It is often forgotten thatHLE bought out former Tigers’ LCK slot. For those who weren’t following the scene at the time, the Tigers were the big rivals of the T1, during two years. More than a level opposition, it was also a opposition of style. While the T1 were playing so very strategic, with a mastery of the macro that the other teams took a very long time to match, the Tigers offered a style of play a little more flamboyantmore focused on snowballing through the kill rather than the macro.
Of course, if this rivalry has made such an impression, it’s because the two teams could play on each other’s ground : the T1s were able to make very aggressive plays, and the Tigers were the only team that could claim to compete with T1 on the macro point of view. Moreover, the T1 represented a Korean economic giantwhile their rivals were a smaller teamof which the name changed depending on main sponsor (Huya, Koo, ROX). L’most iconic clash between the two teams undoubtedly remains the semi-final of the 2016 world championshipswhere the Tigers have completely countered the meta Zyra taking out a Miss Fortune support. The Tigers were also the only team at the time that forced a ban Aurelion Sol on her, because of Kuro. Only the Tigers have little by little lost their auraand the acquisition by HLE did not really allow the spirit of the team to continue.
It would be unfair to claim that it is the fault of the takeover, the team was in decline long before this one. Unlike other structures, Tigers were more the team of Smeb, Kuro, PraY and Gorilla than any investor. When the founding players finally left, the team settled for play the middle of the table. Ultimately after the departure of the executives, their best performance took place after the takeover by HLE, during the qualification for the 2021 Worlds. However, all this could change in 2023, because the structure has acquired a roster capable of worrying the best teams in the region.
A 3 star recruitment
Two of the world champions will join the team for the 2023 season: Kingen and Zeka. DRX’s sololaner duo marked the competition, and while the team was known to focus primarily around Deft, both players showed their talent to the world. Capable of winning their lanes and really establishing themselves as carries, they allowed the team to raise their level of play, by becoming much less predictable. If the DRX did not win the Worlds only thanks to them (that would be forgetting the performance of the other three players), there is no doubt that this would not have been possible without the blossoming of their talent on the world stage.
In addition to the world champions, the HLEs have also recruited Viperwhich is probably one of best ADCs in the world. Whether in LCK, LPL or on the world stage, this AD Carry has almost always answered present. Except for one year, spent at… HLEwhere the team had finished in the bottom of the LCK standings.
Viper will be supported by Life, another veteran of the scene. The association is interesting, because even if Life has nothing more to prove in terms of level of playhe is a player who has no nothing won yet. He made several podiums whether in LCK or at the Worlds, but never on the top step. Finally, Clid will complete the team, after a not very conclusive passage in LPL at FPX.
A real SuperTeam?
This question is very relevant, and not only because it is the one who writes who asks it. As presented in the previous paragraph, each player has already proven himselfbut all have still things to prove. Zeka and Kingen were Imperial during these Worlds, but probably wouldn’t have not mentioned in the top 3 of the best LCK players in their position before the Worlds. Besides, no DRX player wasn’t in the LCK All Stars Team at Summer, and only Deft and BeryL were in it at Spring. The two players must therefore confirm their outbreak next season.
For Viper and Clid, it’s their great return to the Land of Morning Fresh. After their exodus to China, the two players will have to show that they can once again adapt to the LCK. If on the side of Viper it seems quite likelygiven the regular performance of the player, the Clid’s case is more debatable. Finally, as said before, Life is still chasing an official title.
Although the team is terrible on paperits performance in the Rift is far from guaranteed. Sticking her with favorite status would be putting the cart before the horse, but she is clearly one of the teams to follow in 2023. Hoping that it is not yet another wet firecracker.
esport-lol
Often professional League of Legends players keep a lot of information secret. And sometimes they decide to drop two bombs in 10 seconds, like T1 ADC Gumayusi did on stream yesterday.