Imperial Hal of TSM Pulls Big Brain Wraith Play in ALGS
Apex Legends gets no praise as a legitimate esport title. However, in the last two years of the ALGS, it’s making been making some waves. The free-to-play battle royale has been on the rise with the ALGS season back in swing. Bringing more big-name streamers like NICKMERCS and TimTheTatMan jumping into the game to test their metal. There are many reasons that gamers find Apex Legend a compelling game to play. From the characters to the slick movement-based mechanics. But TSM’s Imperial Hal showcased a great play in round 3 of the ALGS finals that shows what really sets it apart from other battle royales.
Phillip “Imperial Hal” Dosen, is a well-known streamer and member of TeamSoloMid. While they only took third place overall in the ALGS finals, everyone should know his name. In the third round, Imperial Hal and his team were in the final circle of the match with two other squads. He and his team were already a man down and Hal was hiding out under a ramp waiting for the other two teams to engage before he looked for his opportunity.
One of the biggest hurdles he faces in the final showdown is the legendary Caustic. Caustic has a nasty ability that lets him throw out toxic gas. Meaning the longer you fight in it, the more damage you take. To make matters worse, it bypasses shields and goes right for your health. Caustic is particularly nasty in the final circle when there’s nowhere safe left to fight.
In this final play, the last two teams engage each other on the low ground, allowing Imperial Hal to slip up top as his last teammate goes down. The other two teams fight it out until just one team and Imperial Hal remains. One of the opposing team members tries to climb up to him but Imperial Hal takes him out. By this point, the circle of death present in all Battle Royal games is bearing down on all survivors.
When the circle reaches its conclusion, everyone takes damage and the last one to fall gets crowned the victor. This is where Imperial Hal’s genius play comes out. Playing the Legend Wraith, he has the ability to phase into another realm for a short period of time, taking no damage while he does so. At the same time, he lays down his portal ability and once his phase is over he jumps into the portal which also stops him from taking damage for the short duration he passes through it.
It was just enough time so the ring killed the opposing team and left Imperial Hal alive as the sole victor of the match. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be enough in the long run to nab them the championship. But TSM and Imperial Hal did finish in third place overall.
Feature Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images