NXPE and RSG both sit steadily in the middle of the leaderboard, wanting to take a step closer to the top. Will beating RSG be NXPE’s next play as they progress halfway through the regular season, or will RSG’s win over Blacklist International be the momentum they need to defeat NXPE?

Both teams started the drafting phase by banning out staple heroes such as Diggie, Kaja, Joy and Wanwan. RSG, on the blue side, prioritized Fredrinn for their first pick, while NXPE responded with Valentina and Yu Zhong. RSG then drafted the infamous Kadita of Exort and Light’s Chou, as NXPE finished the first phase with picking the Akai. NXPE started the second phase by picking Claude for late game insurance and damage output, while RSG drafted the Harith and Benedetta for mobility around teamfights. 

Both teams’ rotations mirrored each other in the first two minutes of the game. NXPE took down the first Turtle, but RSG retaliated back by slaying four members. All members gathered up for the second Turtle, which was secured by NXPE once again, followed by a pickoff by RSG to trade off. Nathzz’s aggressive gameplay became a win condition for RSG, with a 4/0/1 standing by the 7th minute, making plays all over the map. A chaotic teamfight emerged as the first Lord spawned, which was won by RSG due to the space given by Nathzz and Exort. With this, RSG had total control of the map, with NXPE clinging on to their remaining inhibitor turrets. The second Lord fight transpired, with NXPE having the upper hand in terms of position, but EMANN managed to steal it from their grasp. RSG sat comfortable with a 5,000 gold lead by the 17th minute. However, as the third Lord spawned, NXPE were able to pick off Nathzz and EMANN, giving them the opportunity to secure the Lord for free. The gold lead shifted to NXPE’s favor, giving them the ability to put pressure on RSG and enabling a comeback for their side. 

RSG still went for the Fredrinn for game 2, but with adjustments for their succeeding picks as they drafted Melissa and Pharsa this time around. On the other hand, NXPE secured Valentina, Chou and Claude, who was the key hero from the previous game. The Benedetta switched sides, as it went to the hands of NXPE. RSG responded with the Ruby and Arlott for a mix of control and damage, while NXPE finished their draft with a Martis on the jungle role.

NXPE drew first blood onto EMANN with a surprise gank from BruskoDR. This early lead paid dividends for the Neon Tigers as they secured the first Turtle of the game. BruskoDR’s Chou enabled his team to pick off key members from the side of RSG; although RSG attempted to force skirmishes around objectives, it seemed like NXPE managed to counterplay and turn the table. After three Turtles, RSG finally found their tempo and power spikes, keeping up with NXPE’s aggression in preparation for the first Lord. H2wo’s Retribution attempts were on point in this game, as he secured the Lord amidst the heated team fight. By the 13th minute, RSG possessed the overall lead, enabling them to secure the next Lord. NXPE’s base was slowly starting to get exposed, and after a deciding Lord fight, RSG took the upper hand, whittling down the members of NXPE and eventually finding their base.

After some respect bans from both sides, the drafting patterns from both teams changed as well. NXPE prioritized Valentina for their side, while RSG responded by picking Pharsa and Kaja. NXPE secured the Akai and Lapu-Lapu early on, as RSG drafted the Yu Zhong for Nathzz. During the second phase, RSG denied the Claude from DomengDR, but NXPE got the Karrie and Franco for their side. Finally, Martis was drafted by RSG to conclude the drafting phase. 

RSG drew first blood this time on the EXP lane, but the first turtle was secured by NXPE. Numerous pick off attempts transpired in the early game, but there were no casualties. Both teams were relatively even despite RSG having the upper hand in terms of neutral objectives. Cross-map plays occurred from both teams, but NXPE was more successful in taking down turrets. NXPE secured the first Lord of the game, but RSG was able to defend relatively well against NXPE’s aggression. RSG managed to sustain NXPE’s damage to a point where they could counter-initiate. NXPE secured the next Lord again, which was followed by an intense teamfight won by RSG. By the 17th minute, NXPE was able to find H2wo, enabling them to freely get the next Lord. However, in exchange, RSG found DomengDR out of position, making it easy to pick him off. As the next Lord approached, NXPE attempted to pick off H2wo once again, but thanks to his Immortality, H2wo survived the damage of the enemies, and RSG secured a revenge kill onto DingDR. By the 26th minute, a deciding teamfight transpired by the Lord, wherein RSG found 3 members from the side of NXPE, leaving DingDR and DomengDR left to defend. However, it was not enough to fend for themselves as RSG easily destroyed the base of RSG winning via a reverse sweep against NXPE, 2-1.

DRAFT:

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