CS Match Analysis: BIG & Team Liquid vs. Vega Squadron (FACEIT Major London 2018)

# CS Match Analysis: BIG & Team Liquid vs. Vega Squadron (FACEIT Major London 2018) ## Match Context **Event:** FACEIT Major London 2018, Challengers Stage (visible on HUD at 0:26, scoreboard at 8:51). **Segment 1: BIG vs. Vega Squadron (0:19 - 8:44)** * **Map:** Train (Bombsite A Execute). Key callouts: T-con (T-connector), popdog, sandwich, bomb train, green train, blue train, z-connector, and ivy. * **Round Phase:** Round 19 (early second half). Starts at 1:55 on the clock. * **Score State:** Tied at 9-9. * **Economy:** Full buy for both teams. BIG (Terrorists) equipped with AK-47s and full utility; Vega Squadron (Counter-Terrorists) equipped with M4s and utility. * **Stakes:** Crucial tie-breaker round. BIG relies on a highly coordinated, fast-paced, utility-dense strategy to overwhelm A-site defenses and secure a strong post-plant. **Segment 2: Team Liquid vs. Vega Squadron (8:45 - 13:58)** * **Map:** Cache (Bombsite A Execute). Key callouts: A-main, default box, red container, quad box, forklift, and highway. * **Round Phase:** Round 19 (early second half). * **Score State:** Team Liquid trails 8-10. * **Economy:** Team Liquid (Terrorists) is on a full buy. Vega Squadron (Counter-Terrorists) is on a severe eco/force buy, fielding primarily pistols and one MAC-10 (visible at 8:51). * **Stakes:** Essential anti-eco conversion to close the score gap. Liquid uses a methodical, slow strategy with precise utility to neutralize the CTs' close-range pistol threat. ## Players & Roles ### Team BIG (Terrorists) * **gob b** (IGL, Support/Lurker | POV: 07:42 - 08:44): Plays late-round support. Post-plant, pushes aggressively outside (ivy/highway) to intercept rotators. *Weapon:* MAC-10 (Neon Rider). * **tiziaN** (Entry Fragger/Support | POV: 04:30 - 05:01): First player out; handles early utility to block sightlines and takes initial aggressive site positioning. *Weapon:* AK-47 (Blue Laminate). * **nex** (Support | POV: 05:01 - 06:01): Throws early flash/molotovs. Plays close to E-box to evade counter-flashes and trade pushing CTs. *Weapon:* AK-47 (Orbit Mk01). * **tabseN** (Support/Bomb Carrier | POV: 06:02 - 06:45): Throws deep smokes/molotovs. Enters the site to secure the default plant. *Weapon:* AK-47 (Aquamarine Revenge). * **smooya** (Support | POV: 06:46 - 07:41): Primarily an AWPer, but opts for an AK-47 here. Deploys deep molotovs and holds an elevated "overlook" position on top of a train. *Weapon:* AK-47 (Redline with stickers). ### Team Liquid (Terrorists) * **nitr0** (Support/Entry | POV: 10:57 - 11:24): Deploys an early molotov and waits for utility to bloom before entering A-site. *Weapon:* UMP-45. * **Twistzz** (Support/Entry | POV: 11:25 - 11:53): Utilities quad and default, systematically clearing the forklift position. *Weapon:* Salvaged M4A4 (Howl). * **TACO** (Support | POV: 12:03 - 12:50): Spams A-main doors for noise/jump-spots, mollies forklift, and locks down highway angles. *Weapon:* Salvaged M4A4 (Neo-Noir). * **EliGE** (Support | POV: 12:51 - 13:16): Plays an "anti-flash" angle inside A-main to avoid CT pop-flashes. Throws a flash over the roof prior to executing. *Weapon:* UMP-45. * **NAF** (Support | POV: 13:17 - 13:58): Starts on a mid/B default hold before rotating A. Uses late, deep utility towards the red box. *Weapon:* AK-47 (Fire Serpent). ### Vega Squadron (Counter-Terrorists) * **chopper:** Attempts to push out against the Train execute; killed by nex. * **jR:** Forced off his angle by nex's molotov on Train; later killed by gob b. * **tonyblack:** Caught out by Liquid's utility on Cache and killed by Twistzz. * **hutji:** Takes heavy damage from Liquid's utility near default/red box on Cache. ## Utility & Resources ### Team BIG vs. Vega Squadron (Train) * **Economy Choices:** Despite a full buy, smooya swaps his AWP for an AK-47 (06:46) to aid in the utility-heavy rifle execute. gob b purchases a MAC-10 (07:42) to exploit its high mobility for a specific post-plant lurk role. * **Utility Trajectories (Wave 1):** * **04:35:** tiziaN throws an early molotov at the stop sign to block initial aggression. * **04:50:** tiziaN smokes Z-connector. * **05:04 - 05:08:** nex initiates the execute with a flashbang over the T-con roof, followed immediately by a molotov bounced off a chimney to clear the right side of the bomb train. * **Utility Trajectories (Wave 2):** * **06:14 - 06:24:** tabseN smokes outside ivy, molotovs to push jR back, and flashes over the bomb train. * **06:53:** smooya jump-throws a deep molotov over T-con, targeting the back of the bomb train. * **07:47 - 07:55:** gob b throws staggered flashbangs to continually blind defenders, smokes Z-connector, and throws a deep back-site molotov. ### Team Liquid vs. Vega Squadron (Cache) * **Economy Choices:** To optimize their full buy against an eco, nitr0 and EliGE equip UMP-45s to farm kill rewards against unarmored CTs, while NAF and Twistzz wield rifles. * **Utility Trajectories:** * **11:00:** nitr0 molotovs quad box from A-main. * **11:27 - 11:30:** Twistzz stacks a molotov and an HE grenade on quad box for maximum damage. * **12:20 / 12:49:** TACO