Fnatic’s return to glory
Riot·8/6/2014, 12:54:13 AM·1 votes·5,501 views
One of three teams to have their names inscribed on the Summoner’s Cup, Fnatic have undergone continual roster changes over the past three seasons. Through the various lineups, Cyanide and xPeke remain the two constant faces of Fnatic while new members have been brought on board in an effort to bolster the team. sOAZ joined back in Season 2 as their top laner while YellOwStaR was recruited in Season 3 originally as an ADC. With their current lineup, Fnatic is looking the best they have in three years. The only question that remains is: have Fnatic peaked in Season 1 or can they continue to reach loftier heights?
In the early stages of the 2014 spring split, Fnatic had a meteoric entrance with their new lineup. Starting with a perfect Super Week, Fnatic led the EU LCS with seven straight wins. But like a brightly burning star, Fnatic quickly burned out and plummeted back to earth with a shocking eight game losing streak. Fnatic was committing amateur mistakes, often getting caught out of positions and initiating in team-fights they clearly couldn’t win. Dropping as low as No. 6 in the standings, Fnatic eventually dusted themselves off and regained their composure in time for the playoffs; right when it mattered the most. Mistakes were still made but Fnatic was quickly learning from them. Finishing the regular season at No. 2, the boys in orange rallied to take down Alliance in the semifinals and then SK Gaming in the finals to secure their place at the top of the EU LCS - not to mention a trip to All-Star Paris 2014.
After the eleven weeks in the spring split for Fnatic to mesh into a cohesive unit, the squad had a much slower start during the first few weeks of the summer split. Splitting games evenly for the first six weeks, Fnatic improved on their teamwork and decision-making once again as the post-season approached. In the last five weeks of the split, Fnatic went on a 12-2 run to finish the regular season at No. 2 again, two games behind Alliance. With their only losing head-to-head record against that first place team, Fnatic maintained their position as a premiere European team. In the top half of the playoff brackets, Fnatic awaits the victor between Supa Hot Crew and ROCCAT to determine if they have a chance to advance to the finals and a shot at a record setting four straight No. 1 split finishes.
Though xPeke was reknown for his choice of assassins in the mid lane back in Season 3, in the most recent summer split, he has demonstrated an improved flexibility in AP champions that have a strong laning phase and also exert immense pressure in team-fights. From the bouncing bombs of Ziggs and flickering cards of Twisted Fate to the ominous dark spheres of Syndra, xPeke provides Fnatic a considerable presence in the mid lane and is always ready to make a play for his team.
Rekkles' partner in crime is YellOwStaR, a player who has played in the Marksmen position for Fnatic in the past. This summer split, YellOwStaR has stepped up tremendously to not only help propel Rekkles out of laning phase with an advantage, and he often sets picks and roams to the benefit of the rest of his team. YellOwStaR's adaptation to his new role as Fnatic's support is further evidence to the team's improved strength as they return to Worlds this year.
After laning phase, Rekkles begins to shine as not only does he puts himself in positions to pick up kills but as a team, Fnatic will continue to funnel kills and gold to their ADC in order to maximize his potential in the late game. The team was singled out for their "Fnatic brush" tactic last season as a means to come back from behind in a match with a carefully planned ambush. Fnatic has since elevated their game to not have to rely on such strategies but it definitely remains in their repertoire as something to spring upon unsuspecting teams.
Fnatic’s lineup has upgraded since Season 3 and they are ready to test their mettle at the 2014 World Championships. However, the international competition has also grown fiercer since last season. Even in their own region, Fnatic has been challenged by the likes of Alliance, who are also eying the same prize. A chance to demonstrate that they are not only the best team of Europe but of the entire world, Fnatic will have the opportunity to prove themselves this September.
A new dawn
After a solid performance at the Season 3 World Championships, finishing No. 3-4, Fnatic was still hungry for the Summoner’s Cup. Instead of settling on their Season 3 roster, Fnatic took a gamble by replacing Puszu with Rekkles in the Marksmen position. Due to Rekkles being underaged, Fnatic couldn’t use him during Season 3 but nevertheless, Fnatic chose to invest the team’s future in the young phenom after seeing his mechanical prowess during IPL5.
