Photo: LoL Esports
To Worlds of League of Legends, competitors come with their own goals. For Western teams (European and North American), it is generally a question of integrating the top 8 by reaching the quarter-finals. For their part, the Asian teams are much more ambitious and are still aiming for the title… It must be said that since season 3, no world has escaped the Korea (LCK) and at the China (LPL).
The quarter-finals promise to be exciting and we can’t wait to see who will manage to slip into the last four to get closer to the Summoner’s Cup. Today, it’s time to dissect the keys to the match between Rogue and JD Gaming, a match that on paper seems very unbalanced.
Identities and dynamics of competitors
It’s not really worth introducing Snape. We followed the European champions champion this year in the LEC and even if it is the first time in its history that the structure has qualified for the quarter-finals of the Worlds, we already know the strengths and weaknesses of the team. The latter does not really have star players, but it relies on a very solid collective which totally destroyed the LEC playoffs this summer. At the Worlds, the team got off to a very good start (3-0) before going on to three consecutive defeats in the second week… Mentally, the players broke down, letting them see a lot of limits. It will now be necessary to show character to climb back up the slope and regain its good momentum.
On the other side of the ring, JD Gaming is a respected Chinese structure but little known in Europe. She added a second LPL championship title this summer and several of her players are a dream. Some even go so far as to consider that 369 (top), Kanavi (jungle) and Yagao (mid) are the best at their job in the world. JDG finished in first place in their group, beating DWG KIA. Very explosive in teamfight, this team honors the Chinese style, reputed to be very aggressive. Snowball is totally mastered at JD Gaming and this opponent is very scary.
The key to the match: focus on the botlane!
There will be no shortage of talent in this game, but for us the botlane will surely be the key to the confrontation. While expectations are very unbalanced and everyone sees JD Gaming winning, even among European fans, only the Chinese team’s botlane showed some signs of weakness, especially against DWG KIA. Well, weakness is a big word, but Hope and Missing seemed less impregnable than their teammates. At Rogue, the botlane has worked wonders in the LEC this year. The duo Trymbi/Comp has often taken over their opponents and even if the dynamic is worrying in Rogue, salvation can only come from them. Strong point against weak point, it is the only window that could create a miracle.
It should also be mentioned Malrang. Rogue’s Korean jungler often plays the role of X factor. When he’s muzzled and lacking in inspiration, his whole team suffers.
Our prediction: Europe can book its return tickets
We are not going to make the suspense last and even if we try by all means to find hope, JD Gaming seems far too armed to take a beating. Bo5s are very different from Bo1s, but that shouldn’t benefit Rogue. If the logic is respected, we must expect a 3-0possibly a 3-1.
worlds-lol
There are now only 8 teams at League of Legends Worlds 2022. The skimming took place during the pools of the Main Event and Asia dominates the competitive scene more than ever… There is only one Western representative left in the table: Rogue.