The Recap: LPL Week 6
Riot·3/31/2014, 9:40:15 PM·0 votes·793 views
As all teams faced each other once already, the second round of LPL began this week. Despite strides Invictus Gaming made to improve their late game, they still went down 2-0 to Edward Gaming while OMG took out Positive Energy. Nearly all results mirrored the Round One matchups, save for LGD Gaming's case; LGD split even with Energy Pacemaker, the team that crushed them 2-0 in their LPL debut, and they lost both their games against Edward Gaming. With World Elite sweeping two series, they took third place from LGD's grasp.
U is the only member of Edward Gaming to not have appeared on our list so far, and his performance this week demanded a correction. Not only did his Ziggs play completely change the course of a match against IG that appeared to be lost, but he showed off his ability to play a variety of styles with a Zed pick against LGD. His flashy assassin play made us acknowledge that U is anything but the weakest link.
Ruo
Against the stronger teams of LPL, World Elite has struggled with building momentum in the early game, but this week reminded us why they seemed so impressive at the start of LPL. Ruo's Kha'Zix gave his team some much needed early game play-making, and in all his games, he helped CaoMei find footing. If Ruo can hold onto this newfound spark, World Elite might not stop their climb at third place.
WeiXiao
It's been almost two years since WeiXiao held the nearly undisputed title of best AD carry in the world, but that doesn't mean he doesn't still demand respect. WE's series against RC was WeiXiao's time to shine. Even though he fell behind in the first game to Uzi, he still managed to make it through without a single death and go toe-to-toe with RC's star in teamfights. The second game saw him achieve multiple triple kills on Caitlyn and carry his team to a crushing victory.
We're not sure how they manage to do it with such consistency, but time and again, we've seen EDG lose Barons to smite steals, drop rows of turrets, fall behind in gold and dragons, and still pull out a victory. EDG certainly have flaws in the early game, but it seems almost no one can touch them in a coordinated teamfight. After their comebacks against IG this week, we're starting to wonder if there's any lead too insurmountable for EDG to reverse.
With the exception of the team's snafu against Energy Pacemaker in Week 1, LGD have looked like the undisputed third best team in LPL. Some wondered if nerves simply kept LGD from dominating a team they had no trouble against in the off-season, but it seems that something about the Hong Kong hopefuls simply puts LGD in shambles. Even in their win against EP, LGD seemed frayed, making questionable calls that extended the game. Since LGD were also unable to take a game off EDG, they lost three of their four games this week, and WE took their third place rank.
For more updates on 2014 LPL Spring, check out lolesports.com.
GAMES OF THE WEEK
Invictus Gaming vs Edward Gaming Game 1 - Get the VoD here IG's first game against EDG in Week 1 seemed like it would be an easy victory for the off-season titans, but one teamfight changed the result. History repeated itself this week in the first game of the series, except this time EDG's coffin appeared all but sealed. Down in turrets, kills, and gold, EDG's U was able to stall out with Ziggs' wave clear, and a single Mega Inferno Bomb allowed his team to win a crucial fight and rush down the map to take the victory. World Elite vs Royal Club Game 1 - Get the VoD here Ziggs' wave clear and stall potential might be annoying to play against, but it certainly makes for interesting spectator games. Royal Club looked stronger than they have been the whole split with Uzi on Caitlyn. Their jungler, kmi, also continues to look like a solid new member. After a weak laning phase, Royal Club was able to stall and make plays against a powerful World Elite, but Ruo's fed Kha'Zix managed to close the game and prevent a comeback. LGD Gaming vs Edward Gaming Game 1 - Get the VoD here With the 4.3 Kassadin nerfs, Rena was the first player in LPL to brave the storm on the competitive scene. Edward Gaming's strong early pressure shut him out effectively, but that didn't mean this game was one-sided. Styz in particular played well for LGD, stealing Baron with his Boomerang Blade. The loss here visibly demoralized LGD for the second game, but their strong individual play made this first match a must-watch.BIG PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
U
U is the only member of Edward Gaming to not have appeared on our list so far, and his performance this week demanded a correction. Not only did his Ziggs play completely change the course of a match against IG that appeared to be lost, but he showed off his ability to play a variety of styles with a Zed pick against LGD. His flashy assassin play made us acknowledge that U is anything but the weakest link.
Ruo
Against the stronger teams of LPL, World Elite has struggled with building momentum in the early game, but this week reminded us why they seemed so impressive at the start of LPL. Ruo's Kha'Zix gave his team some much needed early game play-making, and in all his games, he helped CaoMei find footing. If Ruo can hold onto this newfound spark, World Elite might not stop their climb at third place.
WeiXiao
It's been almost two years since WeiXiao held the nearly undisputed title of best AD carry in the world, but that doesn't mean he doesn't still demand respect. WE's series against RC was WeiXiao's time to shine. Even though he fell behind in the first game to Uzi, he still managed to make it through without a single death and go toe-to-toe with RC's star in teamfights. The second game saw him achieve multiple triple kills on Caitlyn and carry his team to a crushing victory.
SURPRISE OF THE WEEK
Edward Gaming still LPL's comeback kings
We're not sure how they manage to do it with such consistency, but time and again, we've seen EDG lose Barons to smite steals, drop rows of turrets, fall behind in gold and dragons, and still pull out a victory. EDG certainly have flaws in the early game, but it seems almost no one can touch them in a coordinated teamfight. After their comebacks against IG this week, we're starting to wonder if there's any lead too insurmountable for EDG to reverse.
DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE WEEK
LGD Gaming falls to fourth place
With the exception of the team's snafu against Energy Pacemaker in Week 1, LGD have looked like the undisputed third best team in LPL. Some wondered if nerves simply kept LGD from dominating a team they had no trouble against in the off-season, but it seems that something about the Hong Kong hopefuls simply puts LGD in shambles. Even in their win against EP, LGD seemed frayed, making questionable calls that extended the game. Since LGD were also unable to take a game off EDG, they lost three of their four games this week, and WE took their third place rank.
For more updates on 2014 LPL Spring, check out lolesports.com.
