Worlds is the place where the best stand together. This is where three-time champion, Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok became a global star and the GOAT. And thanks for his first prize in 2014, Cho “Mata” Se-hyeong is still entitled as one of the most incredible support players around, although his teammates’ performance has been up and down since then.
This is the show where League’s superior players have to show off their skills and experience to achieve the Cup. And with Faker’s team having been kicked out of the tournament for the first time in years, it’s high time for new generations to seize the crown.
So which of these players will set the stage on fire? Read the organized players list below and find out who is likely to have the most outstanding performance to take the reign of Worlds 2018.
First team:
Top lane: Kim “Kiin” Gi-in
No one is better than Kiin at the moment. He might be the greatest top laner of all time after being a suitable player Afreeca Freecs needed for years. But Kim “Khan” Dong-ha, the one stood the same place in Longzhu last year, is one of Kiin’s jeopardy. Kiin is expected to moving further than the quarterfinal match where Longzhu has been pulled out.
Jungle: Go “Score” Dong-bin
Score, the victor of LCK Summer Split, at last, made a go of Korea’s No.1 seed. Were he and his team, KT could win through this contest, it would be an astonishing copestone to Score’s career.
Mid lane: Song “Rookie” Eu-jin
The first time Rookie’s been to Worlds is three years ago, when Invictus Gaming wasn’t reckoned to tourney the Worlds. Now, he is an unquestionable hotshot carrying China’s hopes, to Korea. The stories of Rookie are one of the most unique.
Bot lane: Jian “Uzi” Zi-hao
This year was gearing up to be the Uzi’s Year, but a wrist injury countermined his summer expedition. Uzi is back to payback, and although a suited bot lane duo has been found, Riot’s misplaced rule that confines 6 players and an emergency sub per team means Uzi will likely be the chosen one for RNG. If Uzi wins Worlds, it would finish off the most wonderful period of time ever for a Chinese player and carry out his career.
Support: Cho “Mata” Se-hyeong
After the first title with Samsung White in 2014, Mata is struggling to find the second one. This is the nearest tournament he’s ever been: KT is lit at the moment and Mata’s mission is to get his teammates to play with focus and communication, maybe this could be the year for Mata to culminate the top again. The remain of Samsung list has fallen out of the pro stage, leaving Mata as the only nominee for the run.
Second team
Top lane: Song “Smeb” Kyung-ho
Smeb had the opportunity to Worlds 2 years ago when he was one of the unity best player. But having been defeated by Faker and SKT then not passing for the contest last year, he now falls into Kiin. With KT finally playing well, Smeb could finish his uncompleted expedition from being a defeated one to the Worlds title-holder. Winning the Worlds will give him the chance of getting back the lost title in 2016 - “best player”.
Junglers: Hung “Karsa” Hua-hsuan and Liu “mlxg” Shi-yu
Picking 2 players is a little bit cheating but they’ve formed a fearful duo for RNG this year. The more merged with the team, the more dangerous Karsa is. He has been very undefeatable while playing carry junglers like Camille and Taliyah while the other - mlxg has been the tanker. A fearful duo that crushes any obstacles preventing RNG from the crown.
Mid lane: Rasmsu “Caps” Winther
First time in the EU LCS, Caps was called “Baby Faker”. Now, with the real Faker not included in the tournament, it’s clear that Caps could take the chance to turn the star of his own. Caps represents one of the most incomparable mid laners anyplace, but many will be in doubt of his ability unless he can bring Fnatic to the Worlds semifinals or furthermore.
Bot lane: Park “Ruler” Jae-hyuk
For many years, Ruler was celebrated as an indifferent bot lane player who was upheld by his teammates. Had it not been for the shine of Ruler with Xayah and Kai’sa in the regional qualifier, the team would never be in Worlds 2018. Ruler was also on Team Korea joining Asian Games last month thanks for his talent.
Support: Hu “SwordArt” Shuo-chieh
There was an execration with lack of international success on Flash Wolves, and there was no exception for SwordArt. Even after being beaten by Karsa, the Flash Wolves may be better throughout time. His lane partner, Lu “Betty” Yu-hung, has made steady the lane and top laner Su “Hanabi” Chia-hsiang’s style of play become regenerating. But no one knows how much this team has really modified playing in LMS zone.
Third team
Top lane: Kim “Ssumday” Chan-ho
Ssumday is neither the most skillful player nor famous for the smashing playing style. Even though, he was one of MVP candidate in NA LCS, which is not exactly the premier contest, just because of his cracking North American top laners. It’s wry that Ssumday and the 100 Thieves were back to Worlds, and Ssumday’s old team - KT did too. It’s a pleasure for us to see the encounter match between Ssumday and Smeb.
Jungle: Mads “Broxah” Brock-Pedersen
Another part of Fnatic’s strong mid - jungle duet, Broxah has evolved to be one of the most effective junglers in the region. Many top teams, such as Afreeca, Gen.G, IG, and EDG, have the same problem as Fnatic at the jungle position. Broxah will have to demonstrate the change in playmaking and controlling over the map than what he had been shown in Fnatic’s completely loss to RNG in the MSI semifinals last May, but we have faith in him and his team’s improvements this summer.
Mid lane: Li “xiaohu” Yuan-hao
Xiaohu was a big promotion last Worlds. It was expected that his year, with the matches were held in his hometown. Xiaohu and his teammate were defeated by SKT in the five-match semifinals. In this year, without Faker in Worlds, Xiaohu could be bloom to lead Royal to the top.
Bot lane: Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng
There are a number of options for this position, for instance, Ha “Kramer” Jong-hun of Afreeca, Fnatic star Martin “Rekkles” Larsson and Invictus Gaming’s Yu “Jackeylove” Wen-bo could be the next ADC bright star, but only Team Liquid depends on bot lane. He finally won the NA LCS MVP award after turning out to be the best ADC in his region. If he can still remain his strong performance this time, it would be what Liquid need for a deep run.
Support: Tian “Meiko” Ye
After many years of Worlds failure, we’ve forfeited on EDG except for Meiko. It’s not Meiko’s fault that EDG’s subjective to lose matches after taking the lead. If EDG can come through its history and make good this tournament, Meiko definitely will be the center point. And if the other teams don’t find out that Tahm-Kench is a must-ban against Meiko and EDG, this might happen.