LPL Week 2 Preview
Riot·6/19/2014, 11:01:26 PM·1 votes·419 views
LPL is in for an intense three days. Teams from decisive playoff games will face each other again, and Young Glory and World Elite Academy have a chance to redeem themselves after failing to pick up wins last week. Going into this weekend, only World Elite and Invictus Gaming are undefeated, but they’ll have to face steeper competition in OMG and Edward Gaming. When the dust settles, the standings could shift dramatically.
This weekend, YG has an opportunity to reverse the score against SHRC. In their match against Invictus Gaming, YG had much improved warding last weekend. Meanwhile, against LGD Gaming, SHRC continued to make the same mistakes. Early dragons without clearing vision and a careless picks and bans phase could get SHRC into trouble against YG’s redoubled efforts. YG might also consider banning Lee Sin and Jax in addition to the expected Rengar denial if they want to remove difficulties that SHRC presented for the team in their Demacia Cup set, but having played together for the previous split in LSPL, they will have communicational advantages over SHRC.
This time around, EDG will want to continue to employ their successful strategy of pressuring immobile laners. Both Zzitai and Kid can serve as strong carries, so shutting down at least one is crucial. Clearlove played well against illuSion in the LPL Playoffs, but illuSion has a long-standing record of making proactive early ganks. When it comes down to it, iG has to be the team to strike first, as their track record against EDG’s late-game coordination hasn’t been stellar. That said, the new addition of top laner YongSoo could provide a different element of strategy for the team, as they are used to working with the carry style of PDD. The new Korean addition could prove a valuable resource in iG’s quest to finally take a win from EDG.
Drug, on the other hand, controlled the map as a Lee Sin player in OMG’s second game against EDG last week. The champion will be a must-ban for iG in this set, and fans will get a chance to see if time away from the jungle has turned Drug into a one-trick pony. Regardless, Drug’s style has always been about invading the opponent’s jungle and removing pressure while also conducting early game dives to support his laners. Even against Clearlove, he managed to gank more often and farm more jungle camps than his opponent jungler, and it will be curious to see if a rusty Drug is any match for illuSion’s famous early game pressure.
Catch the first match between SHRC and YG on June 20th at 1:00am PDT.
STARHORN ROYAL CLUB VS YOUNG GLORY
June 20th, 1:00am PDT Young Glory and StarHorn Royal Club is the first of our featured rematches, as the two teams have already met in their current incarnations in a best-of-three series in the Demacia Cup. This set didn’t extend past Game Two, as SHRC took advantage of YG’s lack of map pressure to take fast objectives. Despite their decisive victory, SHRC didn’t appear unstoppable. InSec’s play-making relied a lot on assuming YG would have a lack of vision, and the team was caught out several times due to positional errors or miscommunication. InSec also relied on a stealth-carry in Rengar, which was banned against SHRC in both of their games against LGD this week.
This weekend, YG has an opportunity to reverse the score against SHRC. In their match against Invictus Gaming, YG had much improved warding last weekend. Meanwhile, against LGD Gaming, SHRC continued to make the same mistakes. Early dragons without clearing vision and a careless picks and bans phase could get SHRC into trouble against YG’s redoubled efforts. YG might also consider banning Lee Sin and Jax in addition to the expected Rengar denial if they want to remove difficulties that SHRC presented for the team in their Demacia Cup set, but having played together for the previous split in LSPL, they will have communicational advantages over SHRC.
EDWARD GAMING VS INVICTUS GAMING
June 21st, 4:00am PDT Edward Gaming and Invictus Gaming’s faceoff isn’t just a rematch from the 2014 LPL Spring finals, but a rematch of the first best-of-two EDG ever played in LPL. At the start of 2014 LPL Spring, iG found a handy lead, and looked strong for a period. However, EDG was able to reverse that lead. In the finals, EDG cleanly defeated iG, never falling behind and forcing surrenders. As it stands, EDG’s LPL record against iG is 7-0, and iG is looking for an upset. Competition between these two teams will be fierce throughout 2014 LPL Summer, as both are guaranteed spots at regionals.
This time around, EDG will want to continue to employ their successful strategy of pressuring immobile laners. Both Zzitai and Kid can serve as strong carries, so shutting down at least one is crucial. Clearlove played well against illuSion in the LPL Playoffs, but illuSion has a long-standing record of making proactive early ganks. When it comes down to it, iG has to be the team to strike first, as their track record against EDG’s late-game coordination hasn’t been stellar. That said, the new addition of top laner YongSoo could provide a different element of strategy for the team, as they are used to working with the carry style of PDD. The new Korean addition could prove a valuable resource in iG’s quest to finally take a win from EDG.
OMG VS INVICTUS GAMING
June 22nd, 4:00am PDT This match will serve as the ultimate test of OMG’s new lineup. In the LPL Playoffs, iG appeared uniquely qualified to take down OMG with a jungler specializing in early pressure and a versatile mid laner who could afford to suffer limits to his champion pool. This time, Cool has returned mid, and Drug (Allen) will be taking to the jungle. It’s entirely likely that these changes are accompanied by strategies to prevent a repeat of history. Mid laner Cool, in Season Three, was also known for his versatility and his own brand of map pressure. Though he has been away from the competitive scene, he has a fair amount of pocket picks in his arsenal.
Drug, on the other hand, controlled the map as a Lee Sin player in OMG’s second game against EDG last week. The champion will be a must-ban for iG in this set, and fans will get a chance to see if time away from the jungle has turned Drug into a one-trick pony. Regardless, Drug’s style has always been about invading the opponent’s jungle and removing pressure while also conducting early game dives to support his laners. Even against Clearlove, he managed to gank more often and farm more jungle camps than his opponent jungler, and it will be curious to see if a rusty Drug is any match for illuSion’s famous early game pressure.
Catch the first match between SHRC and YG on June 20th at 1:00am PDT.