Beimu's final lineup consisted of dual warrior side lanes with [Berserker] and [Kung Fu Master], [Kraken] mid, [Sword Immortal] jungle, and the speed-boost support [Time Traveler]. In team fights, the support would speed up the team, the mid-laner would burst targets, the dual side lanes would cut the backline, and the jungler would provide crowd control. With clear divisions of labor for the five players, the lineup appeared mediocre but was actually very comprehensive, without any shortcomings.
Tianhuan's lineup featured [Black Dragon Knight] top mainly for resisting pressure, [Ninja] jungle for primary damage output, [Lord of the Forest] mid and [Forest Envoy support for dual vine crowd control, and [Holy Archer] marksman who needed to scale into the late game. Overall, the coordination difficulty was high, the damage output was unstable, and team fights relied on "soft control" to restrain the opponent.
Could Tianhuan actually pull this off?
The audience's hearts were filled with doubt.
The match officially began.
Qu Jiang still went bot with Cheng Xing to protect Xiao Xing's early development. Ye Shaoyang and Chi Shu invaded the enemy jungle together, coincidentally missing Beimu's top, mid, and jungle trio. Both sides secured a Blue Buff each, resulting in a stable opening.
In the top lane, since Old Qin was thick-skinned and tanky, Zhao Xin'an didn't try to solo kill him; both just focused on clearing minions.
In the bot lane, Xiao Xing's [Holy Archer] had a long attack range. Although Zhao Xinping played aggressively, her [Kung Fu Master] had short range and couldn't reach the opposing marksman. Before Level 6, she didn't have the ability to dive past the support to kill the marksman. Both sides farmed peacefully and contested the river crab.
The camera switched to the mid lane. It was expected that the two mid-laners would also farm peacefully early on, but unexpectedly, Sean suddenly threw a Q-skill, predicting Ye Shaoyang's movement and hitting him. Ye Shaoyang retaliated in kind; vines instantly flew from his hand straight at Sean's face. Both played aggressively, and in the blink of an eye, both were reduced to half health!
Yao Mu said in surprise, "Both mid-laners are playing very aggressively at the start, trading a wave of damage."
Brother Dong said, "Although Sean hasn't won the World Individual Championship, his strength is at the top international level. He isn't afraid of Lieyang. Their playstyles seem aggressive, but are actually full of details. Their positioning and mechanics are very fast; a slight lag in reaction could lead to being solo killed by the opponent!"
Ye Shaoyang and Sean were indeed very focused. They both knew they were facing their strongest opponent. Solo killing wasn't easy; both were frequently repositioning and casting skills to find opportunities.
During the third minion wave, both tacitly ate the healing mushrooms under their towers. By the fourth wave, they traded damage again and had to recall due to low health.
At this time, attentive viewers noticed: "Captain Chi is about to hit Level 6!"
Ye Shaoyang bought items and healed up at base. Then, instead of going mid to clear the wave, he rushed directly to the top lane. Sean also didn't go mid, but headed to the bot lane instead.
Both mid-laners arrived in their respective lanes almost simultaneously!
Sean shouted while moving, "Mid miss, be careful."
Ye Shaoyang also warned, "Mid miss, watch out Xiao Xing."
The two mid-laners were in sync, but there was a few seconds' difference in the speed of the junglers.
Chi Shu was the fastest to reach Level 6 in the game and appeared in sync with Ye Shaoyang.
He pressed the "Initiate Attack" signal in-game.
Ye Shaoyang didn't need to say anything more. He flashed forward directly and bound Zhao Xin'an with vines. Old Qin immediately followed up with chain CC, and Chi Shu's Shadow Clone stepped forward with a full combo, killing Zhao Xin'an in less than 2 seconds!
Zhao Xin'an didn't even have time to flee.
In the bot lane, Sean arrived and waited in the bush for a few seconds for his jungler. Once Beimu's jungler hit Level 6, they initiated a 4v2 attack. However, before they could act, Cheng Xing flashed and ran away directly.
Qu Jiang was kicked back by Beimu's jungler [Sword Immortal], and the four of them joined forces to kill Qu Jiang.
The battles in the top and bot lanes erupted only seconds apart, and thunderous applause rang out at the venue!
Yao Mu said, "For the first jungle gank, Tianhuan chose to gank top, while Beimu ganked bot! Tianhuan got First Blood and the Top laner's head, while Beimu got the Support's head!"
The Top laner's head was naturally worth more than the Support's.
On the surface, Tianhuan made a small profit.
But Beimu also cut their losses in time. Taking advantage of Xiao Xing recalling, they quickly took the Small Dragon.
Tianhuan followed up by invading Beimu's top-side jungle and stealing the Red Buff.
