Possibly the single craziest week in RTS-League in a VERY long time
Some Highlights:
2 of the four favourites eliminated.
Brand new team in the final four
DyT Magic
Almost Everyone Broke in RTS-L gambling!
Exciting stuff guys!
Read for more info
[READMORELINKDOTS]
Match 1 - SlipKn0T v [BL]
Prediction from last week (2-0).
Game 1
Map - Arabia
Civ Chosen - Hun Mongol Persia v Hun Mongol Persia
Flank 1 - Hun v Mongol
Pocket - Mongol v Persia
Flank 2 - Persia v Hun
Comments: Just one attempted boar steal from Flank 1 Slip but it didn’t follow. Flank 2 BL does drush and flank 2 slip does defensive militia then m@a and arch. Both on flank 1 go ranges. Flank 2’s drush turns into m@a and they go to slip pocket and stop him from getting the buildings to up. Very big problem for slip after pocket gets delayed so much. Leads to a 2v1 on flank 1 slip, but he handles it very well! This is mainly because the archers/skirms of flank 1 BL and knights of pocket BL do not work together to fight. Pocket BL starts sending kts to the other flank instead and it seems to be a better 2v1 there, but lack of teamwork loses all flank 2 BL’s archers and all knights in the area. Flank 1 BL gets hit hard with a double and it looks like he is now well behind his guy. Both flanks for BL go cav archer and so does flank 1 Slip. Flank 2 slip raids with xbow and tries to boom big. Flank 1 slip parks many CA on his man and kills a lot of vils very quickly which makes him have even more of an advantage. BL looks to be in serious trouble now. They resign shortly thereafter. SlipKn0T wins.
Civ Chosen - Hun Mongol Persia v Hun Mongol Persia
Flank 1 - Hun v Mongol
Pocket - Mongol v Persia
Flank 2 - Persia v Hun
Comments: Just one attempted boar steal from Flank 1 Slip but it didn’t follow. Flank 2 BL does drush and flank 2 slip does defensive militia then m@a and arch. Both on flank 1 go ranges. Flank 2’s drush turns into m@a and they go to slip pocket and stop him from getting the buildings to up. Very big problem for slip after pocket gets delayed so much. Leads to a 2v1 on flank 1 slip, but he handles it very well! This is mainly because the archers/skirms of flank 1 BL and knights of pocket BL do not work together to fight. Pocket BL starts sending kts to the other flank instead and it seems to be a better 2v1 there, but lack of teamwork loses all flank 2 BL’s archers and all knights in the area. Flank 1 BL gets hit hard with a double and it looks like he is now well behind his guy. Both flanks for BL go cav archer and so does flank 1 Slip. Flank 2 slip raids with xbow and tries to boom big. Flank 1 slip parks many CA on his man and kills a lot of vils very quickly which makes him have even more of an advantage. BL looks to be in serious trouble now. They resign shortly thereafter. SlipKn0T wins.
Game 2
Map - Islands
Civ Chosen - Viking Hun Saracen v Viking Hun Japan
Flank 1 - Hun v Hun
Pocket - Viking v Japan
Flank 2 - Saracen v Viking
Comments: Flank 1 BL gets in a bit of trouble early and is in danger of losing all fish. Game starts with galley fights as usual but drops before much happens. SlipKn0T wins.
Civ Chosen - Viking Hun Saracen v Viking Hun Japan
Flank 1 - Hun v Hun
Pocket - Viking v Japan
Flank 2 - Saracen v Viking
Comments: Flank 1 BL gets in a bit of trouble early and is in danger of losing all fish. Game starts with galley fights as usual but drops before much happens. SlipKn0T wins.
Game 3
No Game 3
Match 1 Results
SlipKn0T wins 2-0
Match 2 - Lone v Immortals
Prediction from last week (1-2).
