We're almost halfway through the split. Who's on top? Who shouldn't be? Let's find out as we rank the teams.
It's hard to stay on top. Teams like Fnatic that have dominated the scene are finding that out the hard way as they find themselves stuck in the middle of the pack, just outside the discussion of top teams in Europe. Various issues whether it be building team synergy, smoothing out communication, and just executing plans are what separates all of the squads this year. Let's take a look at how the teams stack up now, with the halfway point coming every closer and playoffs within sight.
S Tier
G2 Esports (7-1)
There are striking similarities between the top team in Europe and the top team in North America.
G2 Esports' Mateusz "Kikis" Szkudlarek may not quite have Heo "Huni" Seung-hun's pure swagger, but both of their teams have found success through having complete trust in their teammates. Even if their style can be overaggressive and overconfident at times, for every time a G2 player has been caught out by their opponents, they usually have backup on the way. Team synergy has carried this team over their opponents time and time again and, until a team can match them in that department, G2 can afford to be a little overaggressive.
A Tier
H2K (7-1)
It could be worse for H2K all things considered.
Having to play without their strategic anchor also known as Ryu "Ryu" Sang-uk, the team has performed admirably with their sub Marcin "Selfie" Wolski. But, it's clear to everyone that this is not the same team. Where Ryu normally would hold or win his lane, Selfie has regularly been found behind his opponent. This has caused visible changes in map rotations and disconnects in communication that the H2K we saw at the beginning of the season simply did not have. Marcin "Jankos" Jankowski in particular has executed really awkward dives and been caught out of position multiple times, trying to get Selfie back ahead.
Unicorns of Love (6-2)
So, what jungler is next for Unicorns of Love?
Playing with their third jungler this season Rudy "Rudy" Beltran, UOL have impressed us by executing the same high level of macro play they've shown all season long with their seemingly continuously rotating position. A lot of credit has to be given to the returning members of Kiss "Vizicsacsi" Tamás and Zdravets "Hylissang" Galabov who has been key parts in the success of the new Unicorns. Gone is the chaos style strategy that they were famous for, and good riddance.
Team Vitality (5-3)
Somebody get Team Vitality more pillows.
For a superteam on paper, Team Vitality definitely still has kinks to work out in their illustrious armor and a lot of those kinks lie in the team's duo lane. While the team definitely pulls together and dominates often in team fights, AD Carry Petter "Hjärnan" Freyschuss has been caught by the opposing team in the wrong place and the wrong time much too many times, often killing any advantages the team worked hard to achieve. This particular problem came up in full view during the team's match with Unicorns of Love this past week.
B Tier
Origen (4-4)
Cleanup on aisle four.
Origen was a hot mess this past week and is still searching for their identity. They were handed a beatdown by G2 and did not look entirely convincing against the last place GIANTS. Let's be clear, Origen still have some of the strongest players on their roster. But, the problems have been stacking up against them. Tristan "PowerOfEvil" Schrage still doesn't look entirely adjusted to not being the sole carry. Paul "sOAZ" Boyer has underperformed all season long. Only Jesper "Zven" Svenningsen has been their sole shining light so far.
Fnatic (5-3)
Where in the world is the real Fnatic?
The reigning kings of Europe were humbled last week and were nearly upset this week by ROCCAT. Even with a new roster, Fnatic fans have got to be worried moving forward. It seems that their management is also concerned with news that Lewis "NoXiAK" Felix was given the royal boot and replaced by another LCS rookie Johan "Klajbajk" Olsson who was personally scouted by Martin "Rekkles" Larsson. We'll have to see whether Fnatic can get back on track after this move.
C Tier
Elements (3-5)
Meet the warden of the bottom.
Despite a solid showing against H2K this week, Elements couldn't find a win and continuted to cement themselves as the "team to beat if you don't want to face the relegation tournament". It is difficult to see the team rising any higher than this, but, with the organization's offseason drama and how they were put together in the first place, the players of Elements must be at least relieved to find themselves in this position.
D Tier
ROCCAT (1-7)
They almost did it.
ROCCAT almost dug themselves out of the hole they put themselves in with their game against Fnatic. But, like the rest of their season, the result was heartbreak. Karim "Aïrwaks" Benghalia continued to put the team on his back. The team actually won team fights and didn't throw too hard at Baron either. They put Fnatic on the very brink of defeat, but, it simply wasn't enough as the team was simply too afraid to close the game out. We'll have to see if the team can actually find an upset or two, but this game showed it's in their ability to do so.
Splyce (2-6)
This is a team without any luxury of time.
This week, Splyce put on display that they are a new team still grasping for a tangible strategy to win. They were able to find some success by putting all their eggs in the Chres "Sencux" Laursen basket a few times. But, whether Sencux can be a reliable hard carry for the team is still something of a mystery. For Splyce, time is running out to find that answer as they find themselves hugging the bottom of the standings with the halfway point of the split coming straight at them.
F Tier
GIANTS Gaming (0-8)
There really is nothing to say.
Even with an official statement from the team saying otherwise, GIANTS Gaming still look like the most lost team in theLCS. And I mean, lost in every sense of the word. Everyone is waiting for more drastic changes to come for this team, but until that happens, 0-18 seems like an inevitability rather than a probability.
Agree with these rankings? Think a team should have been rated higher/lower? Let us know in the comments below!
