Arena of Valor (AoV) - Valor Series North America Playoffs Recap

Match 1: Allegiance vs Flipsid3 Tactics

Round 1

Allegiance followed a typical team composition, a marksman, a mage, a support, and two durable frontliners. Moren made his debut in the playoffs as Alliance’s jungler, he recently finding a surge in popularity due to being highly rated in a Thai tier list. Meanwhile, Flipsid3 took a dive-heavy dual mage composition, three of the heroes taking punish and thereby holding a lot of invading potential.

The game starts with both sides out for blood, both teams moving to invade each others’ jungle. Flipsid3 rotated over to Allegiance to try and spill some early blood, but their plan backfired. Allegiance managed to resist a majority of Flipsid3’s punishment and all but one member of their team escaped, albeit at critical health. Flipsid3 was not as lucky, Moren’s damage taking the group by surprise and leading Allegiance to pick off three of the attacking force and secure a lead at the 1-minute mark.

Flipsid3 kept fighting though, aggression staying high as they moved to try and regain their footing. The team converged on dragon as it spawned at 2:00, the four attackers easily able to keep the two nearby members of Allegiance away. However, this attracted the rest of Allegiance who swept in for a team fight. The full forces of Allegiance and Flipsid3 clashed, Allegiance giving up two kills and acing Flipsid3 in exchange.

Allegiance kept up their momentum, finding ways to turn every trade to their favor. Each time that Flipsid3 tried to pick off a hero, Allegiance would come in and pick off two of theirs. As the game passed 6 minutes Flipsid3 managed to secure an early Dark Slayer but were immediately routed by Allegiance as punishment. Allegiance’s aggression rewarded them with a score of 21 kills by the 7-minute mark as well as a gold lead of over 7k gold. Finally, Allegiance managed to ace Flipsid3 and move on their core, finishing the game at 9:12 with a kill score of 31-7.

Round 2

Flipsid3 changed their strategy, ditching their second mage in favor of a third durable brawler. Their composition was one of early fights, showing a desire to grab an early lead and try to end things quickly before Alliance hit their stride. Allegiance’s composition remains largely the same, however, the only changes being for heroes in a similar role as used in game 1.

The game started again with both teams running for each other to try and get an early lead. Flipsid3 moved to attack mid, however, were quickly shooed away by a well placed Sunshine from Alice and Shining Light from Liliana. Flipsid3 regrouped and tried again after the first minute passed but found themselves punished once more by the coordinated Allegiance, giving up three kills to Allegiance without scoring anything in return.

This was the end of Flipsid3’s aggression, they needing to start moving to the defensive as Allegiance gained a larger and larger gold lead. Every move that they made was immediately countered, ending in either a total loss or retreat. Allegiance meanwhile started to show more aggression, organizing ganks and skirmishes that always ended in unanswered kills. By the 6-minute mark, they led the game 0-11 and held an 8k gold lead.

Allegiance was able to keep this lead for the remainder of the game, not giving up a single kill by the time they finished the game at 7:55 with a final kill score of 0-16.

Winner: Allegiance

Match 2: Immortals vs Dino Riders

Round 1

Immortals took a dive-heavy composition which has become the most common team composition over the playoffs. A jungling Kriknak for damage with a heavy front line of Xeniel, Ormarr, and Wonder Woman, two of whom equipped with punish to aid with jungle invasions. The biggest surprise on their side was the selection of Ilumia as their mage, a very uncommon pick due to a relatively high skill cap and low reward ceiling. Dino Riders took the mage and marksman damage tag team that most players will be more familiar with, Lindis in the jungle while Liliana took position in the mid lane. Their own front line was quite stacked as well, Lu Bu, Omen, and Lumburr ready to keep the damage dealers protected from Immortals’ heavy dives.