Game 1
Map - Ara
Civ Chosen - Hun Mongol Maya Persia v Hun Mongol Maya China
Flank 1 - Mongol v Hun
Pocket 1 - Persia v Maya
Pocket 2 - Hun v Mongol
Flank 2 - Maya v China
Comments: Always good to see a big team game so late in the season. I much prefer the 4v4s over the 2v2s both to watch and play. First thing to notice is the civ differences. I was around after the game to hear them talking about civs and choosing China in a big TG is probably better than Persia because of the amazing team bonus they have in their farms. Persia knights killing archers faster is nice too, but the economic advantage for china’s team is a big helper. Before I watch, what I know about these two teams as far as play-style goes is that Immortals are an overall great team. They are a powerful and “balanced” team. Lone is not so balanced but is very exceptionally strong in late game and early game. Immortals key to winning here would be to kill Lone the same way PoJ did on Arabia and keep constant heavy pressure on in early castle. Lone will want to get off to a head-start and make it to Imperial and showcase their skills there. Also, key to note that Lone has the “safe” pocket civs, meaning they can easily go knights and not worry too much about being overpowered on either flank. Immortals, though, have a Maya pocket which could lead to problems for Flank 1 if he gets doubled early. In game, unsuccessful boar steals from both teams which I am happy to see (not a big fan of stealing personally). Also, absolutely no drushing! Flank 2 Lone does send a vil forward to wall in Flank 2 Immortal’s main gold though which works quite well until he is discovered by scout and vils. The walling still gets mostly completed. Flank 1 is Lone going ranges v Immortal going scouts and Flank 2 is both ranges. Flank 2 Immortals has both of his main gold piles walled in so he is forced to go mostly skirms early. Both sides seem to favour Lone slightly early on. Flank 1 Immortals does full stone walling and ups to do knights. Wall gets broken into by flank 1 Lone with archers. On flank 2, the goal for immortals seems to be “defend the gold pile” but things collapse and Lone starts with a hard push. On flank 1, those archers of Lone get locked inside to face knights and plumed archers. Surprisingly, Lone has enough archers to win a few fights and do big damage. Both flanks for Immortals seem to be in big danger and Lone keeps pressing hard. Pocket Maya for Immortals goes imperial and seems to be the last hope of the team by spamming 100hp eew. The map is suddenly swarmed with eagles and Lone is forced to play firefighter before they can continue pushing. This is an attempt to stall for long enough for Immortals to get back in the game. Lone has whole team in Imp while only one for Immortals has gone imp. Both pocket Lone go full pala. Immortals resign. Lone wins.
Civ Chosen - Hun Mongol Maya Persia v Hun Mongol Maya China
Flank 1 - Mongol v Hun
Pocket 1 - Persia v Maya
Pocket 2 - Hun v Mongol
Flank 2 - Maya v China
Comments: Always good to see a big team game so late in the season. I much prefer the 4v4s over the 2v2s both to watch and play. First thing to notice is the civ differences. I was around after the game to hear them talking about civs and choosing China in a big TG is probably better than Persia because of the amazing team bonus they have in their farms. Persia knights killing archers faster is nice too, but the economic advantage for china’s team is a big helper. Before I watch, what I know about these two teams as far as play-style goes is that Immortals are an overall great team. They are a powerful and “balanced” team. Lone is not so balanced but is very exceptionally strong in late game and early game. Immortals key to winning here would be to kill Lone the same way PoJ did on Arabia and keep constant heavy pressure on in early castle. Lone will want to get off to a head-start and make it to Imperial and showcase their skills there. Also, key to note that Lone has the “safe” pocket civs, meaning they can easily go knights and not worry too much about being overpowered on either flank. Immortals, though, have a Maya pocket which could lead to problems for Flank 1 if he gets doubled early. In game, unsuccessful boar steals from both teams which I am happy to see (not a big fan of stealing personally). Also, absolutely no drushing! Flank 2 Lone does send a vil forward to wall in Flank 2 Immortal’s main gold though which works quite well until he is discovered by scout and vils. The walling still gets mostly completed. Flank 1 is Lone going ranges v Immortal going scouts and Flank 2 is both ranges. Flank 2 Immortals has both of his main gold piles walled in so he is forced to go mostly skirms early. Both sides seem to favour Lone slightly early on. Flank 1 Immortals does full stone walling and ups to do knights. Wall gets broken into by flank 1 Lone with archers. On flank 2, the goal for immortals seems to be “defend the gold pile” but things collapse and Lone starts with a hard push. On flank 1, those archers of Lone get locked inside to face knights and plumed archers. Surprisingly, Lone has enough archers to win a few fights and do big damage. Both flanks for Immortals seem to be in big danger and Lone keeps pressing hard. Pocket Maya for Immortals goes imperial and seems to be the last hope of the team by spamming 100hp eew. The map is suddenly swarmed with eagles and Lone is forced to play firefighter before they can continue pushing. This is an attempt to stall for long enough for Immortals to get back in the game. Lone has whole team in Imp while only one for Immortals has gone imp. Both pocket Lone go full pala. Immortals resign. Lone wins.
