Platinum Cup 4 Preview
Viewers Guide to the Platinum Cup 4
As the first international LAN of Splatoon 2’s second year, there is an air of excitement around Platinum Cup, the culmination a year’s worth of practice, successes, and failures. The fourth iteration of this event will be the first one of its series to be held live in a LAN setting. Appropriately, the four teams represent the top players from around the world: Libalent Calamari, GG BoyZ, SetToDestroyX, and Ghost Gaming.
Here, we will break down the storylines to follow, and what kind of battles to expect in the coming event.
Meta Overview
Overall, the meta has not largely changed for the past few months even with the 3.2.0 update. The frontliner meta is still dominated by the Inkjet’s presence, and the divide between Enperry Splat Dualies and Tentatek Splattershot for the Eastern versus Western meta still exists. However, what’s interesting is how each of the four teams approach the Inkjet’s presence in their respective lineups.
A common thread between the teams is that one player will be dedicated to the signature Inkjet weapon for the majority of the teams’ lineups. For the Japanese representatives, it’s the Enperry Splat Dualies; for the Western teams, it’s the Tentatek Splattershot. However, another facet of this divide has appeared for Platinum Cup, mostly due to the quirks of the participating teams.
Libalent Calamari and GG BoyZ both favor double Inkjet compositions, although both approach it differently. Libalent Calamari flexes the secondary Inkjet role between Atobaru and Cross (and even sometimes both for Triple Inkjet compositions), while GG BoyZ keep Yamamicchi and Taiji on the role for nearly every composition. Meanwhile, both Ghost Gaming and SetToDestroyX have both largely stuck to single Inkjet compositions, instead putting their secondary frontliners on their respective comfort weapons. StDx will occasionally run double Inkjets, but it’s not as big a priority compared to Japanese compositions.
The backline meta has continued to be just as diverse as ever, especially with the mid-flex role opening up even more options for teams. Of note are the more recent weapon pickups in the mid/backline roles: Custom Dualie Squelchers, Explosher, H-3 Nozzlenose D, Rapid Blaster Pro Deco,and even Tenta Brella. The expanded possibilities for these two roles means even more flexibility in weapon composition to deal with any situation.
One interesting point to compare between the two region representatives is the role Rapid Blaster and variants play in their compositions. For Ghost and StDx, both maintain dedicated Rapid Blaster mains (or Blaster flex, in the case of Ghost Gaming’s Sendou). StDx is a lot more reliant on Penguitt’s Rapid Blaster Pro as the team’s dedicated backliner. For Ghost, it’s not as imperative as Brian will be taking up backline duties with Heavy Splatling and Splat Charger, allowing Sendou to flex to other Blasters as needed.
For many Western teams, the Rapid Blaster has become a common pick for dual backline compositions, sometimes going solo backline if Rapid Blaster/Rapid Blaster Deco is played. A lot of the recent Rapid Blaster usage is due to the use as an Inkjet counter.
For Calamari and GG, and most Japanese teams, the Rapid Blaster weapons have become a somewhat lesser pick. For Calamari, the Pro variant remains to be a map/mode option for Cross, who usually favors the Custom Blaster. GG BoyZ may have phased the weapon out entirely as Dynamon has replaced the usual Pro/Pro Deco usage with Explosher, although his flexibility may see him return to those weapons.
For many teams in this region, the Rapid Blaster isn’t perceived as big a threat, The current Inkjet/Dualies meta allows frontliners to easily outmaneuver indirect shots, whereas Rapid Blasters need to predict Dualies movement. It still remains a powerful weapon family and can be easily flexed.
1st — Splat Japan League Season 2
1st — Splat Japan League Playoffs
Libalent Calamari recently earned their top place in the Japanese scene by taking down their fellow contemporaries GG BoyZ and Meteor to earn their spot in the Platinum Cup. Of the teams in Japan, Calamari is particularly one of the more aggressive, with a triple frontline or double frontline/single mid flex composition to support their sniper’s role in matches. What’s interesting is how their team has adapted to the current meta, with Nishizawa transitioning from supportive N-ZAP ’85 to frontline Enperry and Atobaru continuing to hyperflex mid-to-frontline weapons. As the first Splatoon 2 team to be sponsored, they have come into their own as one of Japan’s strongest teams.
