2017 Worlds: SKT, Royal, WE, and Samsung Battle for Redemption
After an unpredictable start to the 2017 League of Legends World Championship, we are left with the four most experienced teams. SK Telecom T1, Royal Never Give Up, Team WE, and Samsung Galaxy have become regulars at Worlds. However, only SKT has tasted victory so far. For the other three teams, this is a shot at redemption.
Royal Never Give Up will get their shot at SKT on Saturday morning. If they win, they break up the SKT dynasty and pave the way for new players to rise. The only question is which team will join them in the semifinal. Both Team WE and Samsung Galaxy have scars from their past Worlds experiences.
An unlikely hero: Samsung’s Ruler steps up
Samsung Galaxy came so close to winning the Summoner’s Cup last year, but fell short against SKT. After that loss, the team struggled and didn’t recover in time for the playoffs. However, this summer, ADC Ruler drastically improved his performance. Historically known for playing utility ADCs, Ruler stepped up his aggression during the split and became a key player for Samsung Galaxy.
Now, if Samsung Galaxy wants to redeem themselves, Ruler needs to shine in his battle against WE’s Mystic.
No change necessary for Team WE
Unlike Samsung Galaxy, Team WE’s World Championship scars are from a long time ago. The team, formerly known as World Elite, faced international challenges in the past but couldn’t secure victory. However, with players like Mystic on their side, Team WE is ready to prove themselves. Mystic has transformed from an afterthought to one of the best ADCs, dealing the most damage in his position at Worlds.
In their upcoming match, Team WE’s top laner 957 will need to play a crucial role in supporting his team against Samsung’s CuVee.
Can CuVee continue to shine for Samsung?
Samsung’s top laner CuVee has been a key player for the team. He excels under pressure and has a unique ability to force mistakes from his opponents. In his recent match against Longzhu, CuVee prevented their top laner from split pushing, disrupting Longzhu’s strategy. Now, he faces a new challenge in Team WE’s top laner 957.
However, CuVee can rely on Ambition, Samsung’s jungler, to help him secure victory.
Ambition’s transformation
Although Ambition has been a steady player for Samsung, he hasn’t been spectacular. He usually focuses on farming and ignores the lane phase, causing Samsung to consider replacing him. However, his macro knowledge and ability to stabilize lanes without ganking have earned him a place in the starting lineup. Recently, Ambition has shown improved productivity in the lane phase, making him a formidable opponent for Team WE’s Condi.
Ultimately, macro play will determine the outcome of the match, and South Korean teams have a clear advantage in that area.