TPG Invite - Finals Preview
Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2012 10:26 am
The time has come. Two teams who have been through the gauntlet meet in the battlefield of DoD Anzio in order to see who can bring the cup home. This season’s finals in TPG-Invite pit two teams who have had different paths to this challenging day. These teams have already faced each other on two separate occasions; the first on Harrington saw 5.5 come out victorious by a very large margin, while the second matchup came out a little more surprising with 5.5 only squeaking it out by 6 points. Each team has suffered on their own road, and each has overcome obstacles in order to make it to this season’s finals, and on Sunday November 18, 2012 one team will have the right to call themselves Champions.
The first team, Five and a Half Men, (5.5 //) has one of the best rosters on paper as any in recent seasons, and they have shown their skill as they have been near flawless throughout this season, losing only 1 controversy filled match against Virgins in Flannel (a member of Nerdvirg was ultimately banned for cheating later in the season after their win over 5.5). While this loss may have been a deterrent in some people’s minds, it seems as though they shrugged it off and managed to finish the season out not letting another win slip by them. Ultimately their entire season comes down to this last and final match, and to get a little bit more in depth with this team I sat down with one of their key members, JaGGoN, to give me some insight to what makes them tick.
Sp|dEr: Everyone is familiar with your roster, but could you please tell us a little bit about your starting line-up?
JaGGoN: well we have taylor graf and ryanemo as our heavies which most people would likely agree is our biggest strength. they are the two best heavies in the game and have very strong chemistry which raises havoc for any opposing duo on any map. on the main rifles are myself and jules_winnfield. jules brings that raw fragging ability that can lock down his route through pure aim and reaction time, always putting up very good numbers on the scoreboard where as on the other main rifle we have myself, a smarter more passive player who generally will do whatever it takes to get the important frags, is capable of going off on flashy streaks and can throw every single important break nade. combining those two strong points in a rifle team is the absolute most efficient way to form an unstoppable rifle tandem.
On the third rifle we have the X-Factor, toxinator. I always say that any great team is only as good as its third rifle and we have the best one to ever play the game. jared brings a flawless all around game being able to outshoot anyone, out think anyone, and throw all the most important grenades at all times while also combining with myself to take care of the small amount of in game leadership that comes with DoD.
On the sniper rifle we have Hudson who I think was the biggest surprise for us during this season. john has always been one of the stronger dod players in the game, but always did it as a rifle. I was skeptical that he could thrive in the passive role that comes along with sniping for a lineup such as ours but he instantly took to it like a natural and has done all the right things you need a sniper to do to nullify the opposing team's sniper as well as hold off pushes at long range/double caps. and throughout all of it he has shown the ability to get his share of game breaking movie clips via streaks of noscopes pistol HSing and just getting 3 + kills at a time which to me, is always a very impressive aspect of a good all around sniper.
Sp|dEr: Knowing that the one loss earlier this season dashed your hopes of an undefeated season, how has this affected your team, especially in preparation for this match?
JaGGoN: In all honesty, I was not around for the loss and from the little bit of time I've actually been online and spent time with the team since then, it hasn't seemed to affect us one bit. None of us like losing but in the end, it’s about the championship ring and we now have put that single loss behind us and put ourselves into the position to get what we set out for which is the big trophy. avenging that loss is simply a bonus (I honestly don't even know if we're playing the team that gave us that loss anyways haha)
Sp|dEr: The team you are facing actually gave you quite a run in your most recent match, with your team squeaking it out by only 6 points on lennon. What adjustments has your team made to ensure victory?
JaGGoN: Well again, I did not play in the lennon match but just from experience I know that that map caters to a team of players such as ck and vertex who mostly like to push, spam walls and try to rush to spawn to frag whore. they are definitely a good team of great fraggers but when it comes down to a map like Anzio where team work and chemistry really play a 50% role in success against a formidable opponent, I feel our team naturally is set up to thrive in this match. By no means do I believe it will be an easy one and I fully expect them to give us their all and try to take down the so called "super team" everyone referred to us as from the get go and it should be another very fun match for spectators in this finale!
Sp|dEr: What can we expect for 5.5 next season? Will the team as a whole be returning or will there be some roster shaking going on?
