BlizzCon: Hearthstone Grandmasters Global Finals: VKLiooon heads to the grand finals

At BlizzCon 2019, Xiaomeng “VKLiooon” Li faced off against Kevin “Casie” Eberlein in a best-of-five to see who will advance into the Hearthstone Grandmasters Global Finals.

In the first game, VKLiooon used her Combo Priest deck against Casie’s Quest Shaman. Throughout the game, VKLiooon managed to draw several cards thanks to Northshire Cleric and Bwonsamdi. However, she was unable to high roll into a high health minion for her Priest combo to take effect. When she tapped out, Casie claimed the first win.

The second game saw VKLiooon’s Combo Priest at play once again. This time, Casie brought his Quest Druid into the battlefield. VKLiooon prioritized her Northshire Cleric at the start of the game and quickly drew her combo pieces. Her Divine Spirit and Inner Fire combo proved to be too much for her opponent, as she claimed game two.

After finding the Divine Spirit + Inner Fire combo, #VKLiooon evens up the first semifinals series against Casie 1-1!https://t.co/iePxxugiLt pic.twitter.com/adwvCaZ4Ho

— Hearthstone Esports (@HSesports) November 2, 2019

Game three featured Casie’s Quest Druid again against VKLiooon’s Hunter deck. Near the end of the game, VKLiooon threatened lethal with a devastating King Krush. Although Casie did not give up, his hand was not enough against his opponent’s Ragnaros, which then dealt a perfect eight damage for lethal. 

The next game saw VKLiooon’s Malygos Druid against Casie’s Quest Druid. By turn 10, Casie had a huge swing in face damage, as well as respect for controlling the board. His opponent tried her best to survive against him, however it wasn’t enough. 

Game five was the deciding match for who will advance into the finals. Casie brought out his Control Warrior against VKLiooon’s Malygos Druid. 

On turn five, VKLiooon drew into Nourish for a powerful turn six, when she played Anubisath Defender for zero mana. By her ninth turn, Cenarius was on her side of the board. In response, Caise used Brawl and left the board with a 1/1 minion on his side.

When Casie played his second Brawl to clear the board, the 1/1 minion came out victorious once again. By the time Casie had 10 mana, he also had a total health of 30 along with 27 armor. However, it was not enough against VKLiooon’s Malygos Druid combo.

VKLiooon advances to the Finals with Malygos Druid!!#BlizzCon pic.twitter.com/BwrHi4nocx

— Hearthstone Esports (@HSesports) November 2, 2019

To win the game, VKLiooon played two Malygos cards along with Swipe and several Moonfire spells. They will now advance to the finals, where they stand to become the first woman to win a Hearthstone World Championship.