The 2018 League of Legends World Championship was an unforgettable event, thanks to the incredible teams that participated. There were surprising upsets, with tournament favorites failing to make it past the quarterfinals. The players showcased a wide range of champion pools, with almost all of the 141 champions being played. The tournament was filled with thrilling moments, intense fights, and unexpected outcomes, all made possible by the teams’ skill and dedication.
To celebrate the excitement of the event, we’re giving out some unofficial and subjective awards. Here are the five most memorable teams from the 2018 World Championship, commended for their unique playstyle and refusal to conform to the meta or other regions’ strategies (except for the top lane, which was dominated by Urgot and Aatrox).
5) Cloud9
Cloud9, known as North America’s last hope at Worlds, made a lasting impression on the international stage this year. Although they were dismantled by Fnatic in the semifinals, their journey up until that point was incredibly exciting. They surpassed NA’s first and second seed, reaching further than anyone expected. In the group stage, with the help of EU underdogs Vitality, they eliminated the reigning champions Gen.G. They also swept Korea’s second seed in the quarterfinals. Cloud9’s unpredictability, with top laner Eric “Licorice” Ritchie and mid Nicolaj Jensen playing different champions each game, made them a formidable opponent.
4) G2 Esports
G2 also emerged as a surprise contender at Worlds. Initially considered one of the worst teams in the group stage, they proved everyone wrong by eliminating RNG in the quarterfinals. This upset was one of the most shocking moments in Worlds history. G2’s victory over the tournament favorites was led by Luka “Perkz” Perković, who single-handedly carried his team to victory. Despite being underdogs, G2’s performance was so strong that it was difficult to imagine them losing.
3) Gen.G
Gen.G’s presence on this list is not a positive one. As the defending world champions, they were expected to excel. However, they disappointed fans by failing to make it out of the group stage. Analysts gave them little chance of being defeated by either Vitality or Cloud9. Despite having the same roster as last year, Gen.G performed poorly throughout the tournament. They finished in last place in their group, a significant letdown for a team with a history of international success.
2) Vitality
Vitality, unlike Gen.G, made an impact during the tournament. Although they also didn’t advance past the groups, they exceeded expectations and gained a significant number of fans. Many considered them to be on par with NA’s 100 Thieves, but they proved everyone wrong. With aggressive picks and an unpredictable playstyle, they defeated teams they were not expected to beat, including RNG and Gen.G. If it weren’t for Cloud9’s impressive performance, Vitality would have made it to the quarterfinals.
1) Invictus Gaming
The most memorable team of the World Championship is undoubtedly the winners, Invictus Gaming. They may not have been favorites heading into the event, but they outperformed expectations. IG surpassed their domestic rivals RNG, taking home China’s first-ever world title. They achieved this by upsetting KT Rolster in the quarterfinals. IG’s victory was the perfect ending to a year of success for China, as they also won MSI earlier in the year.
These five teams left a lasting impact on the 2018 World Championship, whether through their unexpected victories or their disappointing performances. They showcased the excitement and unpredictability that makes esports so thrilling.
League of Legends, World Championship, teams, upsets, champions, close calls, intense fights, Cloud9, G2 Esports, Gen.G, Vitality, Invictus Gaming.