Team Pandemic underwent drastic roster changes when several key members of the team were disqualified for account TOS violations. Forced to run an unconventional lineup on little practice, packing unusual talent specs to attempt to play to the strengths of their new team, Pandemic clawed its way up the ranks, earning a top-3 berth. Now they face their stiffest competition yet from Flow Gaming – who have not yet lost a single game. Featuring a roster unaffected by the disqualifications, Flow had a great deal of pressure on them to maintain focus against this “upstart” #1 seed. Despite this, and a slight hitch that saw them lose their first game in this tournament, Flow Gaming dispatched Pandemic 3-1 to advance to the finals.

Pandemic, having lost core members of their team, entered this tournament an underdog despite having the number one seed. Their passage to the winners’ finals, despite the limitations imposed on them, proved their determination and skill, and a willingness to adapt against the odds. Flow Gaming, on the other hand, swept through their matches with seeming ease, running virtually the same setup they have fronted all season long, going a perfect 6-0 in the preceding rounds. Flow Gaming, though ranked lower than Pandemic, entered the round heavily favored to advance.

Game one, on Lordaeron, saw Flow Gaming playing offensively, using the heavy burst damage from Bloodlust and the Warlock/Warrior/Shaman trio to apply immediate pressure on Pandemic’s Rogue and Hunter. Despite several close shaves and narrow escapes, Flow eventually succeeded in killing Pandemic’s Rogue, and from there were able to wear down the opposition through sustained damage and safe play.

Game two saw a similar result to the first, with Flow rushing across the bridge on Blade’s Edge to engage and quickly land the first kill on Pandemic within the first minute. Pandemic’s pressure threatened Flow several times, but they nevertheless managed to escape without ever seeming to lose control.

Game three, once again on Blade’s Edge, featured a sudden turn of events – Pandemic, with its massive DPS and excellent coordination, launched a quick fake before unexpectedly switching focus to Flow’s Warrior, dropping him in the opening 20 seconds of the fight. From there, a war of attrition followed, with Pandemic simply overbearing Flow with superior DPS and numbers. Pandemic’s unexpected (and highly successful) assist train seemed to energize both the team and crowd, forcing a fourth game and staving off elimination from the upper bracket.

Game four, once again on Lordaeron, proved one of the shortest; instead of focusing on Pandemic’s Rogue, Flow pushed straight for their casters; a tactic that proved highly successful. Down a healer in the opening minute of the fight, Pandemic was simply unable to account for the sustained damage of Warrior/Warlock/Shaman. Within minutes, Flow stood victorious.

Final Results: Flow Gaming beats Pandemic, 3-1

Flow advances to Grand Finals
Pandemic moves to Lower Bracket Finals