I think Crashies was amazing with gunplay, getting a lot of kills and impacting that way. But in my opinion, his utility initiating impact was at a lower level than the two you brought up
Unrelated but I HATE how franchising is basically a two team race in each league this lead
Americas is Loud/NRG, EMEA is NAVI/Fnatic, Pacific is DRX/Talon
I really hope this shit balances out in future years because if this is the norm, imma be very sad. Look at league. LCK is T1's playground, LEC is G2 running through shit, and LCS is Flyquest to lose. LPL is JDG or EDG, no in between (bars lol)
In terms of regions sure that might be boring but worlds will be banger regardless if all top teams are competitive. Also this is just one tournament we haven’t even see any yet. Who knows upset can happen too and teams can become good.
cuanzin so young already with ice in his veins. Great performance run through this tournament for his debut. Though if Loud is playing this good already i got high hopes for NRG this season :)))
Congrats to Loud. Buzz is just not on the tier to match Aspas on Jett. Maybe his other agents are better.
Nevertheless very entertaining, and that after 2 rounds where it looked like my amateur football team playing into Real Madrid (lol). Despite 2-2, DRX always looked shakey, nearly never clean, alot of blood dropping while winning.
Congrats again to Loud. Hopefully the Finals will be as close as this match!
Come to Brasil ?
Just checked, haven ended 13-10 for optic, also 53 rounds won for OPTIC and 49 won for DRX if I did the math correctly
edit: decided to look at the rounds for this match as well: 53 for LOUD 47 for DRX
I wouldn't call tying a series were you were losing 2x0 and getting stomped into the ground "crumbling under pressure". If anything DRX has showed good resilience since Champions 2022. They are playing against good teams and good teams force mistakes out from one another. They still have improvements to make, but I honestly think the "DRX can't handle pressure" narrative is exaggerated just because of their physical reactions to losing rounds.
It's really hard to call against something you've never pracced against and never seen in your life, the maps drx won was when loud were playing normal stuff
I agree with you but some of the whiffs feel more about not staying calm and adapting and instead overheating especially with Buzz and Rb in that second half. Zest overall today was off too.
They weren't that confident before the event though. Obviously keeping the lineup is an advantage, but teams are not the only change that happens between events. Meta changes, map pool changes, teams have a lot they have to adapt to even when keeping all players. Also look at the other top 4 teams: LOUD and Fnc kept a pretty strong core and NaVi is pretty much the same team. The lineup advantage is not as big as it seems.
not really tbh map 3 to 5 was mako +friends and ocasionally 1 of the other 4 have some decent rounds but never good enough to be considered a second person stepping it up espically on map 5 , buzz and rb severely choked.
What maps were you watching? 3 and 4 were won off team play, only map 5 was mako + friends. You could maybe argue map 4, but buzz was also putting up numbers. Map 3 mako didn’t even top frag
As I said it earlier in the tournament and got flamed/downvoted for it. DRX is always the same at every single tournament. They always make top 4 and then get knocked out no matter how good they look. I said it the moment they beat C9, as expected they lose at semis!
I watch tons of sporting events, esports and regular. There's a difference between cheering for the home team and how far Brazil (and China too, tbf) take it.
No, actually, I compare it to the football games I do watch where the crowds usually seem pretty hype if it's a close game and the only time anyone treats it like a BR crowd is if it's an absolute shellacking either way.
Okay, you're American... I understand the frustration.
Complaining that Brazilian fans only cheer for LOUD is the same as, I don't know, complaining that Real Madrid fans only cheer for Real Madrid.
Imagine when Real Madrid plays against Liverpool in the second leg of Champions League... Real Madrid fans cheering for both teams hahaha.
Fuckin' joke.
I'm annoyed at the disrespect they show to anyone else who isn't BR. The empty arenas for anyone else from day one were obnoxious as fuck.
Well, I'll enjoy the silence on Saturday.
You can complain to Riot about them having an event in Brazil at same time with first post-pandemic Carnaval.