JaGGoN: Well I haven't spoken much with anyone. of course jared and I generally will always remain on a team together and in this stage of dod, Ryan will likely do the same. taylor seems to enjoy playing with the 3 of us and hudson is a package deal with jared as well. I'd like to think jules will remain on the team and obviously we want him back so as far as I'm concerned everyone can expect 5.5 men to return in full form next season to give everyone a solid jimmie rustling. I absolutely love playing with this team and the interesting blend of personalities has kept it fun all throughout the season so hopefully the other 5 men agree
Sp|dEr: Any final comments or shout-outs?
JaGGoN: I want to wish the nerdvirg's good luck, hopefully we give everyone a great show on Anzio, and I expect us to do so. it’s been a great season all around and hopefully we will be back for more next season. shoutouts to joey harter, cass and airnick. as the three of them know, I've been dealing with some personal issues over the last month and it has kind of put their movies slightly on hold but joey and cass's movies are both very very close to being done and I thank them for being as patient as they have been with me. I know it's frustrating but when it comes down to it, my personal health and well being takes precedent over anything involving video games. but in the end I made a commitment to them and they all know that I will honor that commitment no matter what it takes (if they're questioning that then they can stop doing so right now! silly geese) hopefully everyone enjoys those movies when they come out. I put the absolute most hard work into cass's movie that I ever have with any dod movie I have made prior to it, and joey's movie was an exceptional challenge working with solely heavy footage while still making sure to sync every last kill throughout so, I wholeheartedly believe everyone will very much enjoy those final products. airnick's movie is in the earliest stage of development, really just because of everything going on with me between my health and my personal life, but once I can complete the cass and joey projects, nick's movie will not take long to be finished. Thanks for your time, as always, mister spider
The opposing team in this finals matchup, Angryface, has been the team that everyone thought had the skill and ability to take down the giant known as 5.5. While they have had their fare share of difficulties throughout this season, their only loses have come against the team they face on Sunday. While Angryface does have those two loses against them, they have become better and better each season, and managed to put away every other team within the division in fine fashion. To get a little bit more information on this Angry team, I spoke to Daeo.
Sp|dEr: First tell us a little bit about your starting lineup and how angryface came about this season.
Daeo: Pretty much we were the leftovers of two main teams and decided to add a little pub star to our lineup. Turned out that we make a pretty good team and have been solid all season. Nugz left halfway through the season due to RL priorities so I became the team sniper and zook and shizz took over the heavies.
Sp|dEr: The only two matches your team has lost this season has been to 5.5 who you face in the finals, what adjustments have you made to ensure that another loss is in your future?
Daeo: We have constantly gotten closer to beating 5.5 in each of the matches, and if we are going to beat them I think we will need a little bit of luck. We have fine teamwork we just need some blessing from the registration god and I think we will come out on top. Since a majority of us played in the finals last season for main we are ready for the big stage, tox I am coming for you.
Sp|dEr: What was angryfaces' biggest obstacle this season as a team, and what steps were you able to take to control it?
Daeo: I would have to say our biggest obstacle would be ventrilo. Our ventrilo conversations and calls have been off the charts bad all season, and we have made it our goal to work on the calls/conversation during the game. We have also told cK to pretty much not talk unless he nades someone, then we want to hear.
Sp|dEr: Win or lose, what is angryface's next step in tpg? Will we see you again next season?
Daeo: Not sure, I’m going to say yes but that is more of a conversation I’d take up with vertex and cK.
Sp|dEr: Any final comments or shout-outs?
Daeo: Win or lose we will be fighting to the end, we want this win pretty bad and hopefully we will be ready for it. I have been playing a boat ton of Shootmania and that will excel my sniping I hope. Shout outs to dgf, who are our best scrim buddies even though Jlynch and BGL hate our server, also a shout out to ryanemo we will be disputing you punk. "Cya in finals kid" - cK to tox.
PREDICTION
While both teams have excellent rosters, and each one of them is committed to victory over the other, this may be a case of experience as a team pulling out the win. 5.5 has been playing together for a number of years, myself playing with some of these guys since 2003-4. This cannot go unnoticed in this match as Anzio will definitely test the teamwork each brings to the table. While I do give the advantage on paper to 5.5, please do not count out Angryface, this team has surprised many since the majority of them won last season’s main championship. They are constantly scrimming, and have built their team up throughout the season, and if they can bring that teamwork together they may have a chance at the upset.
At this time though I am calling it 5.5 > Angryface – by 15 points.
