The largest EPIC.LAN since pre-covid featured a brand new system that undoubtedly did present some points. Sure, there have been fairly a couple of repeats however the principle distinction it confirmed is that you simply NEVER had a straightforward sport. You saved on having to play your A sport, and for some, this was not attainable.
What this additionally confirmed is that comebacks are attainable. You could be 2-4 and nonetheless make playoffs.
Sit again and revel in this monolith of a day as GrimyRannarr tries to take you thru energy outages and fixed insane video games that ended at 1 am.
Spherical 1
As we begin the weekend the first-round matchups should not straightforward video games for the favorites however nonetheless ones that they need to win. The important thing factor to give attention to is that there isn’t a ‘warmup’ sport, there aren’t any straightforward group video games, and each single sport can and will likely be a problem.
This spherical was headlined by the 2 goliaths of Ross Kemp Ryan and Binmen Worldwide taking part in on stream. In a stunning flip of occasions, Joshua “Dweg” Nathan is now one step nearer to getting out of teams with a strong 13-10 win to begin their journey.
The one shock comes from Tyreece Simpson who has Matthew “meffew” Godsell and ARTZ dropping their first sport versus Katana Gaming. A staff that folks have been taking a look at to probably rustle some feathers had a really gradual begin.
Joeyyy from Roylas (pre blackout)
Talking of gradual begins, The Final Resort gained their first sport, but it surely wasn’t the simplest. Getting examined by flowstate the #4 seeded staff struggled out of the gates however nonetheless maintained a 1-0 begin.
A win by Soul’s Land was one which answered some questions early on about their efficiency, with their new roster dominating Anita Max Wynn 13-3
One other shut end result comes from Talent Checked knocking BTEC NEDs to 0-1 by clinching a 13-11 win. These groups will likely be battling arduous for the previous few playoff spots and Talent Checked posing themselves early on to take action.
One thing that nobody anticipated on day one… An influence outage. In the course of the early phases of spherical one video games, the facility went out and EPIC took a brief break to resolve the problems. Nonetheless, the issue was not solved. Not even quarter-hour later the facility went out once more, and after this EPIC.LAN determined to take a lunch break and provides groups an prolonged break. Momentum for a lot of groups bought quelled and It is going to be attention-grabbing to see if due to this some upsets or comebacks happen.
Spherical 1 Group 1 + 2
Spherical 2
One other staff that we’re conserving a detailed eye on how they carry out early is Rum Bumpers and by god did they obliterate Royals on stream 13-4. A really disappointing efficiency from Royals on the one hand who function imported expertise Jérémy “jeyN” Nguyen ought to have been placing up extra of a combat, elevating some early questions marks. Then again, it might be terrifying for groups like K10 and The Neighbours who wait nervously to see in the event that they would be the subsequent title Rum Bumpers declare.
Tree60 and K10 closing it out versus Raptors EC.
As normality returns and video games begin up once more we see K10 end off their 9-6 lead versus Raptors EC and set themselves as much as play versus Rum Bumpers in spherical 3
We witnessed our first 13-0 as The Neighbours got here and confirmed why they bought seeded #1 as they dumpster Soul’s Lands. No matter their tough begin, the Chinese language staff is extremely crisp and that’s one thing that may get seen increasingly more because the event goes on.
The Final Resort and Coalesce have a aggressive historical past on-line that at all times rewards viewers with intense video games, nevertheless, each time Coalesce comes out on high. TLR discovered their revenge on LAN after an enormous 1v4 from Bigun at 10-9, subsequently profitable the sport 13-10, establishing the second high-seed sport versus The Neighbours.
Lastly, normality resolves as Dweg suffers his first loss as Binmen Worldwide falls 13-4 to Disco Diggers.
Spherical 2 Group 1 + 2
Spherical 3
Though we may be delayed, we persevere.
Beginning with a shock upset, getting back from throughout the pond Magic got here and confirmed Royals what was good as he dropped 183 adr of their 13-2 stomp. Not an anticipated end result from the #13 seeded staff taking part in seed #6, however they confirmed they might be scary as we enter a later stage of the event. Royals now have to bounce again from 1-2 down.
One other upset reside on stream was Shaman dumpstering Soul’s Lands 13-6. Soul’s Land with a tough drawing of The Neighbours within the second spherical seemingly hasn’t bounced again after their 13-0 loss and appeared fairly flat. On the duality of that Shaman now are electrified as they go 2-1.
