The third stage of the LPL group matches is nearing its end. After more than a month of battles, the true strength of each major team has been revealed. At this point, only the top four teams in the Pinnacle group appear capable of competing for a Worlds berth, since from WBG onwards, the rest are not in the same tier as those top four. Each team has its own problems, making the matches more and more erratic.

Looking over the entire stage, JDG has been the biggest disappointment. In the first stage, JDG was still considered a powerhouse, finishing third in the playoffs with impressive results. However, starting from the second stage, things began to go wrong; they ranked third in the regular season but were eliminated after two straight playoff losses. By the third stage, the team has gone completely silent, unable to beat any of the top four teams and winning only 4 out of 12 matches so far.

In the first two stages’ regular seasons, JDG consistently ranked in the top four. But in the third stage, they are at the bottom of the Pinnacle group. The biggest issue for this team is undoubtedly Scout’s severe decline in form. In recent games, the younger players have been JDG’s weak points—Scout struggles in lane against any opponent and his teamfight execution has become very inconsistent. Additionally, frequent roster changes have caused problems with team cohesion and communication, which has also affected Peyz significantly.

After going through the hardships of playing with three different supports—Missing, Wink, and Zhuo—Peyz has now become quite ordinary. In the first two stages, he was JDG’s reliable anchor, making few mistakes in lane and able to take over games in the mid-to-late phases. But in the third stage, Peyz has been silent, often falling behind in lane and making many errors in teamfights. Compared to previous stages, it feels like a completely different player.

Recently, some fans compiled MVP counts for players in the Pinnacle group during the third stage. Despite playing 12 matches, Peyz hasn’t earned a single MVP, while Scout, whose form has been unstable, has claimed 7 MVP awards. This has led to polarized opinions about Peyz; some fans believe he has been assimilated by his teammates and no longer has the drive to win.

However, other fans argue that Peyz was overrated from the start. When he played for GEN, he mostly benefited from his teammates’ efforts. During last year’s World Championship, he nearly caused a loss against FLY and was considered the main culprit. These two opposing views have their supporters, but personally, I lean towards the assimilation theory, because Peyz’s strong performances in the first two stages are well known. This stage clearly shows a mental breakdown.

All three supports have been problematic, and bot lane is inherently different from other lanes, requiring strong coordination. Peyz faces communication issues due to language barriers. Most importantly, the team’s results are worsening, and bearing the pressure of being the “Ruler” successor in LPL must be tough. This player’s mentality has never been strong, which was evident during his time with GEN.

By the end of this season, Peyz probably won’t stay with JDG. Continuing to pair him with Scout might completely ruin his reputation. Returning to the LCK could be a better option, though top teams like T1, HLE, or GEN might be out of reach. KT could be a possibility, and if he teams up with BDD and regains his previous form, there’s hope for a Worlds run. As for this year’s JDG, honestly, there’s little to expect.

Conclusion:

Compared to Ruler, Peyz’s performance in the LPL has been unimpressive. There is a clear gap in individual skill between the two. Perhaps swapping teams gave fans the mistaken impression that Peyz could replace Ruler, leading to overly high expectations. But as for effort, I believe Peyz played well in the first two stages without fault.

So, what do you think about Peyz’s performance?

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