Machi Esports struggles with macro play, gets eliminated from Worlds 2020

Machi Esports from the PCS is the first team disqualified from the 2020 World Championship.

Machi is the first team out of Worlds after losing against G2 Esports. The Taiwanese squad had a decent showing at Worlds and managed to go blow for blow with the teams from the major regions. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to make it out of groups.

Understanding the meta isn’t enough to win

Machi had a good understanding of the meta. The PCS representative managed to execute on the strong picks with jungler Huang “Gemini” Chu-Xuan piloting carry champions. The team did a good job at getting behind Gemini and supporting him, but that wasn’t the problem. Even if teams understand the meta and manage to execute, it won’t be enough to take the win.

Group A was closer than many expected. Machi looked like a contender until its very last match and it speaks volumes of the level in the PCS.

Poor decision-making dooms Machi at Worlds 2020

The main issue for Machi was poor decision-making. The team went for objectives without priority in the lanes and forced fights at the wrong times. Even when Machi had an advantage, the team didn’t know how to use it to get map control.

Macro play and its importance are some of the main conversations at Worlds and it’s becoming a requirement for teams. Squads that understand when and how to get map control, are getting massive advantages. As the tournament progresses, the meta is less about the skirmishes and more about map control, a massive change from play-ins.

The future of the PCS looks bright

Regardless of the results and Machi’s early elimination, the future of the PCS is looking bright. The region recently entered a franchised model, which has proven to improve other regions. Machi looked good and so did PSG Talon, so there’s hope for the region. As teams get more resources and the competition gets stronger, the PCS teams at international events will only be better.