An intense sport with CYPHER making an attempt to hold his staff over the road finally was not sufficient as K10 go 3-0 and held off Rum Bumpers lengthy sufficient to safe the 13-9 win with Rezst nailing down two within the ultimate spherical to place them in a 3v1.
Sadly for TLR they have been unable to finest The Neighbours however my god they made them sweat. A really robust efficiency from the #4 seeded staff to carry it as shut as 10-10, however a key gun spherical misplaced on the very finish gave the momentum to The Neighbours.
We now have two 3-0 top-seeded groups, K10 and The Neighbours.
ex-UKCSGO author meffew taking part in for Tyreece Simpson
Purpose Gaming secured their first win as they struggled within the second sport because of the prolonged pause and misplaced their mentality as they reentered the server. Regardless, Purpose defeated Antenna Man 13-7.
The Binmen’s screams ricochet across the LAN corridor as The Bin Chaser outlast Spoons? 16-13.
In an surprising upset Raptors EC appeared like they held their very own versus K10, however once they got here up towards MMS and co on Nuke, Anita Wax Wynn secured a 13-9 win prompted by a 1v2 from the one and solely ghil.
And eventually, Group Invictum win a really key sport towards Disco Diggers who’re seeded one place decrease than them. Invictum began the day tough with a 13-3 thrashing to Raptors EC, however will likely be trying to bounce again and enter pot 1.
Spherical 3 Group 1 + 2
Spherical 4
Curiously we have already got our first rematch as TLR who performed flowstate within the opening spherical, will likely be repeating their endeavor. This time can flowstate do their title justice and proceed from their 13-2 sport versus Royals? Sadly, this was not the case. Flowstate made it extra aggressive however nonetheless misplaced to the fingers of TLR.
However that doesn’t matter when now we have The Binmen derby… and oh my god this sport didn’t finish.
In the meantime, over on the Anita Wax Wynn camp, they’re destroying everybody of their path on Nuke, and after a dominant 13-6 win over Invictum… despite the fact that MMS was calling ghil an fool.
CYPHER questioning why he’s at EPIC.LAN
Each Rum Bumpers and TLR made up for his or her defeats within the final spherical by beating Coalesce and flowstate respectively.
Sadly for Shaman, their excessive within the final spherical was squashed by Raptors EC 13-6
As we glance in direction of our first King of The Hill sport, one which might be worthy of the finals, now we have The Neighbours establishing towards K10, and wow they got here ready. With a clear sweep 13-3, Adam9130 led his staff to victory, marking themselves as the primary king.
Lastly, after a yr, Binmen Worldwide win 22-19 over The Bin Chasers. This sport lasted for the entire of Spherical 5…
Spherical 4 Group 1 + 2
Spherical 5
As we’re nonetheless ready for The Binmen to complete their sport we are able to check out how a staff simply bought default hunted ON LAN.
As K10 was having some tech points they couldn’t be part of the server versus Anita Max Wynn. Nonetheless, the problems lasted for 45 minutes and due to the delays already, when Anita Max Wynn went to admins, the admins gave them the forfeit win. This LAN actually is throwing every thing at this occasion.
We had some extra repeats as Coalesce appeared to get vengeance on TLR. Coalesce had a gradual begin on their CT aspect of Nuke, however discovering new power they ended up stomping their method ahead to a 13-9 victory, replicating what they did on-line on LAN.
A staff that we haven’t talked about a lot is K9. They’ve solely misplaced to Coalesce and K10, however aside from which have been taking some fairly large names, and on this spherical knocking Disco Diggesr down a peg and securing themselves a playoff spot.
Furthermore, after Royals determined to begin banning Vertigo they’ve really been profitable. The retired boys went from 1-2 to now topping the group phases. This new type exhibits us that there are actual probabilities for redemption you probably have a gradual begin. Royals assure playoffs after their 13-7 win over Soul’s Land.
The Binmen sport continues to be going and we’re in our second extra time.
We then see each of the highest two seeded groups actually get examined. First The Neighbours face off towards Raptors EC for a win to ensure the UB and get put to the take a look at as they edge it out 13-10. Subsequent Rum Bumpers unexpectedly battle 13-11 versus flowstate.
Spherical 5 Group 1 + 2
Spherical 6
Heading into Spherical 6 we see CYPHER face off towards Smooya. One would count on this to be an intense shut sport but it surely actually couldn’t the be reverse. The Neighbours reside as much as their #1 seed and obliterated Rum Bumpers 13-5 on stream.