Game 2
Map - Baltic
Civ Chosen - Viking Hun Mongol Maya v Viking Hun Mongol Maya
Flank 1 - Viking v Mongol
Pocket 1 - Maya v Maya
Pocket 2 - Mongol v Hun
Flank 2 - Hun v Viking
Comments: Flank 2 Immortal steals boar. Flank 1 Immortal has a map that is quite far away from water making things tough for him. Flank 2 Lone has a bad start because of stolen boar and he is late up but decides to go grush anyway. His pocket though, seems to be more focused on triple teaming on the other side rather than helping to save his fish. A big feudal water fight happens near Pocket 2 Lone’s docks. The game is a very close one and the sea fight is neck and neck. A big moment comes when Immortals double flank 1 Lone. It looks like they have it won, but get trapped because of the water shape, but at the same time another big fight happens near pocket 2 Lone’s docks. Sea battles everywhere! Lone seems to be losing because the Immortal’s navy is stuck together while Lone is scattered and unable to fight the massed ships. Another big battle near the middle of the map, Lone calls gb but it looks like they should have fought to me. Lone regathers altogether and hits again which is very effective this time. Some really great teamwork by Lone here to even things up on sea completely. Then, really out of nowhere, Lone has control over sea, but Immortals are booming and have a pocket in Imp. Flank 1 Immortals begins to push hard, threatening to break into Lone flank 1’s town but it is countered with many fortified walls. Immortals lead in score but do not hold sea. Flank 1 and Pocket 1 of Immortals go full out to win sea back, pumping many galleons and fighting the big Lone navy. It is successful and almost all water is now won by Immortals. But while this was happening Pocket 1 for Lone has landed on Flank 1 Immortals and is pumping eew making destruction on land! Lone trails very behind in score and Immortals flank 1 pushes hard with seige rams threatening to break through those walls any second. They finally tumble and it looks like Lone is going to be flooded with mangudai within seconds but instead they all back off to try and stop the eagle raid. Lone tries to reclaim sea but loses to the 3 Immortals guarding it with galleons, but on land it is a different story as eagles tear through the economy of flank and pocket 1 of Immortals. Game goes out of sync just when the game is getting really good. Screenshot says the game ended at 1:07:xx Quite a good game as Lone shocks another team. Lone wins
Civ Chosen - Viking Hun Mongol Maya v Viking Hun Mongol Maya
Flank 1 - Viking v Mongol
Pocket 1 - Maya v Maya
Pocket 2 - Mongol v Hun
Flank 2 - Hun v Viking
Comments: Flank 2 Immortal steals boar. Flank 1 Immortal has a map that is quite far away from water making things tough for him. Flank 2 Lone has a bad start because of stolen boar and he is late up but decides to go grush anyway. His pocket though, seems to be more focused on triple teaming on the other side rather than helping to save his fish. A big feudal water fight happens near Pocket 2 Lone’s docks. The game is a very close one and the sea fight is neck and neck. A big moment comes when Immortals double flank 1 Lone. It looks like they have it won, but get trapped because of the water shape, but at the same time another big fight happens near pocket 2 Lone’s docks. Sea battles everywhere! Lone seems to be losing because the Immortal’s navy is stuck together while Lone is scattered and unable to fight the massed ships. Another big battle near the middle of the map, Lone calls gb but it looks like they should have fought to me. Lone regathers altogether and hits again which is very effective this time. Some really great teamwork by Lone here to even things up on sea completely. Then, really out of nowhere, Lone has control over sea, but Immortals are booming and have a pocket in Imp. Flank 1 Immortals begins to push hard, threatening to break into Lone flank 1’s town but it is countered with many fortified walls. Immortals lead in score but do not hold sea. Flank 1 and Pocket 1 of Immortals go full out to win sea back, pumping many galleons and fighting the big Lone navy. It is successful and almost all water is now won by Immortals. But while this was happening Pocket 1 for Lone has landed on Flank 1 Immortals and is pumping eew making destruction on land! Lone trails very behind in score and Immortals flank 1 pushes hard with seige rams threatening to break through those walls any second. They finally tumble and it looks like Lone is going to be flooded with mangudai within seconds but instead they all back off to try and stop the eagle raid. Lone tries to reclaim sea but loses to the 3 Immortals guarding it with galleons, but on land it is a different story as eagles tear through the economy of flank and pocket 1 of Immortals. Game goes out of sync just when the game is getting really good. Screenshot says the game ended at 1:07:xx Quite a good game as Lone shocks another team. Lone wins
Game 3
No Game 3
Match 2 Results
Lone wins 2-0
Match 3 - wW v DyT
Prediction from last week (x-x).
