Team Lulquid vs. Under23: Mythic Cup 10 VOD Analysis

# Team Lulquid vs. Under23: Mythic Cup 10 VOD Analysis ## Match Context * **Match & Event:** Mythic Cup 10 (July 24, 2021). * **Teams:** Team Lulquid (a mix team featuring pro players and streamers) vs. Under23 (an organized FACEIT team). * **Maps Featured:** A highlight compilation spanning Nuke (`0:08` - `2:58`), Inferno (`2:59` - `6:16`), and Overpass (`6:17` - `9:17`). * **Round Phase & Economy:** Covers various phases including standard pistol rounds, low-economy force/eco scenarios, and full rifle buys. * **Match State & Stakes:** The compilation captures a tournament match played with a chaotic, loose "pug/mix-team" atmosphere. Despite high individual skill, Team Lulquid struggles with uncoordinated comms and humorous misplays, ultimately resulting in a 5-16 loss on the final map (Overpass). ## Players & Roles * **Team Lulquid (POV Team):** * **EliGE (Jonathan Jablonowski):** The primary POV player. Plays a Rifler/Anchor role on CT and Lurker/Trader on T-side. Exhibits pro-level mechanics, tight angle clearing, and high crosshair placement. * **m0E:** Flex. Highly vocal, frequently involved in chaotic comms and comedic misplays (e.g., getting scolded for an open mic at `2:34`). * **Stewie2K (stew):** Entry Fragger / Space Taker. Known for aggressive pacing, forcing map control outside on Nuke (`1:00`). * **adreN (adreNaline) & TaRiK:** Flex Riflers. Fills structural gaps loosely. adreN is briefly spectated at `05:18`, and TaRiK at `05:28`, `06:48`, and `08:37`. * **Under23 Roster (Opponents):** leaf-, FaNg, Xeppaa, 1juniorr, and JT-. They play a highly structured, disciplined game, successfully punishing Team Lulquid's uncoordinated timing and spacing errors. * **Equipment & Visual Identifiers (EliGE POV):** * **Knives:** Skeleton Knife Vanilla (EliGE); Paracord Knife Fade (adreN). * **Pistols:** StatTrak USP-S | Blueprint; StatTrak Desert Eagle | Mecha Industries. * **Rifles:** StatTrak M4A4 | The Emperor (used for high-capacity CT multi-frags); StatTrak AK-47 | The Empress (used for high-impact T-side entry/trades). ## Utility & Resources * **Grenades & Trajectories:** * **HE Grenades:** Thrown by EliGE at `00:18` (Nuke Ramp to Radio for chip damage), `00:43` (Nuke Secret bank shot to deter Outside push), `03:33` (Inferno A-Short smoke clear), and `04:58` (Inferno deep Top Mid to deny Arch aggression). * **Molotovs/Incendiaries:** `01:10` (Nuke Secret stairs to split Outside control), `02:24` (Nuke A-site floor to Heaven to deny defensive high-ground), and `08:01` (Overpass). * **Flashbangs:** `05:02` (Inferno Mid-to-Arch pop-flash over the wall to enable teammates), `07:15` (Overpass Bridge to Monster delay), and `07:47` (Overpass entry flash over A-site Truck/Dice). * **Smokes:** `02:16` (Nuke Mini/Main choke for A-site hit), `07:59` (Overpass defensive post-plant smoke near Default/Bank to cut A-Long lines of sight). * **Economy Decisions:** Standard USP-S setups without utility investment on pistol rounds (`00:08`, `02:59`, `06:17`). At `03:55` (Inferno CT), EliGE forces a $700 Desert Eagle with no armor on an eco-retake to preserve economy while maximizing one-shot kill potential. * **Weapon Impact:** EliGE leverages the higher magazine capacity of the M4A4 at `00:48` (Nuke) to spray transfer and multi-frag a fast T-side Mini push. At `04:24` (Inferno B-site), he isolates duels with the Deagle, wiping out the Terrorists' rifle advantage with two close-range headshots. ## Strategy & Tactics * **Team Strategies:** * **Nuke A-Site Execute (`02:09`):** Smoking Mini cross, molotoving Heaven, and executing a simultaneous Hut/Squeaky push. * **Inferno CT Deep Flank (`02:59`):** EliGE sacrifices B-site presence during the pistol round to push entirely through Banana and T-spawn, disrupting an A-site execute from behind. * **Inferno Mid-to-A Split (`04:56`):** Grouping Top Mid, utilizing HEs and pop-flashes to contest Arch/Short and split the site defense. * **Overpass Fast A-Long Rush (`08:40`):** A mid-round audible ("Let's go long all 4") relying on synchronized numbers rather than default map control. * **Tactics & Adaptations:** * **High Vertical Off-Angles (`00:48` Nuke):** EliGE positions himself on the silo structure directly above Mini, exploiting default T-side crosshair placement focused on ground-level threats. * **Contact Plays (`07:21` Overpass):** EliGE sets up a crossfire at Bridge, asking his Monster teammate, "Can I play off you?" He waits for the attacker to engage the teammate before swinging for a safe trade. * **Mid-Round Pivots (`05:48` Inferno):** Stalling out at Arch, EliGE immediately calls to abort the execute ("Run, just run... quiet, coming to B"), rotating silently to exploit a weakened B-site. * **Formations & Coordination:** The mix team frequently struggles with spacing. Instead of properly structured trade sequencing, calls like "we go down together" (`08:46` Overpass) lead to clumping and getting caught in crossfires. ## Decisions & Critical Moments * **Nuke `00:36` - Mini Off-Angle Hold:** EliGE chooses an elevated angle above Mini anticipating a Lobby/Squeaky push. At `00:47`, attackers swing out unaware, resulting in a clean double-kill spray down that neutralizes the execute. * **Nuke `02:30` - A-Site Post-Plant Comms Breakdown:** The Ts plant on A and acknowledge a CT smoke on Squeaky door. *Mistake:* They fail to spam the smoke or ready anti-flash utility. Crucially, m0E's open mic drowns out footstep audio cues ("m0e shut up dude"). At `02:40`, CTs push the smoke, blinding the defense and winning the round. * **Inferno `03:55` - Deagle Retake on B:** Armed with only a Deagle/no armor against full rifles, EliGE decides to push Ruins/Dark. At `04:23`, he isolates 1v1 duels at close quarters, hitting two rapid headshots to single-handedly win the eco-retake. * **Overpass `08:16` - Post-Plant Flank Blunder:** After securing A-site and planting the bomb for Long, the entire T-side retreats to Long. *Mistake:* They completely abandon the Bathroom flank without assigning an anchor or utility. At `08:19`, a CT flanks through Bathroom with a USP-S, kills EliGE from behind, and instantly collapses the post-plant. * **Overpass `08:40` - Messy Long Execute:** The team calls a 4-man A-Long rush. *Mistake:* They dry-peek the site tightly grouped without utility to isolate defenders in Bank or Dice. At `09:08`, a single CT spray transfer easily wipes them out, losing the match. ## Practical Takeaways * **Lessons & Rules:** * **Exploit Vertical Off-Angles:** Elevated spots (like above Mini on Nuke) defeat standard pre-aim routines. * **The Eco Retake Rule:** Never take open crossfires with a pistol against rifles. Give up space to force attackers into close-quarters 50/50 angles where a Deagle headshot equalizes the fight. * **The Post-Plant Flank Rule:** Planting the bomb for a long sightline is useless if your rear is exposed. If 3+ players are alive, one *must* anchor the flank, or it must be blocked with a smoke/molotov. * **The Smoke Threat Rule:** Passively staring at a smoked chokepoint is a death sentence. Spam it, hold an off-angle, or prep a counter-flash. * **Anti-Patterns to Avoid:** * **Post-Plant Comm Clutter:** Yelling or open mics mask critical audio cues during retakes. * **Clumping on Executes:** Grouping tightly and rushing without utility isolation turns the whole team into a single target for a spray transfer. Maintain a 1-to-2 second gap for proper trade spacing instead. * **Drill Ideas:** * **Deagle-Only Retake Servers:** Force yourself to practice isolating duels, jiggle-peeking, and optimizing crosshair placement. * **Execute Spacing Drills:** Dry-run executes (e.g., Overpass Long) focusing purely on spacing so the second player swings exactly when the first makes contact, avoiding collateral damage. ## Conclusion This VOD serves as a masterclass in the dichotomy between individual mechanical skill and team coordination. While EliGE's POV demonstrates phenomenal crosshair placement, tactical audible calling, and individual decision-making, the overall compilation highlights how even pro-level aim cannot overcome poor microphone discipline, failure to respect smoked chokepoints, and neglected flank control in post-plant scenarios. It reinforces that structured communication and spacing are mandatory for converting advantages into round wins.