten!”
“Nine!”
“Eight!”
Over thirty thousand audience members on site shouted in unison, with cheers rising wave after wave!
“…Three! Two! One!”
The moment the countdown hit zero, dazzling lights and fireworks erupted around the stage, instantly igniting the atmosphere to its peak!
The on-site Brazilian host strode to the center of the stage with a passionate and infectious voice, loudly announcing in English:
“Ladies! Gentlemen!”
“This is Rio de Janeiro, Brazil’s Olympic Stadium! The 2017 League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational grand finals are about to officially begin!”
As the words fell, cheers swept through the arena like a tsunami.
“First!” The host swung his arm toward one side of the stage, “Let’s welcome the first finals team to take the stage with our hottest applause and cheers!”
“They are the Spring Split champions from China’s LPL region, E——D——G——!!”
Spotlights instantly hit the entrance, as the full EDG roster, dressed in black-and-red team uniforms, strode proudly to the center of the stage led by Coach Kuaisu Xing.
“Top Laner—Mouse!”
“Jungler—Clearlove7!” Clearlove’s appearance drew significant cheers; this veteran still had some fame on the international stage.
And when the host deliberately drew out his tone, shouting the next ID with all his might, the decibels in the stadium reached an unimaginable level.
“Mid Laner Unreal~~~!!!”
“Unreal! Unreal! Unreal!”
Not just the Chinese fans who traveled far, but many local Brazilian audience members and those from other countries also shouted the ID loudly.
Li Fan’s flashy performances in the group stage and semifinals, plus his off-stage string of champions, had already won him a huge international fanbase.
Li Fan calmly walked to his team’s spot, giving a slight nod to the cameras and audience.
“ADC—Zet!”
“Support—Meiko!”
After introducing EDG’s players, the host’s voice rose again.
“Next—” He took a deep breath, pointing his arm to the other side of the stage, “Let’s welcome the S3, S5, S6 three-time World Championship champions! The creators of legends! The kingly masters from the LCK region, SKT!!”
“Boom——!!!”
If EDG’s entrance cheers were a tsunami, then SKT’s entrance felt like an earthquake shaking the entire stadium—the three-time champions’ power was perfectly on display.
Stage lights focused on the entrance as SKT’s players, in their classic red uniforms, strode onto the field with overwhelming presence.
“Top Laner—Huni!”
“Jungler—Peanut!”
With a near-roar, the host shouted the ID that every League of Legends player around the world looked up to: “Mid Laner————Faker!!!”
In Brazil, Faker’s popularity was unimaginably exaggerated.
At this moment, the cheers in the stadium reached an unprecedented peak!
The roar nearly lifted the stadium’s roof!
Countless glow sticks waved wildly!
Esports is like this—as long as you win championship after championship with strength, even in a Brazilian arena, it becomes your home court.
The chants of “Faker! Faker! Faker!” continued endlessly…
Faker’s expression was calm, just like his countless times on the World Championship stage, but the kingly aura built from endless honors and victories enveloped the entire arena.
“ADC—Bang!”
“Support—Wolf!”
The two teams stood respectively on either side of the stage.
On one side, the bold newcomers EDG, carrying new tactics and genius players, aimed to topple the throne.
On the other, the deeply rooted SKT with the greatest player of the era.
The three stars on their bright red uniforms represented their glory and dominance.
Lights swept between the players, cameras giving close-ups of each, finally settling on the central stage trophy symbolizing the Mid-Season Invitational’s highest honor!
EDG once again became the challengers facing SKT!
Both teams settled into their seats; the first Mid-Season Invitational match was about to begin.
At this moment, esports enthusiasts worldwide gathered in front of screens to watch this match second only to the World Championship finals.
At the LPL commentator desk, Wa Wa, Miller, and Su Xiao Yan were ready.
“Hello audience friends, this is Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic Stadium. The on-site atmosphere is extremely hot! Both teams are debugging equipment; the match will start soon.”
“To the on-site and all LPL viewers in front of screens, I know many are still up late and feeling nervous! But at this moment, let’s lend our strength and light to EDG together! EDG—go for it!”
Meanwhile, at the LCK commentator desk.
“Welcome to the 2017 MSI grand finals, SKT vs. EDG.” The LCK veteran commentator Roar Emperor’s voice remained steady, “For SKT, this is just another world-class trophy heading to their honor room.”
CT Bro smiled and agreed: “Indeed, SKT with Faker is always reliable on the finals stage. Though EDG’s Unreal has been standout lately, in the face of absolute strength and experience, I believe SKT will take the win steadily.”
“Let’s look forward to SKT showing their kingly dominance once more! SKT fighting!”
……
SKT successfully won side selection and directly chose Blue Side.
