Cloud 9’s Struggles: From Dominance to Relegation?
Cloud 9, the winner of two North American LCS splits, has always been known for their incredible teamwork and shotcalling. However, with recent changes to their roster, they are now facing the possibility of relegation.
A Slow Start to the Spring Split
In the 2015 Spring Split, Cloud 9 had a slow start, finishing week two with a record of 1-3. Their only win came against Team Liquid. Despite facing tough opponents like Team Solo Mid and Counter Logic Gaming, their most shocking defeat was against the newly-qualified Gravity.
During the match against Gravity, Cloud 9 had a strong early game and controlled objectives well. However, their teamfighting showed cracks as they struggled to protect their AD carry, Sneaky. It became clear that Hai, their team captain, was struggling to compete with mid-tier laners. This fueled community pressure for Hai to step down.
Turning the Season Around
Despite the slow start, Cloud 9 managed to salvage their season by winning 12 of their next 15 games. This led them to a second-place finish in the standings. In the playoffs, they even completed a reverse sweep against Team Liquid.
A Downward Spiral in the Summer Split
However, the offseason saw the departure of Hai from the team due to wrist injury and a poor team environment. The new version of Cloud 9, with Incarnati0n as their mid laner, has struggled in the summer split. Currently, they have a 3-7 record and stand at 7th place in the standings.
It’s clear that the absence of Hai’s shotcalling has affected the team, particularly Meteos, their jungler. Incarnati0n has also had a shaky start, but it’s too early to judge his performance. The biggest issue is the underperformance of their top laner, Balls, who is struggling on champions other than Maokai.
The Future for Cloud 9
If Cloud 9 wants to avoid relegation, they need to address their performance issues. Roster changes, particularly for Balls, may be necessary. They could also shift shotcalling responsibilities to the top lane. However, if they do get relegated, it’s likely that Sneaky and Meteos will seek opportunities with other teams.
As a fan, I hope Cloud 9 can overcome their challenges and regain their former success. However, it’s clear that the current Cloud 9 is very different from the dominant team we once knew.
Related Cloud 9, LCS, relegation, dominant team, shotcalling, roster changes