Both teams started off bold, invading each others’ Might Golem camps. Both invasions were successful and lacked any direct clashes save for attempts at pressuring away enemies made by Omen for team Dino Riders. Both teams moved to posturing in lane, feeling each other out while the roaming supports looked to set up ganks. The heroes started to amass near the dragon as it spawned, the first real team fight of the game starting as they both fought to claim its life. This turned out to be in Immortals’ favor, they managing to not only pick off the dragon, but nabbing two kills in the process as well.

Immortals continued to carry the game’s momentum and scored a few more pickoffs as they showed off their dominance, but Dino Riders continued to valiantly fight on. Despite a 4-1 score in Immortals’ favor at 5:30, Dino Riders only tailed them by 0.8k gold. Immortals continued to push against the Dino Riders hard, however, a number of skirmishes pushing their kill lead further and further forward. By the time the match had reached 10:30, Immortals lead in kills 10-1 and had completely destroyed all of Dino Riders’ tier 1 towers.

It was here, though, that Lindis came and showed why marksmen should not be completely overlooked despite the current meta. Despite their heavy kill deficit, Dino Riders’ aggressive farming of the jungle and minions had resulted in them tailing Immortals by 1.8k gold at this point. Additionally, when looking at individual gold scores, Lindis for Dino Riders’ led the match in gold with 800 more gold than Immortals’ gold leader. It was at this 10:30 mark that the game turned and Dino Riders started grabbing kills. A team fight broke out near the Dark Slayer, Dino Riders managing three kills at no loss to their own numbers. They followed this up with an assault on the Dark Slayer. While Immortals’ Kriknak managed to sneak in and pick off Lindis in the struggle, Dino Riders still managed to secure the Dark Slayer and pick up another kill off of Kriknak as a result, turning their gold deficit into a gold lead.

As the game clock hit 12:00, Dino Riders had gained Dark Slayer buff and a 2k gold lead as well as the confidence to finally move offensively. They moved to the Abyssal Dragon lane and pushed it down to Immorotals’ high ground. Immortals were forced into a purely defensive position, allowing Dino Riders full control over their jungle and thereby access to even more of a gold lead. Another decisive fight broke out at 14:38, Dino Riders able to slay four of team Immortals while only losing two of their own. While Kriknak, the sole survivor of Immortals, was able to pick off the damage heavy Lindis and thereby save his core from destruction, the Dino Riders still managed to leave Immortals’ base with only a single tower standing.

Immortals weren’t able to recover, constantly trying to keep their base covered while Dino Riders farmed and regrouped. Omen moved to initiate on a solo Kriknak at 16:28. Members from both sides streamed in to support their team mates and a full fight broke out. Soon, all five members of Immortals were present fighting four of the Dino Riders. Lu Bu, meanwhile, found this fight to be a great chance to go straight for Immortals’ core. Immortals desperately tried to move away from the team fight and defend their base, but it was too late. Dino Riders managed to sack Immortal’s core at 17:30 with a final kill score of 18-15.

Round 2

Immortals took a step away from their purely dive-focused composition, taking Violet as a jungler and damage dealer. Arduin stood as the most curious choice in their team, not a popular pick at the moment by any means. Dino Riders’ team was nearly identical to that of game 1, the only real change being the swapping of Lindis for Yorn.

Game 2 started off similarly to game 1 with both teams making early invasions on the other’s Might Golem buff. Lumburr and Lu Bu move to gank mid directly after their invasion, however found themselves rather effectively counter-ganked and quickly fell under the wrath of an amassing team Immortals. This gave Immortals a very early 0-2 lead over the Dino Riders as well as a nice 1k gold advantage.

By maintaining an aggressive offensive against Dino Riders, Immortals managed to keep this early lead and maintain a rather comfortable control over the Abyssal Dragon. Dino Riders didn’t fold under the pressure though, showing the same resilience they did in game 1.

