Note that these are not necessarily the top players statistically, but those who had the greatest impact for their team.
Top Lane
1ST: Kev1n
I said it back in Week 2: if Millenium are to have any chance of success this split, Kev1n will have to play at the top of his game. And he has done so in impressive style ever since.
Against Gambit, his Shen was one of the highlights, going toe to toe with Darien’s Renekton and contributing heavily to team-fights without dying. As one of the only remaining top-laners who picks Shen on a regular basis, Kev1n is able to shore up Millenium’s weaker mid-game with his global presence and solid laning.
It was versus Fnatic that Kev1n really shone though: his Trundle ran all over sOAZ’s Renekton and was an absolute beast in the skirmishes, going 1v3 or 1v4 to protect his carries. And yet for all the damage he tanked, Kev1n only died once, going 4-1-14 and utterly taking over the game.
It’s pretty simple: Millenium is a team which has struggled to find consistency in the mid-game, and Kev1n is the foundation upon which the team can build towards wins. He rarely loses lane, contributes heavily in team-fights and almost never dies – watch out for Kev1n in the weeks to come.
Stats:
Total Score: 7-1-18 KDA: 25 Average Cs: 273 Best Champion: Trundle
2nd: Xaxus (ROCCAT)
With a pair of Trundle games under his belt there is only one word for Xaxus’ play: solid. He is a rock for ROCCAT, with hardly a bad game and consistent laning. His Pillar of Ice in the Alliance game was especially note-worthy
3rd: Mimer (Supa Hot Crew)
His Shyvana against the Wolves was a split-pushing nuisance and he redeemed his weak Lissandra play early by landing a clutch ultimate on Froggen to secure the victory for SHC against Alliance.
Middle Lane
1ST: Jesiz
In the early weeks of the season, Jesiz was one of SK Gaming’s weakest links. He simply did not look comfortable facing up against Europe’s best mid-laners and his play suffered for it. However, as SK Gaming has begun to finally find their rhythm and pick up some wins, Jesiz’s confidence seems to have sky-rocketed, and his improved play is a reflection of that change in attitude.
He is certainly a player who prefers champions with safe laning phases and strong team-fight contributions, allowing Svenskeren to make the early plays. This formula is working better for SK than the assassin comps they were running earlier in the season.
His Ziggs against Gambit was strong, keeping AlexIch’s Kayle in check and punishing Diamond’s Skarner pick. His roam down to bot-lane was key in giving SK the early advantage, and his safe play allowed Jesiz to go death-less.
Against Fnatic, his Orianna Shockwaves were timely and combined well with Svenskeren’s Vi, and his strong laning did not allow xPeke’s Leblanc any room to roam or pick up early kills.
SK is on a hot-streak right now, and if they continue to put Jesiz on safe champions like Orianna or Ziggs (the remade Xerath is also a potential option for the 4.2 patch) then they will continue to receive solid play from their young mid-laner.
Stats:
Total Score: 9-1-11 KDA: 20 Average Cs: 349 Best Champion: Ziggs
2nd: Overpow (ROCCAT)
His Kayle was solid (as always) versus Alliance and his Yasuo, despite looking a little rusty, combined perfectly with Jankos to totally shut down the Wolve’s carry Forg1ven.
3rd: Kerp (Millenium)
While he struggled on Ziggs up against AlexIch Leblanc, his Fizz was crucial in eliminating Rekkles to allow Millenium to hand Fnatic their fifth straight loss.
Jungle
1ST: Impaler
A lot of criticism has been leveled at Impaler in the early weeks of the season due to his vulnerability in the picks/bans stage. Taking away his Vi crippled him and it clearly showed. However, much like the rest of Supa Hot Crew, Impaler has done nothing but improve over the past few weeks – his expanded pool of aggressive jungler makes him a threat and his ability to gank early is unmatched.
He might just be the best Wukong player in Europe: the Monkey King suits his aggressive play-style but he also seems to understand the champion’s limitations better than anyone else. His Decoys especially deserve credit, as he constantly fakes-out the opposition and makes every second of invisibility count. Against Alliance his Decoy was crucial in turning around a Dragon fight (even the casters thought he was caught) and versus the Copenhagen Wolves his Cyclone ultiamtes devastated the back-line.
