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IEM Katowice 2016 Staff Predictions

(credit to gamekit.com)
 

IEM Katowice will prove to be a stellar display of international talent, gathering regional champions and world champions alike to display their talent in front of the world. Some of the GosuGamers LoL staff offer some perspectives into the potential happenings this weekend.

 

Jake "JacobyF" Flynn

(photo courtesy Riot Games, Flickr)

Counter Logic Gaming is fresh off a four game win-streak and proved that Immortals are not actually immortal. Following that huge victory, they beat Cloud 9 in a thriller. Competition in the NA LCS is fierce this split, and CLG is here at IEM Katowice to show it. They are looking for nothing worse than first, and with how they have played lately, they could very well do it.

They are on a huge win streak, and have just taken down the best team in North America. With Darshan "Darshan" Upadhyaha’s strong performances top lane and Jae-hyeon "Huhi" Choi’s mid lane, CLG have been flourishing. Just watch them once and you will see the influence Darshan has on the team, and how often he sacrifices himself if it means taking an advantage. Jake "Xmithie" Puchero has put in so many quality performances this split, adapting his champion pool and style to his team’s needs. Their bot lane duo, Trevor "Stixxay" Hayes and veteran Zacqueri "Aphromoo" Black, have been tested by North America’s best. On top of the synergy that these talented players have built, they have found ways to clutch out games and secure wins where they may not be doing amazing statistically. They have a way of pressuring objectives and teams until they crack. CLG is coming off of some very strong wins last weekend and are looking to continue their hot streak going into IEM Katowice.

 

Reggie "Bathearst" Woo

(courtesy of Riot Games, Flickr)

It’s easy to go with a champion, but I’m still doing it. Despite having some mighty struggles lately with Seong-ung “Bengi” Bae underperforming, SK Telecom T1 is probably going to win IEM Katowice. Here’s why: their competition is really weak in comparison. Origen simply haven’t adapted fully to the new meta. Fnatic look like they are still struggling with communication issues. Team SoloMid look like they are still struggling with shot calling issues. 

Even the teams who look good coming in have fatal flaws against SKT. Both Royal Never Give Up and Qiao Gu Reapers probably won’t hold up well with complicated lane swaps, which SKT can still handle with ease. And Counter Logic Gaming can’t hold a candle to SKT on a pure talent level. The only question mark is Ever, who surely can’t be the same team who beat SKT after losing Hyeong-gi "Police" Park and Haun "Athena" Gang.

 

Tim "HitTheKench" Thissen

(courtesy of lolesports.com)

This event may be one of China’s best chances to secure an international victory for the first time since Edward Gaming took MSI last May. This tournament will see the return of the Qiao Gu, by far China’s strongest team at the moment with a resilient score of 7-1, their only defeat at the hands of Katowice’s other competing Chinese team, Royal Never Give Up.  Qiao Gu enters the fray after finishing in second place in last year’s IEM Cologne, defeated in the final round by the returning Korean challenger team, Ever. 

Since their defeat, QG has been dominating the LPL with their aggressive, teamfight-heavy playstyle. Much like last season, QG is a team that puts focus on rotating the map as a team and putting the enemy in a chokehold with their ability to catch out targets. Much like last season, though, QG is still suffering during the early game, playing hyperly aggressive only to be caught out and punished by teams who can match their rotations. If QG hopes to win, their best options are to focus on early game pressure to force the enemy into a corner, or to stall out and win an important teamfight that causes the enemy to be unable to stop them from pushing to victory. This tournament will be Qiao Gu’s chance to shine and prove that China still has what it takes to compete internationally.

 

Curtis "Curt_Mcgirt" Gocken

(courtesy of lolesports.com)

It is no secret that SK Telecom T1 are entering IEM with a myriad of issues. Chief among them has been the regression of Bengi's play in the jungle. Teams have been exploiting him this split, yet this could all change with the introduction of Gragas into the meta. Bengi has shown in previous splits that he is fantastic on the fat man. This gives Bengi another viable champion and he should no longer be the liability he has been of late. If teams decide to ban Gragas they do so at the risk of giving power picks to SKT’s carries. Other than Bengi, SKT’s roster is full of players who can go toe to toe with any opponent at this tournament. Jun-sik “Bang” Bae has been the team’s most consistent player and has looked like a world class marksman. He is probably the best at his position at IEM and if SKT win, he may certainly take home the MVP trophy. 

Other than a slight meta shift there is one other reason SKT will win; their opposition. Let’s be honest, this tournament isn’t exactly showcasing the best the world has to offer. There are indeed some quality teams at IEM, but by no means are these the best each region has to offer. As such, the brackets actually shape up nicely for SKT if they are able get the number one seed in Group B. This should be attainable as Qiao Gu pose the biggest threat and SKT match up nicely against them. QG have serious issues when it comes to both lane swapping and general macro decision making. In both respects SKT certainly have the advantage and should capitalize on it to win. By obtaining the number one seed they will presumably have a fairly easy opponent in the semifinals, as Royal Never Give Up will most likely win Group A. With the world’s best coach and players who have performed on big stages, SKT should be the favorite to win the finals regardless of their opponent.

Group A is by all accounts the much weaker of the two. RNG are odds on favorites to win the group, yet the number two seed is very much up for grabs. Team SoloMid are entering the tournament having lost three out of their last four games and seem to be in complete disarray. Since winning the Kespa Cup and IEM Cologne, Ever lost their mid laner to China and their star support to suspension after allegations of ELO boosting emerged. They are not near the same caliber as they were at the end of 2015. Origen is not exactly setting the world on fire either. They have been incredibly inconsistent and Paul “Soaz” Boyer has been particularly poor. However it is tournament time and Soaz’s game seems to elevate for big occasions. Tristan “PowerOfEvil” Schrage seems to be finding his stride and week by week he is slowly improving. My prediction is he will see a return to his 2015 form where he was a top tier Midlaner in EU. This will be his Origen breakout party, culminating in leading them into the semifinals.

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