In this article, we will skip the previous 4 games and focus solely on the decisive game 5 of the finals between GAM Esports and Team Flash. This game clearly showcased the styles and gameplay of both teams, with significant contrasts, and as we all know, Team Flash emerged victorious.
First, let’s take a look at the draft phase of both teams in game 5:
In this draft phase, we can clearly see the intentions and play styles of both teams. GAM Esports proactively chose high-damage champions to try to win as quickly as possible and snowball the game. The two solo lanes of GAM, Tristana and Sett, are champions designed to win their lanes, so they could confidently claim the top half of the map. Levi would play the role of teamfight cleaner with the high damage output of an AP Shyvana.
Team Flash, on the other hand, opted for a strategy focused on resource allocation for Slayder with Kai’Sa. Support Taric is a very strong protective pick that can help Kai’Sa survive whether being engaged or taking the initiative to attack. The top half of Team Flash’s map would be tasked with holding the lane, dying as little as possible, and waiting for opportunities during team fights.
The intentions of both teams are clear. Typically, GAM Esports wins lanes thanks to champion quality and player skills, pressuring objectives and picking off opponents leading to victory. However, the game took a dramatic turn at the 4-minute and 20-second mark when Yijin snuck behind GAM’s bot lane duo. The direct consequence was their defeat, with Zeros dying shortly after, and notably, 2 kills going to Slayder.
This moment caused the game to take a completely different path as GAM’s bot lane became too weak and was dove shortly after. The early kills allowed Kai’Sa to reach the necessary item thresholds and the Flash duo could push the lane, while GAM’s duo completely lost control of the bot half of the map. Moreover, with Zeros being killed and losing Teleport, Stark had a vast opportunity to farm and accumulate strength.
Even if he is ganked afterward, Stark’s Ornn still has levels, items, and ensures Team Flash a strong teamfight presence in the mid-game. Zeros may win his lane, but his ability to handle fights proves inadequate compared to Stark, with desperate attempts at Call of the Forge God during mid-game combat preventing GAM Esports from effectively contesting Team Flash.
We can see this clearly in the teamfight at the 18-minute mark, where GAM Esports gradually pushed Team Flash into their third tower, but Zeros and Levi’s positioning too high caused them to be separated from their teammates. When Stark unleashed the Call of the Forge God, disabling these two, Levi was caught out too quickly, leaving GAM Esports with no choice but to retreat.
The more fights occurred, the more the terror of Call of the Forge God and Sonic Wave from Team Flash became evident. Meanwhile, GAM Esports could do nothing due to their lack of effective teamfight tools. Unable to engage, they allowed the game to drift toward the late game without being able to finish off their opponents.
When you choose a snowball composition but fail to close out the game in the mid, the inevitable consequence is that by the late game, GAM Esports lacks the strength to quickly take down Slayder and faces defeat. There were moments when Slayder was so confident and trusted his teammates that he used Killer Instinct to jump straight into the enemy formation to deal damage, creating a pivotal opportunity for Team Flash to win the fight.
Although GAM Esports’ draft was not wrong, they overlooked one point: their bot lane was weaker than Team Flash’s. Team Flash effectively capitalized on this to stifle GAM’s snowball potential by allowing Slayder to get ahead early, slowing down the pace of the game at the opponent’s strongest moment, and striking at the right time.
Team Flash’s victory shows that GAM Esports is no longer the dominant force in the VCS; their rivals are growing stronger each day in both strategic depth and player skill. This defeat may disappoint GAM fans, but it is a good signal for the entire VCS tournament.