Huya Tigers: Bestial hunger
Riot·12/9/2014, 11:54:17 PM·0 votes·5,411 views
When the past and future of Korean League of Legends collide, you get the Huya Tigers.
Backed by Chinese streaming giant YY, but owned and run by a Korean sublet of the organization, the Tigers are a mix of differing backstories. They are the only entirely brand-new team to qualify for Champions in 2015. The Tigers are made up of players trying to make a name for themselves. Advancing from the G-Star Champions Qualifiers with strong victories over Xenics and Prime, the Tigers aren’t content with simply making Champions -- they’re here to win it all.
In Champions he was a floundering project for Incredible Miracle, but in solo queue a different beast entirely. In solo queue -- freed from the shackles of playing on a weak team -- Smeb was one of the strongest top laners in Korea. The biggest change from the online to offline world for Smeb was his choice of champions. Online, he was given the chance to play high damage dealing champions, but was put on more utility tanks during his time on IM.
Now with Tigers, Smeb is slowly reaching the potential he showed online. He has teamed up with a safe mid laner and solid bottom lane, leaving him the chance to finally be a carry. Smeb had a breakout performance at Busan during the Champions qualifiers, destroying Xenics with a Quadra Kill on Jayce. Time will tell if Smeb can carry his momentum in the regular season, but at long last he is stepping out of the shadows and making a name for himself.
Kang “Gorilla” Beom-hyeon is seen as the future of Korea in the bottom lane. He took Worlds by storm this fall, showing everyone in the group stages the power of his Thresh play.. An aggressive play maker, Gorilla isn’t afraid to go in on his first good hook of the game on his most played champion. His ability to turn a game on its head with his team fight engages is what makes him stand out above the rest of his peers.
Finally, we have their mid lane, Lee “Kuro” Seo-haeng. Kuro’s stats on paper aren’t the prettiest, holding a 46-48 record, but there is more here than meets the eye. He isn’t the typical mid lane carry, but his talent lies in holding up against the best at his position. Kuro, during his recent stint on NaJin Black Sword, went up against the best and finished with a 14-8 record alongside a 5.2 KDA. Most known for his safe and utility-based Orianna, the Tigers can rely on Kuro to be able to suppress the skill of his opponent.
The Tigers are a unique mix of the past, present, and future, but their compatibility so far has put them ahead of the other mixed-up rosters in Korea. They’ve only played five matches together, but they play like a team that has been together a much longer time than that. Be it attempting to make a comeback or showcase their innate talent, the five Tigers are hungry to make a statement in 2015.
A Boy Named Smeb
Song "Smeb" Kyung-ho, Huya’s top laner, is one of the most interesting cases in all of Korea. He started off his career on Incredible Miracle, playing on consistently mediocre teams that failed to make it out of group stages of Champions. Smeb himself was criticized heavily for his non-existence in lane, losing heavily in CS and getting beat down in by the rest of the players at top.
In Champions he was a floundering project for Incredible Miracle, but in solo queue a different beast entirely. In solo queue -- freed from the shackles of playing on a weak team -- Smeb was one of the strongest top laners in Korea. The biggest change from the online to offline world for Smeb was his choice of champions. Online, he was given the chance to play high damage dealing champions, but was put on more utility tanks during his time on IM.
Now with Tigers, Smeb is slowly reaching the potential he showed online. He has teamed up with a safe mid laner and solid bottom lane, leaving him the chance to finally be a carry. Smeb had a breakout performance at Busan during the Champions qualifiers, destroying Xenics with a Quadra Kill on Jayce. Time will tell if Smeb can carry his momentum in the regular season, but at long last he is stepping out of the shadows and making a name for himself.
The Days of Future Past Bottom Lane
Kim “Pray” Jong-in is a legend of Korean bottom lanes. The sharp-shooting marksman in 2012 and early 2013, Pray was the AD carry all star for Korean team during Season 3 in Shanghai, China. The all star’s career took a turn for the worse by the end of 2013, taking an eight month leave from the pro scene to recharge . Now back in Champions on the Huya Tigers, Pray is here to shut down his critics and return to the form that made him a former Champions winner. Although not as dominating mechanically, his wisdom and veteran leadership are needed for the Tigers to compete.
Kang “Gorilla” Beom-hyeon is seen as the future of Korea in the bottom lane. He took Worlds by storm this fall, showing everyone in the group stages the power of his Thresh play.. An aggressive play maker, Gorilla isn’t afraid to go in on his first good hook of the game on his most played champion. His ability to turn a game on its head with his team fight engages is what makes him stand out above the rest of his peers.
The Hunger of a Tiger
In the Tigers’ jungle, we have Lee “Lee” Ho-jin, the player with the least amount of experience but most to prove on the team. His debut for NaJin Black Sword during the summer gave fans an idea of what to expect from him on Huya. He plays a lot of his namesake Lee Sin, but keep an eye out for his Elise (4-1, 7.1 KDA) in the new jungle. With the exodus of junglers leaving Korea and many older players transitioning their roles into the jungle, this is the time for Lee to step up and assert himself as one of the dominant players at his position.
Finally, we have their mid lane, Lee “Kuro” Seo-haeng. Kuro’s stats on paper aren’t the prettiest, holding a 46-48 record, but there is more here than meets the eye. He isn’t the typical mid lane carry, but his talent lies in holding up against the best at his position. Kuro, during his recent stint on NaJin Black Sword, went up against the best and finished with a 14-8 record alongside a 5.2 KDA. Most known for his safe and utility-based Orianna, the Tigers can rely on Kuro to be able to suppress the skill of his opponent.
The Tigers are a unique mix of the past, present, and future, but their compatibility so far has put them ahead of the other mixed-up rosters in Korea. They’ve only played five matches together, but they play like a team that has been together a much longer time than that. Be it attempting to make a comeback or showcase their innate talent, the five Tigers are hungry to make a statement in 2015.
