Rookies no more: What to watch from May 30th to June 5th

With the first week now in the books for eastern teams, EU and NA LCS are ready to get started. Start times across time zones can be found here for LCK, here for LPL, here for EU LCS and here for NA LCS. Remember that EU has Bo2s and NA has Bo3s on two different channels.

Best Matches

In this paragraph I predict what will be the most exciting matches that you absolutely don’t want to miss. Of course, this is just my point of view, for more advice check the paragraph below!

May 30th:

Afreeca Freecs vs Samsung Galaxy. Koreans really never rest, and that’s maybe why they are the best. They practice until they improve and improve until they dominate, and speaking of improvement, these two teams are a perfect example. Once facing relegation, now they are solid contenders for playoffs and maybe more. Deserving a particular look are their botlanes, respectively Sangyoon and SnowFlower against Ruler and Wraith. The first duo underwent a long series of delusions, but they never stopped learning; on the other hand the second is young, being Ruler a new entry, but they have been a strong point even against the Tigers. Given the backgrounds, this should be a fiery showdown: expect no less than three games, but there’s no way of telling who will take the series.

Beware! Neither team would settle with a loss. In the race for playoffs, nothing is for free, so probably both will fight until the very end before going down. A nice grueling series should keep you company for the whole afternoon!

May 31st:

Ever vs Jin Air Green Wings. Probably Ever are more internationally known than Jin Air, maybe because they had more participation in multi-region events. And for good reason: they know how to move on the map. Sadly, Jin Air would like to dissent that. Looking to take their coordination to the next level, these teams seem to be on opposite fronts: while Ever is taking the “teamfight everything” approach, Jin Air is honing their rotations and objective control. The winner of this match will be the team who can force the other to play out of their comfort zone.

Beware! Sure, Ever shines during teamfights, but sometimes they are too greedy. Sure, Jin Air is good with double teleports and dragon control, but sometimes they get caught red-handed. Whatever the reason, remember that both teams might happen to have sloppy plays as they adjust to the meta and the new strategies.

June 2nd:

EULCS1: Origen vs G2 eSports. Pay attention to this match, H2K and Roccat fans. This is much more than a rematch of the Spring Finals. This is a new rivalry, and whatever the outcome both teams won’t be satified yet. Zoom into the botlanes: Zven and Mithy on one side, not the one you should expect, and Forgiven and Hybrid replacing those same two players. I really wish EU had Best of 3s, just to hope to see this matchup more and more. Also, PowerOfEvil looks to take PerkZ with a shining new arsenal of mages. Whatever work you have to do, stop it and watch this match. You’ll thank me.

Beware! The only excuse I can accept for you not to watch this is if you are a relative of some player of H2K or Roccat, since the two matches overlap time-wise. Not to diminish the importance of the other match, but the quality should be on a totally different level.

EULCS1: FC Schalke 04 vs Unicorns of Love. Right after a good mouthful of hatred between rivals, take some love. Actually, scratch that: Fox made the same choice of Origen’s botlane, and now looks to play against his former team. With plenty of new entries, both teams look to rise above the middle of the pack, and the key element will be the early game, a department where both teams were lacking last split. I still can’t predict how will this end: 1-1 or 2-0 for any of the two teams could happen, so this should be enough of a reason not to close your PC on Thursday evening.

Beware! Schalke were a bottom team last split, and Unicorns has always had the tendence to behave like they were more often than not. These two games will not be clean. Well, to be honest they might straight out be a clownfiesta. As I will tell you later, if you’re not a Sadist (check my categories!) you might like this over Splyce-Vitality.

NALCS1: Team SoloMid vs Counter Logic Gaming. What a shame to be an european: the juiciest match of NA’s first week will be watched on VOD for sure. Or, for the most hardcore of you, staying up late for the sake of a good head-to-head on the Rift is also an option. For those who don’t, I strictly recommend you to watch this game whatever you have to do on saturday: TSM start their new support Biofrost, and rumors say he’s working wonders together with Doublelift. Personally, I’m excited to see a rookie shoulder to shoulder with four veterans, and I sincerely hope he performs to the top of his possibilities. Just don’t think Aphromoo will let him be.

Beware! Your heart is at serious danger of collapsing. If this series is even a tenth of what the Spring Finals was, keep this link near you. It may help you.

