MSI Regional Rematch: LMS vs. NA
The stage was set, the players assembled.
The year? 2015. The arena? The World Championship Group Stage. Tensions were high on Day 1, when Counter Logic Gaming from North America went up against LMS’ Flash Wolves.
After a 41 minute match, during a mid lane push, CLG's jungler Xmithie caught Flash Wolves' ADC Kkramer in a key Elise Cocoon that allowed CLG to burst the ADC down -- and then repeated the same feat at the Nexus turrets. NA fans were overjoyed -- until the teams met again during Week 2. The Flash Wolves had mixed results since their first match on Day 1 -- they had torn down Korea's powerful KOO Tigers, and then surprisingly faltered to Brazil's PaiN Gaming. Looking to escape Group A and get another win, the Wolves tore CLG apart.
[[{"fid":"22503","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/21250129423_c7b3dc8878_k.jpg%3Fitok%3DUsehLgwz","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"612","width":"992"}}]]
The match was a slaughter compared to their first match on the Rift. By the end, the Taiwanese team had an 11k gold difference and were up 13 kills.
Now, as the 2016 Mid-Season Invitational approaches, CLG and the Flash Wolves are poised to face each other once again. Six months have passed, and each roster has undergone changes. What will the next bout look like?
CLG Comes Together
The 2016 NA LCS Spring Split began with possibly the biggest roster swap of League history: CLG’s former ADC Doublelift had signed to rival TSM. He was their primary damage threat and part of the organization for four years. With Doublelift gone, as well as mid laner Pobelter, the 2015 NA LCS Summer Champions of North America had to rally to defend their honor. The team debuted in Spring with a new roster made up of veterans Xmithie, Darshan, and Aphromoo and rookies Stixxay and Huhi.
[[{"fid":"22504","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/25735246503_46f89dbfc5_k.jpg%3Fitok%3DkZI_onzD","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"673","width":"992"}}]]
CLG enjoyed a strong, consistent, showing during the 2016 NA LCS Spring Split, earning a 13-5 record. While they didn’t break any records, they had incredible high points: a game against Cloud9 that featured one of the first Jhin picks in pro play, or being the only team to break down the Immortals during the regular season. By focusing on teamwork and fostering a healthy environment for their rookies, CLG held on to their crown and earned a spot at the 2016 Mid-Season Invitational.
After their back and forth games at Worlds, CLG will be looking to redeem North America's pride against the Flash Wolves at MSI.
Howling at the Moon
The Flash Wolves are one of Taiwan’s top teams, placing 1st in LMS’s 2015 Spring Season, 2nd in Summer, and then 1st the following Spring. The team is built from some of the LMS’s top talent, and they've performed very well this season, leading to high hopes about their upcoming international performance.
When the season started, though, fans were on the edge of their seats waiting to see if they would continue to make it to the Finals. The wild-haired Steak -- Flash Wolves' former top laner and international fan favorite -- had stepped down. His replacement, MMD, was the team’s previous sub for both mid and top. He was well known for playing carries top, including cheeky picks like Fizz. However, Steak was known to be the shotcaller and brain of the wolfpack.
[[{"fid":"22464","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//riot-web-cdn.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/lolesports/s3fs-public/styles/centered/public/lms_flashwolves_fw_celebration2_0.jpg%3FnVLKVaNBlpCfHsOf2rnB08DAhqvys8I_%26itok%3DFzgoqqDM","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"558","width":"992"}}]]
But the transition worked out better than fans hoped. While the Flash Wolves experienced a shaky start to the Split, including a 0-2 record after their first week, they quickly rallied. By the time they reached the Playoffs, they were looking to be the deadliest team in the region. In fact, they raced through the Playoffs without dropping a single game. After a 3-0 Finals against ahq to win the Spring Split, the Wolves earned their tickets for the 2016 Mid-Season Invitational -- and they’re licking their chops, waiting for a chance to tear into the competition.
The Proving Grounds
Counter Logic Gaming have worked hard at maintaining a solid five man unit. As Coach Zikz said in a NA LCS Finals interview, “None of us are selfish.” The question is whether the squad will be able to stand firm against the hunting wolf pack, searching for the weak link.
Stixxay and Huhi have both been identified as CLG’s weak points. Stixxay is known for being a safe, careful player who gets his damage done by staying alive. By contrast, the Wolves’ NL is notoriously aggressive and foolhardy. It’s a technique that gets results (he walked away from the second game against CLG at 2015 Worlds as a 10-3-10 Jinx).
Both of these ADCs will also have a strong support on their side. Aphromoo is an older player, and CLG’s shot caller. He’s one of the sturdiest players on the team, and he’ll be an essential part of keeping Stixxay alive in fights. By contrast, SwordArT is a highly skilled player who's looking to establish himself as one of the best in the world. He’ll no doubt be testing CLG's rookie ADC, and working with NL to make sure they come out ahead in bot lane.
In the mid lane, Maple's another aggressive Flash Wolves player, who also has the devastating jungler Karsa at his back. Their penchant for playing hard carries and trying to dominate the map will be a major issue for CLG. If NL, Maple, or Karsa get an early feast, CLG may struggle not to succumb to further aggression fueled by that gold lead.
Top may be the most fascinating matchup, with veteran Darshan going against FW’s new top laner, MMD. While MMD is a mechanical upgrade over Steak, he’s considered less of an intellectual player. Top lane may be just what decides the whole match, depending on who comes out ahead.
The 2016 Mid-Season Invitational in Shanghai is going to be an incredible opportunity for both of these teams to prove themselves on the international stage. MSI 2016 will take place on May 4-8th, and the 13th-15th. For more information how you can watch these teams duke it out, check out our handy MSI 2016 primer or take a look at the Group Stage schedule.
The world will be watching -- make sure you join them and root for your region!