Game 1
Map - Migration
Civ Chosen - Viking Hun Maya v Viking Persia Maya
Flank 1 - Viking v Maya
Pocket - Persia v Hun
Flank 2 - Maya v Viking
Comments: Flank 2 DyT is first to get hit with galleys after a late up. He loses a few fish and Flank 2 wW has the advantage on him. He recovers decently but still gets out massed. With slinging pocket both flanks click up in a good time. Flank 1 wW is first to castle. But DyT pocket lands early on middle land. Both sides it seems that wW is winning sea. Very good micro by flank 2 DyT in sea battle at 22 mins near his base. Looked like he was going to lose for sure. Flank 1 DyT shows that early ballistics helps so much on water 11. Pocket wW gets imp at 26 mins and puts DyT in big danger. Pocket wW lands middle and is met with Pocket DyT’s cav archers, but the powerful Persian knights (upping to cavaliers) easily kill them. Somehow, DyT’s score is on top at 29:2x in the game even though it looks like wW is winning. The sea battles on the flanks are fairly even now though. Pocket DyT floods spears on middle island to try and stop cavalier raiding. Control of the centre is firmly held by DyT though, all of their players have established bases in middle and wW only has one man fighting on it. On flank 1 wW imps but attacks before getting chemistry, bracer, or galleon upgrade which is a big wtf decision that loses many more ships than he should. He still ends up winning the fight but the timing was just a bit off and could have maybe saved a few ships. Pocket wW starts going sea as well and sea is completely lost by DyT. The only chance for DyT to win is to control the middle outright. The wW cavalier raids start again with more success this time. A huge fight happens to try and get a castle up for wW and it really changes the game a lot. It doesn’t get up and pocket wW loses many cavs. Game is dead even at 45 mins but with sea owned by wW and land owned by DyT. Another wW castle attempt is stopped a bit later. Pocket wW ups to paladins, DyT tries to win back sea as they push on land. Flank 2 wW tries EEW flood. Pocket DyT forgets parthian tactics for HCA. wW is pushed to the corners of the main isle. Running out of gold, they resign. DyT wins.
Civ Chosen - Viking Hun Maya v Viking Persia Maya
Flank 1 - Viking v Maya
Pocket - Persia v Hun
Flank 2 - Maya v Viking
Comments: Flank 2 DyT is first to get hit with galleys after a late up. He loses a few fish and Flank 2 wW has the advantage on him. He recovers decently but still gets out massed. With slinging pocket both flanks click up in a good time. Flank 1 wW is first to castle. But DyT pocket lands early on middle land. Both sides it seems that wW is winning sea. Very good micro by flank 2 DyT in sea battle at 22 mins near his base. Looked like he was going to lose for sure. Flank 1 DyT shows that early ballistics helps so much on water 11. Pocket wW gets imp at 26 mins and puts DyT in big danger. Pocket wW lands middle and is met with Pocket DyT’s cav archers, but the powerful Persian knights (upping to cavaliers) easily kill them. Somehow, DyT’s score is on top at 29:2x in the game even though it looks like wW is winning. The sea battles on the flanks are fairly even now though. Pocket DyT floods spears on middle island to try and stop cavalier raiding. Control of the centre is firmly held by DyT though, all of their players have established bases in middle and wW only has one man fighting on it. On flank 1 wW imps but attacks before getting chemistry, bracer, or galleon upgrade which is a big wtf decision that loses many more ships than he should. He still ends up winning the fight but the timing was just a bit off and could have maybe saved a few ships. Pocket wW starts going sea as well and sea is completely lost by DyT. The only chance for DyT to win is to control the middle outright. The wW cavalier raids start again with more success this time. A huge fight happens to try and get a castle up for wW and it really changes the game a lot. It doesn’t get up and pocket wW loses many cavs. Game is dead even at 45 mins but with sea owned by wW and land owned by DyT. Another wW castle attempt is stopped a bit later. Pocket wW ups to paladins, DyT tries to win back sea as they push on land. Flank 2 wW tries EEW flood. Pocket DyT forgets parthian tactics for HCA. wW is pushed to the corners of the main isle. Running out of gold, they resign. DyT wins.
Game 2
Map - Arena
Civ Chosen - Spain Turk Goth v Spain Turk Mongol
Flank 1 - Spain v Turk
Pocket - Turk v Spain
Flank 2 - Goth v Mongol
Comments: Flank 1 DyT steals a boar but loses a vil in the process. Both teams go with a very aggressive strategy. Pocket DyT makes forward castle on pocket wW. Flank 1 DyT does forward castle on flank 1 wW. And pocket wW does forward castle inside of flank 2 wW’s walls. Flank 1 DyT’s castle is spotted and the plan is destroyed for him. He is forced to delete castle and run. Flank 1 wW’s conqs become a problem for flank 1 DyT since his castle is late getting up since he must remake in own base. Pocket DyT breaks into pocket wW’s undefended base, but pocket wW does the same to him! 11. Flank 1 wW comes to save his pocket with conqs. Flank 2 wW has been booming hard for quite awhile untouched and will probably end up being a big factor since the boomed goth is going to be against a mongol. The attempt by pocket wW to take down the forward castle ends in big losses for wW. Pocket wW winds up getting doubled by pocket and flank 1 DyT. Sure enough, the elite huskarl flood comes from flank 2 wW and things look like they will get messy. Pocket wW is dying though so it will have to be quick. Flank 2 DyT counters with champions. Mass econqs break into flank 1 DyT’s base, and even though pocket wW is almost completely out of commission, DyT can’t seem to stop the other 2. Flank 2 wW breaks into flank 2 DyT’s base as well. Flank 1 DyT dies. And once the goth flood storms into flank 2 DyT’s base, it seems like gg. DyT resigns. wW wins.
