CS: A young talent from Peking University, you want me to play professionally?

As for the map Dust 2, it is actually considered one of SQ's strong maps, and their win rate on this map is very high in their region.

However, for SQ, even on their strongest map, NA, they knew very well that the chances of winning were extremely slim.

Although they had done some analysis and research on NA beforehand and made some targeted preparations, compared to other top teams, their analysis and unconventional tactics were completely insignificant.

For a team like theirs to participate in this World Championship, the ideal result they could achieve is to advance from the group stage.

However, they didn't expect that their first opponent in the Swiss round of the World Championship would be NA, known as the strongest super team. Although countless people predicted before the tournament that NA would not be able to maintain their previous dominant position, and that their performance would not be as strong and difficult to counter as before.

For SQ, they are well aware that even a weakened giant is still formidable. Even if Na doesn't perform at the same level as they did at the WCA Global Finals in this I em, they still have a very high win rate against them.

After all, in terms of world rankings, SQ can only be ranked 146th globally, while NA is currently at the top of every team ranking list. Therefore, when facing NA, they don't really care which map they are assigned to, because given their strength, the possibility of winning on any map is extremely slim.

When they learned that their first opponent in Switzerland would be Na, both the coaching team and the players were already mentally prepared. They just wanted to enjoy the game to the fullest and see how far they could go. That was all.

"Let's bet on B point in the pistol round. I feel like they might play an unconventional style, because when we watched the replays, we could clearly see that they often chose to push for a breakthrough at B point in the pistol round."

SQ is very clear about this map. If they try to defend in a conventional way, it will be difficult for them to win against the opponent's tactical operation and maneuvering. So, they choose to block the point from the beginning. If they can gamble correctly, they can use their numerical advantage to create as many opportunities as possible.

"We should leave one person in the mid lane, because the opponent might still choose to probe in the early stages of the game. If we don't leave anyone in the mid lane to gather information, once the opponent realizes our intention to read the point and chooses to rotate, then it will be basically impossible to win this pistol round."

Given the significant disparity in strength between the two sides on paper, the pistol round actually offers a chance to turn the tide. After all, the pistol round lacks substantial support in terms of firearms and items, making it more unpredictable and less differentiating.

As it turned out, SQ's risky attempt in the pistol round at the start of the round proved to be a winning strategy. Na's strategy, as Li Mo had indeed devised, was to rush B site at the start, with four players heading directly to B1, while Shen Miaoxue would go solo to flank the middle.

"There's not much information in the middle lane and the side lanes. The opponent is probably using a very tight defensive strategy. They're not thinking of using any unconventional tactics at the front."

After moving out from the mid lane, Shen Miaoxue didn't see anyone immediately. This meant that the opposing mid laner hadn't pushed forward, and no one had been moved out to gather information from the side lane either. In her vision, it was very likely that the opposing team had chosen to push forward at A main, or perhaps they had set up a very compact formation at the back.

"Should we speed up our B-Tong service?"

In this round, all four of them immediately went to level B to accelerate their progress. Therefore, they had absolutely no information about level A. Under these circumstances, any further hesitation would only lower their chances of winning. Because when the attacking side hasn't applied any pressure, the defensive team can try to gain control of the map and gather information in the second instance.

Since the initial decision was to prioritize speed, going back to regain map control later would be somewhat risky. Failing to balance both ends would prevent a successful battle for map control and would instead cause them to miss opportunities and lose their initial advantage.

With a wave of utility items deployed, Na's four players attempted to gank from the B tunnel. However, this clearly played right into the opponent's hands, as SQ had four players already positioned at the B bomb site.

Moreover, their smartest move was that when NA provided the bomb tactic and they could clearly hear their footsteps, Sq4 members tacitly refrained from firing. They understood that if NA immediately established suppressive fire and provided utility at close range, they might not be able to capture all those who were supposed to pass.

So, once they remain completely calm and let their replacement penetrate deeper from the crucial point, and then counter with a prop, Na will be in a situation where they have nowhere to retreat and can only grit their teeth and try to break through the crucial point.

However, the defending side had already secured a favorable position, and with their unexpected attack, their crossfire from both sides, combined with the mid-lane players, wiped out four of NA's players in an instant.

Although Li Mo reacted quickly, successfully catching the enemy after they used their item and managing to pull out and take down two of them, his teammates fell too quickly, and he was also quickly finished off because his position offered no cover.

After the first engagement, Na lost 2 for 4, leaving only Shen Miaoxue in the middle lane. Moreover, the bomb was dropped at point B, so the outcome of the situation was already decided.

