Home I eSports I eSports I LoL Power Rankings September 2016
With only a few more days left for the League of Legend World Final, there is no clear indication of the most dominant team. However, some qualifiers are displaying great prowess and standing firmly at the top. We will now take a final glance at the competing teams and where they currently stand. This list is based on all the recent tournaments that have occurred within the months of August and September, mainly the Regional qualifiers. Let’s start our LoL Power Rankings with:
China’s number 1 team, EDward Gaming is a huge competitor and is the one to watch in the championships. It currently has an undefeated streak of 18-0 and has surpassed many teams, including the likes of Royal Never Give Up and World Elite in the Regional playoffs. It has some very impressive players on its roster, which include Jungler Ming “ClearLove” Kai, a timeless wonder devoted to bringing his team to the top. ClearLove, along with Kim ‘Deft’ Hyuku, was recently featured on ESPN’s list of the world’s best league players.
As one of the strongest teams to have emerged from South Korea, ROX Tigers is unstoppable right now. It dominated the LCK tournament and maintained a modest winning streak throughout. ROX Tigers has some of the best players in the game; Song “Smeb” Kyung-ho (Top laner), Han “Peanut” Wang-ho (Jungler), Kang “GorillA” Beom-hyeon (Support) and its ADC, Kim “PraY” Jong-in. This powerhouse team is slowly gaining momentum and they can turn out to be monstrous in the World Championships. Overall, ROX Tigers hold a very high chance of winning the tournament.
TSM has had one of its best seasons thus far as it emerged as NA LCS’s World Champion for the fourth time in four years. They have always been a huge contender and force in every competition they have partaken in. It is currently leading the regular season and has had a groundbreaking 17-1 streak. Ever since the addition of rookie Vincent ‘’BioFrost’’ Wang, TSM has rediscovered the recipe for success, which they could not find with their previous Support, Bora “YellOwStaR” Kim. Coupled together with the already dominant star Midlaner Soren “Bjergsen” Bjerg and veteran Marksman Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng, TSM is looking extremely poised this year and has a sure shot at the title. A well-deserved third sport for the North Americans in our LoL Power Rankings.
The winner of the NA LCS Gauntlet has demonstrated skill throughout the season. Defeating the likes of Immortals and Team Liquid LoL, Cloud 9 has been a dominant force throughout. It, however, suffered an incredibly heartbreaking loss to TSM in the playoffs. Cloud9’s biggest asset is Jung “Impact” Eon-yeong, the former world champion who has had a consistently dominant performance throughout the regular season.
Solo-killing the likes of Kevin “Hauntzer” Yarnell from TSM, Impact is considered to be one of the best top laners in the world. Arguably, the second best mid laner in NA, Nicolaj Jensen, is also one of its main players and he is known to shine in times of pressure. Cloud9 can surprise in the tournament, and it will be fascinating to see them in action.
The favorite from Korea has always been a strong contender in every competition, usually finding its way into the finals. However, it faced a rough time in the Regionals this year as veteran teams from Korea are proving to be stronger than ever. The team has a current streak of 2 losses in a row and has suffered an unexpected defeat from Afreeca Freecs which has led to people losing faith in them.
SKT T1 should not be quickly dismissed, however, as it still has a very high shot at the title. Having one of the best league players in the world on its roster, Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, who is known to dominate the midlane, SKT T1 can change the course of the game. With the right synergy, momentum and strategy, SKT T1 can shine and crush its opponents. A little bit surprisingly, SKT T1 is currently taking the 5th spot in our LoL Power Rankings.
The second strongest team to have come out of China, RNGU is an incredibly powerful contender for the title. It has defeated teams such as I May comfortably, but lost out to the strongest team in the competition, EDward Gaming, during the regionals. RNGU has one of the best supports and ADC in the game on its side; Cho “Mata” Se-hyeong and Jian “Uzi” Zi-Hao, who are known to make their opponents tremble. Despite having such a strong Bot duo, RNGU needs to work on its synergy if they hope to defeat the top teams.
Europe’s first seed has shown a lot of dedication in the recent EU LCS Summer Playoffs with a current streak of 3 wins in a row. It has defeated teams like Splyce and Unicorns of Love. Their Bot lane is the most dominant in Europe right now – with the new additions of players like Alfonso “Mithy” Aguirre Rodriguez and Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen.
G2 Esports LoL has now successfully covered its weaknesses in the Bot Lane, and it seems stronger than ever. Their dominant Bot lane, coupled with a strong Jungle governed by Kim “Trick” Gang-Yun, is expected to do very well this year despite their poor showing last year. With the right team fight formation and efficient map control, G2 eSports could certainly pave its way to the top.
One of the top 3 teams in Europe – H2k Gaming still has a lot to prove in the upcoming finals as its performance has been very mixed. It has successfully defeated Unicorns of Love and Fnatic, multiple times. However, G2 Gaming and Splyce (repeatedly) defeated H2k Gaming.
