TT vs. RNG: LPL Playoffs Recap

League of Legends

31 Mar

Thomas Lauritzen

RNG were looking to get back to the form that LPL fans know and love. While on the other hand, TT were making their very first playoffs debut. Two very different narratives for these teams, but the series did start with a scary look for RNG fans. However the historic organization was able to power through and successfully make it through to the next round.

Featured Photo Courtesy of @RNG电子竞技俱乐部 on Weibo

THUNDERTALK vs. ROYAL NEVER GIVE UP (1-3)

GAME 1: TT (1-0)

Based on their regular season games, RNG got everything they wanted in this draft. However it was apparent that TT had prepared for this and punished it heavily. Their jungler Beichuan displayed some beautiful early pathing that led to a kill for his mid laner and a kill for his top laner, in just three minutes. HOYA continued to punish Breathe by solo killing him in the Kennen versus Sion match up. RNG looked exposed. After a messy team fight, TT got the Ocean Soul, the Baron Buff, and ended Game 1. Shocking fans and analysts alike with their early lead in the series.

GAME 2: RNG (1-1)

RNG’s jungler Wei performed much better in this game. Camping bottom lane and using the pressure that Ming was applying to dive the TT bot-side repeatedly. Beichuan responded by trying to punish Breathe similar to last game, but GALA was too far ahead on his Jinx pick. TT tried to take Baron at just 21:00 into the game and failed dramatically. Leashing the buff for RNG, and allowing them an easy path to end the game. GALA finished with a 6/0/10 score line and a 700G bounty.

GAME 3: RNG (1-2)

The third game of this series featured skill-check after skill-check in the top lane. HOYA kept taking fights against Breathe’s Kennen and losing in narrow fashion. This in turn created a three-kill Kennen that became a menace in teamfights. RNG would take a 30:00 Baron and close out the game with Breathe walking off with a 5/2/4 score line.

GAME 4: RNG (1-3)

Wei continued to outperform Beichuan as the series progressed. He made sure to allow GALA a chance to carry the game through bot, knocking down the turrets just after the plates fell. TT fought back, earning themselves the second Rift Herald and some even footing heading into the next objective fight. At 17:00 the two teams would skirmish over the third dragon of the game. RNG had control of the river and punished TT for not setting up earlier. They eventually obtained the Infernal Soul, picked off multiple TT members, and proceeded to take the Baron buff. Despite the game only lasting 27:00, it featured plenty of kills. RNG walk away with a series win and a boost of confidence heading into round two.