After all, in this patch, Blue Side’s win rate was six or seven points higher than Red Side; overcoming blue with red was extremely difficult.
Actually, it should be said… because OP heroes exist, Red Side always has a bigger disadvantage in every patch. Unless it’s a strategy specifically practiced for Red Side, no one picks it willingly.
This really tests players’ abilities and tactical reserves.
Even then, opponents might pick OP heroes you can’t handle, and even with an early advantage, you could lose later because of that hero.
With both teams ready, the big screen switched to the BP interface!
“Blue Side SKT, Red Side EDG!”
“SKT first ban Ashe! This choice mainly targets Zet’s functionality ADC picks.” Miller analyzed quickly.
“EDG counters with a ban on Galio! This support-type hero is almost non-ban must-pick in the patch, flexible between mid and top, absolutely can’t be left for SKT. This decision is flawless.” Wa Wa followed up.
SKT’s second ban directly removed the Tristana that Li Fan played stunningly in the semifinals.
“Oh? Straight ban Tristana—that’s huge respect for Unreal!” Su Xiao Yan exclaimed.
Mid-lane farming Tristana has massive level and equipment advantages, and paired with a jungler Ivern, it’s ridiculously strong.
This hero is way too hard to restrict.
In this situation, it’s best to play safe and avoid any issues.
SKT still chose to ban Tristana.
EDG’s second ban went to the equally strong jungler Zac in this patch.
SKT’s third ban went to Sejuani…
“EDG’s third ban… Lee Sin! This limits Peanut’s rhythm junglers. Clearlove’s champion pool still has Rek’Sai, Gragas available.” Miller said.
First round bans ended:
SKT: Ashe, Tristana, Sejuani
EDG: Galio, Zac, Lee Sin
“Let’s see what SKT picks first?” Wa Wa stared at the screen.
With little hesitation, SKT locked Rumble on the first floor!
“Rumble! Huni’s Rumble!” Miller’s voice rose, “This hero has huge threat in top lane for jungle synergy or mid-game ultimate in team fights. SKT picked very proactively.”
“How will EDG respond? Should they grab a bot lane duo first?” Su Xiao Yan wondered.
After brief discussion, EDG’s first and second floors lit up with two hero icons, locked!
Kog’Maw and Lulu!
“Kog’Maw plus Lulu! EDG’s signature Ardent Censer system is out! No hesitation—that’s confidence! I believe my bot lane can make it work, I believe in my Ardent Censer system!”
“EDG has indeed studied this a bit lately. Major teams are researching Ardent Censer now too. Yesterday I asked Uzi; he said the item’s effects are great, boosting ADC damage a lot.”
SKT seemed prepared, reacting fast, locking Olaf and Karma on second and third floors.
“Olaf and Karma! SKT’s going for aggressive dives and early-mid rhythm!” Miller sped up, “Olaf ults right into your Kog’Maw, plus Karma’s speed boost—terrifying when farmed.”
Another reason is Karma would’ve been banned in the second round otherwise.
Kkoma didn’t want to hunt for another suitable support…
“EDG’s third floor… picks Nautilus! Very solid.” Su Xiao Yan analyzed.
First round picks ended:
SKT: Rumble, Olaf, Karma
EDG: Kog’Maw, Lulu, Nautilus
Entering second round bans.
Mid laner not out yet; Karma mid is possible but unlikely…
So they banned Taliyah and Ryze.
Not that they’re unbeatable, but to avoid potential issues.
SKT directly banned junglers: Excavator, Gragas…
The targeting was very clear.
“EDG’s fourth floor—what will they pick to complete the lineup? Counter pick left for mid; only Jarvan IV fits as jungler…” Wa Wa guessed.
However, EDG’s fourth floor surprisingly locked Taric—should be called his new name, Shield of Valoran…
“Taric?! Locked! EDG locks Taric on fourth floor!” Miller’s voice was full of disbelief, “Taric support? Then… who’s getting Lulu? Mid Lulu?”
“Though Unreal has played mid Lulu effectively before, in such a crucial finals, having the team’s core carry pick a functional mid… is this tactical sacrifice too big?”
Wa Wa perfectly voiced the thoughts of all watching audience members.
This feels off—not like a normal lineup anyone would pick.
Live stream room viewers couldn’t help but curse.
【Fuck, what the hell is Kuaisu Xing doing? BP was so good before, now it’s shit—letting mid take Lulu?】
【Puked, heaven-defying to give dad this hero?】
【If first game is like this, feels like no chance today.】
In fact, commentators and viewers worldwide were baffled by EDG’s Taric pick.
Taric support is extremely rare this patch; mid Lulu isn’t impossible… but low pick rate, usually taken to stall when mid can’t win.
Overall, it’s very passive mid, no presence in team fights—just depends on how dad outputs.