Immortals slowly chipped away at Dino Riders’ defenses, picking off tier 1 towers one by one and maintaining a constant control over the Abyssal Dragon. By 7:30, Immortals had destroyed the last of the Dino Riders’ tier 1 towers, forcing them deeper into their own territory. It wouldn’t be until 9:30 that the next big fight would break out. Immortals all gathered within a bush in Dino Riders’ jungle, preparing to strike. After the trap was sprung, Immortals managed to quickly assassinate Yorn and begin the assault on the rest of the team. Dino Riders managed themselves well, however, managing to turn the trap into an even three for three trade.

Immortals maintained clear dominance of the field afterward, however, a team fight at 11:30 coming out in their favor as they pick up three unanswered kills. They followed this up by pressuring the lanes, pushing down mind and the Abyssal Dragon lane as they started to siege Dino Riders’ base. Liliana was able to jump into the fray and prevent their middle high ground tower from falling for a moment, a single hero for hero trade occurring instead, and a poor initiation by Tulen led to Dino Riders hanging on to their Abyssal Dragon lane tower as well. Immortals’ siege continued however, and they finally brought down Dino Riders’ middle high ground tower.

At 15 minutes Arduin began chasing Omen, hoping to get an easy pick off and set up the team for a final assault. Some beautiful footwork from Omen prevented this however, he managing to lead the pursuing Arduin and the other members of Immortals who joined into the hunt into Lumburr’s ultimate as the Dino Riders moved to support their team mate. This proved to be a pivotal moment for the Dino Riders, they managing to slay three Immortals without giving up a single life in return.

Fights started ending heavily in Dino Riders’ favor. Omen once again drew out Immortals by feigning an attack in the Abyssal Dragon lane and Dino Riders swept in to shut them down as they moved for an easy kill. Next, at 18:30, another team fight broke out in Immortals’ jungle, Lumburr managing another beautiful ultimate on the enemy team and allowing his team to clean up. The momentum seemed to have completely shifted, Dino Riders managing a Dark Slayer buff before bushing the lanes down to Immortals’ base.

Unfortunately for them, Dino Riders’ luck ran out here. After knocking down both the Dark Slayer and mid high ground towers, Dino Riders found themselves engaged upon by Maloch. Lu Bu and Omen quickly fall to Immortals’ attack, the rest of the team fleeing for cover. Soon it was just Liliana and Lumburr left to defend the core as the dead Dino Riders waited to respawn. They weren’t enough to hold off the whole might of Immortals, however, especially without high ground towers to support them. Immortals managed to take out Dino Riders’ core and win the round with a final kill score of 16-17.

Round 3

Immortals took even more of a step away from dive compositions by putting Yorn in the lane. They took a very early game focused team with heroes like Ormarr and Ryoma making up their warrior pack. Dino Riders stuck with what worked, even keeping a majority of the same heroes. Yorn got swapped for the jungling Violet and the demon Maloch took Omen’s place with Omen’s banning this round.

Anticipating their invasion, Immortals set up a trap next to their Might Golem at the beginning of the game which Dino Riders fell for hook, line, and sinker. Yorn managed to secure the Might Buff away from the invading Dino Riders and the team managed to pick off Maloch in the process. Both teams defaulted to farming and feeling each other out, the next struggle occurring when the Abyssal Dragon spawned. Immortals managed to pick up another kill in the struggle for the creature, but Dino Riders managed to secure the beast.

The game continued in Immortal’s favor throughout the early game much like it had in games 1 and 2. Roaming around the map, the team managed to force skirmishes with Dino Riders and increase their lead as a result. Dino Riders were able to pick up the odd kill here and there, however Immortals kept a comfortable lead in kills, the kill sore 5-2 at the five minute mark. That said, Dino Riders showed off their fantastic farming ability by preventing their lower kill count from creating too large of a gold deficit, only 1k behind at the same 9-minute mark.

