Flank Scout
Scout gets more difficult at LAN because all the projectile classes get a greater buff from low ping which means every play you make is more difficult. Factor in the soldiers at this LAN playing so well, the fact that you have less heals and you’ll have a really tough time. This combination explains why we saw such on and off phases from the majority of flank scouts, big plays were made but most struggled to consistently find openings for their teams.
A more clearly divided set of players, in one of the prime play making roles all of these players made clutch plays to varying degrees. Big back stabs, crucial headshots and perfectly timed flanks. Incredible individual moments, as a spectator and a fan you could not ask for much more. Here is how the play-maker scouts ranked for me:
4. Madness
An ‘unknown quantity’ going in to the event, which for me remained an ‘unknown quantity’ after the event. He supported Zaka throughout and while I wouldn’t say he let his team down or was a weak link, he was not as strong a component of the team as the rest. Madness had solid performances throughout but never really stood out or made a difference which at this event solid gets you no higher than fourth.
While putting up a good showing at his first major event and being an important part of the teamwork that was one of Jasmine Tea’s biggest strengths he was outclassed at i58.
3. Freestate
I could not make up my mind on Freestate in the lead up to this event, while certainly talented I could never tell if he was struggling to make an impact in the big games or was simply struggling against the fearsome scout combo of yomps and Shrugger.
The event begins and Froyo have a decent start in groups, Freestate doesn’t stand out but is not out classed by anyone either. As we move into the knockout stages we see some huge plays from Freestate really coming out big when his team needs it, literal map winning plays. As we delve deeper into the knockout stages these plays become more infrequent which is why I can rank him no higher than third. Freestate can make these map winning plays but does not pull them out as often as his EU counter parts and a big part of that may be down to it being his first major event. It’s good to see him staying on the new look Froyo and I’m sure he will only get better from here.
2. Thalash
Coming in to this event Thalash online (FeelsGoodMan) and Thalash offline (FeelsBadMan) were two different players. At DreamHack Summer his sniper plays, that so characterised his playstyle, were severely lacking. His scout play as well was fairly un-impactful.
As the groups got underway there were echoes of a similar performance on the horizon, while not a complete choke it wasn’t what he and his team would be hoping for. Much like the rest of Full Tilt when it got to the knockout games in the Lower Bracket he started to represent, getting important kills in lots of his teams defence as Full Tilt wrestled with Jasmine Tea then Froyo. His off-class choices were on point, heavy, engineer, sniper all used at the right time and helped his team hold on to their narrow round victories. ]
Fast forward to the final and he was great on mids, his off-class choice and timing was on point and his sniper plays at times literally kept his team in it. It was not meant to be however, as nobody getting on point during the golden cap quite literally cost them the world title. While in no way solely at fault for this, that little bit more composure on the highest stage of them all could of changed everything.
Saying all of that it was a much more accomplished performance all round from Thalash and we saw flashes of him playing pocket scout during this tournament which I believe will be his new role in Crowns. One he will need to grow into but has the potential to do well.
1. Starkie
Stark is more than good, he’s great. For a long time now he has been the the best scout in Europe, he also probably a better roamer than Drackk, a better demo than Spudd and a better med than Raymon. Unfortunately he can only play one class at a time according to ETF2L rules and the laws of physics. Crown’s put him in the role where he can make the most difference though, in a methodical and low-risk style of play, Crown’s often need that bit of magic to open things up for them. This is where Stark excels so well, pulling off individual plays against teams of this calibre so consistently is nothing short of incredible.
Stark’s i58 started late, as do most of his LANs most likely because he flanks everywhere. As always though this did not affect his performance and he was outstanding from start to finish. Online and offline Crowns rely on Stark so often to be that catalyst, to create something out of nothing and he pulls it off more often than not. Stark has the big plays, sniper picks, crucial spy back-stabs and his scout isn’t half bad either. The composure he showed throughout was phenomenal as well, all the times he got behind he played it so patiently. At LAN on the biggest stage of them all, games tend to get hectic, players get impatient but Stark never did. This was shown best in the never ending spy play on Badlands Spire against Froyotech that ended in one of the most satisfying back stabs there ever was. Not to mention the play that won the golden cap in the fifth map of the Grand Final was all Stark, ghosting in behind as he always does through top PC while Mike was getting ammo/buffs completely unseen. Takes his time and sets himself up for the force on kos perfectly and the rest is history.
There have been scouts with better DM than Stark, but I don’t think there has even been a scout who has read the game so well, he would undoubtedly be the best player in the world if it wasn’t for a certain Welshman.
Final Thoughts
Now I have finished wiping Stark’s jizz off my face here are my final thoughts. Flank scout is similar to Roamer in a lot of ways as there are many different ways to play it, you get a lot of freedom but also a lot of pressure as you are on your own in a lot more situations.
Also in a similar vein to roamer you can almost judge the players on their big plays. Flank scout is more about constantly looking for an opening to set up these big, game changing plays.
Freestate and Thalash were pretty close for me in terms of ranking but ultimately Thalash had more big games and more opportunity for huge plays, which he delivered on. Also, Thalash seemed more solid outside of this in the general play, particularly mids. Factor in the consistently good defensive off-classes, which are as useful as good offensive ones, Thalash had an impact on both fronts. While Thalash did do this a lot (Over 20% of his play-time off scout) he did it well. This is what elevated Thalash above Freestate for me.
Stark was head and shoulders above the rest though. Crown’s put a lot of eggs in Stark’s basket with the way they rely on him to open a game up but he has done it online and on LAN, with Thalash as his scout partner now it’s going to be tough for any other scout pair in Europe.
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