Valorant: I Am Still the World's Best

The round begins.

In this round, DRX capitalized on the strengths of the "Raze + Shadow" combination, maintaining control of the B tunnel map from the start.

EDG had previously attempted to counter-clear the map, but they had to use too many items to force the enemy back, which resulted in DRX completely taking over when they tried to clear the map again in the second instance.

Regardless of option B, immediately mentioning option A at the start is to skip the "game theory" and abandon thinking, directly flexing one's muscles.

This is a viable solution and it works against other teams as well.

However, DRX's coordination on the defensive side, utility, and gun line distribution... EDG already experienced this in Map 1; it's really hard to get into the point by just using bombs.

B is outside.

Jiefeng was followed by Xingjun, and the two stood furtively outside the enemy's shadowy smoke.

They need to regain control of the B-map as soon as possible.

After Kang Kang and the others created a disturbance in Area A, allowing DRX to obtain information on at least three people in Area A, Su Ming whispered:

"I'm going!"

Smoggy nodded.

OK.

Su Ming ducked into the smoke, raised his crosshair, and aimed at the top of the entrance passage to Area B without any field of vision.

Immediately, he activated [Wind Chaser], threw a [Cloud Smoke] one-way smoke at this spot, then lit another [Cloud Smoke] in the open space ahead, and flew straight in.

During the flight, Su Ming quickly turned his field of vision to both sides and immediately spotted Buzz standing in the groove of B passage.

...He was holding a grenade, and peeked to grab the information from the cigarette holder.

Buzz throws wall grenades whenever he sees someone, which can buy him time. Then he activates the "parade" to gather information, which can buy him time again. He also has two explosive packs to save his life, either knocking enemies away or bringing himself back to the bomb site.

If the opposing team insists on taking the pressure and engaging in a gunfight, then the Shadow standing at the B bomb site will invest in a push to help him secure the kill.

This is DRX's established tactic in B-channel.

But now, Jetwind, with its high mobility, instantly appeared in front of him, skipping the first two stages and forcing BUZZ to face him head-on.

"The Jethawk is here!"

When Buzz saw the Jetwind flying over, he immediately switched to his weapon and positioned himself near the smoke.

...No smoke came out.

...The other side is waiting for the smoke to clear so they can test their reaction time and location!

...Since Mako and Jetway were on the same side, she couldn't immediately push them away.

This is a head-on duel between two opponents.

Buzz stared intently, holding his breath.

He had long been dissatisfied with Raven's increasingly aggressive flank attacks, but what could he do when Mako's gun wasn't strong enough to withstand them?

Who do you think you are, little bro!

I'm the number one duelist in Asia, what are you?

Buzz counts down the seconds, stopping just before the smoke dissipates, then raises his hand and tosses the ball high for a [surprise tumble].

This explosive charge will fly behind Jetwind and explode, slightly repelling it without affecting Buzz himself.

This magical prop is proof of Buzz's high level of skill.

His idea is very good.

however……

Su Ming was also an expert on Rez, and he had read it.

In that instant, Jetwind pulled out from the edge of the smoke and seized the timing!

"—!!

Upon seeing the gun pointed at him, Buzz reacted swiftly, activating the explosive charge in mid-air.

Bang!

The explosive charge detonated between the two men!

Both were slightly knocked back.

The conditions have been reset.

All the previous games were about creating an advantage in gunfights, but the results were evenly matched, and in the end, it all came down to the essence of FPS games.

—Aim and fire.

During the launch, both players simultaneously locked their crosshairs onto the enemy's head, waiting for the displacement effect to disappear.

Emergency stop!

Pull the trigger!

Boom!

Su Ming was one step ahead.

A difference of just a few milliseconds in reaction time can determine the outcome of a duel.

Rez OUT!

[EDG.Raven headshots and kills DRX.Buzz]

"Shiba!"

Buzz cursed under his breath.

Upon seeing Buzz die, Mako immediately handed over the black sword she had been holding.

...If two or more people come looking for Buzz, he would have used his skill long ago. Trading one for two would definitely be a win, but in a one-on-one situation, he still chooses to trust his teammates.

With his vision completely black, Su Ming used [Aerial Leap] to leap high into the air, frantically spinning his mouse to prevent the enemy from finding a headshot line.