Civ Chosen - Spain Turk Goth v Spain Turk Mongol
Flank 1 - Spain v Turk
Pocket - Turk v Spain
Flank 2 - Goth v Mongol
Comments: Flank 1 DyT steals a boar but loses a vil in the process. Both teams go with a very aggressive strategy. Pocket DyT makes forward castle on pocket wW. Flank 1 DyT does forward castle on flank 1 wW. And pocket wW does forward castle inside of flank 2 wW’s walls. Flank 1 DyT’s castle is spotted and the plan is destroyed for him. He is forced to delete castle and run. Flank 1 wW’s conqs become a problem for flank 1 DyT since his castle is late getting up since he must remake in own base. Pocket DyT breaks into pocket wW’s undefended base, but pocket wW does the same to him! 11. Flank 1 wW comes to save his pocket with conqs. Flank 2 wW has been booming hard for quite awhile untouched and will probably end up being a big factor since the boomed goth is going to be against a mongol. The attempt by pocket wW to take down the forward castle ends in big losses for wW. Pocket wW winds up getting doubled by pocket and flank 1 DyT. Sure enough, the elite huskarl flood comes from flank 2 wW and things look like they will get messy. Pocket wW is dying though so it will have to be quick. Flank 2 DyT counters with champions. Mass econqs break into flank 1 DyT’s base, and even though pocket wW is almost completely out of commission, DyT can’t seem to stop the other 2. Flank 2 wW breaks into flank 2 DyT’s base as well. Flank 1 DyT dies. And once the goth flood storms into flank 2 DyT’s base, it seems like gg. DyT resigns. wW wins.
Game 3
Map - Blind Random
Civ Chosen - Hun Viking Mongol v Hun Viking Maya
Flank 1 - Mongol v Maya
Pocket - Hun v Mongol
Flank 2 - Viking v Hun
Comments: Blind Random chooses Archipelago. Extremely odd layout with Flank 1 and Pocket DyT connected to Flank 1 wW. Pocket wW alone. And the flank 2’s connected. Flank 2 wW steals boar. Kinda bad luck for wW with this map because of the layout it is bound to be 2v1 for most of the game on whatever side DyT chooses since pocket wW is so far away.. Flank 1 DyT goes archers but gets walled out by wW. So DyT uses transport to get archers past the wall. Pocket wW does a semi fast castle to get war galleys fast. Battles on sea are near flank 2 where pocket wW tries to kill everyone with ships and the water battle is very even. Flank 1 wW lands knighs in pocket DyT’s base and does some damage, but the un-bloodlined knights die fairly quickly. Pocket wW imps first, but the DyT team follows close behind. Flank 1 DyT pushes with plumes and trebs and takes out wW flank 1 making the game lopsided and with no land support from pocket the game looks lost. The sea is taken by DyT as well and really no hope for wW to come back. In a last effort, flank 2 wW floods knights at flank 2 DyT and does quite a bit of damage, but flank 1 wW is without a town centre. wW says gg and gl next. DyT wins
Civ Chosen - Hun Viking Mongol v Hun Viking Maya
Flank 1 - Mongol v Maya
Pocket - Hun v Mongol
Flank 2 - Viking v Hun
Comments: Blind Random chooses Archipelago. Extremely odd layout with Flank 1 and Pocket DyT connected to Flank 1 wW. Pocket wW alone. And the flank 2’s connected. Flank 2 wW steals boar. Kinda bad luck for wW with this map because of the layout it is bound to be 2v1 for most of the game on whatever side DyT chooses since pocket wW is so far away.. Flank 1 DyT goes archers but gets walled out by wW. So DyT uses transport to get archers past the wall. Pocket wW does a semi fast castle to get war galleys fast. Battles on sea are near flank 2 where pocket wW tries to kill everyone with ships and the water battle is very even. Flank 1 wW lands knighs in pocket DyT’s base and does some damage, but the un-bloodlined knights die fairly quickly. Pocket wW imps first, but the DyT team follows close behind. Flank 1 DyT pushes with plumes and trebs and takes out wW flank 1 making the game lopsided and with no land support from pocket the game looks lost. The sea is taken by DyT as well and really no hope for wW to come back. In a last effort, flank 2 wW floods knights at flank 2 DyT and does quite a bit of damage, but flank 1 wW is without a town centre. wW says gg and gl next. DyT wins
Match 3 Results
1-2 DyT wins.