Although the team’s AD carry, Konstantinos “FORG1VEN” Tzortziou, has had a tumultuous performance, his comeback was a much awaited one as he proved to be a worthy opponent in his lane during regionals. Together, FORG1VEN and star player Marcin “Jankos” Jankowski (Jungler) are unstoppable forces right now. With the right strategy and synergy, H2K Gaming can do well in the championships.
Europe’s second seed had a slightly rough start this season. However, it has done well in the regional qualifiers and made it to the finals by defeating the likes of Unicorns of Love. Mid laner Chres “Sencux” Laursen is known to have standout performances which can change the momentum of the game. Splyce’s team coach, Jakob “YamatoCannon” Mebdi, has played a crucial part in Splyce’s recent victories and for his team to progress in the competition, he needs to continue the effective strategies. With the right focus and determination, Splyce has a fair chance of doing well in the championships.
Being one of the top 3 teams to come out of China says something about the skill and potential of the team. Despite its obvious ability, it has suffered repeated defeats from Royal Never Give Up and EDward Gaming. It has, however, triumphed over the doubting parties who suggested that its narrow ascension into the LPL was proof that it wouldn’t be able to make it to the higher tiers of the competition. Undaunted by the perception of critics, I May kept their heads down and managed to win key victories.
Former EDward Gaming top laner Shek ‘’AmazingJ’’ Wai Ho is the player to watch; with his strong control on the champion, Ekko, he has shown great potential. Not only that, but AmazingJ knows how to actively apply map pressure and trap his opponents in the game, as observed in the local matches. Now that he has led his team to the world championships, he’ll need to struggle harder than ever to prove that I May can thrive in the most competitive of settings.
Another Team from North America in our LoL Power Rankings. Although very dominant in the Spring season, in the Summer season, however, they had indeed lost their edge. The team struggled to perform due to a highly unfavorable meta. The lapse in the team’s earlier performance certainly does not mean that the 4th best team in NA should get an ‘easy win.’ Counter Logic Gaming can surprise and shine in times of pressure. It defeated the likes of Cloud9, which is proof of its ability. However, it faltered against the gaming titans TSM in the regionals. Therefore, it needs its top laner Darshan “Darshan” Upadhyaha and support Zaqueri “Aphromoo” Black to rethink their strategies before they can prepare to face the stronger teams in the lineups.
Counter Logic Gaming LoL looked to regain their momentum with former Immortals Jungler Kim “Reignover” Ui-jin stepping in as its new coach; with his input, CLGL is likely to surprise us all in the series.
This promising team from Korea has demonstrated unpredictability throughout the season. Samsung Galaxy has a current streak of two wins in a row but has suffered its fair share of defeats from SKT T1 and KT Rolster. It is not fair to judge Samsung Galaxy at this point. However, it has just recently revamped its roster. Currently, it is safe to say that Samsung Galaxy needs to step up and surprise its competition. However, the odds currently don’t seem to favor them. It is still a good overall team and with the right strategy and map control, it will easily tackle the upcoming obstacles.
The strongest team to come out of Brazil, INTZ LoL is currently enjoying a four-win streak against its regional competitors. It has defeated teams like Dark Passage and Albus NoX Luna and is thus standing strong in its region. However, INTZ LoL is still a wild card and has to face the world elites, and victory is yet uncertain.
Flash Wolves are the first seed in Southeast Asia and have done exceptionally well throughout the regional playoffs. Easily defeating Midnight Sun Esports and ahq eSports Club, amongst others, it still has a lot to prove and needs to strategize hard to beat the greats. Unfortunately, Flash Wolves lined up against the heavyweights in the tournament, the likes of which include I May, Cloud9, and SKT1. Victory seems rather bleak at this point; however, it can still give the game its best and use appropriate strategies to surprise its competition.
A surprising contender in the game, ahq eSports Club, seems to be a staple in every tournament. It has displayed sufficient bot-centric strategies thus far and is considered one of the best teams to emerge from Southeast Asia. Ahq eSports Club managed to defeat Hong Kong Esports and Team Mist, to name a few. While showing positive potential, it has also sustained multiple losses from fellow contenders Flash Wolves. Ahq eSports still has a very long way to go in this competition. It is worth nothing that this team does have one of the most talked about mid laners in its roster, Liu “Westdoor” Shu-Wei. He is one of the best mid laners, as seen in the previous competitions. With the right strategy and synergy, ahq eSports Club can surprise the competition.
Albus NoX is currently enjoying a two win streak against Lyon Gaming. It has, however, suffered defeat from INTZ LoL and Dark Passage. Albus NoX still has a long way to go to match the teams at the top and that’s why they can be found in the bottom of our LoL Power Rankings. Currently, they are very much the underdogs of the competition, along with the other wild card teams. Thus it has to strategize long and hard to graze the elites at the top.
This marks the end of the top teams to watch for the upcoming World Championships. Be sure to catch them live from September 29 to October 29 on Twitch.
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