Why People Love Gigabyte Marines and Problems with Worlds

BeastySea·Nov 11, 2017·7 votes·1,998 views

The most watched game from group stage at Worlds 2017 has been the FNC vs. GAM opener. And the competition doesn’t even come close. Why? Because it was by far the most entertaining.

Up to the point that this game was played, the meta had been solved. Have a tank top, utility jungler, wave control mid, late game carry marksman, and an ardent censer. If you deviated from any one of these, your chances at winning go way down unless your opponent matches or you outclass your opponents.

And then came GAM, a team from an “emerging region” who chose to run Galio top, Nocturne jungle, Kassadin mid, Tristana bot, with Lulu support. Things that instantly stand out. Galio top, isn’t he better mid? Nocturne jungle, what’s a Nocturne again? Kassadin mid, doesn’t he just lose lane? Question marks on team comp all around. At least they picked a meta bot lane. Oh wait, heal ignite Lulu? Support forgot to change summoners, gg.

On paper, this game looks like it’s only going in one direction, towards GAM’s nexus. Then in game, more question marks appear. A lane swap in this meta? Don’t you know that top turret has extra armor against champions pre-5 minutes? Double jungle? Don’t you know that they took out shared experience like last season? And the results followed. Yep, first blood for FNC in bot lane against that level 1 Galio “top lane.”

But just a few minutes later, all of these question marks turned into exclamation marks. Levi with 3 kills bot lane after hitting level 6 at 5 minutes! Lulu with the heal absorbs an extra turret shot after No-way kills the level 1 Soaz top lane! GAM takes first turret!

Did you know that turrets other than bot have extra armor pre-5? Did you know jungle camps don’t share xp? Did you know there’s something called a meta? Gam’s response: Yes, yes we do. That’s why we’re playing this our way.

More amazing plays, mistakes, and surprises continued throughout the game. Watch the replay again and again. You won’t regret it. And in the end it finished with a memorable NoWay Almost-Penta! Unfortunately Optimus said “No Way!”

Ok how did GAM win? Cheese sure, but they also came with a strategy and the execution to back it up. But are they as good as the other teams? The results say apparently not. They didn’t make it out of groups. Heck, the results say they’re not even as good as Albus Nox Luna from last year.

We all remember ANX, Likkrit with the Brand in a similar ranged support meta a year ago. It was fun to watch them “break” the Karma Zyra meta with their Brand support and Anivia mid. They had nice combos, good teamwork, and were definitely a world class team. They were the last of the Wild Card teams.

Now we know them as “Teams from Emerging Regions.” We have to be politically correct. Be professional. Repeat after me, “They are not Wild Cards. They are Teams from Emerging Regions.” Now watch GAM’s play again. That definitely looks “Wild” to me, even more so than ANX I’d say. You never know what they’ll do next! If ANX broke the meta, GAM destroyed it and threw it into the incinerator.

“Wild Card” has been used as a derogatory term. But remember, most “Teams from Emerging Regions” embraced this term. These teams create story lines whenever they challenge a top tier team. GAM did it again this year. But I think they took it one step further. They challenged the world. No they challenged Riot.

GAM’s games are entertaining to watch not because the teams playing are the best, or there’s something on the line, or there’s a massive rivalry. They’re interesting because they’re different. GAM has easily played the most unique champions in the tournament, albeit to varying degrees of success. But that doesn’t matter, they’re making this interesting in an unchanging Worlds meta.

Remember Likkrit’s Brand? How about the M.F. support? They broke the meta and solo queue. They were different picks. They were fun to watch. They were memorable.

It is sad that GAM did not make it to knockouts. Not because they should have or anything, but because we missed out on so many more interesting games to be had. The only team comparable to GAM at this year’s worlds was Europe’s Misfits who outdid all expectations with Ignar’s Blitzcrank and fervor Leona.

GAM won the hearts of many fans from their run at MSI 2017. Their unique playstyle was exciting to watch and was the reason many had their eyes on them during Worlds 2017. That and Coach Tinikun’s promise of cheese, and lots of it. Boy did he deliver!

