TL;DR
- Xmithie executed a game-saving baron steal against ahq e-Sports Club at 2019 Worlds
- Team Liquid struggled against ahq’s scaling composition and Qiyana pressure
- Language barrier led to critical Rumble pick getting through draft phase
- Impact’s late-game Renekton performance secured the comeback victory
- Group D ended with three teams tied for first place after round robin
Jake “Xmithie” Puchero delivered one of the most clutch performances in competitive League history, rescuing Team Liquid from what appeared to be certain defeat against ahq e-Sports Club during the 2019 World Championship group stage.
Known throughout the professional scene for his exceptional objective control and steal capabilities, Xmithie once again demonstrated why he’s considered among the elite junglers when he snatched the baron from ahq’s grasp, keeping Liquid’s tournament hopes alive and positioning them for a potential first-place finish in their group.
Xmithie’s Baron Steal: The Turning Point That Saved Team Liquid’s Worlds Campaign
Before the legendary baron steal, Team Liquid found themselves completely outmatched by ahq’s carefully constructed scaling composition. Kim “Rainbow” Soo-gi’s Qiyana repeatedly found successful engages against Liquid’s lineup, with Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen suffering the brunt of the pressure as his signature Orianna pick became increasingly ineffective throughout the match.
Ahq demonstrated superior map movement and teamfight execution, consistently outmaneuvering Team Liquid at every turn. The North American representatives struggled to establish any meaningful control over the game’s tempo, repeatedly falling victim to Qiyana’s devastating initiation patterns.
One crucial draft mistake proved costly for Team Liquid – the Rumble selection in the top lane. The team had planned to ban the champion, but communication difficulties prevented Jo “CoreJJ” Yong-in from executing the planned ban in time. Rumble represents one of ahq’s most frequently played and successful top lane champions, and allowing him through the draft phase significantly compromised Liquid’s strategic positioning.
Xmithie’s baron steal exemplifies the high-risk, high-reward plays that separate good junglers from legendary ones. Successful objective steals require precise timing, deep knowledge of smite damage calculations, and the courage to engage when defeat seems inevitable.
Common mistake: Many junglers attempt steals too early or without proper vision control, resulting in wasted opportunities or unnecessary deaths. Xmithie’s approach demonstrates waiting for the optimal moment when the enemy team is most vulnerable.
Advanced tip: Professional junglers often calculate smite damage by tracking their own and enemy jungle item completion, level advantages, and champion abilities that affect monster damage.
Despite securing the crucial baron steal, Team Liquid still faced significant challenges before claiming victory. Ahq’s composition suffered from poor wave clear capabilities, which Liquid expertly exploited by applying pressure across multiple lanes simultaneously.
Rainbow nearly swung momentum back in ahq’s favor by catching Team Liquid during rotations between lanes. However, Jung “Impact” Eon-yeong delivered a spectacular performance on Renekton, engaging three opponents simultaneously and emerging with two eliminations while preserving his own life. This heroic stand positioned Team Liquid for the final push to secure the win.
Time estimate for similar comeback scenarios: Professional teams typically require 3-5 minutes of coordinated pressure following a major objective steal to convert the advantage into a victory.
The conclusion of Group D’s initial round robin resulted in an unprecedented three-way tie for first place among the competing teams. The final group standings and elimination outcomes will be determined on October 20 when Team Liquid, Damwon Gaming, Invictus Gaming, and ahq return to compete in the second round of group stage matches.
Strategic insight: Teams facing must-win scenarios often benefit from studying successful comeback strategies like Team Liquid’s approach, particularly their method of converting single objective advantages into sustained map pressure.
Action Checklist
- Practice smite timing in custom games with varying health amounts and champion abilities affecting damage output
- Study vision control patterns around major objectives in professional matches
- Analyze draft phase mistakes and their impact on objective control capabilities
- Develop communication protocols for objective calls and steal attempts with your team
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