——Second topic: LPL , the underperforming BLG compared to expectations & the strong LNG
Wolf : Talking about BLG first, I didn't watch much of the LPL matches before, but the viewers in the live stream said, "This is really a good chance for BLG to win the championship, they are almost invincible, it's hard to stop them." However, they unexpectedly fell into a group with 2 losses, and their competitive level was somewhat poor. Why is that?
A-ddeung: I think there are two issues.The first issue is that LPL teams have high force value and low intelligence value, and are weak in lane swaps.For example, in the LCK Regional Finals, T1 VS KT almost every game had lane swaps, but LPL almost didn't. They do swap lanes, but not in a very detailed manner. Also, Riot's 14.18 patch adjusted tower plates to discourage lane swaps, so LPL teams might think they shouldn't swap lanes anymore, leading to poor response to lane swaps. From the T1 vs TES and T1 vs BLG matches, it can be seen that their ability to respond to lane swaps is very insufficient, especially BLG.
I think it's a pity to use player Xun. After BLG brought in player Wei, they never lost a major match, whether it was BO3 or BO5, although they lost some small games. But this time in the Swiss round, they lost to LNG and T1 in BO1, and both were comebacks. Because of losing these two games, they used player Xun against PSG and G2, which is unfortunate for their competitive level.
I think BLG's underperformance is due to poor response to lane swaps and using player Xun, and of course, player On's poor form.
Wolf : So you think that if they used Wei, BLG would become stronger?
A-ddeung: Personally, I think so. Also, LPL's advantage is in laning, and the lane swap version doesn't often have normal laning, so BLG and LPL's advantage disappeared.
Pong: But interestingly, as far as I know, lane swaps started with LPL, initiated by player Zhuo before it became popular. Watching BLG's inadequate response to lane swaps, it feels like they didn't adapt well to changes after the patch update. When BLG played against MAD, two players died diving the tower, and it seemed like a Happy Ending. Looking at the matches after that, it seems their understanding of lane swaps was problematic from that point on.
Untara : I still want to continue talking about the reasons against the Wei faction. When BLG played well before, they were very good at counter-jungling and using lane dominance to induce chaotic fights. Now it's the tank jungler version? It's OK! But the number one seed in LPL should be different, you guys play tank champions, I'll play Nidalee and crush the opponent from the lane. I look forward to seeing BLG like that, and after Xun appeared, they won, so Xun is right. Also, we don't know the players' voice comms, we don't know what's going on with On. But they worked together for so long before and are very good at aggressive champions, Xun is more suitable. Pony : I am also in support of Xun, it's better to play out your own style. Moreover, BLG is the number one seed, and the number one seed usually utilizes the version themselves, either they die suddenly or they keep going to the finals. You just said Xun can't control On, I think not being able to control is even better, this is more suitable for BLG's style. Wolf : It's not just in professional matches, but also in amateur games, if a teammate tells you "it's better not to do that," it feels particularly frustrating. If you charge together, it actually relaxes On mentally, and the game might go smoothly. Moreover, On usually picks champions like Rell and Leona, who initiate fights. If he starts listening to teammates, asking if they should engage now, the game becomes difficult. A-ddeung: Although I agree with this statement, I am still with the Wei faction. After Xun appeared, watching the LPL league, they lost to LNG in the regular season, lost to T1 in EWC, lost to GEN in MSI, and then played JDG. In the first game, Xun appeared and they lost due to jungle gap, from the second game Wei appeared, and since then BLG has always used Wei and hasn't lost once (in major matches). Just like you said, when Xun appears, there is potential. But BLG doesn't need to rely on the jungler to carry because Bin, knight , Elk + On can all carry, there's no need to rely on Xun. I think Wei, who does things with fewer resources, is more suitable for BLG. And as mentioned earlier, On went in and died, but Wei didn't charge together, so even if one person died, others survived, making the competitive level very stable. When Xun appears, the ceiling is high, but the competitive level is unstable. I think BLG's instability comes from Xun.
