Built for LAN, the 100T roster has consistently battled against Masters One and Two champions since VCT's inception. But instead of looking at the Sentinels as their kryptonite, 100T's star Sova player Hiko believes these extensive trials are the best source of preparation for their offline debut at Masters Three Berlin.
“I feel like the way the Sentinels play prepares you for so many different styles of play,” he told Dot Esports after 100T's opening win against Havan Liberty. “It prepares you for overly aggressive, team-based playstyles.”
This hyper-aggressive style is one of several strengths on the Sentinels roster. Combined with their synergies and high game mechanics, they have placed them at the top of the North American rankings and a place in Champions.
During the entire VCT tournament, the Sentinels won all six matches against 100 Thieves. Since the start of Masters One, 100T have lost just eight series total, but five of those series were against the Sentinels and three were 2-0. Later in Phase Three, 100T released the triple initiator composition for use on maps like Haven and Ascent.
“I think compositions are important in the long run, but I think this game is more about micro moves than macro moves,” he told Dot Esports. “I think having super-large, good-looking executions will save you some rounds, but at the end of the day, you need to be able to get to the basics: be able to trade, have a good distance and rally as a team and go against the opponent together instead of running off alone.”
Hiko also said that these foundations make up his successful style of play, which he aptly calls the "Sentinels meta." In his view, agent selection and compositions should reflect everything that allows a team to succeed in these missions, including gaining a post-plant.