Sure you can look back and say they only won because of cheese. Actually Tinikun would agree with you. He even said himself that his players could not match those at the world stage. But if you’re lane swapping, you don’t need to match their skill!

GAM came and played their own style. Riot must be happy about that. After all World’s is a place to see the metas from regions around the world clashing together. GAM brought theirs. But what about the others?

Well, sure I guess you could say so. This team is strong early. This team is strong late. This is a team fighting team. This is a macro team. But oh wait, they all use the same champions.

Riot released the last few patches before Worlds 2017 to balance champions in order to invite players to play more champions and play to their style. Apparently everyone’s style is a late game scaling, team fighting comp. That nerf to Ardent Censer, yeah it’s still OP. Those midlane nerfs, great you got more champions than before, but where are the pocket picks? Where is A Sol (not Jensen’s) and Crown’s Victor? The most interesting thing I saw was a Lucian mid, and that still didn’t win the game. I’ve only been playing league for 2 seasons now, but I remember watching NA LCS in Spring 2016. At the time it was a tank meta. Then Riot moved away from that. It was interesting. Worlds 2016 was very interesting perhaps because I was watching it for the first time. But here we are again, the tank meta, just with different tanks.

I’ve only been around for a short time, but even I know this is boring to watch. There was a reason for nerfing those tanks. I also know that there was an era of lane swaps and that it was also boring to watch. Before I was introduced to league, the double jungle was a thing, but Riot got rid of that too. Riot tends to change things because things get too stationary. That was the whole point of their Drake and Herald changes.

When you take off the name tags of the players and teams, you feel like you’re watching the same game over and over again. But then there is GAM. Even with name tags off, you know it’s them. Who else would use such an outdated strategy and team comp? They came and went with style. Sure they will be disappointed, but they made history.

There is a series on theScore esports’s YouTube channel titled “Iconic Esports Moments.” On it you can find many turning points in esports history. For example we now call teams outside of the major 5 regions, “Teams from Emerging Regions” rather than “Wild Cards.” This is a sign of respect that they have gained. For instance Kabum’s one win and ANX’s quarterfinal run are in this series. It was iconic in that they won as underdogs, as no names. They earned respect for Wild Card Regions.

I believe that GAM’s run, though not the best by a team outside the Big 5, is iconic. Not because they earned respect, which they did but so too did others before them, but because they refused to play the “meta.” There was no change in the meta at Worlds 2017, but in the future, I hope teams can stop being meta slaves. You’re winning, your fans are winning (unless you’re NA or EDG), but fans of League are losing. Show them a game of GAM’s. This is how you play to win and have FUN!!

Remember scumbag Optimus who stole NoWay’s Penta? Don’t worry. In his interview, Levi said he would have too. NoWay surely knows this and accepts that, otherwise he’d never have stayed with the team. I mean think about when you play with a premade, or not even: Someone gets a Quadra. I’m sure everyone at some point has thought about taking the Penta if not actually doing so. Why? Because it’s fun! That is the half of League that is missing at this year’s Worlds.

I believe one of Riot’s goals when they introduced the elemental drakes was to make each game feel unique. Right now it doesn’t feel that way. I watch the games and go, “Hmm. I think I’ve seen that a million times.”

A message to Riot:

You’re right that we don’t like having a champ dominate play, or be so oppressive. Perhaps there is not an OP champ, but there are certainly tier lists in champs. There has only been one style at Worlds this year due to this tier list. And that is no fun to watch.

Sure in our solo queue, there are more champs to play. But that is because we can take more risks. We don’t have millions of dollars on the line. We don’t have a fan base to please. But the teams at Worlds do. They can’t play “off meta” and risk losing. GAM is an exception because they felt that this was their best chance and that they had nothing to lose.

If you have nothing to lose, you risk nothing.

I’m not saying take away the prize money, nor am I saying offer incentives for innovative styles. But there needs to be some encouragement to develop an identity. Otherwise all the teams look the same.

