2018 KeSPA Cup Reveals Exciting New Talent and Playstyles
Last week marked the conclusion of the 2018 KeSPA Cup, an annual tournament in Korea featuring LCK, Challengers Korea, and amateur players. This year’s edition not only gave viewers a preview of the new LCK rosters but also showcased the skills of Korean challenger and amateur players. Here are four key takeaways from the 2018 KeSPA Cup:
Griffin’s Dominance in the LCK
Griffin, a relatively new team, emerged as a dominant force in the LCK. Despite other teams making major roster changes during the offseason, Griffin chose to stick with their existing lineup and continued to excel. Their impressive performance in the KeSPA Cup further solidified their status as frontrunners in the LCK.
The Rise of Mid-Game Pick Compositions
Throughout the KeSPA Cup, Korean teams showcased a preference for mid-game pick compositions. Unlike the late-game teamfighting strategies favored in the LCK in the past, teams now focus on securing early leads and making decisive plays in the mid-game. This shift in playstyle has been influenced by changes in game mechanics and the increased importance of early objectives.
Changes in Legacy LCK Teams
Many familiar names in the LCK have found themselves on new teams due to the recent free agency period. This reshuffling of players has resulted in new identities for these teams. Notable examples include Kingzone DragonX transitioning from a solo lane-centric team to one focused on AD carry Deft, and SK Telecom T1 developing a strong side lane presence to support their star player Faker.
The Emergence of Future LCK Talent
The KeSPA Cup also provided a platform for amateur teams from the KeG Championship to showcase their skills. These teams, composed mostly of inexperienced players, have produced future LCK talents in the past. This year’s KeG Seoul team made an impressive showing and, according to rumors, all five players have already found professional teams. This could mark the birth of another LCK star in the upcoming year.
The 2018 KeSPA Cup has not only given us exciting matches, but it has also revealed promising talent and new playstyles in the Korean esports scene. Fans can look forward to seeing how these trends develop throughout the year.
KeSPA Cup, LCK, esports, playstyles, Griffin, pick compositions, roster changes, amateur teams, talent.