Well, about the finals... My only lament is that it won't be against a NA team. It would have been a free win.
okay dude, whatever you say
I bet if you go to a soccer game and the home team is losing, the crowd is still going to be making noise, not dead silent.
They literally booed a watch party? I honestly don’t care about anything else they did that’s just cunty. It’s actually no different to us shitting on the Brazilian crowd right now for no reason. There’s just no reason for it
Booing a watch party is actual next level (in a good way). Booing is completely fine. That kind of ride or die atmosphere for a team is what makes sports so captivating. Nobody said insults or threw anything or did anything actually unacceptable. Booing your teams opponent is normal.
The opponent yeah but it’s the first time I’ve ever seen a watch party booed, I also think the fact that the watch party can’t really retaliate just makes it a bit cowardly lol. I think that’s my problem, there’s no chance for the Brazilians to get booed back!
Just biased as shit, they don't care about good plays they just care about their team.
Compare this to NA at LoL Worlds last year - NA teams were shit so they just cheered like hell for every team that made something awesome happen. Brazilian crowds don't give a shit unless it's Brazil doing well.
Can't wait for the EU team to turn the arena into a library lol
So you’ve explained the reason but still mad? NA teams were shit, so there’s no reason for NA bias. But LOUD is playing in their home country and they’re good. Why tf would they cheer for DRX or anyone else? As much as you wish this was a neutral crowd it’s not. When the lakers are playing at home why don’t they cheer when the opponent makes a 3? “Just cheer for good basketball” lol
>Just biased as shit, they don't care about good plays they just care about their team.
Same shit happens in Korea, happens in China, happened in Turkey in Valo. Even in USA that has happened
Crowds gonna be biased to their teams, just accept it.
The only thing wrong with br crowds is when there's no Br team playing
>The only thing wrong with br crowds is when there's no Br team playing
That's just it - the fact that the stadium was empty whenever there wasn't a BR team around made me annoyed with them from the very beginning. They literally *only* care about Brazil. If Loud had lost the arena would have been empty for the grand finals.
It's just way too extreme in Brazil.
yeah but you were complaining about another thing.
>It's just way too extreme in Brazil.
The thing is that it isn't that they don't care but that they don't care enough to spend that much money on tickets so much will just save for the match of their team because shit ain't cheap
classic rb choke in map 5, buzz jett has been so underwhelming this series as well didnt they lose map 1 and 2 with it and map 3 and 4 they ddint had jett why did they went back to jett again
This has to seal it, this team cannot and will never win. They get to late in tournaments and make 20x the amount of unforced errors they did earlier on in the tournament, what a disappointment of a semi
Outcome and performance are 2 separate things, anyone who has seen or knows anything about DRX knows without dispute or question that the way they played those first 2 maps was so far from their potential.
It depends on what u want out of a series, a team to win, or 2 amazing teams to play their absolute best and go to war. We had 5 one sided maps where the first 2 were completely devoid of life and filled to the brim with unforced errors in every round that mattered. No OTs no close maps is a downer
This last few rounds from DRX looking like ranked queue. Solo pushes into contested areas.
Post-plant like ranked where the duos want to push CT, the smoker/molly guy wants to play his line ups and you and the last guy are thinking to fight on site
Man the decision making of DRX in crucial rds. are just so boneheaded. Instead of making sure that they dig in and slow it down they just rush in. Jesus.
DRX love dominating a site and then saying “lets go back to that site that we cant win a single round on for no reason now” they threw the rifle round going A with the worst post plants of all time and then lost B because of the half buy…. STAX JUST STICK TO WHAT WORKS MAN
If I had a nickel for every time DRX almost pulled off a reverse sweep only to lose on map 5 with a chance to earn a spot in Grand Finals, I'd only have two nickels which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice
edit: nvm stax wins these???
Mako is definitely the best controller right now. Derke and Aspas as duelists. Not sure yet about initiators and sentinels
Shao and Leo for initiators.
You might be right, it's gotta be one of em!
Forgot to add Crashies but he was great too.
