EU LCS Week 1 (Unofficial?) Discussion
Note: This is ignoring NA points, as their week isn't over yet
So, let's talk shop. The rising stars, the disappointments, the turnarounds.
#The Expected
H2K vs. Giants, Origen - they delivered on their hype. That's some points for y'all Fantasy owners.
Forgiven in particular scored a massive 45.45, leading the pack of all the ADCs in EU, and is currently the second highest pointmaker in the region. The rest of the H2K squad garnered just as much fire, with only Adrian sitting at a "low" 24 (srsly, 24 is great for a support tbh). Team H2K net a very nice 36 points. H2K looking to be in for a deep run.
Week 2 - H2K vs. Fnatic, G2 Esports
An interesting week, to be sure. This is a test for H2K. Can they replicate the magic against the Kingkillers, FNC? Against the European Upstarts, G2? And most importantly: Do you believe in the Forgivengre?
Fnatic vs. Origen, Vitality - it was a mixed bag, netting a surprise win against the favourites, Origen, but then choking against Vitality. Still, when it comes to Fantasy scoring, Fnatic was relatively successful.
Febiven did his job, and then some, netting a very good 32.51 points overall. The rest of the FNC squad did very well, too. The Vitality game was a disappointment, but beating Origen was something that really changed the tempo of the EU LCS. 20 points for a win and a loss is to be expected.
Week 2 - Fnatic vs. H2K, UoL
This might be hard for the Black and Gold - they're playing against 2 of the only 3 teams that won both of their games this week. In particular is the H2K squad coming off of two near-perfect games. Some may consider benching, but expect true believers to stay loyal.
Elements vs. G2, Splyce - they may not have had a super successful week 1, but they sure did their best. A very average week overall, EL Toplaner Steve made a respectable 26.89 points. Team EL sits at 21 points, which is normal for a win and a loss.
Week 2 - EL vs. ROCCAT, Giants!
This might be as easy as it gets, folks (except maybe Splyce/Giants, which UoL took full advantage of) if ROCCAT don't step up their game, and if Giants continue their slump. I won't go all the way to say start a full EL team, but if you have any of them benched, consider starting them if you're not a big fan of your current setup (I'm looking at you, owners of Splyce players).
#The Good Gambles
Unicorns of Love vs. Splyce, Giants - 2-0 in their first week. Excellent start by the European Unicorns.
A very, very good week for Vizicsacsi owners, sitting at 38.82 points. But of even more import is the Team Score: an insane 41 points! What a time for UoL fans.
Week 2 - UoL vs. Origen, Fnatic
Are you a true believer? A very challenging week 2 following a very easy week 1 - the calm before the storm, indeed. Many may consider dropping the boys in pink in favor of players with "easier" weeks.
#The Surprises
ROCCAT vs. Vitality, G2 - they started off their week strong (heh), completely dismantling the much-lauded Vitality squad with very smart macro-play. However, as with all things, the good comes with the bad - falling relatively easily to the new upstarts, G2 Esports, ROCCAT needs to look for more consistency.
For ROCCAT believers, Safir made the most points at 23.73 - nothing spectacular, but serviceable. The team itself pulled off a very good 26 points, most of them coming from the methodical way they destroyed Vitality's base.
Week 2 - ROCCAT vs. EL, Splyce
I'll repeat what I said for Elements: this might be an easy week for them as well, should Splyce fail to find their form, and should EL not live up to expectations.
G2 Esports vs. EL, ROCCAT - ez pz. I'm not even sure G2 pulled out all the stops, they seemed largely uncontested in both games. G2 definitely isn't a low-tier team, to be sure.
The biggest pointmaker in EU right now, Trick, is sitting comfortably at the top of his Jungle Throne on a nice cushion of 47.09 points. The team itself netted a nice 35 points.
Week 2 - G2 vs. Giants, H2K
G2 will truly be put the test against H2K, but shouldn't underestimate the Giants, either. Only thinking about H2K may cause the Grey Upstarts to not be mentally in the game against Giants, especially considering that they're mostly a team of untested players with not much LCS experience.