Although Shen Miaoxue managed to trade one kill through her individual skill, it was too late to change the outcome of the pistol round. In fact, most people didn't expect SQ to win the pistol round so easily.

"Nice, guys, let's go!" After winning the pistol round, SQ's team was ecstatic. The atmosphere instantly reached a fever pitch, because they were facing such a strong opponent, especially NA, whose pistol round win rate was notoriously terrifying. Even under such pressure, they still managed to secure the victory in the pistol round.

This means they have a good chance to score two points in the opening stages. Because in the next round where the rifles are divided, they will undoubtedly have five rifles, giving them a significant advantage in both items and weapons.

After all, there was a significant gap in strength between the two sides. So, after successfully betting on the pistol and winning a point, they would undoubtedly try to continue scoring as many points as possible by using the gun to build their own score.

"Let's force buy this round. At the start, let's see if we can get information on A site and mid lane, and try to find the weak side of the opponent's defense. If we can get information, then we can choose to flank in mid lane. The opponent should not expect us to play so proactively this round."

The reason Li Mo chose to speed things up in the pistol round was because he knew the gap between the two teams was significant. He wanted to see if the opposing team understood his tactical habits under default conditions. The previous round clearly showed that the opponent was very familiar with their tactical patterns. Knowing this, Li Mo was prepared to make some bolder attempts in the subsequent rounds.

After all, it's still the Swiss round. The opponents they're facing are relatively weak, so if they adopt a slow-paced tactic, the opponent will indeed be unable to cope. However, Li Mo also wants to see if the opponent has figured out their tactics.

From this round of probing, it's clear that the opponent is well aware of many things our team has shown in previous matches. So, if we want to play those unconventional tricks, the results will be very effective.

Although they lost the pistol round, neither Li Mo nor the NA team members showed any unusual reaction. It was clear in this match that the opponent's skill level was significantly lower than theirs.

It's clear from their shooting skills that the opponent's aim wasn't very consistent, and they didn't often execute flashy maneuvers. Otherwise, they wouldn't have made such a bold opening move, managing to get so many kills after speeding up the game.

"I feel like the other side is about to come out from A gate, they've already given them a utility item."

"It's alright. We have an absolute advantage in firearms. If they pull out like that, they're just asking for trouble. They won't have any chance."

During the conversation, Li Mo had already led his team to gain control of the map. While marksmanship is crucial on the Shar map, overall situational awareness is equally important.

From Li Mo's perspective, having won the pistol round, a more unconventional push in this round could actually put more pressure on the opposing team. After all, they have a weapon disadvantage, and this round is about map control and gathering information on the developers. Therefore, if the opposing team decisively pushes forward tactically, they have a good chance of securing early kills, whether in mid or A site.

So, if both sides were to attempt to control the map, it would actually give their side a very good opportunity to recover. Because, it's important to understand that short-range weapons are less effective at long range against long-range weapons. However, since the opposing team didn't choose to engage in a fight at the start, they can use utility items to shorten the engagement distance. This would reduce their disadvantage in terms of early gunfire after a force buy.

"They should have at least two people from A University. There should also be one person defending the mid lane. Let's go gather information at the forward position."

By using sound stuns and jump peeks, somebody on A's side successfully obtained information about the opponent. This also shows that the opponent's shooting skills are indeed somewhat lacking. If the shooting skills were good enough, the opponent would have had a chance to kill him when he jumped peeked, instead of just losing a little health.

"Let's flank B in the mid lane. We'll adjust our positions first, then move to the front point and give them the utility. Then, the two mid laners will pull out to the B tunnel and simultaneously put pressure and threat on the enemy."

In Li Mo's view, they had just lost a point in the previous pistol round because of their accelerated push on point B. So, logically speaking, the opponent probably wouldn't expect them to continue trying to attack point B in this round.

In Li Mo's assessment, there should only be a maximum of three opponents at point B plus the mid lane. Therefore, if they attempt a mid-lane gank on point B, the opposing team will likely find it very difficult to withstand their breakthrough.

"The opposing team gave up an item in the mid lane, probably planning a pincer attack from there."

"There must be a prop in the B-pass, it should be the mid-lane wall."

"We have an advantage in firearms, so don't be afraid. After we provide the partition, let's see if we can gain an advantage in numbers."

It must be said that SQ is a relatively confident team. They did not panic when faced with such a sudden combination of props, but came up with a solution in a very short time.

(End of this chapter)