At international competitions like this especially, there is regional pride. At previous Worlds there have been regional metas clashing before coming to a single worldwide meta. At Worlds 2017, there has been only one meta.

If you’re going to have only one meta, could it at least not be have tanks and a hyper-carry and farm for late? Could it be at least one that is more dynamic? Because believe me, I’d rather watch a 30 minute game that is “dynamic” rather than a static hour long game.

Aspiring Writer and League Enthusiast,

Beasty Sea

To the reader: If you’re reading this and agree, up-vote this so we can get Riot’s attention : ) If not, leave a comment. Should be great fuel for a discussion.

21 Comments

III BAKURYU III Nov 11, 20172 votes

Don't expect NA to change its ways of "Copy pasting" what Korea does. Your post will fall on deaf ears with NA, sorry!

GeminiRuneNov 11, 20171 votes

The Copy-Paste formula doesn't even apply in my opinion. With this Worlds you were either a functional team with a foolproof and clear comms/strat or you were just shaken down and fated to lose.

Miror BNov 11, 20171 votes

Sorta. I like to think that early games are what decided this year's worlds, as the differences between those with them (GAM, LZ, WE) and those without them (FNC, TSM, oh god TSM's early was so horrible) was like night and day.

MasziiNov 11, 20171 votes

{quoted}

Sorta. I like to think that early games are what decided this year's worlds, as the differences between those with them (GAM, LZ, WE) and those without them (FNC, TSM, oh god TSM's early was so horrible) was like night and day.

Ehh FNC usually had a lead pre 15

Miror BNov 11, 20171 votes

The problem is that their early game was so ridiculously predictable that even my 6-year old niece was able to see what they were doing. Broxah would go top at around 5-mins, go mid afterwards if the enemy jg exerted any pressure there, then camp bot for the rest of the game.

III BAKURYU III Nov 11, 20171 votes

What are you talking about TSM's early game of doing nothing for 40 mins was great!

Miror BNov 11, 20172 votes

Which again, begs the question of whether Bjerg is indeed a "top level talent" or merely a clone of froggen who relies on too many things to go in his way for him to carry games.

III BAKURYU III Nov 11, 20171 votes

Very true! Too many pros need to go his way from him to feel comfortable to carry games, Syndra picks, passive in lane(even but passive), known to not want to shot call for his team( the reason why they brought in Doublelift). Saw numerous videos of him but also his teammates(again D-Lift) not flashing to make plays happen when it was in their hands to do so.
If TSM/Bjergsen want to be considered top-level talent, they need to find a consistent early-mid-late game instead of being decent early but shit late game(2016) or, being garbage early but ok late game(2017).

Miror BNov 11, 20172 votes

Well, it's that and the theory thorin brought up where TSM's junglers have been forced into such a ridiculously niche role because bjerg/the team don't understand how one is supposed to play around mid. Amazing joined TSM considered a really good prospect, was made a wardbot within 1 split. Santorin joined TSM as someone who could be a top-tier talent and challenge Dom for the best NA jg, was made a wardbot within two splits. Sven was considered a massive upgrade over both of them and had things like Lee/Elise who revolve around massive early game pressure, and at both worlds he's been at he's looked like complete shite due to being forced to be a tank/wardbot.

I dunno, but for me the similarities with bjerg and froggen are too incredibly close. Both have been surrrounded by high-tier talent for years but haven't escaped groups. Both force their junglers into playing certain ways (in froggen's case he needs an agro jungler to apply pressure as he seems incapable of actively roaming and doing it himself). Both play pretty long games when faced against top-tier talent. Put DL/Bio on any of the 2017 echo fox teams, and it'd probably be 2nd/3rd.

III BAKURYU III Nov 11, 20171 votes

Agree. We all saw what a difference a TSM Amazing and OG Amazing can do if given the opportunities to actually play his style of play.

I feel sorry for TSM junglers honestly, they ward(isn't a bad thing), camp mid, give blues ......yeah, that's about it lol.
TSM gets these talented and aggressive junglers and uses them passively, in also some of the more predictable ways imaginable.

