The endurance run -- LPL's grueling season
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Images from CGA.CN.
When the League Championship Series ran 24 games in one week, we called it a “Superweek.” When the LPL finishes running 24 games in a week, we call it Sunday.
2015 LPL expanded to 12 teams, but instead of lowering the frequency with each team faced each other, LPL schedulers double the number of games per week and extended the regular season to 11 weeks. Every day features four best of 2s, meaning teams will play twice a week.
Four games per team instead of two to four games per week isn’t the only change affecting teams. More games per week also means more research, more time at the venue, and eight extra BO2s per split to deal with the increased volume of teams: all in 11 weeks. Some teams will thrive in this environment, while others might stumble under the weight of the schedule.
Playoffs and Regionals usually fit into short periods of time as well, so experienced LPL teams are used to remaining focused amidst an onslaught of games. Even so, 44 games per team in the regular split this year will test even the players of OMG who battled through multiple BO5s leading up to Worlds.
For as much criticism as Bae “dade” Eojin has received for his inconsistent performances, his apparent lackadaisical attitude could set him in good stead in this LPL gauntlet. If dade selectively puts on his carry pants, Master3 could still make the top eight for LPL Playoffs and perform a miracle run for the title.
This also means teams more willing to experiment might find LPL success. Invictus Gaming, for example, are known for playing with off-meta picks during LPL regular season, often splitting series 1-1 as a result. This might changes with Liu “Zzitai” Zhihao taking a back seat to Song “Rookie” Eujin and avid Fiddlesticks player, Chen “illuSion” Xinlin heading to LSPL, but iG’s approach to regular season experimentation could be even more valid with a heavier schedule. Expect more strange compositions as the split drags on and teams become comfortable in their environment.
If LSPL teams don’t adjust to their new environment quickly, they could be at a disadvantage in scrims and burn out more quickly. The interest will come from watching these teams develop over time. Last split, Young Glory practiced less and less, and World Elite Academy eventually found a groove. With more teams from LSPL joining LPL this split, different approaches to dealing with tough competitors will emerge. The successful squads will adapt, while others will find themselves remaining at the bottom of the pile.
For the top teams, more games means more chances to style -- but it also means more chances for the bottom teams to climb if their opposition is too complacent. More games is bound to bring both wild back-and-forth games and upsets. The obvious initial advantage goes to the veterans, but with more experience available, don’t expect the standings to remain set in stone.
It’s hard to watch every game of LPL in 2015, but imagine how much harder it is to play them. It’s best not to go into any weekend with preconceived notions.
USED TO IT
Chinese teams are no strangers to heavy schedules in general. Even during LPL breaks, teams attend multiple third party tournaments. Leagues like NEST Qualification and X-Championship Series ran alongside LPL Summer. Other tournaments taking place during the offseasons included International Esports Tournament, G League, NVidia Gaming Festival, World Gamemaster Tournament, etc... Though there’s debate regarding how seriously LPL heavy-hitters take these third party tournaments, there’s no proper break with the exception of the first two weeks of January this year. Teams attending more of these events will be used to a lack of rest.
Playoffs and Regionals usually fit into short periods of time as well, so experienced LPL teams are used to remaining focused amidst an onslaught of games. Even so, 44 games per team in the regular split this year will test even the players of OMG who battled through multiple BO5s leading up to Worlds.
LOW PREP HIGH VOLUME
Some Korean imports might be less familiar with this kind of endurance battle in competitive play. During regular group stage in Champions, each team only played a total of six games before playoffs (as opposed to the 44 each team will battle through in LPL). Teams in Champions often went weeks between series. This gave them plenty of time to scout their opposition and tailor strategies. In LPL, imports will have to adapt to a very different environment.
For as much criticism as Bae “dade” Eojin has received for his inconsistent performances, his apparent lackadaisical attitude could set him in good stead in this LPL gauntlet. If dade selectively puts on his carry pants, Master3 could still make the top eight for LPL Playoffs and perform a miracle run for the title.
This also means teams more willing to experiment might find LPL success. Invictus Gaming, for example, are known for playing with off-meta picks during LPL regular season, often splitting series 1-1 as a result. This might changes with Liu “Zzitai” Zhihao taking a back seat to Song “Rookie” Eujin and avid Fiddlesticks player, Chen “illuSion” Xinlin heading to LSPL, but iG’s approach to regular season experimentation could be even more valid with a heavier schedule. Expect more strange compositions as the split drags on and teams become comfortable in their environment.
THE NEW BLOOD
Some LSPL squads, like Snake, King, and Gamtee, were thrown into the mix of offseason tournaments, but typically the LSPL structure and ethic are very different. In 2014, 16 LSPL teams facing each other in one BO2 each meant fewer matches for each team a week. In addition, Edward Gaming reportedly preferred scrimming LSPL teams. According to manager, SanShao, “Scrims against LPL teams often weren’t the most effective, because they weren’t showing us all of their stuff. LSPL teams are different. They’re young, they’re motivated, and they want to beat us.”
If LSPL teams don’t adjust to their new environment quickly, they could be at a disadvantage in scrims and burn out more quickly. The interest will come from watching these teams develop over time. Last split, Young Glory practiced less and less, and World Elite Academy eventually found a groove. With more teams from LSPL joining LPL this split, different approaches to dealing with tough competitors will emerge. The successful squads will adapt, while others will find themselves remaining at the bottom of the pile.
CARRY THAT WEIGHT
With more games each week in LPL, we’ll see teams change their approach quickly. Teams at the top of the standings may prepare less for teams at the bottom, resulting in surprising upsets. If teams find a comfortable spot in the top eight partway through the split, innovations will emerge from curious off-meta picks. The disconnect between some of the top Koreans and their Chinese teammates level off as ex-Champions participants gain familiarity with the heavy game load.
For the top teams, more games means more chances to style -- but it also means more chances for the bottom teams to climb if their opposition is too complacent. More games is bound to bring both wild back-and-forth games and upsets. The obvious initial advantage goes to the veterans, but with more experience available, don’t expect the standings to remain set in stone.
It’s hard to watch every game of LPL in 2015, but imagine how much harder it is to play them. It’s best not to go into any weekend with preconceived notions.