Fantasy Trenders After Week 1

With a Super Week now complete in the LCS, there are some clear developing trends. While some teams have started off strong, many others are still finding solid ground as the regular season revs up. Knowing who is on course for a breakout season can help shape your fantasy team into superstars. It’s time to take a look at who is on the rise in the LCS, and who isn’t.

Risers

Kerp - Mid, Millenium

The biggest shock this week came from none other than the unassuming Millenium. But after a 3-1 start, nothing about Millenium should remain unsaid. The star of the team’s Week 1 performance is without a doubt Kerp, who rocketed to the top of the ladder with a league-leading 114.85 points. Kerp is a must-start in all leagues right now - get him by any means necessary. Worst case scenario, Millenium go back to losing, but Kerp still shines. Best case scenario: Kerp keeps slaying.

XiaoWeiXiao - Mid, LMQ

If there was any doubt going into Week 1 about whether LMQ would be able to compete in North America, the answers have now been served. At 4-0, LMQ dominated in their debut, and the talented XiaoWeiXiao earned his place at the head of the table. With 109.55 fantasy points, he topped both Froggen and Bjergsen last week, and is quickly making his case as one of the best Mids in the LCS. Grab and start him if you can.

RobertxLee - AD Carry, compLexity

Scoring over 25 fantasy points against Cloud 9 is nothing to sneer at. CompLexity may have a 1-3 record right now, but RobertxLee made quite the statement in their Day 3 game with a solid performance against one of the best teams in North America. If COL can iron out the wrinkles, an early investment could yield some huge returns. That being said, I’m not entirely sold on whether or not they can repeat against EG and CLG next week. If you can fit him in your flex spot, though, he might prove more than valuable, but don’t sit the stud AD Carry you drafted rounds earlier.

Fallers

Darien - Top, Gambit

Gambit’s Week 1 performance was far, far worse than many expected. The worst drop was Darien, whose 22 deaths (most across either LCS so far) stand as a testament to how thoroughly other teams had their way with them. Sadly, the loss of Alex Ich appears to be more than just a papercut, as NiQ was regularly dominated by his Mid opponents. Gambit needs to figure out how to succeed without their former star player and captain. Until then, Gambit players on fantasy squads should be riding the bench.

VandeR - Support, ROCCAT

The EU LCS saw a lot of weak play in the first set of games, but support player VandeR’s gameplay was among the most disappointing. ROCCAT’s 1-3 record belies the impact opposing teams’ strategies had on the poor Support. Through 4 games, VandeR only has 17 assists (compare with wewillfailer, one of the lowest projected Supports this split, who has 43 assists). For Supports, assists are the primary way to get fantasy points (they counted for 90% of a Support's fantasy points in the Spring Split), and if he continues to not get them, VandeR isn’t worth a roster spot. He’s an absolutely talented player, but the points just aren’t there.

sOAZ - Top, Fnatic

Fnatic had a rough week, barely pulling out a 2-2 record. Every Fnatic player suffered in the rankings, but sOAZ’s bleak 36.67 fantasy points were a tough pill to swallow. Other Top Laners who did better include ZionSpartan (51.34) on a brand new team, and Seraph (37.83) in a brand new country. sOAZ is a veteran All-Star who is capable of more impressive outings, but until he starts proving it, owners should be on the lookout for somebody else to man the top lane.