The rhythm on both sides was incredibly fast, showing that the shotcallers were very flexible in their thinking.
Dying during a match didn't matter; what was important was cutting losses in time and recouping economy from elsewhere.
Brother Dong said, "Both sides are focusing on details. Carefully calculating, the total economy from the first gank isn't much different. Tianhuan got the Top laner's head plus the top-side jungle economy, while Beimu got the Support's head plus the Small Dragon economy."
Yao Mu said, "Yes. Both mid-laners and marksmen are Level 6. Looking forward to the upcoming roams!"
In most cases, after the support revived, they would go bot to continue protecting the marksman and setting up vision.
However, viewers with the omniscient perspective noticed that after Qu Jiang revived, he didn't go bot. Instead, he sneakily headed into the jungle, following Chi Shu to leech experience from a few small monsters.
Cheng Xing returned to the bot lane to lane 1v2. Because he squatted under the tower refusing to come out, and Zhao Xinping worried about the enemy jungler and support coming to assist, she didn't recklessly dive the tower.
Ye Shaoyang and Sean continued clearing minions mid. Like before, they traded damage, reducing each other to half health in the blink of an eye—until Qu Jiang suddenly appeared.
Qu Jiang's appearance caught Sean completely off guard because he Flashed in!
This was the first time seeing the hero [Forest Envoy bring Flash.
In most cases, she brought [Heal] to increase team survivability or [Disrupt] to assist the marksman in pushing towers. A healer bringing [Flash]—did you want to ascend to the heavens?
Facts proved that even if Qu Jiang played a healer…
He was still a Mid-lane healer with a murderous heart!
Forest Envoy's "Binding Vines" control rooted all enemies within 3 body lengths of herself. The control range was relatively short, suitable for protecting teammates and defensive counterattacks.
But Qu Jiang suddenly Flashed + W to initiate, rooting the unprepared Sean in place!
Ye Shaoyang, who was pretending to clear minions just now, also revealed his true colors at this moment.
He unhesitatingly summoned four vines. The dark green vines, bearing terrifying black thorns, flew out from the air like spirit snakes.
——Thorn Strangle!
The 4 thorny vines constricted frantically, instantly killing the half-health Sean!
Sean truly didn't expect this. The match had only started a few minutes ago? The support didn't protect the marksman but came directly mid to coordinate with Ye Shaoyang for a 2v1 to forcefully kill his mid-laner?
Sean said helplessly, "Support is mid, bot marksman is alone."
Zhao Xinping replied calmly, "Received."
She pinged "Initiate Attack" for the support. The support [Time Traveler] immediately activated the speed boost skill, taking Zhao Xinping to dive the tower and kill Cheng Xing.
However, Cheng Xing was very alert. Almost the moment Ye Shaoyang and Qu Jiang killed Sean, he retreated and recalled. When Zhao Xinping arrived, she saw the shadow of his recall animation.
The audience held their breath nervously!
Just a fraction of a second more, and Xiao Xing's recall would have been interrupted! But as a result, the moment Zhao Xinping arrived under the tower, Xiao Xing's [Holy Archer] vanished right in front of her.
The recall was timed perfectly.
Cheng Xing was terrified and breathed a sigh of relief. "Damn, scared me to death!"
Zhao Xinping frowned slightly. "Wait for the next wave. I don't believe he won't come out to clear minions."
Mid lane, after Ye Shaoyang and Qu Jiang killed Sean, they joined Chi Shu to invade Beimu's jungle, stealing Beimu's Blue Buff. Then the three roamed to the top lane together. Zhao Xin'an reacted quickly, flashing to escape immediately.
After Cheng Xing recalled and healed up, he didn't go bot to clear minions. Instead, he let the wave crash into the tower while he frantically farmed economy in the jungle, casually taking a Red Buff.
At the same time, Chi Shu's [Ninja] sent a Shadow Clone to split push bot.
The audience was a bit confused seeing this, but the two commentators quickly understood Tianhuan's tactical thinking.
Yao Mu said, "Tianhuan's idea this game is very unique. The bot lane marksman has actually become the isolated pressure-absorbing lane; the top lane and jungle are Tianhuan's main breakthrough points! Qu Jiang was only responsible for protecting Xiao Xing until Level 6, after which Xiao Xing farms on his own while Qu Jiang links up with the mid-laner to gank!"
Brother Dong said, "Yes, Mid-Support roam to gank, coordinate with the Jungler to counter-jungle. The marksman absorbs pressure bot, seizing opportunities to farm in his own jungle. This way, both the Jungler and Marksman have space to grow! But Beimu's Jungler is miserable; his jungle has been almost completely stripped clean!"
