LPL + LCK Wednesday

  • (-700) T1 v Fredit BRION (+425)
  • (+900) ThunderTalk v Top Esports (-2000)
  • (-800) Damwon KIA v Afreeca Freecs (+475)
  • (+230) LNG Esports v FunPlus Phoenix (-325)

Thursday’s LPL features a strong T1 facing down an underwhelming Fredit BRION roster; ThunderTalk tries to topple the Top Esports giants, Damwon KIA looks desperately for a second wind against Afreeca Freecs after dropping a set to KT Rolster, and FunPlus Phoenix faces an unlikely title contender in LNG Esports.

Captain

ShowMaker ($11,100)

The best mid laner in the world took a fall against KT Rolster, but he was still a bright spot alongside jungler Canyon against the rookie squad. KT is stronger than expected; but Afreeca Freecs is still a weak roster, especially their mid laner Fly. ShowMaker is capable of dropping a bomb against the biggest weak point on Afreeca Freecs alongside his jungler, Canyon, who I recommend as a secondary pick-up in the captain slot. Damwon is losing their spark, but you can still cash in on their descent.

Alternatives to consider: Canyon ($10,500)

Top Lane

Nuguri ($6,400)

FPX’s Nuguri is one of the best top laners in the LPL, and by extent, the world. LNG has had a quick start and has shot up to the top of the standings, upsetting JDG on their way up. FPX shouldn’t be underestimated, however: LNG mainly chooses to play through jungler Tarzan, but with stronger laners, FPX should render him weaker due to their strong control of lanes which grant them access to disrupt LNG’s main win condition. If you’re willing to pay a premium for a weaker opponent, I’d select Canna versus Hoya; one of the weakest top laners the LCK has to offer.

Alternatives to consider: Canna ($6,600)

Jungle

Cuzz ($6,800)

Jungler Cuzz was a standout in T1’s 2020 Spring championship, pioneering the Graves meta which persisted for months afterwards. His opponents in Chieftain and UmTi are both old and washed junglers with little to offer the league, even in terms of their “experience” routinely being relegated on their older squads. Their team was last placed in summer and made no changes to the roster. Otherwise, I’d pair ShowMaker with his jungler Canyon against the Freecs. Dread is a solid jungler, but he just doesn’t have the consistency Canyon offers.

Alternatives to consider: Canyon ($7,000)

Mid Lane

Doinb ($7,200)

Icon was surprising in his first few games of the season, showing off his strong Ryze and Yasuo against JDG. The final test for LNG, in my opinion, is FPX- the finalist in 2021 spring. While JDG was certainly a strong team, their inaptitude in spring makes me suspicious of their summer form, and casts doubt on the relative strength of LNG. Doinb has been a top mid laner in the LPL for years now, and if Icon can beat him; I will finally accept LNG’s legitimacy as a true contender. However, LNG slid far in spring, and I think Doinb will be capable of putting him in the dirt on Thursday. For a different option, you can pick up ShowMaker here, the star player of Damwon.

Alternatives to consider: ShowMaker ($7,400)

ADC

LWX ($7,200)

Similarly, while I found Light a good ADC, I don’t think he will have a great showing against an all around strong bottom lane; LvMao and Loken are the weaknesses of JDG after all, and they haven’t yet been tested by a true world class pairing. LWX has made a resurgence this year and is within batting distance for the #1 spot of ADCs alongside Viper, Gala, Elk, and others. For a different option, I’d select Teddy; he’s unlikely to be swapped for Gamayusi this early in the season.

Alternatives to consider: Teddy ($7,600)

Support

Keria ($6,000)

This is the only T1 player I’d say you “need” to have: Keria has no substitute: Canna has Zeus, Faker has Clozer, Cuzz has Ellim and Oner, and Teddy has Gamayusi. Keria is integral to T1’s playstyle, and considering their easy match-up, he should be able to farm points against the weak Brion bottom lane. If you’re not a fan of T1 and are looking for some extra cash, consider pairing LWX with his support Crisp.

Alternatives to consider: Crisp ($5,600)

Team

T1 ($5,200)

T1 offers a nice blend of good price, consistency, and point value. They’re a team that’s not often upset with their veteran players and expansive roster, and their opponents in Brion are an easy win to take home. For a different option; either Top or DWG would do; I wouldn’t overspend on team though, and I’d be satisfied with DWG vs AFS.

Alternatives to consider: DWG KIA ($5,400)

Stacks

Cuzz & Keria

The jungle-support for T1 has looked strong so far, and Cuzz actually had a solid spring too. While Cuzz’s position as “starting jungler” isn’t always assured, whenever T1 wants to bring out a win, they always bring out Cuzz in order to help guide the team to victory. Summer split is no joke either, so I expect him to start for most games in the season. Keria is a top support and it shows why he has no substitute; he doesn’t need one with the consistency he offers.

ShowMaker & Canyon

The mid-jungle for Damwon seems like the only thing that’s still world class on their end. Mind you, world class isn’t necessary to stomp out the Afreeca Freecs. Franchise mid laner Fly looks extremely weak, even more so next to a prodigy like ShowMaker. I hold nothing against Dread either, but he just doesn’t have the spark, or the potential that Canyon has shown in the past; he was the best jungler at MSI alongside Elyoya, and I want to see him recapture that success he had in 2020.

LWX & Doinb

The two carries of FPX are worth your money. Tarzan is a fantastic jungler, but Icon and Light are rarely tested by their lane opponent, and a jungler like Tian is capable of keeping pace with the Korean menace. Regardless, LNG vs FPX is a match to watch for certain, and it’s the closest on Thursday.

Top Picks: Nuguri, ShowMaker, Keria

LNG’s biggest weakness is in the top lane, which Nuguri can precisely target. ShowMaker and Keria are integral to their team’s success, and they have easy matches on Thursday with poor competition from their opponents; both of whom were tied for last place in spring.

Top Value: Nuguri, LWX, Crisp

Speaking of “closest” matches, FPX players are extremely cheap; the star of LNG is jungler Tarzan, who hoists his team to success way above their outer limit. Last split, this fell apart at its seems however against any team with laners worth their salt; and FPX is certainly containing a lot of talent in their lanes. Tian can keep pace with Tarzan, while FPX’s strong laners can shut down the LNG opposition.