In the early stages of the 2014 spring split, Fnatic had a meteoric entrance with their new lineup. Starting with a perfect Super Week, Fnatic led the EU LCS with seven straight wins. But like a brightly burning star, Fnatic quickly burned out and plummeted back to earth with a shocking eight game losing streak. Fnatic was committing amateur mistakes, often getting caught out of positions and initiating in team-fights they clearly couldn’t win. Dropping as low as No. 6 in the standings, Fnatic eventually dusted themselves off and regained their composure in time for the playoffs; right when it mattered the most. Mistakes were still made but Fnatic was quickly learning from them. Finishing the regular season at No. 2, the boys in orange rallied to take down Alliance in the semifinals and then SK Gaming in the finals to secure their place at the top of the EU LCS - not to mention a trip to All-Star Paris 2014.
Turning up the heat
After the eleven weeks in the spring split for Fnatic to mesh into a cohesive unit, the squad had a much slower start during the first few weeks of the summer split. Splitting games evenly for the first six weeks, Fnatic improved on their teamwork and decision-making once again as the post-season approached. In the last five weeks of the split, Fnatic went on a 12-2 run to finish the regular season at No. 2 again, two games behind Alliance. With their only losing head-to-head record against that first place team, Fnatic maintained their position as a premiere European team. In the top half of the playoff brackets, Fnatic awaits the victor between Supa Hot Crew and ROCCAT to determine if they have a chance to advance to the finals and a shot at a record setting four straight No. 1 split finishes.
No nexus is safe
Back in Season 1, xPeke was the top lane for Fnatic and eventually transitioned to mid lane during Season 2. After the lane swap, xPeke has been flourishing in his current role ever since. Often compared to the likes of Froggen and Alex Ich, xPeke is an ideal representative of Europe’s strength in the mid lane: aggressive, unyielding, and ready to jump into the fray. Since IEM Katowice 2013, xPeke has become famous for his 1v2 Kassadin that ended the game against SK Gaming that fans often chant his name whenever a Nexus falls to a backdoor.
Though xPeke was reknown for his choice of assassins in the mid lane back in Season 3, in the most recent summer split, he has demonstrated an improved flexibility in AP champions that have a strong laning phase and also exert immense pressure in team-fights. From the bouncing bombs of Ziggs and flickering cards of Twisted Fate to the ominous dark spheres of Syndra, xPeke provides Fnatic a considerable presence in the mid lane and is always ready to make a play for his team.
All-in on the wunderkind
The newest member of Fnatic, Rekkles has dispelled any and all doubt as to why Fnatic waited for him to become of age and immediately incorporating him into their roster. Over the course of the 2014 summer split, Rekkles hit a number of milestones including tying Mandatorycloud for the most kills during an entire LCS split (167 kills in 28 matches) and having the least number of total deaths (27) in the very same split. Showing that he's incredibly comfortable on a number of champions, Rekkles doesn't hesitate to bring out Lucian, Twitch, Vayne and other ADCs currently popular in the meta. Fnatic may not rely on Rekkles much during the early game but the team can certainly rely on him come late game to not put himself in danger but to be in position to pick up kills so Fnatic came come out victorious in game-deciding team-fights.
Rekkles' partner in crime is YellOwStaR, a player who has played in the Marksmen position for Fnatic in the past. This summer split, YellOwStaR has stepped up tremendously to not only help propel Rekkles out of laning phase with an advantage, and he often sets picks and roams to the benefit of the rest of his team. YellOwStaR's adaptation to his new role as Fnatic's support is further evidence to the team's improved strength as they return to Worlds this year.
A return to the finals?
While not entirely dependent on a 4-protect-1 strategy, Fnatic's approach to the game is methodical: early game revolves around the aggressive play-making of their solo lanes, xPeke and sOAZ, combined with the ganks and counter-jungling from Cyanide. The bot lane duo of YellOwStaR and Rekkles have the ability to create a CS lead on their own, even without ganks, and ensure Fnatic has a strong AD force going into midgame.
After laning phase, Rekkles begins to shine as not only does he puts himself in positions to pick up kills but as a team, Fnatic will continue to funnel kills and gold to their ADC in order to maximize his potential in the late game. The team was singled out for their "Fnatic brush" tactic last season as a means to come back from behind in a match with a carefully planned ambush. Fnatic has since elevated their game to not have to rely on such strategies but it definitely remains in their repertoire as something to spring upon unsuspecting teams.
Fnatic’s lineup has upgraded since Season 3 and they are ready to test their mettle at the 2014 World Championships. However, the international competition has also grown fiercer since last season. Even in their own region, Fnatic has been challenged by the likes of Alliance, who are also eying the same prize. A chance to demonstrate that they are not only the best team of Europe but of the entire world, Fnatic will have the opportunity to prove themselves this September.