The director specially switched to the match data panel. The audience was surprised to find that unknowingly, Tianhuan's Jungler was leading the game in economy, and the Mid-laner and Marksman were also developing well. On Beimu's side, Zhao Xin'an and Sean had each died once and were behind in economy. Although Zhao Xinping farmed well, she had no kill bounties and could only rank third in the game.
Beimu's Jungler was the most pitiful; his economy was actually only slightly higher than Tianhuan's support, Qu Jiang?
It showed how badly the jungle was targeted!
Zhao Xinping quickly realized something was wrong and calmly made adjustments: "Support and I will help defend the jungle. Little Zhao, Sean, watch their roaming routes."
With the two helping to defend, the pressure on Beimu's jungle was temporarily alleviated.
But Tianhuan's ability to snowball was very strong. Cheng Xing was very wretched; he would only pop out to clear minions after confirming Zhao Xinping's position. As long as Zhao Xinping returned to the bot lane, he would shrink back.
The audience couldn't help laughing at him: "Xiao Xing is like a shrinking turtle this game!" "As soon as Sister Xinping shows up bot, he retreats immediately, like a mouse seeing a cat!"
Cheng Xing's thought was: "A real man knows when to yield and when to stand tall!"
Make him solo a warrior like Sister Xinping? His brain wasn't waterlogged. Before a marksman farmed up, they definitely couldn't beat a warrior, not to mention Sister Xinping had a support with her.
So run when you should run, don't hesitate.
Being a shrinking turtle for a few minutes was so he could bite people when he stuck his head out later.
The match continued, with fierce contention around the jungle.
Cheng Xing didn't die once.
Zhao Xinping said, "Force a fight bot, kill their marksman. Can't let Xiao Xing farm up."
Hearing the command, Beimu's Mid and Jungle rushed to the bot lane. Although Cheng Xing hid behind the tower daring not to come out, Beimu's support activated speed boost and charged the tower directly. This time he couldn't recall successfully and was instantly killed by Beimu in a 4v1.
Yao Mu said sympathetically, "Poor Xiao Xing. The bot lane this game has become the Orphan Lane plus the Sterilization Lane?"
Brother Dong laughed. "Tianhuan doesn't care about Xiao Xing at all, leaving him to farm on his own. The Support invading the jungle with the Mid and Jungle is actually to control the match rhythm."
Yao Mu said, "Yes, while Beimu ganked Xiao Xing, they stole the Vanguard Tyrant!"
Although Xiao Xing was killed and the kill score became 2:2…
Beimu still felt very uncomfortable playing this game.
Rhythm was a crucial factor in matches; the side controlling the rhythm held the initiative. Tianhuan calculated the respawn times of all jungle buffs perfectly, repeatedly stealing objectives, causing Beimu's jungle economy to lag behind constantly.
Even if advantages were established top and bot, if the jungle economy couldn't keep up, the team economy would be worse than the opponent's. Over time, the gap would widen.
Tianhuan had seized upon Beimu's fatal weakness—the jungle!
Beimu's strongest players were in the top, mid, and bot lanes; these three were world-class laners and hard to crush in lane. However, the jungler's game sense and rhythm were far inferior to Chi Shu's.
First wave: Jungler Level 6 roamed top, solo-killed Zhao Xin'an, stole the jungle Red Buff.
Second wave: Support suddenly appeared mid, joined Mid-laner to kill Sean, Chi Shu arrived in time, and the three stole the jungle Blue Buff together.
These two waves were perfectly timed with buff respawns.
Third wave: When Beimu ganked bot, Tianhuan didn't support at all, instead stealing the Vanguard Tyrant.
Zhao Xinping said with certainty, "Chi Shu must be commanding this game!"
Previously against Jingzhe and Yueying, Ye Shaoyang commanded. Over time, everyone assumed Tianhuan had designated Ye Shaoyang to command the playoffs and Chi Shu had handed over command authority.
Unexpectedly, Chi Shu took the reins today, commanding against Beimu?
The double-vine crowd control was just the superficial "Mid-Support Binding" strategy. The true core of this lineup was actually the jungler [Ninja], who had fast support speed and strong burst.
Chi Shu was the true Wild Core!
In every key team fight, Chi Shu's [Ninja] would appear in time and gain an advantage.
Over time, his jungler became the biggest Boss in the game.
Realizing the danger, Zhao Xinping immediately said, "Focus Chi Shu, don't let him drive the rhythm!"
Using the advantage of the Vanguard Tyrant, Tianhuan quickly pushed down the top tower.
Although Beimu immediately traded the outer bot tower, seemingly not at a loss, Zhao Xinping had a strange feeling—the rhythm of this game was completely controlled by Chi Shu, and Beimu was passively following Tianhuan's lead?
