No “Blockbuster” Transfers
Transfers are essential for any team, and Cerberus Esports has also brought in new members before the summer tournament kicks off. However, the players they acquired are not superstars that draw much attention; instead, they are young talents to develop and train for the next generation.
The downside of a “blockbuster” transfer is that such players can disrupt an existing team system, as evidenced by how EVOS Esports has struggled with Zeros. Cerberus made a wise move by retaining their spring lineup to ensure stability and cohesion among the members. When you have a clear playstyle and members who understand each other from playing together for a long time, victories will come naturally.
Quickly Catching Up with the Meta
One of the weaknesses of VCS is its slower adaptation to ban-pick trends, item builds, and runes compared to the global scene. This is partly due to the Vietnamese server being updated more slowly than other regions, and moreover, VCS has always emphasized skirmishing and fighting, making it difficult for playstyles that rely on control to emerge here.
However, Cerberus has been astonishing everyone with their speed in catching up with the meta. Jungler XuHao has learned to abandon champions too reliant on the early game and has transitioned to more reliable champions like Trundle and Graves. They are even the first team to bring Fiddlesticks as a tank into VCS.
These seemingly small changes have allowed this team to outpace their opponents in gameplay, bans, and strategies.
Significant Psychological Progress for XuHao
As mentioned earlier, XuHao from VCS Summer 2020 has adopted a more solid and effective playstyle compared to his spring performance. Previously, XuHao’s ganking-heavy playstyle created an invisible pressure on him to attack opponents, secure kills, and maintain pressure. When he couldn’t gank successfully, it created a psychological burden on him.
By transitioning to a more controlled playstyle, XuHao is no longer burdened psychologically as the game progresses, allowing him to execute plays much more accurately than in spring. With a stable and cohesive lineup, as well as individuals performing increasingly well, Cerberus is proving to be a formidable team and a real challenge to the VCS throne.