Vitality’s New Roster: A Force to be Reckoned With
When Raymond “KaSing” Tsang left Team SoloMid and chose not to return to H2K, many speculated about his future. As Fnatic searched for a replacement for Bora “YellOwStaR” Kim, fans wondered if KaSing would be the perfect fit. However, Fnatic ultimately chose Lewis “NoXiAK” Simons. With no elite team to join, it seemed like KaSing might have to sit out a split. But on December 9th, 2015, Team Vitality announced that they had acquired Gambit Gaming’s spot, and KaSing would be their support.
The roster was leaked a few days later, confirming the formation of a super team consisting of Cabochard, Shook, Nukeduck, Hjärnan, and KaSing. On paper, the roster looks incredibly strong. But are there any hidden flaws, or does this team have what it takes to dominate Europe?
Roster:
Cabochard:
Cabochard emerged as one of the best top laners in the region during his time with Gambit Gaming. With a versatile champion pool and a consistent winning rate in lane, Cabochard is a valuable asset to any team. While he may not carry games as hard as Huni, he also doesn’t tilt as easily. Overall, Cabochard is an upgrade for any team in the West.
Shook:
Shook had a rough Season 5 with Elements, but his few games with the Copenhagen Wolves showcased his impressive skills. Known as a strong carry jungler, Shook can snowball games with ease when he’s ahead. However, he tends to underperform and tilt when he falls behind. If he can return to his Season 4 form, he could be a top jungler in Europe, but if not, he might become a liability for the team.
Nukeduck:
Nukeduck made a name for himself as a top mid laner during Season 3 with Lemondogs. After being banned for toxicity in Season 4, he joined ROCCAT in Season 5 but the team underperformed. However, Nukeduck showed a return to form in the Summer split. When he’s playing at his best, there’s no mid laner in Europe who can compare to him.
Hjärnan:
Hjärnan joined H2K at the beginning of Season 5 and played a secondary role on the team. While he rarely carried games, he consistently put up good numbers. Hjärnan’s performance won’t make or break the team, but he could be the missing piece that propels Vitality into the top three teams in Europe.
KaSing:
KaSing has been on various teams since late Season 2, but he made a name for himself during his time with Supa Hot Crew in late Season 4. When he joined H2K, the team went undefeated for four weeks and placed third in the Spring and Summer splits. With KaSing on the roster, Vitality has the potential to become a top three team.
Concerns:
The biggest concern for the team is the performance of Shook and Nukeduck. If they play like they did in the Spring split, Vitality will struggle to secure a higher place in the standings. With strong jungle competition like Fnatic’s Spirit and Origen’s Amazing, Shook will face challenges if he doesn’t step up his game. Similarly, Nukeduck needs to perform at his peak to compete against top mid laners in the region.
Another concern is the synergy between the jungler and support, as well as the solo laners. While Hjärnan and KaSing have a good synergy, Shook has never worked with any of the other players on the roster. Building this synergy in time for the upcoming season will be crucial for the team’s success.
Advantages:
If all members of the team play at their best, Vitality could have the strongest roster in Europe. Cabochard has the potential to become the best top laner in the region, and Shook could be the second-best jungler if he returns to his Season 4 form. With Nukeduck performing at his peak, he and Shook could be the best mid/jungler duo in the region. Additionally, Hjärnan and KaSing were a top three bot lane last year and could continue to excel this year.
Conclusion:
While it’s unlikely that Shook and Nukeduck will fully return to their prime, if they perform close to their best, Team Vitality has the potential to be a top three team in Europe. With experienced players, a strong organization, and a talented coach, Vitality could bring more competition to the EU LCS. Fans can look forward to seeing how this roster performs in the upcoming split.
esports, Vitality, League of Legends, roster, super team, top laner, jungler, mid laner, ADC, support, synergy, Europe