“Here it is!!!”
“Finally, it’s been unlocked. Shin Saengnim’s Shin!”
“Isn’t it often said that when Shin Saengnim gets ahold of Shin, it’s on a professional level?”
“That’s correct. To be honest, doesn’t everyone know that Shin isn’t really a carry champion? But Shin Saengnim manages to carry with it.”
[Ah…this heavy, cool sensation. It’s time to return to being the master of Shin.]
[It’s out…it’s out…it’s out…it’s out…it’s out…]
[Run…run…run…run…run…]
[? Is this really how it’s supposed to be unlocked?]
[Since it’s the end anyway, it’s probably right to just let it go and eliminate variables by banning three mid champions.]
“By using three bans on mid champions, we can anticipate a strategy that aims to eliminate their mid carry ability.”
“Indeed, with Shin Saengnim’s Shin unleashed, how do they plan to counter it?”
“Ah, Gnar. They might believe there’s a skill gap anyway, could this be the thought?”
“Harass the sides and lines. This seems to be their intention.”
[?]
[Is it Gnar for real?]
[Zenis does play Gnar well.]
“Since Shin’s already out, it feels like they’ve made a versatile choice for top.”
“Indeed, what other picks will the remaining slots be?”
“Likely, the bottom duo will go down, and the top phase will complete its timing.”
[Here comes Lisim again for the jungle.]
[Sigh, NJ]
[Lisim, stop it. You don’t even play well.]
“The jungle roles have split between Lisim and Biwago in this game.”
“Such cards are good to complement the AD role.”
“The mid sees Para’s Azir and Seongho’s LeBlanc making their appearances.”
“Both teams have created balanced top side compositions, I would say.”
[Does Para really know Azir?]
[They carried a game last time.]
[Carried? It was more like they got beaten up and then won at the end with item advantages.]
[But they did win, right?]
[If you keep trash-talking Para, I’ll send their legal team your way.]
[Bring it on with your ppap, haha.]
[We’re amateurs here. Legal team, lol.]
[Yeah, Para’s mom’s a lawyer, I guess. Expect those lawsuits soon, ^^]
[Ah…It’s just ^face value that carries Hanbyeori viewers, right?]
[Nice chatting there, friend.]
“At the bottom, they’ve taken their confident picks.”
“Again, Yujin’s Kai’Sa is top-notch.”
“Conversely, Count’s Ashe has been unlocked; won’t Count always be known for being an archer?”
“That’s true. Count’s Ashe always makes the opposing top side fear the ultimate arrow, with a pretty incredible hit rate.”
[The God of Launches vs. The Archer, ddd]
[Why did Yujin unlock Kai’Sa this time?]
[I guess after they both dumped with Shin Saengnim, it’s overboard that Ashe is out…]
[But this round should be fun regardless.]
[Both teams have strong picks.]
[Can Ashe withstand Seraphine in lane? Yujin will likely get ganked and blow up.]
[Yujin’s Kai’Sa is great, but no refunds on that…]
“This round also looks very entertaining.”
“Indeed, while the vll is a tournament that brings together celestial-level players, this final is nothing short of epic.”
“Even as we keep calling these ‘extraordinary’ rounds, isn’t this the charm of the League’s tournaments—always delivering fun games?”
“Today’s match really plays at a level that we could easily believe is professional.”
“Yes, if these high points from both teams shine, we might see a match that rivals LCK’s best classics.”
“Then, it seems the game is ready to begin. Let’s see!”
TEAM—Special Arts & Physical Education Talent
TOP: Shin
JG: Lisim
MID: Azir
AD: Kai’Sa
SUP: Lecan
VS
TEAM—Still Good at LoL Even If Retired
TOP: Gnar
JG: Biwago
MID: LeBlanc
AD: Ashe
SUP: Seraphine
*
“Is Gnar alright? It seems difficult.”
“Who am I? The man who climbed to 2500 points with Shin.”
“Ehh, boss, are you bringing up stories from ages ago? I don’t think Seo Ha even played LoL back then.”
Although Shin Saengnim’s Shin was unlocked, the opponent chose Gnar.
Early on, this Champion is somewhat vulnerable to ganks, but basic lane control involves cornering ranged opponents, and it becomes a kiting monster late game. Once his fury gauge fills and he transforms, he’s harder to catch, though it’s a versatile and complex choice demanding no mistakes.
“Do you all know what comes out when I pick Shin in Solo Ranked?”
