I was asked this question not too long ago from a friend of mine following a custom 5v5 Unrated Game on Breeze. It was a close game of 13-11 with a Victory on my end. We all had fun. My friend after we got done playing the match then asked me - What is Lurking? And why were you so confident to play alone without your team?

Although he was unaware, I was playing with my team throughout the entire game, just not in the way that most people in soloqueue would expect. This is the same 5 stack I play competitive with, and this strategy has always helped us secure rounds as both an Omen main and making sure I have my Ultimate in place in case I do need to regroup with my team.

I’m going to start by Clarifying what Lurking ISN’T:

• Lurking is NOT peeking mid while your team pushes a site to try and take down the Op that watches mid. This is contesting, and it can be detrimental to the team if not played smart.
• Lurking is NOT refusing to communicate with your team what you’ve seen or heard because you “Want the pick”
• Lurking is NOT hiding in a corner and waiting for an enemy to push from some angle that never gets pushed while your entire team dies on site.

So if none of these are Lurking, what is? Here’s how I see it:

• Lurking IS sitting in a hidden area where you can both see and hear potential pushes in likely rotation areas. (E.g Mid Split, Cubby on left side of mid in front of Market[Not Mail, before somebody says it])
• Lurking IS calling out what you see and hear to your team mates. Any information can help them prepare for what could potentially make a winning round a lost one.
• Lurking IS covering areas that may give away flanks from the enemy team (AND getting free picks if it’s safe and not risky on your end)

Understanding what’s safe during a lurk and what isn’t is also important, as this can change it from being a 5v4 or 5v3 in your favor to a 4v5 in the enemy’s favor:

• Trigger Discipline: Your ear is your best weapon when lurking, it will tell you how many enemies are rotating, which agent they are, and even if they have their gun out (I can tell which footsteps are Kay/O’s, Breach’s, Or if it’s one of the female agents, being aware of common enemy positions is important.)
• Picking the First Guy you See: This is a no, especially if you hear multiple footsteps.
• Make your Decisions with confidence: Although beneficial, your team WILL need you to regroup in some form or flank if you chose not to get picks yet. Every second counts, and being indecisive can get your team mates killed.

Although mainly a Lurking post, some of these tips can apply in other ways too. I hope this has been helpful!

Signed,

Some Annoying, But Kind, Omen Main