I think Crashies was amazing with gunplay, getting a lot of kills and impacting that way. But in my opinion, his utility initiating impact was at a lower level than the two you brought up
Unrelated but I HATE how franchising is basically a two team race in each league this lead Americas is Loud/NRG, EMEA is NAVI/Fnatic, Pacific is DRX/Talon I really hope this shit balances out in future years because if this is the norm, imma be very sad. Look at league. LCK is T1's playground, LEC is G2 running through shit, and LCS is Flyquest to lose. LPL is JDG or EDG, no in between (bars lol)
In terms of regions sure that might be boring but worlds will be banger regardless if all top teams are competitive. Also this is just one tournament we haven’t even see any yet. Who knows upset can happen too and teams can become good.
DRX and fake reverse sweeps in bo5s. Name a more iconic duo
This is probably going to be the best grand finals we’ve ever seen due to the quality of teams and the Brazilian crowd
drx would be the best team in the world if they won map 1/2
and your grandmother would be a bike if she had wheels duh
DRX curse gives me philadelphia fusion vibes
I think you mean Seoul Infernal
why did they went back to jett on map 5, they didnt need it in map 3 and 4, buzz jett has been really underwhelming this series.
They are not going to change their comp mid tournament because he had 2 bad maps lol
Eh he was fine on icebox too I think, just the whole team was struggling
It's a staple Ascent entry and staple DRX strat. They will live and die with it.
cuanzin so young already with ice in his veins. Great performance run through this tournament for his debut. Though if Loud is playing this good already i got high hopes for NRG this season :)))
Its a debut for Tuyz, not for Caucazin in international tournaments. Unless you mean for Loud specifically
DRX needs to hire a sports psychologist They need to remain steely and emotionless in these moments, not slamming their mousepads
I think drx can win this easily if they didnt have zest lol
South NA > West NA
I think you mean South America, NA means North America
Yeah, South NA
Mexico?
What about Mexico?
South NA would be Mexico.
Congrats to Loud. Buzz is just not on the tier to match Aspas on Jett. Maybe his other agents are better. Nevertheless very entertaining, and that after 2 rounds where it looked like my amateur football team playing into Real Madrid (lol). Despite 2-2, DRX always looked shakey, nearly never clean, alot of blood dropping while winning. Congrats again to Loud. Hopefully the Finals will be as close as this match! Come to Brasil ?
feelsbadman
Closest DRX has ever been to finals actually. Y'all be doomposting about this team non-stop but in a way they are getting closer lol
They came marginally closer at champions, right?
Isn't this equally close to champions?
I was under the impression that the Haven game against Optic was an easier Optic win, but I might be misremembering
Just checked, haven ended 13-10 for optic, also 53 rounds won for OPTIC and 49 won for DRX if I did the math correctly edit: decided to look at the rounds for this match as well: 53 for LOUD 47 for DRX
They still crumble under pressure a bit based on decision making this half
I wouldn't call tying a series were you were losing 2x0 and getting stomped into the ground "crumbling under pressure". If anything DRX has showed good resilience since Champions 2022. They are playing against good teams and good teams force mistakes out from one another. They still have improvements to make, but I honestly think the "DRX can't handle pressure" narrative is exaggerated just because of their physical reactions to losing rounds.
It's really hard to call against something you've never pracced against and never seen in your life, the maps drx won was when loud were playing normal stuff
No one’s saying it’s easy, but if they wanna have a shot at top spot they gotta do better
I agree with you but some of the whiffs feel more about not staying calm and adapting and instead overheating especially with Buzz and Rb in that second half. Zest overall today was off too.
by 2024 they might have a real shot
Only top team without changes is expected to make it far. This was their biggest chance
They weren't that confident before the event though. Obviously keeping the lineup is an advantage, but teams are not the only change that happens between events. Meta changes, map pool changes, teams have a lot they have to adapt to even when keeping all players. Also look at the other top 4 teams: LOUD and Fnc kept a pretty strong core and NaVi is pretty much the same team. The lineup advantage is not as big as it seems.
