LCS Fantasy Draft Preview
Welcome to my fantasy LCS draft preview. I will review all the teams and rolls of the draft. I will rate each on a 1-10 scale not only to compare within each category also to compare between positions overall during drafting.
Team Analysis
Your examination of the teams is THE most important part of your fantasy draft. This is not because of the importance of team points (which are still important) but because a team’s performance overall in the league will drastically impact its players ability to perform. The perfect example is Creaton who was leading the league in kills until he broke his hand in the EU LCS last year but when the new season came around he was unable to produce because of team issues. Keep these things in mind as you draft individual positions. The NALCS has always been top heavy but this year it seems like it is even more so with 4-6 teams that will be world class. The EULCS is always a mess it seems as this year it is differing shades of gray where any team can beat any other on any given day.
Cloud 9 - (9) The only reason Cloud 9 is not a 10 is because of the health issues of Hai. It worries me slightly that he might not be able to perform early. That is the one and only issue however as Cloud 9 has been a machine crushing the NALCS. It has set records for wins and shown complete domination. Despite the NALCS having what may be the strongest top end teams in the league I expect them to still be near or at the top all year.
Fnatic – (8) Fnatic the kings of your Europe have looked vulnerable. Soaz who was once the undisputed king of the top lane has not seemed as dominant. Xpeke used to win lane on a regular basis but now seems to go even as often as not. One thing to keep in mind however is Fnatic are always innovating and are the most veteran team in EU now that Gambit has lost Alex Ich. When they win, they win big and stat stuff. When they lose it tends to be close. I have them as my top European pick for this reason.
SK – (8) If Fnatic is 1 in Europe then SK is 1A. They won the spring split and came up just short of Fnatic in the playoffs. They have strong lanes good rotations and just seem to find ways to win. They are consistent if not flashy.
Alliance – (7) Hailed as a super team Alliance went through growing pains but emerged as a real threat for playoffs. Alliance has solid players all around but Froggen seems to be the only world class standout. Alliance as time goes on may find its synergy and rival teams that have been together longer but until they do they remain third on my list of EU teams.
TSM – (7) TSM went through major changes and on the outside it seems that it will improve the team. History in fact shows that TSM is very good about improving their team when they make changes. Any team has growing pains however and TSM I believe will have major ones. One of the biggest may be shot calling as two major voices have now left the team. You also have to wonder is gleelglarbu is going to transition to the stage well. That being said this squad may have picked off two of the best players at Europe and has always consistently been top three. DO NOT OVERPICK THEM HOWEVER. TSM has a massive fan base and many will pick them far too early. If they fall to you pick them but pick with your head not your heart.
CLG – (7) Could this be the year the CLG breaks through and overcomes their TSM jinx? CLG just might on the strength of their new imports Dexter and Seraph. The difference between having Dexter and not was easily seen as CLG was far more cohesive. The same CLG showed its face in the playoffs again though as TSM managed to pull victory out of CLG’s hands in game 2 and romp them in game 3 of playoffs. Could Seraph be the missing link? Say Korean and most Leaguers quake in their boots but who knows if it will be a good fit? TSM has questions but CLG has just as many but both are looking very good.
Roccat – (7) Roccat was an absolute force in EU but as time went on their Cloud 9 like ability to team fight their way out of any situation seemed to lessen and teams caught up to them. Roccat is still a force and its unusual ability to function highly as a team will keep them near the top of the EU but unless something changes they will be unable to break into the elite world class level. That being said they are still the fourth best team in Europe versus a NALCS which is highly volatile. You could justify picking them ahead of most NALCS teams or behind them depending on your belief in said teams.
LMQ- (6) The ultimate wildcard. LMQ sent shivers through the spines of teams at the bottom of the NALCS all last split. XDG were the ones to feel the monster however. The question now becomes does LMQ’s aggressive style work against the best teams in the world? The top 4 NALCS teams all seem to have gotten better. LMQ may have an early advantage as their style will take time to adjust too but as the year goes on will LMQ be able to adjust as teams adjust to them? Bet on one thing high kill games when LMQ is involved but this also means high death counts as well which as a double edges sword. I could see LMQ be anywhere between 1st and 5th but no matter what it will be fun to watch.
Dignitas – (6) Dig picked two of the best solo laners in NA that can be the best on any given day. Zion and Shiphtur give this team a major boost and the potential to be world class…if they can jell. Coast never was the best at communication and strategy and Dig lacked in these areas as well. Can this combination be superpowered or just a continuation of the same middle of the road dig?
Gambit – (5) Ohh Gambit you drive us crazy. Darrien feeding till the other team is queasy and Genja finding some new way to make us go HUH? It was great….but the honeymoon might be over. What may have been the strongest player on their team is gone and not because he is retiring but because he was tired of the team dynamic. That is a scary thing. Diamond is still world class but the rest of the team all have question marks. Gambit always seemed to win because of their synergy. Will it still be there? Will their be further personnel moves and issues?
Curse – (5) Forever fourth curse may now be fighting for their lives in the strongest NALCS ever. The bot lane shall lead them however as Cop an always underrated ADC now has the best support in NA. Curse has always been known as innovators and they will have to be as they face loaded squads above them. I believe curse will beat any team on any given day but when your bot lane is your strongest and other lanes tend to be feast or famine you are going to lose to great teams.
Millenium – (5) Millenium is my sleeper pick. Last in the spring replacing Araneae gave the team new life. Kerp is sneaky good. Kevin is solid and Creaton when on his game can beat any ADC in Europe. Look for Millenium to surprise a lot of teams this year. They may even leapfrog Gambit and Roccat if things go right.
Supah Hot Crew – (4) Supah Hot Crew has potential but as rookies they seemed to experience weekly growing pains. While showing signs of brilliance and ability to shock teams they could never be consistent. Replacing mixa should help as MRALLEZ has a ton of potential on bot but until they show they can be consistent they are headed to fight for relegation again.
EG – (3) EG was supposed to come over and make hay. Instead they struggled and fought all year. Pobelter known as feast or famine midlaner had a pretty good year. The rest of the team did as well. Pretty good is nowhere near good enough against great however and NALCS is brimming with strong teams. It will be a long year for EG.
Copenhagen - (3) Losing your two best playmakers and having inconsistency at best in your other roles does not make for a good season. Many question unlimited’s ability to be a playmaker both in lane and in team fights unless he has a hard engage champ. Youngbuck is solid but not spectacular. This team which I loved to cheer for is going to have a hard year.
Complexity – (2) A great story of a team full of leaguers that have fought and scratched their way into the LCS. They have finally achieved their goal…..but now face 6 teams that are clearly ahead of them. I expect complexity to over and over have good showings and a good fight. They are technically sound and have decent synergy but against the best in the world they are going to have to dig deep to even avoid relegation.