A fight broke out in Dino Riders’ jungle at 9:30, the entirety of Immortals facing off with Dino Riders 5 on 4. The missing member from Dino Riders, Lu Bu, used this time brilliantly however, pushing the Dark Slayer lane down to Immortals’ base as the two teams skirmished. In addition, Immortals found themselves unable to route Dino Riders despite their numbers advantage. The first push of the attack ending without deaths, Immortals find themselves in need of recalling to their base in order to stop Lu Bu’s advance. They fracture as a result, Dino Riders able to move in on the broken team and pick off Ormarr in the confusion.

At 14:30 Immortals moved to pick off Lu Bu who at the time was split-pushing the Dark Slayer lane. Rather than fleeing towards base, Lu Bu made the decision to waste Immortals’ time and run towards their base. This created enough space for the rest of the Dino Riders to move on the Abyssal Dragon lane’s high ground tower, starting a siege of Immortal’s base without those chasing Lu Bu available to stop them. Lu Bu’s path eventually brought him to his team, the Dino Riders turning to jump on those who had been pursuing the warrior. A full team fight broke out, Dino Riders wiping out four members of Immortals while losing three of their own in return. Violet was among those still standing after the dust settled, however, and was able to make quick work of the now vulnerable core. Dino Riders took the core to win the game at 15:37 with a final kill score of 14-9.

Winner: Dino Riders

Match 3: Allegiance vs. Dino Riders

Both teams find heroes they have shown a lot of favoritism to before, MediC getting the Alice denied to him all throughout the games with Immortals, Hoon nabbing the Liliana he has proven himself with, and Rocker getting his jungling all star Moren. Both teams take a similar approach in terms of composition: a dive heavy front line with a mage for additional damage and a marksman in the jungle.

Counter to their previous form, Dino Riders started the game passively by keeping to their own jungle, Allegiance doing likewise. the first real sign of aggression came at 1:20 when Alice and Liliana made a move to invade Allegiance’s Sage Golem. Ormarr and Tulen were quick to chase them out and towards the Dark Slayer lane, causing a full on team fight to break out. Allegiance managed to walk away from the fight ahead, scoring a 3-1 lead over Dino Riders.

The next team fight erupted near the 3-minute mark, both teams vying to slay the Abyssal Dragon. Allegiance once again pulled ahead of Dino Riders, not only scoring the first dragon of the finals but adding another kill to the scoreboard. It was here that Allegiance started to show the confidence they felt in the match, invading deep into Dino Riders’ jungle and picking off any they came across. Dino Riders wouldn’t be able to pick up much until 6:20 where they managed to pick up two kills from Allegiance in a team fight and one mid. This came as an even trade, they losing three heroes of their own and thereby remaining unable to catch up to Allegiance’s lead.

While Dino Riders managed to consistently flip games against Immortals, Allegiance were unrelenting in their assault. Moren hit his power spike and began roaming around both teams’ jungles without care, picking off any who came to challenge him. Allegiance managed Dark Slayer uncontested, Dino Riders pressured back into their base due to the sheer difference in power that Allegiance’s gold advantage created. It did not take long for Wonder Woman and Moren’s power to pierce into Dino Riders’ base and finish the game. Dino Riders’ core was destroyed at 12:42 with a final kill score of 30-7.

Round 2

Both teams’ compositions were quite similar to their game one picks-jungling marksmen and burst mages backed up by a pair of front liners and a support. Allegiance was able to grab heroes they were very comfortable with, the very same they used when defeating Flipsid3 without giving up a single kill. Most of Dino Riders’ picks were familiar as well with the exception of Preyta.

First Blood would once again go to Allegiance, the Dino Riders unable to catch a break early game. Rourke, Liliana, and Alice manage to pick off Preyta under Dino Riders’ middle tower as the game drew close to 2:00. Allegiance followed the kill up by immediately moving on dragon. Dino Riders moved to try and contest the beast but were unable to snatch it away from Rourke’s burst. As an additional slap, Allegiance managed to pick up two additional kills on the Dino Riders as punishment.

