League of Legends

NA LCS

League of Legends has evolved from being just a video game to becoming one of the biggest E-Sport events. League of Legends has 14 first tier professional leagues all around the world, Vietnam being the latest region to get its own competitive league. North America, Europe, Korea and China are the four regions that dominate the Summoner’s Rift. North America League of Legends Championship Series (NA LCS) is one of the widely watched leagues. The 2018 NA LCS is scheduled to begin on 16^th June. Here is the list of our ‘Stand out’ performer from each lane:

1. Top Lane:

Huni – Echo Fox: Seung-hoon-Heo, better known as ‘Huni’, is one of the veteran Top Laners in the game. Huni won the European LCS with Fnatic in 2015 and the Korean Summer Split with SKT T1 before joining Echo Fox to play in the NA LCS. After a decent Spring Split, Huni will be rearing to get back on the Summoner’s Rift and show the world why he’s one of the best. Huni featured twice in the ‘Weekly OP 5’ list but he will be hungry for more. Echo Fox kick start their campaign against FlyQuest and Huni will be determined in securing a spot in the World Championship by managing to win the NA LCS.

2. Jungle: 

Dardoch – Echo Fox: Johshua “Dardoch” Hartnett is Echo Fox’s Jungler and has shown the world what he can do when combined with a powerful and experience Top Laner like Huni, in the Spring Split. Dardoch is adored for his ‘Lee Sin’ mechanics and has amused even the elites with his gameplay. Dardoch did not have the best of times in his two year old professional career. He has left more teams than any other player during that time and things did not go well with his teammates in the teams that he had previously played for. But Dardoch managed to put all of it behind and emerged as the best Jungler in the 2018 Spring Split, featuring five times in ‘Weekly OP 5’ list. Dardoch will be keen on showing the world that he is a reformed person and even better player who can play according to their strengths.

3. Mid Lane:

Bjergsen – Team Solo Mid(TSM): Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg began his professional League of Legends career at a very young age. He started off with ‘Copenhagen Wolves’ in the EU LCS but was unable to play for them until the third week due to age restriction set by Riot Games, which allowed players only above age 17 to participate in their tournaments. But once he turned 17, there was no looking back for this Mid Lane Beast. He joined TSM in November 2017 and has been one of the most consistent and stand out performers for the organisation. He scored the first ever penta kill in the EU LCS before moving to NA LCS. He has won the NA LCS five times and will be eyeing to make it six, seeking redmeption after a poor performance in the spring split. Will Bjergsen be able to lift the NA LCS again? Only time will tell. TSM! TSM! TSM!

4. Bottom (ADC):

 Doublelift – Team Liquid(TL): Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng started his career as a substitute support player for Counter Logic Gaming and then moved to ‘Epik Gaming’ as their starting support and then to ‘Curse Gaming’ to become their starting ADC and then eventually coming back to  CLG as their starting ADC. He has four good seasons with CLG and then moved to TSM in 2015. He is the only player to win the LCS with two different teams and is also the first player in LCS history to reach 50,000 Creep Score. Though Doublelift is known for his ‘trash talking’, he proves why he is the best on the Summoner’s Rift. Doublelift moved to Team Liquid in 2017 and won the 2018 spring split with the organisation. His performance at the 2018 Mid Season Invitational proves how good this player is. Doublelift will be edging to get his hands on the NA LCS and thereby earning a chance to play in the Worlds again.

5. Support:

Aphromoo- 100 Thieves: Zaqueri “Aphromoo” Black is one of the most experienced supports in League of Legends. Aphromoo started playing professional League in 2011 and has played for several teams ever since. Aphromoo first gained recognition as an ADC and then switched to support in 2012 when he joined CLG. Even though he changed roles, his stream remained popular. Aphromoo and Doublelift played together for CLG and gained immense popularity and were given the nickname ‘Rush Hour’.  He then joined 100 Thieves, which was founded in 2018, as their support and primary shot caller. Aphromoo managed to take 100 Thieves into the finals of the 2018 Spring split but eventually lost out to Team Liquid. Aphromoo will be rearing to go secure a ticket to Worlds 2018.


-Nithin Karthikeyan