All is FORG1VEN
Guides

1 Sep 16

Guides

hsund, members

hsund

All is FORG1VEN

Premier ADC Konstantinos "FORG1VEN" Tzortziou and his return to the EU LCS.

After his departure from H2K before the start of the EU LCS Summer Split in 2016, FORG1VEN was picked up by World Championship 2015 semi-finalists, Origen, who were looking for a replacement to their powerhouse botlane of Jesper "Zven" Svenningsen and his support partner, Alfonso "Mithy" Aguirre Rodriguez. Having left for G2, Zven and Mithy left a large gap to fill in the bot lane for Origen which was ultimately filled by FORG1VEN and ex-G2 support, Glenn "Hybrid" Doornenbal. While there was no guarantee that FORG1VEN and Hybrid would synergize well in the bot lane, Origen was left with few options, and picking up one of the highest-regarded ADC's in Europe as well as the Spring Split 2016 EU LCS championship support, Hybrid.

Facing off against the previous champions for their first match, G2, Origen was looking to prove that their new bot lane could compete with the dynamic Zven/Mithy combination; however, the new Origen bottom lane seemed unable to carry the first game, while the second game dissolved into chaos as Origen threw a near 4,000 gold lead while up 7 kills, resulting in a disappointing 0-2 loss for Origen. The following day, Origen looked to take on a revamped Unicorns of Love roster and redeem themselves in the latter half of week one. Unfortunately, that did not go as planned. Coming in as the favorites, Origen looked for a 2-0 victory to recover their LCS points from the previous day, but the Unicorns of Love sought to prove that their new roster was capable of replicating the same success they had seen in the previous year. The first game between Origen and UOL was a disaster, as UOL extended their gold lead by an average of 1,000 gold per minute between the fourteenth and twenty-eighth minute of the game, ending with a 10 kill deficit. The second game proved to be no better than the first, while even though FORG1VEN managed to go without any deaths, Origen was still defeated with a 21-6 kill score in favor of the Unicorns along with a 19,000 gold lead.

Image courtesy of lolesports.com

In a surprising turn of events, FORG1VEN was released from Origen under the claim that there were "motivational issues", but the actuality of why FORG1VEN was dismissed is not entirely clear. Taking a hiatus from League of Legends, FORG1VEN turned to playing Overwatch, as xPeke assumed the role of ADC while H2K were playing with Aleš "Freeze" Kněžínek, the former ADC for the NA LCS team Renegades. As the split continued, Freeze started to suffer from tendonitis of the wrist, which left him unable to play without further risking his career as a League of Legends professional. By the last week of the Summer Split, it became clear that Freeze needed to step down so that he may heal his wrist while keeping his career out of jeopardy, but what was H2K to do without their season-long ADC? FORG1VEN was the answer.

Although he left on questionable terms with members of the H2K lineup, FORG1VEN was asked to come back to his former team in order to help H2K achieve their ultimate goal of making it to worlds while Freeze began his tendonitis recovery. While fans may have doubted the bot lane synergy between H2K support "Vander" and his former teammate, FORG1VEN did not disappoint with his returning match against Unicorns of Love, where he tallied a combined 10/3/22 KDA between both games, and helped lead H2K to a clean 2-0 victory over UOL. The reaction from FORG1VEN and Vander is an unforgettable one, as FORG1VEN lifted his now teammate in the air with a hug, signifying that the two had mended their previous difficulties and were ready to head into playoffs. To end the regular split, FORG1VEN faced off against his previous team, Origen, with the same fervor he had leading during the UOL series. Trumping Origen with their second 2-0 victory of the week, H2K were ready to head into playoffs to face off against 2015 World Championship Semi-Finalists, Fnatic.

A struggling Fnatic proved to be no problem for the Greek legend, as FORG1VEN had a near perfect series against his rival, Fnatic ADC Martin "Rekkles" Larsson, who is also considered to be one of the best Western ADC players to date. Having only died once in the entire series, FORG1VEN shined with his immaculate Tristana and Sivir play, resulting in a 3-0 victory over Fnatic, who seemed to be lost during the entirety of the series, managing to scrape together no more than 4 kills in any of their three games against a rampaging H2K roster. It is important to note, however, that while some saw FORG1VENs return as a detriment to H2K with noted behavioral issues being the cause behind his separation from H2K, head coach Neil "Pr0lly" Hammad had only positive remarks regarding FORG1VENs return, mentioning in an interview with Redbull that, "FORG1VEN sacrificed his own plans for H2K".

Image courtesy of lolesports.com

Facing off against their toughest opponent yet for a spot in the EU LCS finals, H2K combated against the number two seed, Splyce, for a shot at the EU LCS Summer Split Championship as well as a spot at worlds. This series would prove to be H2Ks most difficult yet, as Splyce appeared to be the clear number two for the majority of the split. The series did not disappoint, as it came down to a game 5 to determine which team would secure their spot in the finals against the winner of UOL vs. G2. Having played his heart out on his renowned Lucian as well as Ashe, FORG1VEN was able to assist H2K in securing two out of the first three games, putting H2K in a position to take a spot at the finals in Krakow as well as a potential 1st seed at the 2016 World Championship for Europe. Things did not go H2Ks way though, as they lost the final two games of the series to Splyce, who looked phenomenal with their top laner "Wunder" and jungler "Trashy" looking absolutely spectacular during the majority of the series. Hope all but lost for FORG1VEN and H2K following the Splyce series, as they still had a chance to secure the number 2 seed at Worlds providing that they beat Unicorns of Love during the 3rd/4th place match and G2 beating Splyce in the finals.

History seemed to have repeated itself in the H2K vs. UOL series, with the expected victors H2K defeating the Unicorns of Love in 4 games. Taking a more supportive role on Sivir in the first game of the series, FORG1VEN helped H2K mid laner Ryu "Ryu" Sang-ook carry H2K to a clean first game victory over UOL; a victory which set the tone for the rest of the series. Coming back from their previous defeat, UOL managed to knock a game off H2K in the second game of the series, a feat achieved primarily by the respective mid and bot laner "Exhileh" and "Veritas", who were looking to seek vengeance against H2K after their week 9 defeat in the regular season. FORG1VEN had other plans coming into game 3 though, as he had one of the most entertaining games on Tristana I had witnessed in a long time.

Jumping from enemy to enemy, the fearless FORG1VEN rolled over UOL in game 3 with a 7/0/4 KDA to lead H2K into a final game against Unicorns of Love, a game which would set H2K on the path to Worlds. In complete synchronization, the H2K roster took the fourth and final game from the Unicorns of Love to ensure themselves 3rd place in the EU LCS Summer Split, which as a result of their standing in the previous Spring Split, put them in prime position to secure the 2nd seed at worlds given that G2 beat their competitors Splyce in the finals. With Jankos, Vander, and the rest of the H2K staff cheering on G2 in the stadium in Krakow, Poland, H2K and FORG1VEN were able to witness their ticket to the World Championship with a G2 victory over Splyce. Ultimately, FORG1VEN proved that regardless of whatever obstacles may be thrown his way, nothing will prevent him from establishing that he is the best by far.

Image courtesy of lolesports.com

Susan Tully, H2K-esports CEO, stated that, "FORG1VEN is genuinely a great person." and arguably, perhaps even a better player. It is unclear what the future may hold for the Greek video game savant, but it goes without doubt that greatness is bound to come to FORG1VEN, and if it doesn't come to him, he will simply take it for himself.

Related articles