#The Disappointments
Vitality vs. ROCCAT, Fnatic - oh man, where do I even start? Vitality looked like solo queue players (to say nothing of Top 4 in EU) against a much more organized ROCCAT. They salvaged their losses somewhat against Fnatic, somehow winning and actually looking convincing. Vitality is a still a big unknown going into the following weeks, so take it with a grain of salt.
Cabochard was the breadwinner for an otherwise lackluster Vitality, winning 15.37 points (Nukeduck is a close second at 15.01). The team itself won a very nice 27 points, mostly from out-macroing Fnatic.
Week 2 - Splyce, Origen
Are you a true believer in the #kaSingEffect ? Can Vitality come back from their lackluster Week 1? Only time will tell. However, expect Vitality to not come out unscathed against the Worlds Semifinalists.
Origen vs. Fnatic, H2K - Coming into the Spring Split, many analysts predicted Origen to be ahead of the pack, and as #1 in EU. Coming out of the gate, they lost to 2 other teams that many people believed to also be in the Top 4 - so it's not ALL bad for the contenders, but it does reveal that the armor is not infallible.
Despite going 0-2, PowerofEvil demonstrated his will to carry, bringing those who own him a solid 23.18 points. For 2 losses, that's a pretty good score. The team itself only garnered a dismal 7 points though.
Week 2 - Origen vs. UoL, Vitality
Going into the second week, Origen face the largely untested UoL (they had a relatively easy week) and the confused Vitality (who knows where they'll end up...). It's a coin flip this time, so do what you will.
#The Bottom 2
Splyce vs. UoL, EL - coming into the EU LCS with a fresh squad of untested rookies, Splyce looked to push through their competition and prove themselves.
Welp, talk about a bad first impression. Splyce floundered, looking very much like a Challenger team. That's not to say they didn't have flashes of brilliance - Sencux and Kobbe both put up about 13 points, which is better than some people: a few players - I think they were on the Copenhagen Wolves - even got negative points last Summer Split. Negative. Can you believe it? The team, having lost twice, fared just as bad, with 7 points to their name. Lol, it's a weird day when you can say that Splyce and Origen have the same points. xD
Week 2 - Splyce vs. Vitality, ROCCAT
The biggest question mark is Vitality, who lost against ROCCAT, and then won against Fnatic. Who knows what'll happen. To be honest, Vitality is a huge coin flip at the moment.
Giants vs. H2K, UoL - no one really expected much from the Giants, and as such, can we really say they disappointed? After being slowly choked to death, little by little, at the hands of a macroplay-intensive H2K, they then got dismantled by a fight-hungry UoL squad that hunted the Spanish team incessantly.
The silver lining for people owning any Giants players is their relatively safe clean-up ADC, Adryh, who put up a respectable 17.76 despite 2 losses. The Giants also got 9 points, though that's not saying much (they did get more in team points than Origen and Splyce, though).
Week 2 - G2, EL
Honestly, there's not much I can say for the Giants other than good luck, and play your best. G2 are looking like real contenders, and EL also seem to be revving their engines.
#Fantasy Points Distribution
Star Player of Week 1: Trick (Jungler for G2 Esports) at 47.09 Fantasy Points
King of the Top Lane: Vizicsacsi (UoL - 38.82)
- Runner Up: Odoamne (H2K - 33.22)
King of the Jungle: Trick (G2 - 47.09)
- Runner Up: Jankos (H2K - 35.26)
King of the Middle Lane: Perkz (G2 - 33.79)
- Runner Up: Ryu (H2K - 33.42)
King of the Marksmen: Forgiven (H2K - 45.45)
- Runner Up: Emperor (G2 - 40.86)
King of the Supports: Hylissang (UoL - 31.51)
- Runner Up: Hybrid (G2 - 30.55)
Best Team: Unicorns of Love - 41
- Runner Up: H2K - 36
Well, that's it for EU's Week 1. I dunno if I'm gonna do NA (much less the coming weeks), I pretty much did this on a whim.
Discuss your plans and your strategies. Who knows - maybe there are still sleeper picks to be found.
Random Question: Who's your favourite team? Vote below!