Closing Notes
I hope that everyone has enjoyed these articles this past season. While it is a bit difficult to find the time, I do appreciate doing them in the hopes to not only help the league, but also these forums flourish. I wish both teams in Invite good luck, and will be looking forward to the next season.
The first team, Five and a Half Men, (5.5 //) has one of the best rosters on paper as any in recent seasons, and they have shown their skill as they have been near flawless throughout this season, losing only 1 controversy filled match against Virgins in Flannel (a member of Nerdvirg was ultimately banned for cheating later in the season after their win over 5.5). While this loss may have been a deterrent in some people’s minds, it seems as though they shrugged it off and managed to finish the season out not letting another win slip by them. Ultimately their entire season comes down to this last and final match, and to get a little bit more in depth with this team I sat down with one of their key members, JaGGoN, to give me some insight to what makes them tick.
Sp|dEr: Everyone is familiar with your roster, but could you please tell us a little bit about your starting line-up?
JaGGoN: well we have taylor graf and ryanemo as our heavies which most people would likely agree is our biggest strength. they are the two best heavies in the game and have very strong chemistry which raises havoc for any opposing duo on any map. on the main rifles are myself and jules_winnfield. jules brings that raw fragging ability that can lock down his route through pure aim and reaction time, always putting up very good numbers on the scoreboard where as on the other main rifle we have myself, a smarter more passive player who generally will do whatever it takes to get the important frags, is capable of going off on flashy streaks and can throw every single important break nade. combining those two strong points in a rifle team is the absolute most efficient way to form an unstoppable rifle tandem.
On the third rifle we have the X-Factor, toxinator. I always say that any great team is only as good as its third rifle and we have the best one to ever play the game. jared brings a flawless all around game being able to outshoot anyone, out think anyone, and throw all the most important grenades at all times while also combining with myself to take care of the small amount of in game leadership that comes with DoD.
On the sniper rifle we have Hudson who I think was the biggest surprise for us during this season. john has always been one of the stronger dod players in the game, but always did it as a rifle. I was skeptical that he could thrive in the passive role that comes along with sniping for a lineup such as ours but he instantly took to it like a natural and has done all the right things you need a sniper to do to nullify the opposing team's sniper as well as hold off pushes at long range/double caps. and throughout all of it he has shown the ability to get his share of game breaking movie clips via streaks of noscopes pistol HSing and just getting 3 + kills at a time which to me, is always a very impressive aspect of a good all around sniper.
Sp|dEr: Knowing that the one loss earlier this season dashed your hopes of an undefeated season, how has this affected your team, especially in preparation for this match?
JaGGoN: In all honesty, I was not around for the loss and from the little bit of time I've actually been online and spent time with the team since then, it hasn't seemed to affect us one bit. None of us like losing but in the end, it’s about the championship ring and we now have put that single loss behind us and put ourselves into the position to get what we set out for which is the big trophy. avenging that loss is simply a bonus (I honestly don't even know if we're playing the team that gave us that loss anyways haha)
Sp|dEr: The team you are facing actually gave you quite a run in your most recent match, with your team squeaking it out by only 6 points on lennon. What adjustments has your team made to ensure victory?
JaGGoN: Well again, I did not play in the lennon match but just from experience I know that that map caters to a team of players such as ck and vertex who mostly like to push, spam walls and try to rush to spawn to frag whore. they are definitely a good team of great fraggers but when it comes down to a map like Anzio where team work and chemistry really play a 50% role in success against a formidable opponent, I feel our team naturally is set up to thrive in this match. By no means do I believe it will be an easy one and I fully expect them to give us their all and try to take down the so called "super team" everyone referred to us as from the get go and it should be another very fun match for spectators in this finale!
Sp|dEr: What can we expect for 5.5 next season? Will the team as a whole be returning or will there be some roster shaking going on?
JaGGoN: Well I haven't spoken much with anyone. of course jared and I generally will always remain on a team together and in this stage of dod, Ryan will likely do the same. taylor seems to enjoy playing with the 3 of us and hudson is a package deal with jared as well. I'd like to think jules will remain on the team and obviously we want him back so as far as I'm concerned everyone can expect 5.5 men to return in full form next season to give everyone a solid jimmie rustling. I absolutely love playing with this team and the interesting blend of personalities has kept it fun all throughout the season so hopefully the other 5 men agree
Sp|dEr: Any final comments or shout-outs?
