(GotFrag) - Word's come down that a member of EG may have to play a day early (the two teams are currently working things out), so I thought I'd throw up the Melee earlier than usual to be safe. Yes folks, while you've been grinding away at your Soldier or Siren in BORDERLAAAANDS, the ESEA playoffs have crept along and we wind our way to the Grand Final, with two heavy favourites doing battle tonight (possibly) on cp_yukon.

I have to credit Sam "oPlaiD" Lingle in his ESEA Predictions post for bringing something up that I've overlooked - this is really cp_yukon's first big test in the competitive scene, and it'll be interesting to see if it plays to the strengths or weaknesses of the 4 playoff teams. The map has certainly been around for while, but it's by no means a well-groomed map - there are no YouTube videos of the specific routes for which each class should roll out, for instance, nor has there been many solid matches of which to study via SourceTV. ESEA is breaking new ground, and while I think cp_yukon will do fine and become a regular in the TF2 competitive rotation, it certainly adds another layer of intrigue into these matchups.

First off, it'll definitely change the lineups a little - EG has already stated they'll most likely be running sniper for the opening mid-fight, and based on past performances that'll probably be sycknesS, leaving CyZeR to fend for himself (poor guy). Also, the mid-point is so open that, with a little luck, an aggressive soldier - like, for instance, Reptile and hong - could decide the fight very quickly (one way or the other) if they get a med-pick while dodging sniper shots and rocketspam - and I haven't even got into the demo-jumping/spamming element. On the flip side, how close-quartered the map is at each choke point could also play a major role in slowing down the game and making every little mistake have huge consequences.

Needless to say, I think these matches will be pretty damn exiciting to watch, assuming everyone can field a team (...too soon? <3).

UPDATE: EG has rolled through 20ID 5-1, and move on to the Grand Finals. 20ID will await the winner of Loaded vs C3H8, which goes tomorrow night.


ESEA-Invite Season 4 Playoffs - Upper Finals
Evil Geniuses vs. 20ID
rk: My lord, does shi*t-talking actually make a difference? After a sluggish, apathetic end to the season, a feisty first round controversy with Loaded may just have sparked the 20ID juggernaut back to life, as signs of activity and determination are everywhere (and by that, of course, I mean nowhere... just go with it). I probably should have assumed 20ID wouldn't just roll over and hand EG their S3 crown, given the level of competitiveness on their team - but hey, it's not the first time I've been wrong.

The difference this time around is, of course, EG - they're not the same team that 20ID rolled through in the Season 3 Playoffs... they've upgraded their scout and soldier pairings and are the class of the continent when it comes to team chemistry and clutch play. Trust, destro et al remember quite well who it was that embarrassed them last season, and they intend to pay it back in spades.

Ultimately, I think this match will be dictated by how many weapons each team has - with alexwut out of the game, I really think destro is the best demo for such an open map like yukon, and coupled with Reptiles aggressive playstyle, I think EG can out-muscle a very solid solider pair in Seagull & hong. But in the end, this one's really going to come down to whoever makes the least mistakes, which is kinda tough to predict. But if I must, I must...

EG [ 5 : 3 ] 20ID

ESEA-Invite Season 4 Playoffs - Lower 1
Loaded vs. Strickland Propane
rk: A lotta hay was made of the 20ID-refusing-to-reschedule thing, but regardless of what side of the argument you're, in just plain old sucks for us TF2 fans that the match wasn't played on even footing. It'd be easy for me to say that C3H8 have a golden opportunity to knock off an angry and distracted Loaded team, but the skill and talent of carnage's squad is just a little too much to toss out the window like that, even on a newer map that they may or may not be totally prepared for. I like C3H8 to keep it close, but ultimately the fragging prowess of carn, enigma & SoLIDSnaKE will win through.

Loaded [ 5 : 3 ] C3H8