Mako remained unmoved, calmly splashing water on the body like a dog, intending to secure the kill.

But at that very moment, a dark-skinned woman with a cow-nose nose suddenly appeared.

...When you're not ready to engage in a gunfight, move first when you see someone to make it harder for them to aim!

Mako reacted quickly and took a few small steps.

But Smoggy gave an extremely clean positioning.

The Purple-Gold Madman trembled.

boom!

EDG.Smoggy headshots and kills DRX.Mako

"Nice!"

"Thank goodness! I've managed to lock down my health with a sliver of health!"

Smoggy immediately offered him a cigarette, and together with Su Ming, they went inside and took up position B.

EDG's main force immediately relocated.

At this moment, DRX made an extremely decisive decision.

Fuck you!

They can't leave this bomb site open; a 3v5 situation makes it impossible for them to defend. Only by killing the two players holding the B bomb site can they have a chance of survival.

Stax immediately used a flashbang and lured out with Rb to find someone at the bomb site to engage in a gunfight.

Both of them knew that Su Ming only had a sliver of health left, and their first reaction was to kill Jie Feng first.

Bang bang bang!

Su Ming was instantly killed, but by drawing aggro from him, Smoggy had room to maneuver.

With a small step to freeze Rb, take small steps to the left, then suddenly pull to the right and crouch to sweep the head off.

[EDG.Smoggy headshots and kills DRX.Rb]

[EDG.Smoggy headshots and kills DRX.Stax]

Zest, who was furthest away and had just rushed back, also wanted to have a 1v1, but was instantly killed by Smoggy, who was on fire.

Quadra kill!

The crowd in Los Angeles erupted in enthusiastic cheers.

"Accurate!" Su Ming bumped fists with him and praised him.

"You played well, otherwise I wouldn't have had any room to deal damage."

Smoggy remained calm, believing it was nothing serious; it was just a matter of information guns.

"Didn't we agree that you'd be my dog? How come I'm the one attracting your hatred?" Su Ming feigned displeasure.

"Hey, we're all buddies, it's pointless to fuss over this." Smoggy chuckled. "Next time I'll get Zheng Yongkang to be your lackey and pull the gun line, that'll settle the score with you."

"???" Kang Kang looked completely bewildered. "Am I also part of your play?"

"Just tell me whether you agree or not!"

"walk slowly!"

"We'll fight like this, no problem!"

Nobody was the happiest because he had successfully proven his thinking.

This seemingly simple act of Smoggy acting as Su Ming's bodyguard, providing timely follow-up shots, appears to be a genuine effort.

Actually, the whole team was playing along the sidelines.

Buzz wouldn't have pushed forward that far without deliberately revealing more than three people's information in Area A.

Smoggy kept quiet throughout the entire encounter, silently approaching to finish off Mako, which prevented Mako from immediately banning him.

Nobody understood.

...Even the sidelines need to consume resources.

The logic is actually quite simple, but EDG has always been a team with weak side lanes and a lack of experience in this area.

EDG's team resources are basically allocated solely to the main duel.

However, against teams like DRX that excel at defense, this playstyle of only consuming resources on one side is too easy to read.

This is also the reason for the disastrous defeat in Asia.

But now, with one of the two duelists, Su Ming, moving to the sideline, EDG has another option.

...The team can coordinate with the sidelines to play.

...You can also recall Jetwind and use Dual Duel Bombs.

Resources can be readily allocated to both the 'sideline' and the 'front,' significantly expanding tactical options.

"DRX, why don't you try reading it again?"

Nobody chuckled.

As the commander, he has an extra card in his hand, how could he not be happy?

Next minute.

Su Ming continued to push B through, but DRX committed three players and directly pressed forward to catch him and kill him.

However, this gank consumed a lot of DRX's items and caused them to surrender the A bomb site.

On the surface, DRX's 5v4 defensive rotation is due to their numerical advantage, but anyone with a discerning eye can see that they lack defensive utility.

A firefight ensued at the bomb site, and Qiuqiu secured the point.

Fortunately, in the final round of the first half, DRX finally managed to unleash four powerful abilities, using skill strength to pull back a point.

The final score of the first half was 9-3.