On SKT’s bench, Faker’s brow furrowed slightly; he didn’t get EDG’s intent.
But he didn’t think Li Fan would concede with a Lulu.
Coach Kkoma arms crossed.
“Taric… Lulu… what are they doing?” Kkoma muttered, but BP time waited for no one—he decided quickly.
“Whatever they play, we take what we’re best at,” Kkoma chose to stay steady, “Bot Caitlyn, mid LeBlanc for Sanghyeok to smash them!”
Thus, SKT’s fourth and fifth floors locked Caitlyn and LeBlanc.
“Caitlyn and LeBlanc! SKT’s lineup is rock-solid, strong early lane suppression, top-tier mid-jungle rhythm!”
Now, only EDG’s final mid laner pick remained.
But with Taric and Lulu out, no one could guess EDG’s last hero…
Really hard to understand.
At the last moment, EDG’s fifth floor hero icon settled on helmeted Master Yi, the Wuju Bladesman!
“Locked!!! My god!!! Master Yi!!! EDG pulls out Wuju Bladesman Master Yi on fifth floor in the finals first game!!!” Wa Wa’s shocked cry rang out…
And everyone was stunned.
Clearlove jungling Master Yi?
What the hell has EDG been practicing?
The moment Master Yi locked, the entire Rio Olympic Stadium exploded!
Gasps and screams intertwined, decibels even higher than Faker’s entrance!
“EDG! EDG! EDG!”
Domestic official live stream bullet comments went wild, floods of question marks scrolling.
Can’t understand, mainly just can’t understand!
What does EDG want to do?
Playing this blindly? What are they thinking?
【EDG’s gone crazy!!】
【If this lineup beats SKT, I’ll livestream standing on my head washing hair!】
【Clearlove even pulled Master Yi? What tactics are they thinking? Can Master Yi even be played? Not seen in high elo, let alone pro matches.】
【Bullshit, after a loss you’d still say that? You guys are so fake—the ones cursing loudest are probably you!】
On SKT’s bench, even steady Faker flashed surprise at the enemy Master Yi.
“Taric Master Yi… they…” Peanut opened his mouth, unsure what to say.
But this game suddenly felt less smooth; an ominous premonition hit.
When hero swap countdown ended, the esports world went silent, then erupted in even wilder cheers!
Because EDG swapped Master Yi to Li Fan! Clearlove took Taric! Lulu stayed support—EDG’s real ace was the fourth-fifth floor heroes.
And more eye-popping: mid Master Yi’s summoner spells Smite and Flash!
“My god!!! Smite Master Yi!!” Wa Wa nearly roared, “Not Clearlove jungling Master Yi—Clearlove jungles Taric! Unreal’s mid Smite Master Yi! We all guessed wrong! EDG hid this ultimate so long and used it first game!”
You think Ardent Censer was their first researched play?
No!
They had another!
Miller instantly got it: “I see! Taric jungle uses passive and W for fast clears and sustain. His core isn’t ganks but protecting and synergizing mid Master Yi! Master Yi with Smite farms jungle fast, plus Taric’s W healing and clear efficiency… rapid farming.”
“But… Clearlove didn’t take Smite!” Su Xiao Yan said.
This stunned Miller—Taric without Smite can’t jungle.
If Unreal jungles Master Yi, who’s mid?
Feels off again; if so, it should be mid Lulu.
Mei Kong mid? That’d be too fancy.
But live stream bullet comments kept flying—shift from curses to changes.
【Holy shit!!! Mid Master Yi!!!】
【Fan Ge, my superman!!! Too daring!】
【Sorry, Coach Kuaisu Xing I was wrong—you’re not heaven-defying, you’re a genius!】
【Mid Master Yi vs. Faker’s LeBlanc in MSI finals! Novels wouldn’t dare write this script—real showtime.】
【Crying! This is esports! This is imagination!】
【SKT all dumbfounded? Haha!】
【Win or lose, this black tech Master Yi—EDG badass! Fan Ge badass!】
【But this lineup feels fragile without advantage, hard to play!】
【If Master Yi gets fed, no one on SKT can handle Unreal—huge play potential, but can’t imagine the transition…】
SKT bench.
Faker truly couldn’t figure it out now.
EDG’s lineup was too ahead of its time—zero clue why.
“What are they doing? Mid Master Yi? Who’s jungling?” Peanut asked.
“Whatever lineup they pick, we just win the game.”
Lineups locked, match entered brief loading screen.
Blue Side SKT: Top Rumble, Jungle Olaf, Mid LeBlanc, Bot duo Caitlyn and Karma.
Red Side EDG: Top Nautilus, Jungle Taric, Mid Master Yi, Bot duo Kog’Maw and Lulu.
……
