Team Empire moved through the EiZO Cup bracket undefeated, beating Speed Gaming 2-0 in the finals. Empire seem to be in good shape currently, with a firm grip of the patch.
The first EiZO Cup of 2014 ended yesterday with Team Empire beating Speed Gaming 2-0 in the final. Empire now hold the title in both EiZO as well as Bigpoint Battle, proving that they are in good shape currently. On top of that they also won the CIS Carnage a week ago. Just prior to their victory over Speed last night they actually played the very same team in another best-of-3, that time around in ESP Shock Therapy. The outcome was in fact a repeat of that match and Empire ended the day having beaten Speed four games in a row.
They showed a balance of innovation, variety and more renowned Empire-tactics. It was a successful recipe as they went undefeated throughout the bracket, claiming the €1,250 first prize while leaving Speed Gaming as the €500 runner-up. EternalEnvy played Anti-Mage during both games of the final but it was shut down two times, in the first game he got outcarried by Silent's Faceless Void and in the second by his Slardar. It is also key to mention the recently buffed Invoker and what a huge factor he was in both games, in which he was played by Resolut1on. The hero was picked amongst the first two picks both games. Invoker has climbed quite a bit in the pick hiearchy following the patch and the recent preferred style of playing him is using Wex/Quas instead of the earlier heavy favoured Exort.
Another pick utilized by teams lately, Empire among others, is the offline Nyx Assassin which seems to be one of the go-to offlaners currently. His efficiency throughout the game combined with his high base regen makes him suitable for the position, giving other heroes of the squad room to farm up.