June 3rd:

Game Talents vs Newbee. When I first thought about this week’s matches, I instantly put this under the Sadist tag. But after seeing WuShuang and Republic totally dominate their opponents, I changed my mind. As of now, Newbee are below Game Talents, but keep in mind that GT has had a relatively easy Week 1 while Newbee faced EDG and Invictus. This is the clutch occasion for the “Energy Pacemaker+Masters3” rookie team to prove they are not a fluke, and for Dade to step up and go back to his older form, as he struggled mightily in last week’s games.

Beware! Speaking of chinese teams, I always have to remind at least once in every article that no match will ever be safe from spiraling down into the blind fury of bloodbaths that is characteristic of this region. But Game Talents have proven to be solid when it comes to having a plan, so this could turn into a fast couple of games only if they go for teamfights, which is where Newbee are at home.

EULCS1: Splyce vs Roccat. Two months ago I’d have overlooked this match without even thinking about it. But now with new rosters, new meta and new motivation, both teams have the chance to rise from the dreaded relegations. What will have the upper hand, YamatoCannon‘s much touted hivemind coordination or the individual skill of Roccat’s sololanes? An interesting clash of styles, indeed worth watching, even if not between top teams.

Beware! Or maybe they are still bottom teams and this will wind up being a bronze sub war, which I really hope it doesn’t for the sake of EU scene. If you feel the stacks are not high enough, you can always switch to Unicorns-Origen, with playoff tickets up for grabs.

EULCS 2: Vitality vs Fnatic. Both teams were left disappointed after spring playoffs, but they sure are ready to take back what’s theirs. In what will probably be an exciting showdown, we get to see two of the best vision controllers, playmakers and shotcallers in the EU region with kaSing and YellowStar. As a main support, I can’t wait for this match! Also, Vitality needs to warm up and get some synergy as fast as they can; shame they face one of the top EU teams right off the bat.

Beware! Overlapping with Giants-G2. Provided that Giants-G2 will be a lot more predictable and one-sided, my advice is to follow Vitality-Fnatic, as this will have more implications and will tell us more about those teams.

June 4th:

KT Rolster vs SK Telecom T1. True LCK fans know this match as “The Telecom Wars”, a rivalry going back to the very start of the korean scene. Sadly for KT, excluding one match last Spring, they have always lost the head-to-head, so it’s more of a one-way rivalry. Nevertheless, KT are indeed a top team like SKT1 and seem ready to take on the challenge, with Hachani in a really nice form and aiming to be the playmaker the team had in Piccaboo last year. We already know how it’s going to end, but KT can alway surprise us.

Beware! “One-sided” isn’t enough to describe what I think about this match. Expect SKT1 to do what they want while KT look at them in sheer panic and slowly choke to their nexus.

NALCS1: Cloud 9 vs Immortals. The last time these two teams met, all the people watching that match had the impression of two boxers exchanging blow for blow in a non-stop battle to endure and come on top. It’s a hard challenge for C9, being their first match with a new roster against a team whose coordination has only improved. Anyway, three games of brutal mindless fighting should be your ideal saturday night.

Beware! Without Hai, C9’s rotations will be kept to a minimum: since it’s their first game, I’m pretty sure we will se some sloppy game plans or lane assignment. If the blue boys don’t find some effective strategy, they might not get to a third game. If this happens, switch to the other stream to see how Echo Fox and Phoenix1 are doing.

NALCS2: Apex Gaming vs NRG eSports. Like in most superheroes movies, there’s a desperate situation and an old hero comes back to save it all. A whole bunch of veterans are ready to confront each other with new teams and new metas. Given that Apex have been together for more time, I’m more inclined to see them winning, but individually NRG has better players. In a nice clash of styles, it will be interesting to see who will come out on top.

Beware! No, we are not in China, but I’ll give you the clownfiesta warning anyway, since a former Challenger is going to play against a totally new team. Also, EnVyUs-Liquid on the other stream might prove interesting as well.

June 5th:

NALCS 2: Team SoloMid vs Team Liquid. When two teams in the top 6 face each other, it’s always a good match. Moreover, a good showdown of ADCs take place, with Doublelift and Piglet. In the hope Dardoch gets the chance to play, I’m excited to see him against Svenskeren.

