TSM’s Early Game Strategy: A Closer Look
Last week, I thoroughly analyzed every game played by Team SoloMid over the past month. My focus was on their laning phase, specifically until the outer tier one turrets were destroyed. I have documented my findings, which can be accessed here for anyone interested.
In these documents, I analyzed TSM’s jungle pathing, objective setup, and gank opportunities. After reviewing around 25 pages of data, I have come to some conclusions about TSM’s early game and laning phase.
Where TSM Excels
TSM performs exceptionally well in standard lane matchups. They have mastered the art of playing around their winning lanes, particularly Bjergsen and Doublelift. It may seem simple to viewers, but TSM’s ability to coordinate and support their strong lanes is a key factor in their success.
TSM focuses more on Doublelift’s lane compared to Hauntzer’s, although they do not neglect Hauntzer completely. They distribute resources according to the opposing team’s strongest player. For example, when facing Immortals, TSM concentrated on the top side of the map by ganking both top and mid lanes before the 10-minute mark.
TSM’s aggressive early game plays are calculated and well-informed. They utilize the information they have on the enemy jungler’s movements to make strategic decisions. Their vision control is commendable, considering the limited time Biofrost and Sven have played together. Additionally, TSM capitalizes on any mistakes made by opponents in the laning phase.
Sven and Hauntzer demonstrate selflessness by sacrificing their own resources to benefit the team. Sven often falls behind in CS to gain advantages for his lanes. Hauntzer uses teleport or Shen ultimate to deny waves from the enemy bot lane, ultimately benefiting Doublelift.
TSM’s Weaknesses
TSM does have some weaknesses in their early game, although they are relatively minor considering their overall performance. One issue is their vulnerability to cross map plays. Hauntzer tends to overextend while his team is making plays on the other side of the map, which can nullify their efforts.
Another weakness is TSM’s tendency to overextend in side lanes for farm once the towers are down. This leaves them susceptible to being caught off-guard, disrupting their tempo.
How to Capitalize on TSM’s Weaknesses
To successfully exploit TSM’s weaknesses, opponents need to play with more aggression and capitalize on their mistakes. Teams should react quickly to cross map plays and punish TSM for overextending in side lanes. Additionally, sieging turrets with three or more people early on can catch TSM off guard.
However, it must be noted that TSM’s strengths are a result of their individual skill and macro play as a team. To defeat them, opponents must match their level in both areas. Based on my analysis, I predict TSM will emerge victorious with a 3-1 record against Counter Logic Gaming and Cloud9 in the upcoming playoffs.
Are there any other teams in the world that excel in standard lanes like TSM? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below or tweeting us at @GAMURScom.
If you want to follow me or have any questions, you can find me on Twitter @SchuckJeff. Thanks for reading!
Photo Credits to lolesports