Leviatan takes down Team Vitality in style at VCT LOCK//IN Sao Paulo 2023
Both teams had decisive wins to secure the second round of VCT LOCK//IN Omega Group. Multiple players have named Leviatan one of the strongest teams at the VCT LOCK//IN. Conversely, Vitality is a well-known dark horse who did an amazing job taking down Global Esports. As expected, Leviatan came into the fixture as the favorite.
Map Veto:
Starting with the ban, Leviatan chose to ban Split, A map they don't play and try to avoid. Vitality chose to ban Icebox, their perma-ban. Leviatan chose to play Haven, a map they play a lot and boast a lot of confidence. Vitality chose to play Pearl, which was a surprise as they lost it against Global Esports. Leviatan banned Fracture, a map they usually avoid. Vitality chose to play Ascent, which again does not make sense as Ascent is one of Leviatan's strongest maps.
From the map veto, it seemed Vitality was trying to throw a curveball that might cost them the tournament life later.
Map 1 Haven (Leviatan 16-14 Team Vitality):
Agent Composition:
Both teams featured a standard Haven composition with a recon, a Breach, a duelist, Omen, and Killjoy. Vitality, relying on their powerful Jett in Twisten, chose to play Jett along with Sova. In contrast, Leviatan played Raze and paired it with Fade to make a combination. Both teams had sound, balanced plans and game plans around the compositions.
Haven Rundown:
In the very first round, Vitality's execution found Leviatan in an awkward position, and they secured a 5v2 post plant. But Mazino's omen stole the round from under their noses. Vitality's reads and execution again caught on of the Leviatan player off-guard, and they converted an eco-round win to two rounds. Leviatan held off Vitality's C execution and won back the round. Twisten's heroics followed the Leviatan equalization and helped Vitality secure a strong 5-2 lead. Leviatan's aggressive set play helped them secure a half-buy round. Leviatan once again shut down Vitality's C take to reduce the lead. In the next two rounds, Vitality converted the man advantage to a round win, securing seven in the half.
Vitality's inability to win pistol rounds saw their lead vanishing quickly. But as they bought, on the back of some insane plays by ceNder, they stole back two rounds, and it acted as a catalyst for them to secure two more. Leviatan changed the round pace to secure rounds, but minor misplays from them helped Vitality secure the map point. Leviatan's executes brought forced overtime. Amongst others, the team's IGL kiNgg delivered when the team needed the most.
Both teams won an attack round off an excellent execution and a defense round off a good retake going to the third OT. Leviatan lost a member early in Mazino, helping Vitality secure a plant spike on B. Bonecold also successfully flanked leviatan's retake squad but could not finish the job. In a 2v4 retake, kiNgg and Shy took down the defenders and won the round. Leviatan secured the site but lost three members while doing it. Shy lost the duel to the retaking players, and kiNgg was left to clutch another round, and he delivered, securing a map for Leviatan in style.
Map 2 Pearl (Leviatan 13-3 Team Vitality):
Agent Composition:
Vitality chose to play an attack-sided composition featuring two initiators in Kay/o and Fade. These agents help get early information on the attack and get rotates to contest plants. Leviatan's composition was slightly defense-sided. The comp featured two Controllers and KJ. This composition can delay the plant for a long time, and it excels in defense. For the attack, both teams went with Jett. Vitality paired the Jett with Kay/o flashes while Leviatan played Skye. The Skye pick from Leviatan does aid the attack, as the utilities can help clear out the site, and the buffed flash can be used from a distance to gain map control, doubling down as recon.
Pearl rundown:
Leviatan, on defense, got early picks on Vitality and converted the advantage to round wins. Even when Vitality was able to execute on-site, on multiple occasions, they could not contain leviatan's firepower. A big part of leviatan's strength was Tacolilla Operator and Vitality having no answer for it. The only two rounds won by Vitality came by delaying the spike defuse for long enough.
Once again, Vitality failed to secure the pistol round, destroying hopes of a comeback. A big part of Vitality's loss stems from the fact that they lost all the pistol rounds. Vitality did win the bonus rounds with their exceptional sheriff play, but to no avail, as Leviatan answered back with one of their own. They followed it up with a B site execution to win maps 13-3 and series 2-0.
Leviatan continued their winning stride with the win. They will now face their biggest challenge in Natus Vincere tomorrow at VCT LOCK//IN semifinals. Leviatan look set for the competition and will face NaVi guns blazing
Image Source: Leviatan Twitter
Follow Strafe for the complete VCT LOCK//IN coverage with Live Scores, Features, and more Recaps.