VCTCN: Splash transforms into an unstoppable weapon master, TYL defeats NOVA 2-0

In the first round of the 2026 VCTCN Starting Point Qualifier, TYL swept NOVA 2-0 to advance to the next stage of the qualifier, while NOVA fell to the losers' bracket.

Map 1: Neon Town

Attacking side NOVA: Omen, Viper, Skye, Raze, KAY/O

Defending side TYL: Viper, KAY/O, Omen, Omen, Yoru

In the first half, NOVA broke through A site’s second floor and won the pistol round directly. In round 4, TYL took advantage of NOVA’s site-planting timing to quickly rotate back, clearing enemies one by one and splitting the fight. Then, during NOVA’s eco round, Lao Jiu and Scales neutralized NOVA’s offense and secured the round. In round 6, NOVA attacked through A site’s first floor, pincer-attacking to eliminate all defenders on the second floor. Round 8 saw slowly securing a triple kill at A site, stopping NOVA’s push, as TYL won four rounds in a row. In round 11, TYL suffered communication errors and poor positioning, allowing NOVA to take B site smoothly. By halftime, TYL hadn’t extended the lead much, with NOVA recovering some rounds near the end, trailing by only two points.

In the second half, TYL wasted many utility uses on attack, but GuanG’s flank triple kill at B site led the team to victory. Round 15 was a bonus round for TYL where Lao Jiu’s four kills held off NOVA’s retake. Both sides upgraded to rifles in round 16; TYL pushed A site but GuanG’s Omen secured four kills with a well-timed ultimate. In round 19, TYL used three ultimates to fully cover B site; Green’s Raze ultimate failed to counter, letting TYL take the round easily. TYL won three rounds consecutively. In round 22, TYL faked a B site attack, Scales slipped through A site, and TYL rotated to plant; slowly’s four kills crushed NOVA’s hopes of a comeback. TYL reached match point and finished the game with a 13-10 win on Neon Town.

Map 2: Salt Mines

Defending side NOVA: Neon, K/O, Brimstone, Omen, Viper

Attacking side TYL: Viper, Neon, Omen, Omen, Yoru

In the first half, TYL won the pistol round, but in round 3 GuanG connected three kills at the site, disrupting TYL’s attack rhythm. NOVA scored a bonus round early, but struggled to gather info on defense, forced to play passively on site, stuck in a disadvantageous cycle. In round 6, NOVA adjusted positioning and gave GuanG an Omen ultimate, but TYL chose to attack A with a pincer move; Scales’ Viper ultimate covered the site, and Splash, wielding a shotgun and knife in the smoke, became a weapon master, annihilating NOVA’s retake. Round 8 saw NOVA use two ultimates to deny TYL’s B site push, but rotation and player swaps disrupted their plans. In round 10, NOVA attempted to take B site early, but Splash’s Neon slid through, dodging many abilities and eliminating NOVA. In round 12, a communication breakdown during NOVA’s A site retake led to them being picked off one by one, with Erv chaining four kills to secure the round. By halftime, TYL led 10-2 over NOVA.

In the second half, TYL won the pistol round again. In round 14, NOVA used three Bee stings but slowly’s Judge connected three kills, effectively sentencing NOVA to defeat. In round 15, NOVA still faced inferior weapons, attempting a mid-to-B pincer but were stopped by TYL’s retake. NOVA clawed back two rounds to match point. In round 17, TYL held A site with rifles; Green and Ezeir rotated but were picked off by TYL’s defense. TYL closed out Salt Mines with a 13-4 victory.