Match 4 - LKC v nC
Prediction from last week (2-1).
Game 1
Map - Arabia
Civ Chosen - Hun Mongol v Hun Mongol
Flank 1 - Mongol v Hun
Pocket - n/a
Flank 2 - Hun v Mongol
Comments: A 2v2, kind of disappointing this late and no Jordan or Skittle for nC was a big shock to me. Flank 1 for nC drushes and does a huge dark age (up with 32 vils [plus scout and 3 militia for 36 pop]). Both LKC do scouts. Drush from flank 1 nC goes to flank 2 LKC after not doing too much damage to LKC flank 1. Flank 1 nC ups with stable and blacksmith. Flank 2 nC does scouts and arch. Flank 1 LKC stone walls so it looks like LKC flank 2 is going to get doubled hard. Flank 1 nC goes CA (but stable up? no early bloodlines? Pointless? :S) LKC flank 2 goes 3 stable knights. Flank 1 LKC accidentally leaves a gap in walling and has CA come in but defends well with a few camels and knights with 2 mangonels. On flank 2 both are going knights and nC defends with some monks too. Really good knight battles on flank 2, scores almost identical at 35 min. Flank 1 nC starts with a hard push with forward seige and ~40 CA and some mangudai on flank 1 LKC. When flank 1 nC tears down the wall and pushes though, flank 2 LKC comes with many cavaliers and almost the whole army of nC is lost and the tables are turned. Flank 2 LKC ups to paladins and LKC doubles flank 1 nC a lot. Hard to stop paladin with only HCA and emangudai but nC does it quite well. The problem for nC is that while being attacked they cannot make a good trade route and LKC has good trade going. And when the main nC flank 1 castle that is defending the town is destroyed the game looks over and nC says gg. LKC wins.
Civ Chosen - Hun Mongol v Hun Mongol
Flank 1 - Mongol v Hun
Pocket - n/a
Flank 2 - Hun v Mongol
Comments: A 2v2, kind of disappointing this late and no Jordan or Skittle for nC was a big shock to me. Flank 1 for nC drushes and does a huge dark age (up with 32 vils [plus scout and 3 militia for 36 pop]). Both LKC do scouts. Drush from flank 1 nC goes to flank 2 LKC after not doing too much damage to LKC flank 1. Flank 1 nC ups with stable and blacksmith. Flank 2 nC does scouts and arch. Flank 1 LKC stone walls so it looks like LKC flank 2 is going to get doubled hard. Flank 1 nC goes CA (but stable up? no early bloodlines? Pointless? :S) LKC flank 2 goes 3 stable knights. Flank 1 LKC accidentally leaves a gap in walling and has CA come in but defends well with a few camels and knights with 2 mangonels. On flank 2 both are going knights and nC defends with some monks too. Really good knight battles on flank 2, scores almost identical at 35 min. Flank 1 nC starts with a hard push with forward seige and ~40 CA and some mangudai on flank 1 LKC. When flank 1 nC tears down the wall and pushes though, flank 2 LKC comes with many cavaliers and almost the whole army of nC is lost and the tables are turned. Flank 2 LKC ups to paladins and LKC doubles flank 1 nC a lot. Hard to stop paladin with only HCA and emangudai but nC does it quite well. The problem for nC is that while being attacked they cannot make a good trade route and LKC has good trade going. And when the main nC flank 1 castle that is defending the town is destroyed the game looks over and nC says gg. LKC wins.
