Tag Archives: TSM

Analysis and Opinion

Cloud9 vs. TSM, LCS Summer Lower Bracket Preview

Both Cloud9 and TSM have hit some very low points in their playoff journey to this point, falling into the Lower Bracket by losing series they were favoured to win. But their most recent matches have both been victories, Cloud9 constructing a reasonably convincing 3-0 over Evil Geniuses and TSM barely outlasting the Golden Guardians 3-2 in a rematch from the Upper Bracket.

With C9’s stronger regular season performance and better result in their most recent match, it might seem they are clear favourites to take out their long-time rivals and claim the final North American slot at the World Championships. But TSM should not be counted out whatsoever: the Golden Guardians were their kryptonite, while TSM have been able to go toe-to-toe with C9 all year, even when Blaber and friends were at the peak of their powers in Spring.

C9 vs. TSM promises to be a close, exciting series, as well it should be with so much on the line.

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Win Conditions

Cloud9

  • Recapture mid/jungle 2v2 dominance
  • Don’t give away the bottom lane

Continue reading Cloud9 vs. TSM, LCS Summer Lower Bracket Preview →

Analysis and Opinion

TSM Academy vs. Cloud9 Academy, LCS Academy Finals Preview

It’s a North American League of Legends tale as old as time: TSM versus Cloud9, the original fan favourites against the team that stole their crown as NA’s best. As the LCS squads prepare to fight for a World Championship spot on Saturday, their Academy teams will put an Academy Championship on the line the day before. Both matchups have the potential to be close, and hotly contested, but I’ll leave my LCS preview for tomorrow; today, let’s look into the Academy series that will cap off an excellent year of tier 2 North American competition.

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Win Conditions

TSM Academy

  • Neutralize the early game
  • Draft for team fights and let Lost and Treatz go to work

Continue reading TSM Academy vs. Cloud9 Academy, LCS Academy Finals Preview →

Analysis and Opinion

TSM vs. Golden Guardians (rematch), LCS Summer Lower Bracket Preview

Patreon subscribers had access to this post early.

What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.
– Ecclesiastes 1:9

If TSM want to produce a different result in their second best-of-five against the Golden Guardians, they are going to need to find something new under the sun. Could that be a substitution at Support? A change of draft priorities and in-game strategy? A mental reset?

For this preview, I’m not going to outline win conditions and key players for each team; I’m going to focus strictly on TSM’s opportunity to alter the outcome. Continue reading TSM vs. Golden Guardians (rematch), LCS Summer Lower Bracket Preview →