Anita Max Wynn has been on hearth this occasion and has caught everybody abruptly. A combination that has stormed in and now will take one other head, Coalesce. After being TLR dominantly you possibly can think about that momentum could be introduced ahead, however that was not the case. With MMS calling the squad to a 13-10 victory.
The comeback is on for Purpose Gaming and Byfield
To ensure the higher bracket we noticed Royals full the comeback from beginning 1-2 down as they dispatched with Raptors EC. K10 bounced again after fixing their technical points and exploded Group Invictum 13-1.
Shaman dug deep and gained the struggle of attrition over Purpose Gaming 19-15, while K9 continued their underdog run to playoffs after being seeded #15.
Furthermore, Purpose ensures themselves within the tiebreaker and may have a tough sport versus Raptors EC arising.
Spherical 6 Group 1+2+3
Spherical 7
As talked about earlier than Purpose has a giant problem forward of them as they sq. as much as RaptorsEC. Though Byfield bought 4+ opening kills within the first half, they constantly squandered their 4v5s and bought run over 13-1. It’s by no means going to be straightforward when Midgard has 131 ADR AND igorek has 127.
Anita Max Wynn lastly will get delivered to justice as The Neighbours put them of their place, securing the primary seed going into playoffs with a 13-2 win.
Anita Max Wynn, the folks’s staff
The highlight needs to be placed on flowstate who’ve been taking part in unimaginable Counter-Strike and show themselves as soon as extra as they deal a defying blow to Rum Bumpers with a 13-7 win. That they had a last-minute pull-out every week earlier than the occasion with Bish backing out and Sorex has taken this chance in his stride. Kica actually placing all of the haters to mattress.
Sadly, Royals’ magical comeback does take a slight bump as they take Coalesce to all rounds however fall on the finish 13-11.
Just like Royals, Soul’s Lands got here fourth final EPIC.LAN comeback from a 2-3 deficit and clinched one of many ultimate spots away from Group Invictum 13-8.
Antenna Males give out one other nice shock as inform K9 bought bested 13-8, and as seeded #20 they punch about their weight and safe high 12.
K10 continued their dominance with a very vital win over rivals TLR 13-10, not straightforward however nonetheless continued their supremacy.
Spherical 7, ultimate likelihood for playoffs
Spherical 8 (Tiebreakers)
It’s do or die for a lot of groups, some are taking part in for seeding, some are taking part in for survival.
First, a staff that was taking part in for seeding. Anita Max Wynn who had beforehand gained a forfeit win over K10 was confronted up with the problem for actual… they didn’t shrink back.
K10 have been out for revenge however needed to battle their method again into extra time when 10-12 down. Sadly, Anita Max Wynn couldn’t maintain themselves in OT and K10 bought their revenge, however not in a fashion they might have needed. No matter ghil and co had for breakfast I have to know.
From 2-4 down BTEC NEDs full the comeback and stamp themselves into the playoffs
And now for the ultimate likelihood matches. Purpose Gaming redeemed themselves by beating K9 in Double OT – 19-17 – to make playoffs. BTEC Neds went from 2-4 to make playoffs, ability checking Talent Checked who beat them within the opening spherical… Though Walli ‘had no fingers”. Regardless, they beat their seeding as they have been positioned #17.
Katana Gaming knocked out Group Invictum who bought seeded #10 after a 13-10 win. A very robust victory for Katana who one-upped BTEC Neds and went from #22 seeded to playoffs. Lastly, Shaman Esports virtually dropped the ball versus Tyreece Simpson however held onto their chief closing it out 13-10.
Spherical 8 – Seeding video games and final likelihood qualifier video games
Higher Bracket Quarter Finals
As we reached playoffs on day one, the ultimate video games it was already getting loopy late. The schedule alone was longer than regular, nevertheless, it doesn’t account for a two-hour delay for the facility going out and The Binmen’s triple OT sport and server breaking to carry up the entire bracket.
Total the groups that made the Higher bracket have been by massive those you’ll anticipate… Aside from one match.
Each groups that had been upsetting the ‘high canine’ all days have been going through off one another and the end result was sort of stunning. Anita Max Wynn had spent the entire day dismantling precise groups and taking part in good Counter-Strike. Nonetheless, it appears their largest problem comes from flowstate. Equally on an excellent streak, they began map one with a bang as they dominated 13-1. On map two, it was trying the very same till the very finish. Anita Max Wynn to their credit score did mount a really sizable comeback on Anubis to pressure It to over time, however that just about made the loss extra bitter to know they may have taken it to a 3rd. And in a wierd flip of occasions flowstate – seeded #13 – has assured high six at a minimal.