Game 2
Map - Michi
Civ Chosen - Celt Spain v Celt Spain
Flank 1 - Celt v Spain
Pocket - n/a
Flank 2 - Spain v Celt
Comments: It’s Michi so I don’t need to explain much til late aha. Though, Lovepeaches does have some problems in his start (accidental loom before up(. It is nothing too terribly bad but does delay him a good 30 seconds. I always like to check everyone‘s pop at 20 mins in michi to see how each person‘s boom is going. Flank 1 LKC is at 51 Flank 1 nC is also 51 Flank 2 LKC is 52 and Flank 2 nC is at 56. Flank 2 nC is first to imp. First cut is at 29:40. Then cavliers/halbs/woadies/seige onagers everywhere. nC starts building in LKC base but LKC seems to be doing alright. nC‘s forward castle gets stopped from being built. nC does start hitting LKC trade though which could make things messy for LKC. LKC makes second cut on flank 1 side. It is very effective and flank 1 nC‘s economy is in trouble. Somehow, they push them back though, and flank 2 LKC starts mixing in econqs with the paladins and bbt. Flank 1 LKC makes some heavy scorpions too. Flank 1 LKC researches pala as celt (am I missing something or is this bad idea?). Long stalemate with almost identical scores. Can‘t really explain much because, obviously, there is a full map of fighting going on. The big event is when nC does a sneak attack on the far south side of the map breaking in with seige while all the fighting is going on. LKC scrambles to make bbts and eventually pushes nC out without too much critical damage taken. But it leaves a hole open for later when a big ram flood comes in and it can‘t be stopped. LKC finally resigns after 1:31:4x. nC wins
Civ Chosen - Celt Spain v Celt Spain
Flank 1 - Celt v Spain
Pocket - n/a
Flank 2 - Spain v Celt
Comments: It’s Michi so I don’t need to explain much til late aha. Though, Lovepeaches does have some problems in his start (accidental loom before up(. It is nothing too terribly bad but does delay him a good 30 seconds. I always like to check everyone‘s pop at 20 mins in michi to see how each person‘s boom is going. Flank 1 LKC is at 51 Flank 1 nC is also 51 Flank 2 LKC is 52 and Flank 2 nC is at 56. Flank 2 nC is first to imp. First cut is at 29:40. Then cavliers/halbs/woadies/seige onagers everywhere. nC starts building in LKC base but LKC seems to be doing alright. nC‘s forward castle gets stopped from being built. nC does start hitting LKC trade though which could make things messy for LKC. LKC makes second cut on flank 1 side. It is very effective and flank 1 nC‘s economy is in trouble. Somehow, they push them back though, and flank 2 LKC starts mixing in econqs with the paladins and bbt. Flank 1 LKC makes some heavy scorpions too. Flank 1 LKC researches pala as celt (am I missing something or is this bad idea?). Long stalemate with almost identical scores. Can‘t really explain much because, obviously, there is a full map of fighting going on. The big event is when nC does a sneak attack on the far south side of the map breaking in with seige while all the fighting is going on. LKC scrambles to make bbts and eventually pushes nC out without too much critical damage taken. But it leaves a hole open for later when a big ram flood comes in and it can‘t be stopped. LKC finally resigns after 1:31:4x. nC wins
Game 3
Map - Blind Random
Civ Chosen - Viking Mongol v Viking Mongol
Flank 1 - Viking v Viking
Pocket - n/a
Flank 2 - Mongol v Mongol
Comments: Comes out yucatan with no rivers. Flank 2 for LKC goes 20 pop up with Mongols and goes forward stable and tower. It hits really hard and his opponent looks like he is in big trouble early. It is a very open yucatan map, almost like Arabia. Decision to go fast scouts and forward was a very good idea. Flank 2 nC defends with spears as soon as he can but he is quite behind by now. On flank 1, both do an fc. Flank 2 nC gets pinned pretty badly, stuck in a small little corner as he gets doubled by xbow and skirms. He was originally going for an fc it looks like, and he does get to castle but I have no idea what he will try and do now that he is there since his food supply has to be around 0. He builds a seige workshop to make a mangonel to try and steal some ground back. It seems pretty futile at this point though, flank 1 has no army to save his ally and flank 1 and 2 of LKC keep constant harassment on flank 2 nC not allowing him to take hardly any res. At first I though Flank 1 nC must be slinging or something but that doesn’t really make too much sense either. But, as far as a boom goes, it isn’t working out. He must have slung some food to his ally though because flank 2 made a few knights and had nowhere to get food from so that probably slowed down his boom…half boom half sling. Flank 2 LKC actually kills a mangonel with feudal army, very risky move aha. Anyway, the game is over by this point and I am just waiting for the gg. No real chance for nC left. LKC flank 2 pushes forward with siege works and knights and xbow. Flank 2 nC tries to get up second tc but loses a lot of vils. That forces the gg. LKC wins
Civ Chosen - Viking Mongol v Viking Mongol
Flank 1 - Viking v Viking
Pocket - n/a
Flank 2 - Mongol v Mongol