That's something that really needs to be talked about and that's Bjergsen possibly leaving TSM. On 1 hand yes, it will make TSM possibly garbage for how long IDK but in my opinion, it will, in fact, make them a better T.E.A.M overall in the long run of things. Look at the Denver Nuggets when Carmelo left, GSW when Ellis left, CLG when Doublelift left. Take the star player that needs the resources away and you will have no choice but to think about team first before the star to win games instead.

Miror BNov 11, 20171 votes

The problem of course being that in the case of the nuggets/CLG, they lacked talent to replace their "Star player" with and thus fell into mediocrity. That isn't to say I wouldn't like to see bjerg off TSM (I'd like to see how he'd fit on a team like UOL who focuses entirely on teamplay and not "one person carries at a time"), I just don't see who they'd realistically replace him with barring Pobelter/Febi/Exileh (all three of these players being highly saught after free agents from what I heard).

III BAKURYU III Nov 11, 20171 votes

I think Nisqy would be a decent pick-up for TSM if I'm being honest with you. Even tho, I highly, HIGHLY doubt NV will even consider giving him up since their history of Mid has been horrible with constant deaths but if TSM would have to replace Bjergsen with a talent, not in the Spotlight and not being talked about etc, I would have to go with him.

After a year or so, DEN was #3 seed in a competitive Western scene and while GSW did knock them out of the Playoffs, they still had a great record without Melo 50+ I believe. The same squad of Warriors that are tagged still today and even gave the Spurs a run for their money that year with a competitive 4-2(Overtime, Double Overtime games).
For CLG they did much better without Lift for close to a year/half. Winning NA right after doing so with Lift with 2 rookies, MSI and being garbage in the Summer but still making it to Worlds, finishing with a better record that year opposed to the previous year with Lift.

Star player or not for CLG I still believe as growth is considered is a much better team than TSM who really just relies on talent. CLG had a decent pickup with Dardoch and while they started off hot it really shows throwing talent around doesn't do much either.

ChompyWulfNov 12, 20171 votes

With NV not franchised in, if their team isn't bought out by a newcomer then I assume their players will essentially become free agents.

TSM is a lot of question marks. They have talented mid and adc players who seem to lack any will to pressure enemies and prefer to wait 40minutes and hope for a major team fight win to exploit long death timers.

Bjerg has lost any excuses or forgiveness, he simply doesn't step up. Same with DLift. You have to figure coaching is an issue too, as they have failed repeatedly to adapt and grow.

III BAKURYU III Nov 12, 20171 votes

That's why I always find it hilarious when fans say " If only Bjergsen was on a real team" "Oh, Bjergsen has to carry TSM etc". Listen, Bjergsen is the carry on TSM, he's given all of the resources 100% from 2014-2015(Pre Doublelift) and like 75% with Doublelift and yet, he still can't do much.
TSM Win NA -Yes, but even so TSM is in long drawn out games in the Playoffs, in which they could have been easily been eliminated since Bjergsen joined, constantly down 0-1 or down in general in the series, with a much longer game average time compared to their regular seasons.

You're right both Bjergsen and really every carry on TSM have no real engine or fire under their a$$ to actually try to make a play/plays happen.
Yet, people shit on Turtle when he would try to make a play happen when he played for TSM and their game plan was

Camp Bjergsen
Play 40+mins of passive play, each and every game.

Overall, TSM will still most likely win Spring/Summer, go to MSI to only get dunked, followed up by a Group Stage Worlds elimination. Rinse and Repeat 2018

ChompyWulfNov 12, 20172 votes

I've been solidly convinced DLift is not much of an upgrade from Turtle at all. TSM fans treated Turtle as a scapegoat and DLift as a Savior, when TSMs best international performances were with Turtle, not Lift.

III BAKURYU III Nov 12, 20171 votes

Agree. D-Lift was the #1 option for CLG for years and the best they did was a Finals victory over a really bad TSM and even before that within 5 splits(2013-2015(Spring) was 1 second round berth defeating Team Coast with just ZionSpartan as the best player on such team. Turtle was reckless at times, got caught out at times and overall, isn't better than D-lift in some parts of his game, but just because a player is better doesn't mean they're the right fit to such team.