Allegiance maintained their lead, regularly forcing skirmishes and picking off Dino Riders as the game progressed. Dino Riders would find a small break as the game reached 7:00, however. A four-man Earthsplitter from Lumburr allowed the Dino Riders to converge on the attacking Allegiance and force a retreat. Despite the power difference, Allegiance was unable to shake the pursuing Dino Riders, giving up four kills to the underdogs and losing their perfect streak with the composition.

While the victory caused enough of a window for Dino Riders to knock out all of Allegiance’s tier 1 towers, it wasn’t enough to flip the game as they had done before. The next big team fight, breaking out at 8:45, had Allegiance reclaiming their position of power in the match, picking off two Dino Riders without cost to themselves and sacking both mid’s tier 1 and 2 towers as a result.

Dino Riders weren’t able to resist Allegiance’s onslaught much more after that, tower after tower falling as Allegiance moved toward their enemy’s core. By the time they had reached the high ground tower, Allegiance was able to dive underneath the emplacement to knock down Dino Riders without needing to even mind the tower’s turret. They took the core at 12:05, finishing the game with a kill score of 5-19.

Round 3

Both sides started the game more cautiously than those prior, neither opting to invade the other’s jungle. Instead, every hero moved straight for their respective lanes and began farming up and waiting for the opportunity to strike. First Blood was spilled once again as a result of a dragon contest, though this time Allegiance sprang on Dino Riders who had already moved away from the epic creature. It wasn’t enough to protect them from Allegiance’s rampage, the team able to get two kills off of the Dino Riders after taking the dragon.

Allegiance ramped up their aggression early, the team gathering for gank after gank. Their coordination was beautiful, they managing to take down Dino Riders’ Abyssal Dragon lane high ground tower by 5:40 through a clever bait on the opposite side of the map. Dino Riders didn’t stop fighting though. They pushed for a team fight at 6:00, punishing Allegiance who was sticking around the mid tower despite being battle worn from the previous push. Both sides fought fiercely, but Dino Riders managed to pick off three members of Allegiance while only losing two of their own in the skirmish.

This wasn’t enough to deter Allegiance though, they regrouping after respawning to start pushing down mid lane. They had no trouble dispatching both tier 1 and tier 2 towers, Dino Riders unable to withstand the push. Allegiance next moved to the Dark Slayer lane, able to easily push it down to the core, picking off Dino Riders all the while. They began their assault on the game’s final objective, but a timely respawn by Tulen allowed the mage to slay the attackers and protect Dino Riders’ core’s last sliver of life.

It didn’t buy them much time however, as Allegiance moved to take the Dark Slayer after respawning. The creature’s boost on top of their already heavy lead made Allegiance near indomitable, the team moving back to the core to sack it. The game ended at 12:03 with a final kill score of 19-8.

Winner: Allegiance

More Arena of Valor World Cup (AWC) Resources

• Valor Series Europe Playoffs Recap (June 18, 2018)
• AWC Update: MSP and Taiwan Teams Decided (May 30, 2018)
• Road to AWC: SEA Representative Determined This Weekend (May 25, 2018)
• Valor Series Playoff Teams Set For E3 (Week 6 Recap) (May 21, 2018)
• Valor Series Week 5 Recap (May 14, 2018)
• Valor Series Week 4 Recap (May 7, 2018)
• Samurai Gamers Advances to Next Stage of AWC Qualifiers (May 7, 2018)
• Valor Series Week 3 Recap (April 30, 2018)
• Valor Series Weeks 1 and 2 Recap (April 23, 2018)
• Arena of Valor World Cup Breaks Record with Prize Pool (April 17, 2018)
• AoV (MSP) Valor Cup Season 1 Grand Finals Recap (April 12, 2018)
• Valor Series Launch + AWC Wild Cards Named (March 27, 2018)
• $19,000 First Regional Valor Cup Announced (AWC Qualifier) (February 18, 2018)
• $500,000+ USD Arena of Valor World Cup (AWC) Announced (February 6, 2018)

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