Shin Saengnim’s rationale for believing he could win against Gnar was straightforward: in Solo Ranked, there are Champions who are harder to play.
Champs like Behin, Heimerdinger, Swain, Teemo, and Kennen mean playing Gnar isn’t a walk in the park.
‘Sure, Gnar does look much easier than those champs…’
Our team’s strategy for this game is focused on bottom play. Essentially, the mid is strong enough to manage on its own due to skill gap. Top lane will likely fall behind since Shin is picked, but the plan is to trust Yujin’s carry potential with Kai’Sa.
“Finally, the prince’s zoning game is here.”
“Please correct the terminology, sir.”
“These tools should stay silent.”
As the bottom duo bickered, minions arrived at their respective lines. The moment to make or break it had arrived; everyone was holding tension and focus tightly.
[It’s an order!]
At level 1, utilizing the default w skill to summon sand soldiers, my early role was to not only avoid falling behind at mid but to dodge possible ganks to keep my options alive. For this, the opponent had to be forced into making decisions.
‘What will you do?’
While farming side-by-side, reaching level 3, now would likely be the exchange time for the opponent. However, my position was safe—behind minions, at the edge of my sand soldier’s range. The opponent either pushed the line or went for an exchange with me.
Fundamentally, an Azir vs. LeBlanc matchup gives an advantage to LeBlanc. If LeBlanc goes for a skill exchange, Azir, having a survivability/e-shield mechanism, would also need to counter-exchange. However, going this route makes you vulnerable to the enemy jungler. Hence, I aimed to make LeBlanc use his w skill for positioning rather than damage.
‘That’s what I thought.’
The opponent, trying to seize control, engaged me while using his w forward. If I avoided w damage, I could gain advantage.
[Conquer!]
Using w to set up ambush while the opponent retreated, the exchange left the opponent’s health lower.
Noticing the top lane, it seemed even the top lane exchange against Gnar was going okay. With such steady line control,
[Allies took damage.]
As the bottom duo sighed, Yujin, the ADC, fell victim to a Biwago gank, aimed at the moment when she pushed her line home. The early Kai’Sa has no reliable mobility mechanisms, making this an unavoidable result.
“Even though it’s unfortunate, let’s think of grabbing kills during teamfights when the next dragon spawns.”
“In this, the ultimate wasn’t used this time, since death was certain anyway.”
…
“Can you support by pushing bottom and checking the dragon?”
“It’s a bit risky for a force-push, but I’ll try.”
The clock had passed 17 minutes, and the time for the third dragon had come. The opponents had already taken down two dragons using Ashe and Biwago, leading the game. Now the dragon had to be contested. As I was organizing the line after clearing the destroyed bottom turret, the team was moving upward.
[Aaa~♪]
A song-like voice sang as Seraphine’s ultimate flew toward me from the bush around the dragon nest.
If I died, it would ruin any hope of good teamfights, so I tried to avoid it.
[You can’t escape winter!]
Just as I dodged, Ashe’s ultimate followed the space I’d displaced to using my e-skill.
‘Would they have predicted me being around mid?’
Realizing I may die, at that moment,
“I have the ultimate!”
Above me, a purple protective shell arose as Shin appeared and blocked the enemies.
[It’s not the time yet!]
Simultaneously, Shin’s barrier blocked most of the opponent’s heavy auto-attack composition, keeping my position safe.
What I had to do was,
“I’ll push them toward our frontline!”
Throwing the opponents into our formation to make the teamfight more advantageous.
[Shurima shall endure for all eternity!]
As I tossed the enemies, Profo’s Lecan burst into the enemy formation with both his ultimate and flash.
Profo’s saved w skill lifted their Ashe, creating the perfect angle for a free Kai’Sa damage phase.
[Final kill on enemy…]
Yujin chased down the fleeing enemy with her ultimate and sealed all of them, ensuring a clean sweep.
“Wow, there were so many shields from Shin!”
What could have been certain death was escaped with significant shield help from Shin who had upgraded his ult ability.
“To increase the ultimate shield, I returned to heal and purchased two Ruby Crystals before ulting.”
Checking Shin’s inventory after pressing Tab revealed he had indeed purchased two Ruby Crystals.
There was such a mechanic?
Honestly, not having played this champion in competition, it wasn’t something I was aware of.
“Since we haven’t won yet, let’s all keep our cool.”
“Okay, let’s focus.”
“You have to play smart against Gnar. If you don’t get swayed, let’s do this properly.”