After clearing three Vanguard Tyrants, Cheng Xing came mid, and Tianhuan began to force a fight mid.
In the first 5v5 team fight, Chi Shu found the best ambush position and decisively pressed "Initiate Attack"!
His command style was different from Ye Shaoyang's; not many words, just crisp pings. So, whenever Chi Shu commanded, the voice channel was relatively quiet.
Old Qin went up to open with his ultimate, but unfortunately didn't hit key heroes, only taunting Beimu's Zhao Xinping. Seizing the opportunity, Zhao Xinping immediately said, "Fight!"
Support activated speed boost, Little Zhao quickly flashed to flank, crippling Cheng Xing with a combo; Sean used his ultimate from a distance to delete the low-health Cheng Xing.
As soon as the fight started, the marksman died instantly. Beimu's 5v4 advantage was obvious. However, just as Zhao Xinping and Zhao Xin'an cut in together, wanting to delete Ye Shaoyang, a melodious song rang out, and a green healing circle slowly rose beneath their feet.
[Forest Envoy's song healed teammates while unleashing the "Binding Vines" control skill.
Both Zhao Xin'an and Zhao Xinping were short-ranged warrior heroes; to kill, they had to get close. Once rooted, neither could move.
Ye Shaoyang's vines flew out almost simultaneously.
4 vines swirled rapidly in the air, wrapping the siblings up in the blink of an eye. The sharp thorns on the vines caused a "Bleed" debuff on the bound targets, stacking five layers of bleed in an instant.
The siblings' health plummeted.
Just then, Chi Shu entered the fray in time, quickly taking their heads.
Zhao Xinping: "…"
Zhao Xin'an: "Damn! That works?"
Sean helplessly said, "I'm slipping away!"
But Ye Shaoyang told him with practical action: "Don't even think about running."
A vine shot out quickly, entangling Sean who was preparing to flee. Chi Shu sent his Shadow Clone forward rapidly, deleting Sean with two slashes.
Triple Kill!
Xiao Xing traded one life for Beimu's 3 cores. Tianhuan profited massively.
Beimu's poverty-stricken Jungler and attack-less Support were left crying on the side.
Yao Mu said excitedly, "Was this Tianhuan team fight a case of 'Sacrifice teammate for boundless mana'? Xiao Xing died at the start, but it ended in a 1-for-3 trade?"
Brother Dong said, "Why do I feel like Xiao Xing was more like bait? Deliberately luring Beimu's warriors to bite, and baiting out Sean's ultimate?"
Yao Mu laughed. "Tianhuan's Double Binding lineup seems to counter Beimu's dual side lane system very well right now. As long as the two opposing warriors get close at the same time, the dual vines of [Forest Envoy and [Lord of the Forest] can control them until they can't move! Plus, [Forest Envoy can heal while standing still. We heal, they lose health—team fights are easy to win."
Tianhuan's system was indeed prepared specifically for Beimu.
Warriors had short legs and feared crowd control. As long as you dared to come over, we would bind you with vines.
Facts proved this lineup was indeed effective against Beimu. Chi Shu's rhythm was too formidable. From stealing the first Red Buff, he calculated the timing to invade the jungle frantically, directly blowing up Beimu's jungle.
After Xiao Xing revived, he followed his teammates to push towers like crazy. In the high ground fight, when the opposing warriors wanted to cut him, Qu Jiang and Ye Shaoyang joined forces to control the field with vines. Cheng Xing flashed to a distance and fired frantically, crippling Big and Little Zhao in the blink of an eye.
Chi Shu entered to harvest. Beimu's front line collapsed completely, and the high ground was hard to hold.
The match ended at 25 minutes. Tianhuan took the first game.
Ye Shaoyang looked at Chi Shu, patted his shoulder, and praised, "Great command!"
Chi Shu raised the corners of his lips. "It was everyone's good cooperation."
Remember last year, on the stage of the Star City E-sports Center, Chi Shu's jungle was suppressed by Beimu until he couldn't breathe. Old Nie and A-Ning in the bot lane were also crushed by Beimu's Zhao Xinping. That match was Old Nie and A-Ning's last; they retired with regrets.
Now, Tianhuan's jungle was no longer suppressed.
Tianhuan could take the initiative to suppress the opponent's jungle!
All this clearly proved the transformation of the entire Tianhuan team.
Everyone felt complex emotions, but at the same time, they were filled with fighting spirit.
Like beasts that had been caged for a long time, they finally broke free of their shackles.
They no longer had to worry about this or fear that. They could bring out the heroes they liked and play freely.
Win beautifully, lose without regrets, and enjoy the process of every match.