100 Thieves edges out EDward Gaming at the VCT LOCK//IN Sao Paulo 2023

After a one-sided first day of the Omega bracket of VCT LOCK//IN Sao Paulo 2023, the second day featured three close matchups and closed out with arguably the best opening Valorant brawl of VCT LOCK//IN yet in 100 Thieves vs. EDward Gaming. The best of three series saw both teams playing Valorant as intended to be played, giving us some close matchups. Let's break down the beauty that was 100 Thieves vs. EDward Gaming.

Understanding the Map Veto:

Both teams have a similar map pool, and the map veto was both teams banning the better map for the opponents or banning a weaker map of their own. Starting with 100 Thieves who banned Ascent, a map they are historically weak on. EDward Gaming banned Haven, which isn't their forte, and 100 Thieves look relatively strong.

100 Thieves picked Icebox as their map pick. It's one of their most successful maps. EDward Gaming picked Lotus, which is surprising as the pick hasn't worked yet. With their second ban, 100 Thieves banned Split, the map EDward gaming has more experience playing. Finally, EDward gaming chose Pearl over Fracture, as Fracture for 100 thieves has been insane, and with Cryo on the roster, it will only look better.

Map 1 Icebox (100 Thieves 13-10 EDward Gaming):

Agent Composition:

100 Thieves surprised everyone with their composition. While the composition was standard for Icebox with Killjoy, Viper, Sova, and Sage. The curveball came when Cryo picked Omen. The plan was to use Omen as a pseudo-duelist with flash and teleport, and he'd double down as a defensive force with his smokes. While it might not work on any other team, it works for Cryo, who is very flexible.

EDward Gaming's composition featured KJ, Viper, and Sova, but they instead went for Harbor and Jett over Sage and Omen. Harbor has been very popular on Icebox as the cove acts like a better Sage barrier. The composition is similarly ingenious as Harbor is also a very aggressive, attack-oriented controller, and any controller aids defense. Added to the fact that there is a Jett, it makes a composition a balanced one.

Icebox Rundown:

The defensive half for 100 Thieves was denying post-plant utility, and retaking sites aided with the Omen utility. EDG has some great execution, and on multiple occasions, they succeeded in planting the spike. But the 100 Thieves' utility to deny the plant to let rotations come in for the fight helped them secure a lot of rounds. Additionally, the retake utility harmony of 100 Thieves saw them winning multiple rounds, and the Omen pick especially shone.

The Omen pick from 100 Thieves allowed them much flexibility on the attack. But it did not seem EDG was letting go, and they showed extreme resilience. Both teams played exceptionally well, and it came down to whichever team won the duels. In the end, 100 Thieves used their lead to win the map 13-9.

Map 2 Lotus (100 Thieves 9-13 EDward Gaming):

Agent Composition:

Both teams displayed a new composition on Lotus. EDG's composition was attack-sided on the relatively attack-sided Lotus with Two duelists and Breach. It also featured a Killjoy CHICHOO and Omen on Haodong. The composition heavily relied on individual prowess on defense as it featured three attacking components.

100 Thieves did not feature a truly defensive composition but instead went for two initiators in Kay/O and Fade with Stellar on Cypher and Astra. The composition was more info-oriented and methodical aggression compared to EDG brute force. A Cypher should be a good pick, especially against Jett and Raze in the opposite composition.

Lotus rundown:

100 Thieves' attacks featured a lot of carefully crafted executions. They relied heavily on pulling off rotations from the enemy teams to take over the site and play heavy retakes. On the other hand, EDG secured five defensive rounds on fast retakes and strong site anchors. While there were very few mistakes from both sides, a little misplay led to a round losses.

Despite being an attack-sided comp, EDG had five rounds on defense, which helped them make some brave decisions in the second half. EDG secured the second round after buying into the round after the pistol loss. EDward gaming continued to use thier utility well, secured early picks in the round, and carefully converted them into rounds win. EDG used the ults well and did not force the issue, giving them an upper hand with the ult economy. ZmjKK's Op on attack continued to shoot, and it helped EDG force a third map.

Map 3 Pearl (100 Thieves 14-12 EDward Gaming):

Agent Composition:

EDG chose to play a double-controller composition instead of playing a Sentinel. The second controller used was Astra, which can help execute an attack and get ample map control. They also opted to play Fade and Kay/O, providing enough map control for the site. Kay/o is especially crucial for slowing down site takes.

100 Thieves opted to play Breach instead, a more attack-oriented initiator with Sova Over Fade. 100 Thieves also went with a single controller in Astra and a sentinel in Killjoy. With four agents on damaging utility, 100 thieves could greatly delay the plant as more defenders rotate. It will also double down as a post-plant utility to deny the defuse.

Pearl Rundown:

The first round saw 100 thieves secure a vigorous 2v1 post plant, but Chichoo, on the other side, also down the 100T members, despite them fighting together. This shook 100 Thieves. They failed to hold on to the sites after post-plants, making tiny mistakes and losing multiple advantageous rounds to EDward Gaming. Added to the great holds from EDG, 100T was struggling. A well-timed timeout helped them calm down and scrape together five rounds in half.

EDG utilized Zmkjj op again on offense and used thier pieces well to execute on sites. They successfully planted the spike multiple times on the back of their executes. 100 Thieves also did well to delay the plant long enough with the utils to get players back to retake fast. In the end, the rounds came down to who won the duels.

In OT, 100 Thieves planted the spike, and EDG contested a 5v5 retake, but the post-plant positioning and utility from 100T came out on top. EDG took mid, and 100T controlled A main and B Main in the second OT round. Despite spotting Astra on B, 100 Thieves did not rotate and held off the A attack to win the final map 14-12. With the map win, 100 Thieves win their opening match of VCT LOCK//IN.

This was arguably one of the most interesting Valorant series of VCT LOCK//IN. Both teams played it well, especially in the first two maps, and did not have many misplays. In the end, 100 Thieves did triumph, but EDG displayed an insane improvement since the Valorant Champions match-up.

Image Source: Valorant Champions Tour Twitter

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