Comments: Comes out yucatan with no rivers. Flank 2 for LKC goes 20 pop up with Mongols and goes forward stable and tower. It hits really hard and his opponent looks like he is in big trouble early. It is a very open yucatan map, almost like Arabia. Decision to go fast scouts and forward was a very good idea. Flank 2 nC defends with spears as soon as he can but he is quite behind by now. On flank 1, both do an fc. Flank 2 nC gets pinned pretty badly, stuck in a small little corner as he gets doubled by xbow and skirms. He was originally going for an fc it looks like, and he does get to castle but I have no idea what he will try and do now that he is there since his food supply has to be around 0. He builds a seige workshop to make a mangonel to try and steal some ground back. It seems pretty futile at this point though, flank 1 has no army to save his ally and flank 1 and 2 of LKC keep constant harassment on flank 2 nC not allowing him to take hardly any res. At first I though Flank 1 nC must be slinging or something but that doesn’t really make too much sense either. But, as far as a boom goes, it isn’t working out. He must have slung some food to his ally though because flank 2 made a few knights and had nowhere to get food from so that probably slowed down his boom…half boom half sling. Flank 2 LKC actually kills a mangonel with feudal army, very risky move aha. Anyway, the game is over by this point and I am just waiting for the gg. No real chance for nC left. LKC flank 2 pushes forward with siege works and knights and xbow. Flank 2 nC tries to get up second tc but loses a lot of vils. That forces the gg. LKC wins
Match 4 Results
LKC wins 2-1
Summary: How can I possibly sum this all up?! xD
Okay, first off I have an apology to make to DyT. It seems that I underestimated you as I did for CL's last season. You have definitely shown your worth and beating a possible favourite in this season has shown me that you guys have what it takes to win the whole thing if you do your best each game. Very very good guys, I hope to see you continue to play well and show me how wrong I was <3
wW has done incredibly well in the past 2 seasons and deserve a proper send off. With the tragedy that happened during the games being played I can say that my heart really does go out to you guys, especially to never ever. I am sorry for your loss and I wish you and your family the best in your hard times.
BL, I heard, had some internal conflict during games with SlipKn0T and I hope things get resolved, it was very fun to see you guys play.
SlipKn0T, we know you guys are very good and deserve your place season after season. Keep up the stellar performances and make people work their hardest to try to beat you every time.
Immortals, despite your internal conflicts and whatnot you always provide some of the best recs and most fun games to watch. Your teamwork is usually amazing and it is even fun to read your chats in game. Your styles are impressive and it was a shame to see you out in this season. I hope you return for next.
LKC, you are always a solid team and I have nothing but respect for you guys. Every time I join a game to chat with you, you have always been one of the nicest group of people I have talked to. You are true gentlemen and really the heart of what friendly competitive gaming should be. I hope you continue playing so I can continue saying nice things about you.
Lone...what can I say? You guys have won through some of the toughest teams and have shown you deserve to be here too. As newcomers you have risen to the top and made the final four in the first season you have competed as a team in for many years. Best of luck to you for sure.
Finally, nC. Da12k has improved far beyond what I remember him being back on GameRanger and I am very impressed. It was a shame to see the games vs LKC without Jordan or Skittle, but you did quite well even without them. Thank you so much for participating this season.
Next Week's predictions:
SlipKn0T (1,65) v Lone (3)
||| 2-0 (1,9) ||| 2-1 (3) ||| 1-2 (4) ||| 0-2 (7) |||
SlipKn0T has the single highest power ranking right now by far...they are on a 16 game win streak. I think Lone will be able to maybe take a game, but if they were to win this one it would be a big surprise.
DyT (1,9) v LKC (1,9)
||| 2-0 (4) ||| 2-1 (4) ||| 1-2 (4) ||| 0-2 (4) |||
DyT has shown some true power by beating a heavily favoured wW team. Even though this match is a fairly even fight, after last weeks showing I will put my trust on a DyT win.
Also, the Gambling Game has been COMPLETELY shaken up and one in the top four has not even made a bet yet 11.
Player | Bank |
plfan | 99 |
leothegreat | 85.3 |
(_blank) LeastAuklet | 62 |
Hani_ | 50 |
_MariaN_ | 15 |
_Ares_ | 15 |
[linethru]SirJono[/linethru] | 0 |
[linethru]_LuG_[/linethru] | 0 |
[linethru]Emarosa[/linethru] | 0 |
[linethru]ThunderS_[/linethru] | 0 |
[linethru]sly_guy[/linethru] | 0 |
[linethru][wW]StrongMan_[/linethru] | 0 |
[linethru]Maximus[/linethru] | 0 |
[linethru]pooos[/linethru] | 0 |
[linethru]Fuzer[/linethru] | 0 |
[linethru]Larreser[/linethru] | 0 |
It has been so crazy so far, and with just 2 sets of games left the championship is close at hand.
Will it be:
SlipKn0T - The top rated powerhouse
Lone - The out of nowhere underdogs that are the blackhorse of this season
DyT - The wW slayers
LKC - The consistent top contenders
I cannot wait to see the final games guys. Play your hardest and win those banners. I salute you all and wish you amazing luck!
Thank you for playing and reading as always,
~Nainai