SK was obviously unhappy about how the initial night went storming back from its 0-2 deficit to win 3-2 last night. TSG had jumped up to a 2-0 lead in the Winner’s bracket final of the SK’s Battlegroup 9 Invitational even amongst the previous night’s drama but was unable to finish off SK. Having something to prove SK seemed to come out on fire.

“Overall it felt like everyone stepped up their game, specifically we played more of a defensive outlasting strategy,” said Mykke, the team’s priest and the center of the previous night’s drama. “Pronne (SK’s druid) respecced into dreamstates and I was able to get quite a few drinks off throughout the game. In addition, we greatly improved our communication and CC coordination.”

Mykke’s explanation really showed SK’s determination to outlast TSG. Pronne’s respect lost him quite a big of healing abilities but in turn gave him important mana regeneration ability equal to 4% of his entire intelligent pool every five seconds even while casting. Combined with Mykke’s ability to drink and restore his mana, the basic conclusion was SK’s healers had more mana and could heal longer into the fight then TSG’s Elcanadiense (Druid) and Czaafum (Paladin).

SK's BG9 Tournament - Upper Finals



Why it mattered?

The drama from last night amplified the interest level in this conclusion of the match. Drama all started when Mykke’s internet lagged a supposed 4-5 seconds during a critical part of the match. The teams argued over if that much of a lag spike qualified under the rules as a “severe lag conditions”. Initial tournament admins agreed with SK and ruled for a map replay but they changed their decision late in the night and gave TSG the 2-0 lead.

Both teams throughout the conflict were seen at each others throats in private IRC logs including harsh words from Veex, TSG’s team captain and warlock.

"If this was a 1v1 tournament I personally would have already dropped out, because it absolutely disgusts me to see a team of players (or at least one player, Neilyo) try to get away with something so low and dishonest like this. No matter the outcome now, many of their names and the tournament itself is already tarnished in my eyes," said Veex.

The drama all started when SK responded to Veex’s attack on their team leader Neilyo, SK’s rogue. With the three straight wins Thursday night after the Wednesday drama SK has a spot in the Grand Finals.

They will face either TSG or the winner of fnatic and Shuttlecocks who will need to play tonight or Saturday.

Mykke expects either TSG or fnatic as their opponent in the finals. Shuttlecocks is faced with a difficult setup (2346) against fnatic which according to Mykke should make fnatic the favorite in that match. TSG had blown through heavily favored Capslock Crew, making them a big surprise of the event. They’ll be tested against the solid fnatic lineup if fnatic can get past Shuttlecock.