Impaler is a great story – he joined SHC late, faced adversity and criticism and has since become a key member of the team. If Impaler can continue to grow and improve as a top-level jungler, the future looks bright for a Supa Hot Crew who are looking red-hot.
Stats:
Total Score: 6-3-21 KDA: 9 Average Cs: 129 Best Champion: Wukong
2nd: Svenskeren (SK Gaming)
His Pantheon Man-Drops were on point and vital to getting the bot-lane rolling against Gambit and his Vi was a big reason SK was able to recover when behind versus Fnatic.
3rd: Araneae (Millenium)
His YOLO-mode Lee Sin drew tons of attention from Fnatic, which allowed the rest of Millenium to make mince-meat of Rekkles and xPeke and his Evelyn was top-notch even in defeat at the hands of Gambit.
Bot-Lane Duo
1ST: Mr.Rallez and Mixga
The amount of work that the Supa Hot Crew bot-lane does for their team is truly staggering, and they are just now beginning to receive the attention they rightfully deserve. Even when Moopz and Mimer are down and out, Mr. Rallez and Migxa find ways to keep the crew in the game. Their mastery of 2v2s and their supernatural ability to pick up first blood sets them apart from the pack – they must be considered as one of the top 3 bot-lanes in Europe right now for their consistency and play-making tendencies.
In the game versus the Wolves, Mr. Rallez was an absolute monster, going 7-2-5 and crushing Forg1ven in every dual. His Lucian play is what made him a force early on in the season, and continues to be a reliable and fearsome champion option for Supa Hot Crew.
And in the game against Alliance, the duo showcased their ability, dominating Tabzz and Nyph and going deathless throughout the game. Migxa’s Thresh hooks were on point while Mr. Rallez shredded Alliance with a Jinx played to perfection.
Supa Hot Crew couldn’t have asked for a better duo – their communication and synergy is excellent, their laning is dominant and their team-fighting is safe but also deadly. Keep an eye out, because the SHC duo is no joke.
Stats:
Mr.Rallez
Total Score: 14-2-15 KDA: 14.5 Average Cs: 325 Best Champion: Jinx
Migxa
Total Score: 0-4-27 KDA: 6.75 Average Cs: 25 Best Champion: Thresh
2nd: Celaver and Vander (ROCCAT)
Celevar’s Lucian went huge in ROCCAT’s comeback victory against the Copenhagen Wolves and Vander proved he’s not a one trick pony, playing a pair of excellent games on Morgana despite the fact that his Thresh was banned out.
3rd: Candy Panda and nRated (SK Gaming)
Especially in the game versus Gambit but also against Fnatic, the SK Gaming duo looks better and better week after week. Making bold Vayne picks work in both games, CandyPanda continues to lead his team with his experience and mechanics while nRated has not lost a beat in his return to competitive play.
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Top Plays of the Week:
There were no "big plays" this week, so I figured I would highlight three small moments that show the skill and talents of the players involved.
1) Troll Town: Xaxus' Pillar Locks in the Alliance
A small play but a brilliant one.
With Shook and Wickd collapsing onto his carries, Xaxus perfectly placed a Pillar of Ice to pin them against a wall, totally turning the tides of the fight and allowing ROCCAT to dish out damage without fearing the tanks of Alliance.
It may not seem like much but the fight would have gone totally differently is Xaxus hadn't made this small but critical play.
(Click photo for VOD)
2) Drinking Buddies: Moopz Saves Mimer
This moments has two great plays – first, as Shook caught out Mimer in the jungle, a brilliant Dragon’s Rage interrupts Mimer just was he was about to escape to his Glacial Path claw. In serious trouble, Mimer Flashed away with Shook hot on his tail. Collapsing quickly Moopz landed a perfect Explosive Cask to knock Shook away from Mimer as he was about to land the killing blow, allowing Impaler to clean up the kill.
Moopz’s patience on his ultimate and the great skillshot placement saved Mimer’s life when things looked grim and snagged a kill in the bargain.
(Click photo for VOD)
3) Is That Madlife: Millenium's First Blood
In a weekend full of great Thresh play, Jree’s Death Sentence onto AlexIch’s Leblanc stands out.
Not only was Millenium’s level one plan clever and unique, but Jree’s hook was perectly placed an secured Millenium a crucial first blood.
Although they would go on to lose the game the great CC chain Millenium laid-down on the back of Jree’s play put them ahead early.
(Click photo for VOD)