JaGGoN: I want to wish the nerdvirg's good luck, hopefully we give everyone a great show on Anzio, and I expect us to do so. it’s been a great season all around and hopefully we will be back for more next season. shoutouts to joey harter, cass and airnick. as the three of them know, I've been dealing with some personal issues over the last month and it has kind of put their movies slightly on hold but joey and cass's movies are both very very close to being done and I thank them for being as patient as they have been with me. I know it's frustrating but when it comes down to it, my personal health and well being takes precedent over anything involving video games. but in the end I made a commitment to them and they all know that I will honor that commitment no matter what it takes (if they're questioning that then they can stop doing so right now! silly geese) hopefully everyone enjoys those movies when they come out. I put the absolute most hard work into cass's movie that I ever have with any dod movie I have made prior to it, and joey's movie was an exceptional challenge working with solely heavy footage while still making sure to sync every last kill throughout so, I wholeheartedly believe everyone will very much enjoy those final products. airnick's movie is in the earliest stage of development, really just because of everything going on with me between my health and my personal life, but once I can complete the cass and joey projects, nick's movie will not take long to be finished. Thanks for your time, as always, mister spider
The opposing team in this finals matchup, Angryface, has been the team that everyone thought had the skill and ability to take down the giant known as 5.5. While they have had their fare share of difficulties throughout this season, their only loses have come against the team they face on Sunday. While Angryface does have those two loses against them, they have become better and better each season, and managed to put away every other team within the division in fine fashion. To get a little bit more information on this Angry team, I spoke to Daeo.
Sp|dEr: First tell us a little bit about your starting lineup and how angryface came about this season.
Daeo: Pretty much we were the leftovers of two main teams and decided to add a little pub star to our lineup. Turned out that we make a pretty good team and have been solid all season. Nugz left halfway through the season due to RL priorities so I became the team sniper and zook and shizz took over the heavies.
Sp|dEr: The only two matches your team has lost this season has been to 5.5 who you face in the finals, what adjustments have you made to ensure that another loss is in your future?
Daeo: We have constantly gotten closer to beating 5.5 in each of the matches, and if we are going to beat them I think we will need a little bit of luck. We have fine teamwork we just need some blessing from the registration god and I think we will come out on top. Since a majority of us played in the finals last season for main we are ready for the big stage, tox I am coming for you.
Sp|dEr: What was angryfaces' biggest obstacle this season as a team, and what steps were you able to take to control it?
Daeo: I would have to say our biggest obstacle would be ventrilo. Our ventrilo conversations and calls have been off the charts bad all season, and we have made it our goal to work on the calls/conversation during the game. We have also told cK to pretty much not talk unless he nades someone, then we want to hear.
Sp|dEr: Win or lose, what is angryface's next step in tpg? Will we see you again next season?
Daeo: Not sure, I’m going to say yes but that is more of a conversation I’d take up with vertex and cK.
Sp|dEr: Any final comments or shout-outs?
Daeo: Win or lose we will be fighting to the end, we want this win pretty bad and hopefully we will be ready for it. I have been playing a boat ton of Shootmania and that will excel my sniping I hope. Shout outs to dgf, who are our best scrim buddies even though Jlynch and BGL hate our server, also a shout out to ryanemo we will be disputing you punk. "Cya in finals kid" - cK to tox.
PREDICTION
While both teams have excellent rosters, and each one of them is committed to victory over the other, this may be a case of experience as a team pulling out the win. 5.5 has been playing together for a number of years, myself playing with some of these guys since 2003-4. This cannot go unnoticed in this match as Anzio will definitely test the teamwork each brings to the table. While I do give the advantage on paper to 5.5, please do not count out Angryface, this team has surprised many since the majority of them won last season’s main championship. They are constantly scrimming, and have built their team up throughout the season, and if they can bring that teamwork together they may have a chance at the upset.
At this time though I am calling it 5.5 > Angryface – by 15 points.
Closing Notes
I hope that everyone has enjoyed these articles this past season. While it is a bit difficult to find the time, I do appreciate doing them in the hopes to not only help the league, but also these forums flourish. I wish both teams in Invite good luck, and will be looking forward to the next season.
hahaha i kid, gonna be a fun match! see u guys on sunday<3