Now we flip to the groups we anticipated to be there. First up is The Neighbours who simply appeared untouchable at the moment. The one staff to not drop a single map in teams continued that theme versus Royals solely dropping 12 rounds throughout the 2 maps they performed, ending day one flawlessly. Tomorrow the query is can they proceed this manner towards the demon slayers of flowstate.
Karra ecstatic at beating TLR for the second time in someday
For the third time at the moment, Coalesce performed versus The Final Resort! Though TLR began the interactions efficiently, all of it went downhill from there. The BO3 they performed in playoffs was an absolute stomp, second map appeared just a little extra respectful as they bought seven rounds, – in comparison with there in map one – but it surely felt like Coalesce had their quantity at each flip. Wfn spoke to UKCSGO after and stated: “If we had performed like that every one day we wouldn’t have misplaced a single sport.” If they will proceed that type tomorrow then we may presumably see the organisation win EPIC.LAN with three fully completely different lineups in three years.
The ultimate sport for the higher bracket was the closest. K10 v Rum Bumpers is the one sport to go to 3 maps. Each groups performed like how we’d anticipate however sadly, Rum Bumpers have been compelled to make a loopy comeback on Inferno – the ultimate map – however misplaced their groove on the very finish, and thus will likely be compelled to make a decrease bracket run. Flowstate will likely be trying to get revenge on K10 who beat them within the opening spherical 13-10 and in spherical 4 13-8.
Additionally, it’s good to notice that half the higher bracket video games ended after midnight, and the K10 v Rum Bumpers sport was nearer to ending at 1 am than midnight. Additionally add on the truth that K10, TLR, and a few of The Neighbours gamers hadn’t actually slept a lot due to the fireplace alarm that went off at 4:30 am within the premier inn. It has been a grueling day.
Higher Bracket Playoffs
Decrease Bracket Quarter Finals
One thing we talked about within the intro is that groups may come again from any deficit, subsequently we noticed the decrease bracket produce some actually attention-grabbing surprises. You had naturally Raptors EC and Soul’s Land that you simply anticipated to make the higher bracket however failed to take action. Disco Diggers, Shaman Esports, and Purpose Gaming are all among the many names you imagined would make the decrease bracket at a minimal. Nonetheless, there are some names you by no means would have imagined.
Our first sport showcases one staff now we have already highlighted that has exceeded their seeding, BTEC NEDs. Sadly their run ended right here, however they put up a dam good combat. Soul’s Land had already began to search out their footing in direction of the top of teams and carried that momentum as they clinched up a 2-0 towards the Welsh 13-9 and 13-11. They’ll now play Rum Bumpers tomorrow Within the Decrease Quarter Finals.
Our subsequent sport present instances two groups that we anticipated to make it this far. Disco Diggers versus Purpose Gaming, the retired versus the grinders. It was superior seeing Purpose again at EPIC.LAN with gamers like rezzed and Finchy who hadn’t performed LAN since 2019 and 2018 respectively. This showcased an intense reverse sweep from Purpose as they go onto the following spherical to play The Final Resort.
The peoples champion – Ghil
Our penultimate sport to be performed was an actual shocker. Not even the lowest-seeded staff to make playoffs, however Antenna Males who performed within the ESL Premiership Autumn Finals 2023 playoffs return to the UK circuit. They managed to recreate their magic securing playoffs in Spherical 7 as they beat K9. Sadly for them, their epic journey ends right here as Shaman Esports offers with them 13-9 and 13-11, occurring to play Anita Max Wynn.
Our ultimate sport showcases the LOWEST-seeded staff that certified for playoffs. Katana Gaming positioned #22. Katana saved on going forwards and backwards in teams, profitable one spherical, and dropping the following. Nonetheless, when it mattered probably the most they outlasted JTM Fan Membership ranked #16 and Group Invictum seeded #10. They deserved to be right here. Nonetheless, dealt a nasty hand with the highest-seeded staff within the Decrease Bracket, Raptors EC made quick work of them, profitable 13-3 and 13-5. They’ll go up towards Royals tomorrow.
We have now already talked about JTM Fan Membership and Group Invictum, two groups that have been seeded to make playoffs and didn’t. There’s yet another staff so as to add to that record. K9 was seeded #15 however narrowly missed out as they misplaced in a double OT in Spherical 8.
Decrease Bracket Playoffs
Be a part of us at 10 am for the beginning of the Decrease Bracket in Kettering!
