Category Archives: Analysis and Opinion

Analysis and Opinion

EU LCS One-Sentence Power Rankings, Week 3

The first round robin within each group is over, and cross-group play looms. The next four weeks will tell us a lot about where teams stand in the overall hierarchy of the EU LCS. Going in, G2 Esports and the Unicorns of Love have the most to live up to, with matching 4-0 series records. Preseason contenders like H2K, Splyce, and the Misfits are entering an important proving ground as they try to keep pace with the leaders. Others like Fnatic and Vitality are struggling to perform as well as their level of talent implies they should be.

Here are my EU LCS power rankings at the one-third mark of the spring split. Continue reading EU LCS One-Sentence Power Rankings, Week 3 →

Analysis and Opinion

Caps on Camille mid, using negative fan comments as motivation, and why he doesn’t look at his own statistics

Following Fnatic’s week 3 victory over Roccat, mid laner Rasmus “Caps” Winther was in high demand by the media, but spared a few minutes to speak with Oracle’s Elixir between other interviews. Under the watchful eyes of team manager Finlay “Quaye” Stewart, Caps gave me some context around his use of Camille in game 1, shared about his impressive early growth in his rookie season, and explained why he doesn’t pay attention to his own performance stats.

Throughout our conversation, I was impressed by how open and comfortable Caps seemed. Just three weeks into his LCS career, he already carries himself with ease and confidence, both on the Rift and in backstage interviews.

A transcript of our interview follows. Portions have been slightly edited or condensed for clarity.

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TIM

First of all Caps, looking back to game one, the draft surprised a lot of people, especially the Camille specifically, how that came through. How surprised were you guys to get it after leaving it up? Continue reading Caps on Camille mid, using negative fan comments as motivation, and why he doesn’t look at his own statistics →

Analysis and Opinion

Team Liquid and CLG can’t wait for a meta shift

The shifting tides of game balance are an inherent reality of League of Legends. While it’s true that the best players and teams in the world are able to flex themselves to fit the changing needs of the meta, it’s also true that certain metas are bound to favour certain teams over others. In North America, two teams currently find themselves on the wrong end of the spring meta: Team Liquid and Counter Logic Gaming are both sitting in the bottom half of the standings, underperforming most analysts’ preseason expectations.

While an eventual meta shift will benefit both teams, solutions have to come from within, and soon. If Liquid and CLG can’t learn to win more consistently now, in this meta, they may not have enough time left to climb the standings later in the season. Continue reading Team Liquid and CLG can’t wait for a meta shift →