Beware! Overlaps with Echo Fox-Cloud 9, but the latter should last a lot longer given the teams, so you might catch them both.

Viewer’s Buffet

Not everyone watches matches for the same reasons. Some follow specific teams, some watch only important clashes, some others enjoy seeing strong teams crushing others. That’s what the Viewer’s Buffet is for: choose what delights you!

Sadists

Good news if you’re a Sadist: this week is horrendously stacked with stomps. Enjoy them!

ROX Tigers vs MVP. The Tigers need to stomp them, or I’ll seriously start to doubt their form.

SK Telecom T1 vs CJ Entus. This was a heated rivalry once. Oh how the time wrecks things…

Longzhu Gaming vs KT Rolster. Given their recent performances, I’ll be surprised if this doesn’t end in a solid 2-0 for KT.

Team WE vs LGD Gaming. Just mentioning the word “teamwork” gives LGD shivers, I think.

Royal Never Give Up vs Oh My God. Icon or not, Royal outclasses OMG in every single lane, let alone map control.

Edward Gaming vs Saint Gaming. Acorn couldn’t make himself heard against a rookie team, so I don’t expect him carrying against a top team.

Splyce vs Vitality. As mentioned before, barring some huge communication issues for Vitality, Splyce might go home with no points.

Fnatic vs Giants!. The “Welcome Back YellowStar!” slaughter is a perfect start for Fnatic’s Summer Split!

Giants! Vs G2 eSports. Exactly what I said in the previous line, except it’s “Welcome back from vacations!”.

Apex Gaming vs Counter Logic Gaming. Second strongest team in the world (according to MSI) against a challenger team? You really are a sadist.

Brawlers

Ever vs ROX Tigers. It’s highly unlikely, but maybe Ever can take advantage of the apparent Tigers’ slump.

Game Talents vs Newbee. I just hope it goes to third game just to see PentaQ and Savoki‘s hilariously creative teamfights.

Cloud 9 vs Immortals. If this isn’t enough to convince you…

Tacticians

KT Rolster vs SK Telecom T1. Two top 3 korean teams, both with the best rotations in their region. This could be the match of the week.

Team WE vs IMay. The rookie team has expertly outrotated and outplanned long-time LPL teams such as OMG and LGD. WE should still be favourite, but this is the match for IMay to prove they’re not just rookies.

Vitality vs Fnatic. I’m doubtful about this because Vitality has two korean rookies in MightyBear and Police, but I hope it will be a rotation-heavy game.

Duelists

CJ Entus vs Afreeca Freecs. Both Kramer vs Sangyoon and BDD vs Mickey should be exciting to watch and win conditions.

Splyce vs Roccat. Unpopular opinion: Sencux and Besty are becoming the new generation of “EU mids man…”. Look their head-to-head closely.

Echo Fox vs Cloud 9. Both teams’ cores face each other in a “who can carry more?” double duel! Jensen&Sneaky vs Froggen&Keith should be good.

Historians

KT Rolster vs SK Telecom T1. Just in case you haven’t noticed this until now, I really want you to watch this match!

Team SoloMid vs Counter Logic Gaming. This was a rivalry much like SKT1-KT, where TSM always had the upper hand, but now it looks like sides have switched, and it was about time! Still the most enjoyable NA match ever.

Origen vs G2 eSports. That’s how some rivalries are born. Not necessarily through years of history at the top, but through sweet juicy drama.

Circus

Vici Gaming vs LGD Gaming. I wanted to put this under the Historian section, but after seeing them play I suddenly changed my mind. This should be the ugliest match of the week. Watch at your own risk.

Invictus Gaming vs Saint Gaming. Rookie team against RooKie team. See the difference? Jokes aside, both teams really need to step up their game plans. (sorry, Invictus fans!)

FC Schalke 04 vs Unicorns of Love. A team with 3 new semi-rookie players and just-above-relegations team face each other. This is the less likely clownfiesta here, but I’ll have you warned!

Apex Gaming vs NRG eSports. I had to mention this. NA 6th to 10th teams are very prone to sloppy plays, just think back to Dignitas-Renegades.

In the hope I have been helpful to your watching experience, enjoy this week of eSports and don’t forget to tell me what do you think about my predictions!