GMS-KILLS-DEATHS-ASSISTS-CS 285 1,224-662-1,573 87,336 WIldturtle 261 1,199-594-1,419 81,731 Doublelift

D-Lift is clearly a better player with such stats but Turtle had something that D-Lift doesn't, aggression and it worked for TSM for what 3 straight years, until 2015 Summer. So, Turtle wasn't a problem until 1 bad split and they kicked him out of town but he was fine previous years? It's not like he changed, Turtle has always been the care-free style player but like you said: "they needed an escape goat".

III BAKURYU III Nov 11, 20171 votes

How so, we all seen teams really copy Korea but TSM does so to the T. Numerous times TSM stuck with the Korean formula over and over again and not change or adapt to different teams, instead they mimic 1 style and roll with it.

Yes, I agree with your statement but overall, TSM chooses to be a clearance sale Korean team for the most part and the rest of NA isn't far either. Their attitude isn't something to behold either, Bjergsen is stubborn and so is D-Lift, as well as delusional with their mindset of being grade A talent. This really goes 10x fold for the rest of NA when in their minds, borrowing LCK/LPL talent will get them a Championship from NA or Worlds. Most of NA really tries to copy Korea and understandably so, the best region with the most respected teams(SK Telecom T1) but even so, having a style of play that's different is better than having an already written and could easily be plagiarized book of strategies.
( Gigabyte Marines and Flash Wolves are prime examples of teams that really F-up NA with their own style). Damn near every time either of those teams faced an NA team they were the underdogs, only to destroy NA with a different style of play that isn't in LCK's book.

TSM So I can only imagine how difficult or really useless the role of Parth is honestly. Do you really think he actually coaches them, or do you think they for the most part, just humors him for the most part? Let's also not forget about Regi either, while he's an inspiration to them during breaks his advice from what we can tell seeing him talk if indeed, that's all he says to TSM or we don't see much else behind closed doors, has some of the blandest, and overall, condescending advice I've ever heard. Let's hope he actually has better and more info, strategy for them behind closed doors.

Look at CLG/C9 players and their overall history(CLG since Lift left) they created their own style and play and while they didn't really impress many fans, they did, however, have decent to a great level of play from doing so.

MordepoolNov 11, 20171 votes

eSports what's that?

VizulixNov 11, 20171 votes

Agreed.

Last year was far more interesting. This year every match seemed to blend together.

Blah blah blah. Janna vs Lulu. Ardent Censor. Galio. Ardent Censor. Xayah. More Ardent Censors..

ChompyWulfNov 11, 20171 votes

I see a massive wall of text praising a cheese team who tried to cover weaknesses and were doomed to lose because of weaknesses.

Like it or not, teams tend to play the "meta" for a reason. They play the strongest synergies and strongest champs to avoid relying on boom or bust tactics that can lead to bad losses as much as wild wins.

That said, there is a little to be taken away from some matches. IMT tried to play the meta and had Flame take Shen when frankly he is bad on tank tops. As a result Archie, the consensus weak link on GAM and arguably worst top lane in Groups, wrecked him with an off meta pick that countered and bullied. Sometimes forcing the meta onto a player who is bad at it is worse than shifting the team comp to allow that player to use their strengths.

C9 Scott Free Nov 13, 20171 votes

Honestly, when I didn't have personal stake in games it was a lot of fun to watch. This year's worlds was probably my favorite since season 4. Sometimes tanks were banned out and teams ran triple threat comps or vice versa. Not to mention the series SKT had in quarters and semis. As well as the WE vs C9 and Samsung series. The play ins stage gave us a chance to see more wildcard action and gave us a reason to watch it by adding in the major region third seed. I actually liked this worlds. Last year was only more fun because I was there for 3/4 of the quarterfinal sets and then I didn't even watch the rest after Rox vs SKT.

This one was good. It actually seemed competitive this year even with NA choking week 2 I felt pretty satisfied as a viewer.