Since making their mark in international tournaments with their fiery playstyle and constant skirmishes, VCS has always brought excitement to international audiences. Notably, thanks to the overseas stints of SofM and Levi, the reputation of VCS has been on the rise. And upon returning to the international stage last year, GAM Esports (GAM) and Saigon Buffalo (SGB) also left a strong impression.
Recently, another match from VCS caught the attention of international fans. Although it was a match that didn’t hold much significance since both teams were almost guaranteed their positions, both Team Whales (TW) and Team Secret (TS) showed great effort. Notably, in the second game, TW’s top laner Hiro02 used Kennen. Strangely, he did not opt for the first item Hextech Rocketbelt but instead chose Heart of Gold – an item typically reserved for tanky champions.
Many viewers questioned whether this was a new build or simply a way to disrespect the opponent from Hiro02. After all, building this way would cost Kennen a significant amount of gold, while also delaying the acquisition of other necessary Ability Power items. Moreover, Heart of Gold is a mythic item, meaning Kennen could no longer build Hextech Rocketbelt.
However, according to some players, this is a strategy that’s being used quite frequently in some tournaments like PCS. One opinion explained: “For some long-range champions with short attack ranges, this item (Heart of Gold) can be quite effective. Kennen is a champion with a short range and needs to get close to targets to stack his E ability. So Kennen will also be in a suitable range to stack Heart of Gold. This playstyle might not be suitable for ranked games, but for a professional player who knows how to play, it can be easily utilized.”
This is not the first time Kennen has built an item aimed at increasing durability like Heart of Gold. However, this also shows that VCS is truly making a strong impression on international audiences. And perhaps, at the upcoming MSI and World Championship, many will look forward to new surprises from VCS teams, just as they have for many years now.