So last week I caught the VCT Shanghai bracket matches live on Twitch. Figured it might be fun to break down what actually worked in those high-pressure games. Grabbed my notebook and energy drink, camped out all weekend.
Match Prep Phase
First I rewatched VODs from all four bracket teams – Paper Rex, Gen.G, FUT Esports, Leviatan. Skipped the flashy clips, focused on economy rounds and agent combos. Noticed right away how teams played differently once elimination loomed. Way less experimental picks.
Agent Tier List Reality
Everyone keeps parroting that Viper meta nonsense. Reality? Shanghai bracket proved it dead:
- Controllers: Omen dominated Bind and Ascent picks. Team Liquid even ran triple controller setup once by pairing Omen with Astra.
- Smokes matter less than kills: Four duellists comps got steamrolled when initiators failed. Gen.G smoked EDG using Skye+Breach combo for 5 straight rounds.
Wrote down clutch utility usage – like PRX Jinggg’s Raze grenade traps on Lotus A site that blew up three pushing attackers.
Executing Strats In My Games
Tried copying the double initiator meta in ranked. Epic fail at first. Forgot you need coordinated teammates. Switched to solo queue strats:
- Ascent: Copied Leviatan’s Jett operator setup on defense. Held mid from Wine Windows for 3 straight rounds.
- Bind: Stole that triple controller trick but subbed Viper for Harbor. Eco round ult lockdown worked shockingly well.
Got flamed twice trying Gen.G’s aggressive Sova recon arrow pushes. Lesson? Pro strats need pro teamwork.
What Actually Worked
After rewatching 40+ rounds, the moneyball takeaway? Economy over meta. Winning teams prioritized:
- Full shield + Sheriff on eco rounds
- Half-buy rounds with Stinger/Bucky spikes
- Saving ults for consecutive round pushes
My Silver friend mocked me for taking notes. Then we tried Paper Rex’s Fracture execute with Breach ult combo. Instantly climbed two ranks. Sometimes watching pro play pays off.
