The Dominance of Team SoloMid in League of Legends
In Season 2 of the North American open circuit for League of Legends, Team SoloMid (TSM) rose above their competitors. With the addition of Marcus “Dyrus” Hill in March 2012, TSM consistently placed in the top four of nine consecutive events, winning seven of them. Their most notable victory was at the MLG Anaheim Spring Finals, where they defeated some of Europe’s best teams, including Fnatic and CLG.EU, as well as top North American competitors CLG Prime and Dignitas. TSM’s success was attributed to their unmatched decisiveness in the late game, always being able to catch players out of position, secure desperation barons, or effectively split-push to relieve map pressure. Their dominance exemplified what structured League of Legends should look like.
Reginald: The Premier Shotcaller of Season 2
Reginald, TSM’s mid-laner, captain, and owner, was hailed as the premier shotcaller of Season 2. His late-game-oriented shotcalling was basic but impressive compared to other teams at that time. While many teams can now replicate his style, no one could match Reginald’s decisiveness during that era.
Reginald’s Role in TSM
Through Season 2, Reginald not only facilitated the team’s structure but also displayed dominance in his position as one of the most dominant mid-laners in North America. Playing aggressively to win his lane, Reginald drew pressure away from his side laners, allowing them to play more passively. TSM often drafted around mid to late game team fights, picking champions that excelled in those scenarios. Even if Reginald fell behind in lane, his ability to make impactful plays in team fights made him valuable to the team. Reginald’s decisiveness set him apart from other shotcallers in North America during Season 2, who struggled to make the perfect call when it mattered most.
Reginald’s Legacy and Successors
In Season 3, Reginald’s individual performance began to decline. However, he remained the dominant voice in TSM’s communication and the reckless initiator for team fights. Eventually, he was replaced by Bjergsen due to his inability to compete with the world’s best mid-laners. Nonetheless, Reginald’s persona remained in the locker room, influencing the team’s culture and approach to competition. Hai Lam, his effective successor as the best shotcaller in North America, carried on Reginald’s legacy with Cloud9.
Image credits to sk-gaming.com
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