EDward Gaming Wins Worlds 2021: LPL Dominance Continues
EDward Gaming emerged victorious at Worlds 2021, securing their third Summoner’s Cup in the last four years. The Chinese powerhouse showed their dominance in the League of Legends esports scene and proved that their roster was already at the top of its game, as they made no changes before the tournament. EDward Gaming’s impressive performance is a testament to their talent and strategy.
Offseason Shakeup in LPL: FunPlus Phoenix’s Legendary Roster Changes
In the aftermath of the epic flameout at Worlds, FunPlus Phoenix witnessed a major roster overhaul. Key players such as Doinb, Tian, and Crisp chose to move on to other LPL teams, while Bilibili Gaming surprised fans by acquiring top-tier talent like Karsa and Rookie. Additionally, Uzi has made a comeback, adding excitement to the upcoming 2022 LPL season.
Predictions and Storylines for the 2022 LPL Season
The 17 teams in the LPL present numerous storylines to follow in the upcoming season. Fans are eager to see who will rise as this year’s eStar or Victory Five, which LDL talent will impress with their mechanics, and which preseason favorites will prove doubters wrong. As the season progresses, these questions will be answered, and the teams’ performances will determine their standings.
A Look at the LPL Team Rankings
Here is a breakdown of the current LPL team rankings:
1) EDward Gaming
2) Royal Never Give Up
3) LNG Esports
4) Bilibili Gaming
5) Top Esports
6) Weibo Gaming
7) Victory Five
8) FunPlus Phoenix
9) JD Gaming
10) Rare Atom
11) Team WE
12) Invictus Gaming
13) LGD Gaming
T-14) Anyone’s Legend
T-14) Ultra Prime
16) Oh My God
17) ThunderTalk Gaming
The Underdogs: Oh My God and ThunderTalk Gaming
Oh My God and ThunderTalk Gaming find themselves at the bottom of the LPL rankings going into the new year. While these teams may not start with a bang, they have the advantage of low roster turnover. OMG retained most of their players from the previous year, which helped them consistently perform above expectations. TT, on the other hand, faces the challenge of rebuilding with a rookie jungler and a mid laner hoping to make a name for himself.
Teams Outside the Playoff Picture: LGD Gaming, Anyone’s Legend, Ultra Prime
LGD Gaming, Anyone’s Legend, and Ultra Prime are unlikely to make a significant impact in the LPL playoffs. With minimal changes to their rosters and strong competition from other teams, these squads face an uphill battle. Ultra Prime re-added Cryin to their lineup, hoping for a turnaround from their disappointing 2021 performance. As for Anyone’s Legend, the reunion of Betty and Maple might boost their chances. However, LGD Gaming’s decline continues, especially after losing Xiye.
Challenges Ahead for Team WE and Invictus Gaming
Team WE and Invictus Gaming face difficulties in making it to the LPL playoffs. While they have veterans on their roster, these teams are not strong enough to contend with the top teams in the league. Team WE’s focus will be on building synergy and consistency as they experiment with different combinations. Invictus Gaming, after losing star players, will rely on their young players to prove themselves against tough competition.
Talented But Unproven: Victory Five, FunPlus Phoenix, JD Gaming, Rare Atom
Victory Five, FunPlus Phoenix, JD Gaming, and Rare Atom possess talented rosters that have the potential to make it to the playoffs. However, these teams made significant changes to their lineups, which may affect their performance. Victory Five, in particular, stands out as a team that could surprise everyone with their mix of experienced players and young talents. FunPlus Phoenix, on the other hand, rebuilt their roster around LWX and introduced a new mid laner and jungler. JD Gaming and Rare Atom also underwent roster changes, but their success will depend on the performance of their new additions.
Contenders for the LPL Title: LNG Esports, Bilibili Gaming, Top Esports, Weibo Gaming
LNG Esports, Bilibili Gaming, Top Esports, and Weibo Gaming are considered strong contenders for the LPL title. These teams have talented rosters and relatively fewer question marks surrounding them. LNG Esports made a notable addition by acquiring Doinb, a former world champion, alongside their already strong lineup. Bilibili Gaming garnered attention by bringing back Uzi and forming a promising bot lane duo. Top Esports remains a team to watch with their incredibly skilled players, including Knight and Rookie. Weibo Gaming, formerly known as Suning, aims to maintain their success from 2020 with the addition of TheShy and the return of SwordArt.
Prohibitive Favorites: EDward Gaming, Royal Never Give Up
As the reigning world champions, EDward Gaming remains strong and balanced. With their roster staying intact, they are a formidable force in the LPL. The team boasts individual talents like Flandre, Jiejie, and Scout, along with the silent carry, Meiko. Their synergy and skill make them the odds-on favorites to win the LPL 2022 Spring Split. Royal Never Give Up, with their consistent growth in recent years and powerful lineup featuring players like Bin, Wei, Xiaohu, GALA, and Ming, are also strong contenders for the title.
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