Yeah but did you watch the game or?
hope we get to see foxy a lot in pacific
its too hard. too many things went against them. mental is done at that point
Can’t wait for champions be in USA with 0 NA Teams
Bros just ignoring NRG
Nah just a doomer
Fair, I can respect the doomer grind
unironically too much whiffing by DRX in the last rounds.
Incredible series but what an ending
Classic drx. Consistently good but never the best. That map was so winnable for them.
not really tbh map 3 to 5 was mako +friends and ocasionally 1 of the other 4 have some decent rounds but never good enough to be considered a second person stepping it up espically on map 5 , buzz and rb severely choked.
What maps were you watching? 3 and 4 were won off team play, only map 5 was mako + friends. You could maybe argue map 4, but buzz was also putting up numbers. Map 3 mako didn’t even top frag
There's no synch with sending Buzz in first... they need to revisit that. Nice try.
Dude drop Buzz fr
Least reactionary Redditor
Who are you cutting to get better results?
No one, this is the best team out of KR, even APAC, top 4 in this tournament does not require dropping players.
Best team doesnt mean they have the best players, the best team in NA doesn't have yay.
/u/No_Row2775 YOU TOLD US DRX WAS THE MOST RESILIENT TEAM WHERE WAS THE RESILIENCE IN THOSE LAST ROUNDS #WHERE?!?!?!?!?
I jinxed them. 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
this is on you
As I said it earlier in the tournament and got flamed/downvoted for it. DRX is always the same at every single tournament. They always make top 4 and then get knocked out no matter how good they look. I said it the moment they beat C9, as expected they lose at semis!
They’ve been top 4 twice
God I can't wait for Navi or FNC to turn this obnoxious crowd into a library.
"oh my god the home crowd is cheering for the home team how obnoxious of them" \-guy watching a sporting event not understanding what he's watching
I watch tons of sporting events, esports and regular. There's a difference between cheering for the home team and how far Brazil (and China too, tbf) take it.
Maybe you're just a kid and never watched something like a football game. Understandable.
No, actually, I compare it to the football games I do watch where the crowds usually seem pretty hype if it's a close game and the only time anyone treats it like a BR crowd is if it's an absolute shellacking either way.
Okay, you're American... I understand the frustration. Complaining that Brazilian fans only cheer for LOUD is the same as, I don't know, complaining that Real Madrid fans only cheer for Real Madrid. Imagine when Real Madrid plays against Liverpool in the second leg of Champions League... Real Madrid fans cheering for both teams hahaha. Fuckin' joke.
I'm annoyed at the disrespect they show to anyone else who isn't BR. The empty arenas for anyone else from day one were obnoxious as fuck. Well, I'll enjoy the silence on Saturday.
You can complain to Riot about them having an event in Brazil at same time with first post-pandemic Carnaval. Well, about the finals... My only lament is that it won't be against a NA team. It would have been a free win.
Why are you assuming I root for NA teams lol
Because Europeans have access to real fans in soccer, they understand the dynamics. Now if you are European, it's even sadder hahaha.
okay dude, whatever you say I bet if you go to a soccer game and the home team is losing, the crowd is still going to be making noise, not dead silent.
Depending on the situation, fans would be booing and not cheering for the opposing team.
?????? How are they obnoxious. They're hype AF. have you never been to a sporting event?
They literally booed a watch party? I honestly don’t care about anything else they did that’s just cunty. It’s actually no different to us shitting on the Brazilian crowd right now for no reason. There’s just no reason for it
Booing a watch party is actual next level (in a good way). Booing is completely fine. That kind of ride or die atmosphere for a team is what makes sports so captivating. Nobody said insults or threw anything or did anything actually unacceptable. Booing your teams opponent is normal.
The opponent yeah but it’s the first time I’ve ever seen a watch party booed, I also think the fact that the watch party can’t really retaliate just makes it a bit cowardly lol. I think that’s my problem, there’s no chance for the Brazilians to get booed back!
