Invictus Gaming scrapes by
In 2014, Invictus Gaming had a disappointing season, failing to qualify for the World Championship -- and like many other LPL teams, they decided to revamp their starting lineup.
Enter jungler KaKAO and mid laner Rookie. Two fresh faces from the LCK, who had failed in their own bids to make Worlds. KaKAO had always been a top-three jungler in Korea, and a fan favorite -- and Rookie was a burgeoning talent, waiting to prove himself on a new stage.
Despite their initial success, with Rookie and KaKAO wreaking havoc across the map, Invictus Gaming had a tendency to fall into slumps, sometimes losing series after series, week after week. Since the Spring Split, support Kitties had fallen off. And AD carry Kid admitted that he didn’t feel confident in his abilities, even taking an extended break from competitive play.
Naturally, Invictus Gaming would go into LPL Summer Split Playoffs looking like the underdogs.
[[{"fid":"19188","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/d6a10159488ded5474c3cd9b3654e0b8.jpg%3Fitok%3DnNaM9Kiz","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered"}}]]
But these underdogs showed up and conquered. It came as quite the surprise when they took down Edward Gaming 3-1 for third place. With KaKAO dictating the pace of the game and Rookie outshining his lane opponents with finesse, the team looked cohesive and strong.
The Play
When Invictus Gaming first debuted its roster in the start of the Spring Split, KaKAO and Rookie spent most of their time roaming around the map, looking to make plays. Their goal was to carry the team on their backs. And if they had to bear the weight on their shoulders, then so be it.
The strategy usually relied on Rookie winning lane, making roams around the map, while Kitties set up vision for objectives. Kitties emphasized the importance of vision in a number of interviews, owing the team’s success to it.
In this game against Energy Pacemaker, Invictus’ superior vision control allowed them to bait Baron and make two picks against the opposition.
This is true now, but the burden isn’t only on the backs of KaKAO and Rookie. Nowadays, KaKAO’s goal is to get his other lanes ahead. If he sees an advantage somewhere else on the map, he’ll take it. Once he gives players like Zz1tai an advantage, he can keep up the pressure against his lane opponent.
Rookie and Zz1tai Rise to the Occasion
When Invictus Gaming picked up KaKAO and Rookie as a package deal before the start of the Spring Split, no one could’ve expected Rookie to have such a meteoric rise.
[[{"fid":"19208","view_mode":"full_page","fields":{"format":"full_page","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/full_page/public/8fda7c1c13e9d77dcb5b40528600c9a6.jpg%3Fitok%3DzQLQuxBD","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-full-page"}}]]
While he was still playing in the LCK, he was often dubbed "Faker Junior" by fans. After moving to the LPL, he’s transformed into the star of his own show.
He can play utility mages like Orianna, he can carry on heavy damage dealers like Cassiopeia, and he can make spectacular outplays on champions like Ekko. He’s even had a couple of outplays against World Champion PawN. If Rookie can find an advantage in lane, you can be sure he’ll capitalize on it.
It’s no wonder why Invictus Gaming decided to stick with Rookie, even after giving former mid laner Zz1tai a few trial shots on the competitive stage.
Since being replaced, Zz1tai has taken to top lane, where his massive champion pool and aggressive play style usually catches the attention of the opposing jungler. This usually gives his teammates a chance to make plays on the map elsewhere.
[[{"fid":"19186","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/IG4.png%3Fitok%3DuVaC3_bh","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered"}}]]
Zz1tai has admitted in interviews that the hardest part of learning a new role is understanding the lane match-ups. Sometimes, he dives in too deep, but he’s finding his footing. For him, playing top lane isn’t necessarily the flashiest role, nor the most rewarding, but he’s found his place on the team, taking the brunt of jungle pressure from the opposing team with his occasional oddball picks.
Talk of the Rift
Invictus Gaming has had a problem with their inconsistency, sometimes looking incohesive and confused as a team during the regular season. But with their intelligent draft phase and their ability to make plays across the map in their performance during Playoffs and Regional Qualifiers, they might just be the team to look out for on the world stage.
"iG is pretty strong in every point. It’s really hard to pick and ban against them."
[[{"fid":"19187","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/IG2.png%3Fitok%3DgMdjTTT9","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered"}}]]
Kelsey Moser, writer and analyst for theScore, has attributed Invictus Gaming’s draft success to their ability to understand and adapt to the new meta. She states, "As has been true of Invictus Gaming for years, the team adjusts to new champion picks and metas quickly. In the past, adaptation was a trademark of Zz1tai and PDD, but KaKAO and Rookie have bolstered it as well."
[[{"fid":"19190","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/ig%2520%25281%2529.jpg%3Fitok%3Dm7dmLO5A","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered"}}]]
Interested in learning more about the other teams competing at Worlds? Check out the whole lineup, now.