molotovs forklift and supports with a flash through A-main. * **13:04:** EliGE throws an execute pop-flash over the A-main roof. * **13:42 - 13:43:** NAF throws a deep molotov and HE grenade combo toward the red box. * **Resource Impact:** By specifically targeting close quarters (quad, default, forklift) with utility, Liquid removes the only areas where pistols can secure 50/50 aim duels. ## Strategy & Tactics ### BIG (Map: Train) * **Synchronized Utility Waves:** The execute happens in two distinct phases. The first wave secures T-connector and early map presence. The second wave uses deep smokes and molotovs to flush CTs entirely off the back of the site. * **Explosive Formation to Map Control:** BIG groups tightly outside T-main and T-con, exploding simultaneously off nex's flash (05:04). Once the bomb is planted, they transition from a clustered execute to an aggressive, wide hold. By realizing the CTs have been pushed far back by utility, they claim map space outside the bomb radius to cut off retakes early. ### Team Liquid (Map: Cache) * **Methodical Anti-Eco Squeeze:** Liquid transitions from a standard default map-hold into a slow, clustered 5-man formation inside A-main. They trade space for time, refusing to dry peek. * **Utility Stacking & Forced Engagements:** Instead of pushing, they patiently wait for utility to clear corners. They layer molotovs and HE grenades on the exact spots CTs hide, forcing defenders to either burn or run out into the open against waiting rifles. ## Decisions & Critical Moments ### BIG vs. Vega Squadron (Train) * **Key Choice - Deep Utility Flushing (06:53):** smooya's deep jump-throw molotov behind the bomb train punishes CTs who retreated to "safe" passive positions after the initial utility wave, forcing them further into the perimeter. * **Key Choice - Aggressive Post-Plant Lurk (07:42):** Recognizing the map vacuum created by their heavy utility, gob b leverages his MAC-10's mobility to push out towards Ivy/Highway, successfully intercepting rotating CTs. * **Critical Moment - The Utility Crunch (06:14 - 07:55):** The relentless barrage of deep molotovs and continuous flashbangs entirely breaks the CTs' defensive structure, making A-site physically indefensible. * **Mistake (Vega):** Maintaining a static, predictable defense behind the trains against a telegraphed execute. A better alternative would be an early aggressive gamble or a full site concession for a 5-man retake. ### Team Liquid vs. Vega Squadron (Cache) * **Key Choice - Anti-Flash Positioning (12:51):** EliGE deliberately stares at a wall inside A-main. Knowing low-buy CTs rely on pop-flashes for close-range brawls, this passive angle guarantees he keeps his vision to spearhead the execute and trade blinded teammates. * **Critical Moment - Synchronized Entry (13:45 - 13:50):** Liquid's physical push perfectly aligns with NAF's deep utility landing behind the red box. The utility flushes the CT into the open at the exact millisecond Liquid's fraggers clear the angle. * **Mistake (Vega):** Playing predictable "one-and-done" corners on a weak economy. Such static positioning is easily countered by methodical utility. Unpredictable site stacking or early aggression is necessary here. ## Practical Takeaways * **Lessons:** * *Layered Executes:* Break site executes into distinct waves. Use wave one for choke points, and wave two to flush out deep passive holds. * *Exploit the Vacuum:* Don't turtle around the bomb post-plant if heavy utility pushed defenders far away. Take aggressive forward map control to intercept retakes. * *Utility Stacking:* Combine Molotovs and HE grenades on specific close-quarters angles (e.g., Cache Quad, Red Box) to guarantee a clear. * **Anti-Patterns:** * *Static Ecos:* Do not play predictable "one-and-done" corners when on a weak economy. You will be cleared by utility. * *Dry Peeking on Anti-Ecos:* Never take 50/50 close-range aim duels against force-buys. Use utility systematically before exposing your body. * *Static Defense vs Execs:* If the Ts dump massive utility onto your site, do not stay planted behind standard cover. Gamble aggressively early, or save numbers for a retake. * **Improvement Areas & Drills:** * *Utility Waves (Empty Server):* Practice splitting executes into a 10-second gap between choke-point utility and deep back-site utility. * *Anti-Eco Angle Clearing (Retake Servers):* Master Molotov/HE combos for spots like Cache Quad, Train Popdog, or Mirage Ninja. * *Anti-Flash Discipline (Scrims):* Assign one player to actively look at a wall during site executes to serve as the guaranteed un-blinded trader. ## Conclusion This video expertly contrasts two essential, highly disciplined attacking methodologies. BIG showcases how to execute against a full-buy defense by overwhelming them with synchronized, multi-wave utility and aggressive post-plant map control. Conversely, Team Liquid demonstrates the perfect, methodical "anti-eco" squeeze—utilizing weapon-specific economy farming, anti-flash discipline, and lethal utility stacking to systematically bleed out a desperate defense without risking 50/50 pistol duels. Both are masterclasses in resource management and pacing.