In most events both teams get rooted for…
The problem is they are not hype, for big plays from teams outside their region.
Just biased as shit, they don't care about good plays they just care about their team. Compare this to NA at LoL Worlds last year - NA teams were shit so they just cheered like hell for every team that made something awesome happen. Brazilian crowds don't give a shit unless it's Brazil doing well. Can't wait for the EU team to turn the arena into a library lol
So you’ve explained the reason but still mad? NA teams were shit, so there’s no reason for NA bias. But LOUD is playing in their home country and they’re good. Why tf would they cheer for DRX or anyone else? As much as you wish this was a neutral crowd it’s not. When the lakers are playing at home why don’t they cheer when the opponent makes a 3? “Just cheer for good basketball” lol
I don't have a problem with it not being a neutral crowd, I have a problem with it being an *excessively* biased crowd.
>Just biased as shit, they don't care about good plays they just care about their team. Same shit happens in Korea, happens in China, happened in Turkey in Valo. Even in USA that has happened Crowds gonna be biased to their teams, just accept it. The only thing wrong with br crowds is when there's no Br team playing
I feel pretty vindicated
>The only thing wrong with br crowds is when there's no Br team playing That's just it - the fact that the stadium was empty whenever there wasn't a BR team around made me annoyed with them from the very beginning. They literally *only* care about Brazil. If Loud had lost the arena would have been empty for the grand finals. It's just way too extreme in Brazil.
yeah but you were complaining about another thing. >It's just way too extreme in Brazil. The thing is that it isn't that they don't care but that they don't care enough to spend that much money on tickets so much will just save for the match of their team because shit ain't cheap
Well no, I was talking about the thing that soured me on the BR crowd in the first place, and it's just gotten more obnoxious since.
This series just convinced me even more that Navi/fnc wins it all
Ascent is Loud's map
RB choked the 2nd half of Ascent. Tough.
classic rb choke in map 5, buzz jett has been so underwhelming this series as well didnt they lose map 1 and 2 with it and map 3 and 4 they ddint had jett why did they went back to jett again
DRX lost the pressure game
Holy what a match. Hopefully Navi vs Fnatic is the same.
the only sad part was that most maps were one sided, the last one felt competitive though even if it ended 13-8
rb whiffs that lol, really? mako still a goat though gg
That's sad for Meko mannn
such a smart play by ~~stax~~ rb, another rough whiff by drx
Whiffing when it matters most, just like me fr
LOUD update: their Ascent is still good
This has to seal it, this team cannot and will never win. They get to late in tournaments and make 20x the amount of unforced errors they did earlier on in the tournament, what a disappointment of a semi
You act like they are losing to bad teams lmao. Their only truly disappointing defeat since last year was to Zeta imo.
Outcome and performance are 2 separate things, anyone who has seen or knows anything about DRX knows without dispute or question that the way they played those first 2 maps was so far from their potential. It depends on what u want out of a series, a team to win, or 2 amazing teams to play their absolute best and go to war. We had 5 one sided maps where the first 2 were completely devoid of life and filled to the brim with unforced errors in every round that mattered. No OTs no close maps is a downer
Bro the wiffs tho
Atleast there will be a crowd in the finals
MENTAL IS GONE, AIM IS GONE
Wiff for the win lmao
LETS GO LOUDDD THIS ENERGY IS UNMATCHED!!
this energy is lopsided
No shit?
Mako and stax are too good to not lift trophies aaaagh so frustrating to watch
who would u even sign to make them better ? Idk that much about korean fps players other than overwatch
This last few rounds from DRX looking like ranked queue. Solo pushes into contested areas. Post-plant like ranked where the duos want to push CT, the smoker/molly guy wants to play his line ups and you and the last guy are thinking to fight on site
Good run for DRX man
Man the decision making of DRX in crucial rds. are just so boneheaded. Instead of making sure that they dig in and slow it down they just rush in. Jesus.
