PraY’s Longshot: The Ashe Arrow That Shook the World
On October 21, 2016, an icy arrow soared across Summoner’s Rift at Madison Square Garden in New York City. During the semifinals of the League of Legends World Championship, this Ashe arrow, fired by PraY, struck SK Telecom T1’s Duke and led to one of the most iconic moments in League of Legends history. Known as “The Longshot,” this play remains a defining moment for PraY and the ROX Tigers.
PraY’s Iconic Ashe Arrow
The game-changing moment started when ROX Tigers took down Bang, giving them a chance to attack. With limited info, PraY fired Ashe’s Enchanted Crystal Arrow at Duke in the bot lane. SKT rushed to defend their base. Duke began a 3-second recall before trying to teleport back, thinking the recall would take too long. After a tense seven seconds, the arrow hit Duke right as he almost finished teleporting, stopping him from getting back to base.
Interrupting Duke’s teleport was crucial. If it hadn’t been stopped, SKT might have defended their base and turned the game around. But when Duke arrived, ROX Tigers had a numbers advantage, making it hard for SKT to fight back.
PraY’s perfect timing and smart play showed his skill. He only had a rough idea where Duke was, but he took a shot anyway. The arrow not only stopped Duke’s teleport but also made him wait longer to recall, leaving SKT without defenses when they needed them most. With GorillA also knocking out Faker, SKT didn’t have enough firepower to stop ROX Tigers.
While PraY’s arrow gets a lot of attention, it’s important to give credit to GorillA too. His move to take down Faker weakened SKT’s defense, helping ROX Tigers win. Together, PraY and GorillA showed great teamwork and strategy, making this moment one of the best in League of Legends history.
The Semifinal Showdown
ROX Tigers were seeded higher but had never beaten SKT in a best-of-five. After SKT won the first game, ROX faced a familiar threat. Yet, ROX had a surprise: Kang “GorillA” Beom-hyun’s Miss Fortune support and PraY’s Ashe.
In Game 2, their plan worked. GorillA’s unexpected Miss Fortune support, along with PraY’s precise arrow, surprised SKT. The arrow on Duke turned everything, proving PraY’s skill and their strategy’s power.
The Impact of PraY’s Ashe Arrow:“The Longshot”
PraY’s arrow wasn’t just a game win; it became a legendary moment in League of Legends. When the arrow hit, the crowd exploded with excitement, recognizing something extraordinary.
Despite this iconic play and a tough series, ROX Tigers lost to SKT, their biggest rival. This loss marked PraY’s final Worlds appearance with ROX Tigers, making “The Longshot” his most memorable moment with the team.
The week before the 2019 League of Legends World Championship, Riot Games released “The Longshot,” a documentary-style video showcasing PraY’s game-winning arrow. This video immortalized the play and solidified PraY’s legacy as one of the greatest AD Carries in League of Legends history.
While “The Longshot” is what most people remember, it was PraY’s consistent performance in the subsequent games that truly sealed his reputation. In Game 3, PraY’s skill with Ashe, alongside GorillA’s Miss Fortune, highlighted their strong teamwork and innovative strategies.
Ashe with Miss Fortune in Worlds
PraY’s Ashe arrow in Game 2 of the 2016 Worlds Semifinals against SKT T1 stands as a pivotal moment in esports history. This single skillshot not only showcased PraY’s exceptional precision but also underscored the ROX Tigers’ innovative approach to the game. Despite falling short in the series, “The Longshot” remains a testament to how this so-called “pro instinct” can change the results of a very important game.
The significance of this play extends beyond its immediate impact on that match. It highlights the profound influence of players like PraY who push the boundaries of champion capabilities. PraY’s ability to execute such a game-changing arrow with Ashe—a champion known as the most basic AD carry—demonstrates how high-level gameplay can elevate even the most basic mechanics to extraordinary heights in competitive esports.
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