Day one of the 2021 League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational went as planned. The favorites won all the games, but there were some surprises in the drafts as forgotten champions made a comeback.
This is what you need to know about the opening day of the tournament:
DWG KIA dominates the competition
DWG KIA had a strong start at MSI 2021, defeating Cloud9 in a commanding 27-minute victory. They proved why they’re the best team in the world. Although Cloud9 put up a fight for the first 15 minutes, DWG KIA ran away with the game in the mid game. The difference-maker was Canyon in the jungle, who outperformed Blaber. Despite C9’s efforts to punish DWG’s bottom lane, it wasn’t enough. C9 will have another chance to win tomorrow against Detonation FocusMe.
A shift in the meta
The jungle meta has changed at MSI. Champions like Udyr and Hecarim, who were popular in the Spring Split, fell out of favor on the first day. Instead, we saw surprising picks like Morgana and Rumble in the jungle. Other lanes also had unconventional picks, adding excitement to the tournament.
Pentanet GG needs improvement
Pentanet GG, while entertaining to watch, struggled in their games. They showed charisma and personality but lacked mechanical skill. They will need to improve to have a chance at advancing in the tournament.
PaiN Gaming and Istanbul Wildcats deliver a thrilling match
PaiN Gaming and Istanbul Wildcats had an intense match that lasted 38 minutes. PaiN Gaming secured a comeback victory after falling behind in gold. Tinowns played a crucial role on Sylas, and brTT’s Tristana dealt significant damage. PaiN Gaming had a promising start, but they will face PSG Talon in their next match.
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