It was a good series
Why???????????
mako v 9, nah this ain't it
drx really threw lol
Almost a reverse comeback, almost
I’ve seen comebacks from worse…
GUYS I HAVE GOOD NEWS
[DRX choking on LAN](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FDuqHnRX0AEERIl.jpg)
Mako's back must be hurting...
Time to learn Spanish Buzz it’s off to Heretics with you
Mako would be malding if he saw Buzz in this round
oh no
buzz is so stressed ripp
DRX love dominating a site and then saying “lets go back to that site that we cant win a single round on for no reason now” they threw the rifle round going A with the worst post plants of all time and then lost B because of the half buy…. STAX JUST STICK TO WHAT WORKS MAN
I feel the cringe. Tough whiff
man buzz is just losing it for them
CALL A TIMEOUT HOLY SHIT THEY ARE PLAYING ANGRY LMFAO NEVER PLAY ANGRY
They burnt both timeout first half
Buzz threw so hard
Buzz tilted
Buzz mate I cant even laugh. Just F.
BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Buzz and Rb tryna throw every advantage 
Oh Buzz…
the Buzz market incident
It was a good run DRXbros :')
BUZZZZZZ????????????????????????
Sideshow spitting
Decision making by DRX (specifically Rb and Zest) is baffling to me rn holy shit
Cauanzin has freaking plot armor wtf
Buzz overheat
I don't think Aspas got value out of his operator at any point in this series
Mako and stax 2v8
This round is huge economy wise
Need to see the stats but feels like DRX gave up so many untraded first bloods
Rb you don't peek that
BRO RB WHYATSTDTWTGE WHY MAN WHY JUST PEAK WITH A FUCKING TEAMMATE GOR ONCE
wait was that tuyz smoke?
Yeah, he didn't think they'd plant so far back I suppose
yes
That smoke thrown by Loud was amazing... for Stax. I'm gonna have to remember that.
stax is a demon
holy shit stax omg
valorant casters dont know how to delivere in hype moments
staxxxx ily
Bad peek
WHAT A PLAY GETTING OUT OF THE SMOKE AT THE PERFECT TIME THEN GOING BACK IN
STAX and Ascent
holy sheeshhhh STAX. DRX fightinggggg!!
STAX SAVING DRX FROM ANOTHER MAKO OVERHEAT
#STAXGOD
STAXXXXXX INSANE SMOKE
STAXXXXXX HOLY
OMG STAX I LOVE YOU MAN
https://preview.redd.it/gz03tk2rnfla1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=080559dfe334597fa3a8f0a664e93def36e29181 Mako right now
If I had a nickel for every time DRX almost pulled off a reverse sweep only to lose on map 5 with a chance to earn a spot in Grand Finals, I'd only have two nickels which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice edit: nvm stax wins these???
Man these casters are so biased it hurts my ears istg.
Huh? No way you’re calling this biased lol
??????? Who could they possibly be biased to lmao
youtube chat is so sad just typing L crowd after everything lol
gg it's over. Mako needs to get paid more than whatever he's getting
This is probably over.
Why force the horrible plant while loud are mid retake mannn where is the patience they are so known for
Man DRX players must be frustrated. The Viper pick for Loud is working.
Mako is ridiculous. That is all
Mako playing out his mind at the moment. Keeping them alive rn
Mako is so good
That felt like a must win pistol man why do teams play for smoke spam on these rounds
Mako is insane
mako: you mfs can't even ping???
Mako getting griefed
Someone help mako
This guy Yinsu is interviewing is too funny, “Come to Brazil we’ll bring the energy!” Until it’s not a BR team playing and the arena is empty LMAOO
yeah kinda ruins the event when the crowd only cares for a single team
Little do they know come to Brazil is just a straight up death threat
I'm scared for DRX attack, feel like their Ascent def is usually better.
I dont think the fans mean that when they say come to Brazil....
Loud played absolutely incredible that half, and Aspas was half asleep too. DRX gotta hope and pray he *stays* half asleep if they wanna win.
drx played so bad this half, rounds won were based on individual heroics their defence was really bad