The Guard win the VCT OFF//SEASON's Ludwig X Tarik Invitational 2023

The two-day Ludwig X Tarik Invitational came to an end yesterday. The first tournament of VCT OFF//SEASON 2023 concluded with the Guard taking home their first LAN trophy. The day featured a rematch between TSM and Sentinels for the Finals seat, the Offline TV - Mogul Moves showmatch, and the event's Grand finals.

Ludwig x Tarik Invitational Day 2 Recap:

Lower Finals - Sentinels vs TSM:

After a one-sided opening match favoring Sentinels, TSM defeated T1 to reach the lower finals to secure a rematch. With one win already, Sentinels had a mental advantage over TSM. Coming into the match-up, TSM was hot off their win over T1. Starting on Fracture again, TSM defended against the Sentinels' onslaught strongly and limited Sentinels to four rounds in the first half. On attack, TSM extended the four-round lead to six rounds. Sentinels read the attack and defended, but TSM re-adjusted to win the first map 13-9.

TSM started Sentinels' Icebox with a strong four rounds. Sentinels answered back. After the back and forth, TSM came out on top with seven rounds to Sentinels' five. TSM decimated the Sentinels' defense in the second half and won five rounds in a row to reach the map point. Sentinels answered back with one, but TSM closed the map 13-6 and the series 2-0. With the win, TSM avenged Sentinels and secured the grand finals spot.

Showmatch - Team Offline TV vs Team Mogul Moves:

The showmatch between OTV and Mogul Moves had some interesting moments. With Shroud and Tarik on opposite teams, watching the retired professionals taking on each other was fun. The game started on Ascent, and the OTV took down Mogul Moves with flanks and reflanks from Masayoshi and Quarterjade. OTV, led by Masayoshi, won the first map. In the second map, Ludwig's Mogul moves won with Zekken as the sub and forced the third map.

The series' final map was Lotus, which followed an interesting format. The series was a gun game, with both teams using a specific weapon round. Tarik brought in the big guns playing with guns and dropping 39 kills to win the showmatch with OTV.

Ludwig x Tarik Invitational Grand Finals - The Guard vs TSM:

The teams playing in the finals are not partnered and will be playing the Knights Challenger league NA. Both the teams came in to win and had ample practice. The Guard was already a contender for the win, but TSM were the dark horses. The map veto started with The Guard banning Icebox and TSM banning Fracture. The Guard picked Pearl and TSM picked Ascent. The Guard banned Lotus and TSM banned Split, for Haven was left as the decider.

The first map started with TSM winning the first two offensive rounds. The Guard answered back with their rounds, and the first half ended with a back-and-forth score of 7-5 in favor of the Guard. The second half of the series was again the same affair, with the regulation ending in a 12-12 tie. The OT started with TSM winning their offensive rounds on the back of Corey's entry. The Guard planted on their offensive half, but TSM retook flawlessly to win the first map 14-12.

Ascent started with TSM again winning the Pistol round and the follow-up, but The Guard strung together seven rounds to close the first half 8-4. TSM, in the second half, reduced the Guard lead to two. The back-and-forth started to post the second round. The Guard secured 11 in the sixth round, but TSM won four rounds in a row to reach 11. The Guard won the second and last round to force the final map.

The final map started with The Guard winning five rounds in a row. TSM won a round to break the momentum, but The Guard continued the domination to secure the first half 11-1. The momentum carried in the second half, TSM fell 1-13, and The Guard won the series 2-1.

Conclusive Notes:

The win was a big one for the Guard and will be a solid confidence builder. With the Guard playing for Ascension, a LAN win will catapult them to the top of the contender's list. Added to the win is that The Guard took down all the teams playing in the event that featured Sentinels.

The event can be restream on Ludwig's and Tarik's respective channels.

Image Credits: Todd Gutierrez