Bjergsen: TSM’s Key to Success
Bjersen is an incredibly talented player, and his impact on the success of TSM cannot be denied. He has consistently led his team to victory through his exceptional play and shot-calling abilities. In fact, he recently received the spring split MVP award for the second time. Bjergsen is without a doubt the main carry of TSM, contributing an average of 33.6% of his team’s damage, which is the highest among the team. This strategy has served TSM well, allowing them to dominate the Spring Split with ease. However, it has also exposed some significant flaws within the team.
Bjergsen’s Importance to TSM
It is evident to anyone who watches TSM that Bjergsen’s success is crucial to the team’s success as a whole. In the 2015 Spring Split, Bjergsen was only behind or equal in gold to his opponents six times, an impressive statistic. However, TSM ended up losing three out of those six games. This tells us that Bjergsen needs to be ahead in order for his team to secure victories. While other TSM players receive praise for their individual skills, such as Dyrus’s ability to come back from a disadvantaged position or Santorin’s excellent KDAs and synergy with Bjergsen, it all stems from Bjergsen dominating the mid lane. By removing the enemy mid laner from the equation, Bjergsen opens up the map for his team, allowing his teammates to apply pressure and secure advantages. This style has made TSM a dominant force in the NA scene, as well as at IEM Katowice. However, it is worth noting that the lack of mid lane talent in NA has contributed to Bjergsen’s dominance and the dominance of Team SoloMid.
Flaws Exposed
A clear example of the flaws in TSM’s strategy emerged during the semi-finals of IEM San Jose, when they faced off against European team Unicorns of Love. Bjergsen was matched up against PowerOfEvil, considered one of the best European mid laners. Bjergsen ended up losing lane, and the rest of the team fell apart as a result. Santorin became non-existent without the safety of the mid lane, Dyrus couldn’t farm safely, and the bottom duo struggled to keep up. The same pattern emerged in their match against Fnatic in MSI, where Bjergsen fell behind against Febiven, ultimately leading to TSM’s defeat. Whenever Bjergsen falls behind, his entire team suffers as a result.
Looking Forward for TSM
While relying on Bjergsen to win lane has worked well for TSM in the NA scene, it is clear that this strategy is not viable internationally. If TSM wants to succeed on the global stage, they need to make some changes. Santorin should not solely rely on Bjergsen’s success, and Dyrus should not be left isolated in the top lane. TSM needs to develop another carry player and move away from depending solely on Bjergsen’s dominance. A prime example of this balanced approach is the Korean team SKT T1, where Faker, their mid laner, often leads the team to victory but also allows other players to carry when necessary. Bjergsen’s champion pool should also expand to include utility mages like Lulu, as seen in Faker’s case. Making these changes is crucial for TSM to achieve their dreams at Worlds.
Keyword: Bjergsen, TSM, esports, strategy, flaws.