Player to Watch — Atobaru
Atobaru has had a bit of an unfortunate weapon crisis in the last year of Splatoon 2. With his favorite weapons lacking their usual panache, he’s gone on to experiment with different weapons. In turn, this may have turned him into one of the most flexible players in the scene, often switching between frontline and midline roles in battle. From the adoption of the Neo Splash-o-Matic to the tried and true Custom Dualie squelchers, expect Atobaru’s weapon picks and play to determine the tempo of Calamari’s aggression.
1st — Splatoon World Championship 2018
2nd — Splat Japan League Playoffs
GG BoyZ is the name that everyone knows. They firmly cemented their spot at the world’s strongest squad at the Splatoon World Championship as the official representative of Japan. This is especially impressive considering how contentious the scene is at the top, which they had to deal with upon their return to the Splat Japan League for its second season. Much of their success has revolved around each of their players’ mastery of their respective roles. From their aggressive frontline to their highly flexible backline, the BoyZ are rockstars of the Splatoon 2 scene.
Player to Watch — Dynamon
Flexibility has often been a key determiner in a team’s composition, and Dynamon may be the example to follow. His weapon range is massive, allowing him to easily adapt to any situation possible. These include stalwarts such as the Custom Jet and Heavy Splatling to much more personal picks like the Explosher and Dynamo Roller. His range allows him to conquer any map/mode combination thrown his way.
3rd — Splatoon World Championships 2018
3rd — Inkstorm Cup
SetToDestroyX continues to be North America’s strongest squad, but recent performances may have shaken perceptions as the best in the world. Having taken a loss in a close set against Backsquids at the Splatoon World Championships, and an unfortunate 0–7 against Ftwin and Kraken Paradise at Inkstorm, they haven’t looked as on form as they have before. However, do not underestimate the strength of this team. On skill alone their players have brought back losing games into downright victories. They represent some of the best that the western scene has to offer, and they look forward to proving this at Platinum Cup.
Player to Watch — HXN
HXN is the pacemaker for the team, as often his weapon picks determine the tempo that the team will play. Long considered one of the best Flex players in the Western scene, HXN has one of the largest range of weapons to play. While recently he has been experimenting with more aggressive support weapons, he shines when given the ability to play anchor and lock enemies out of positions to give his team advantage. If HXN has a good match, then the entire team is sure to be victorious.
5th — Squidboards Splat Series May 2018
4th — Inkstorm Cup
Ghost Gaming has been a long running team since Splatoon 1, with their longrunning experience translating into sublime skill in the European scene. This time, however, DUDE will be taking the backseat as Brian will take his place, adding a long-lost Charger role in their roster. This addition to their Platinum Cup roster may be the key to upending various losing matchups they have suffered against other top teams in the scene. With their newly acquired sponsor backing them, Ghost Gaming is looking to show the world why they were the strongest in the scene for the longest of times.
Player to Watch — Erza
Erza has long been considered one of the strongest frontliners to come out of the French scene since Splatoon 1. Most of his plays consist of high-risk flanks and rushes to force his opponents in a 1v1 situation that he always manages to somehow win. More recently he has expanded his repertoire with the Custom Blaster, showing off flexibility in weapon choices to deal with certain map and mode combinations.
Matchup Overview
Libalent Calamari vs GG BoyZ
The Libalent Calamari vs GG BoyZ matchup is a very good representation of the general top Japanese teams matchups. Every single game comes down to the wire with close pushes and tense moments. Both teams approach the Inkjet compositions in different way — Calamari is very pickoff-focused thanks to Pyon’s role as anchor while GG BoyZ relies on the aggression of Yamamicchi and Taiji to make space for their backline.
One thing that does slightly tip this matchup in Calamari’s favor, however, is Pyon’s positioning and map sense. When Calamari does have the numbers advantage, suddenly the line draws forward as Pyon attempts to get as aggressive a positioning as possible. When the opponent tries to gain on his position, he instantly responds with a retreat to ensure that they don’t lose numbers on the battlefield.
For GG BoyZ, however, their backline versatility may be the key to victory. Dynamon and Etona’s weapon range combined is massive, allowing them to cover specific roles between lockdown and turfing to address any map or mode combination.
The key matchup in this will be Dynamon vs Pyon. Dynamon plays a more traditional backliner role with his weapon repertoire, allowing him to challenge Pyon in the battle of map control. However, this is also a matchup Pyon is very practiced in, meaning Dynamon could find himself in a spot of trouble if he’s unable to pin Pyon down.
SetToDestroyX vs Ghost Gaming
For the western scene, the sight of SetToDestroyX and Ghost Gaming playing together is a common sight in tournaments when they do enter the same. The story is a little more irksome for Ghost as twice now they lost to StDx in major tournaments: twice at Genesis 5 and against at Inkstorm Cup.
What will be interesting in this matchup, however, is the addition of Brian to the team. This marks the first time the team has had a dedicated Charger main since their brief stint with Pokefan earlier in the year, and even before when Nikeyy became a dedicated Sloshing Machine main.
Brian may be the key to beating StDx, as seen in their amazingly close matches and StDx’s trouncing earlier against Ftwin, who 3–0'd the team with the help of Charger main, Ice. However, StDx definitely has the clutch factor going their way. Many times before Penguitt and Kiver overturned situations in which they score key kills in unfavorable moments.
There are two interesting matchups to watch. First is the Kiver vs Erza, both French players that are very well familiar with each other’s playstyle and often face off against each other. The battle of hyper aggressive frontliners will be a sight to behold.
The second matchup to watch for will be Penguitt vs Sendou, both dedicated Blaster mains for their respective teams. This matchup is important as they will be both responsible for locking down key positions in an effort to gain map control. While not as flashy as frontliner scrambles, the careful duel between two anchors is always something to behold.
East vs West
There is very little doubt that everyone expects a Japanese team to take the event. Outside of historical precedence of Japanese teams dominating Western teams, there are two key reasons as to why a Japanese team will win Platinum Cup 4.
The first very noticeable point is how each region approach teamwork. For Japan, there is a strong emphasis on map control and positioning. By focusing on these two aspects, many Japanese teams are not as worried about losing the objective temporarily, even allowing the enemy to take objective to force out Special usage and to put them in a disadvantaged position. This approach leans heavily on teamwork, leading to some spectacular coordinated pushes led by Special combinations (Inkjet/Bubble, Inkjet/Inkstorm).
For Western teams, there is a much larger emphasis on individual play. The many key moments in a lot of Western victories often revolved around a single play by a player, either a clutch multikill from the frontliner or careful sniping from the back. However, this individual approach often means that whenever the team is surrounded or have numbers disadvantage, they will be pushed out of position and may even be more apt to be locked in spawn.
The second point of contention is that Japan is very experimental with weapon compositions, especially when in service of beating the popular options. This is one of the reasons for the rapid adoption of the Explosher, Custom Dualie Squelchers and even Neo Splash-o-Matic. Furthermore, most weapon compositions are rather unique to specific map/mode combinations. This in turn reflects a high need for flexibility in the Japanese scene, or complete mastery of a weapon.
For the Western scene, this often results in a strange lag behind the Japanese meta. When looking back in the last year, trends in the Japanese scene would only catch on months later in the West. From the Heavy Splatling/Custom Jet Squelcher duos to the current Inkjet meta, Japan always seems to be one step ahead of the curve. This means that they are very practiced against the Western meta as they have already learned to deal with it.
There is contention with this flexibility in recent months. Frontliner compositions have become very static across teams with the Enperry/Tentatek duo thanks to the dominance of the Inkjet. Much of lineup variance still comes from their mid/backliners, but compared to previous seasons, Japanese compositions do feel relatively more predictable.
The Western scene, in comparison, often plays a lot more static compositions, with certain teams rarely switching off their weapons for different maps or modes. Granted, this does not necessarily mean that static compositions are bad. But a large aspect to top level play revolves around adapting to the enemy as well, making teams with the same lineups vulnerable to flex picks.
Now, despite all of the things said above, it is still possible for either Western team to take the upset. Rather than the West being deficient, it is more that the Japanese scene feels much more vast and stronger. But this perception is rather skewed, due to much higher population of the Japanese scene compared to the rest of the world’s. What will determine victory is a team’s ability to recognize faults and immediately adapt to the enemy strategies. If either Western team is able to achieve this, then expect a very exciting 3rd-place match and Finals to occur.
Platinum Cup 4 will be streamed on EndGameTV for the English broadcast on Friday 9pm PT August 3rd (Saturday 1pm JST August 4th).
Article written by BestTeaMaker. Editing and Data by ganbawoomy.
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