Viper’s discipline overhaul of BLG

Following BLG’s announcement of champion AD player Viper joining the team, many LOL insiders regarded BLG as the most powerful squad in the LPL. Champion coach Zhu Kai even confidently stated that BLG would sweep all LPL titles next year. Because of the widespread acclaim for BLG’s strength, LPL fans started looking forward to BLG’s showing at the 德杯. After all, last year’s 德杯 champion AL became LPL’s shining star in international matches, and many fans hoped BLG could win the 德杯 this year.

BLG’s performance in their opening 德杯 match did not disappoint their supporters. Leveraging exceptional individual skills, BLG decisively crushed LNG during the game. In particular, BLG’s top laner BIN repeatedly took on five opponents alone in this BO3 series, prompting many fans to proclaim the return of the “world’s best top laner.” Moreover, the high level of discipline displayed by BLG throughout the match felt unfamiliar to many LPL viewers, who attributed BLG’s disciplined playstyle largely to Viper’s influence.

ELK brutally betrayed by BLG fans

Many BLG fans believe that the management’s decision to dismiss ELK and bring in Viper was a stroke of genius. As a top-tier AD carry, Viper never interferes with the team’s BP strategy nor arbitrarily directs the jungler. In contrast, BLG’s former AD player ELK frequently meddled in BP decisions and casually commanded jungle actions, which earned him considerable dislike from BLG fans. Some viewers even think that ELK’s reckless commands were the reason BLG often got overturned by opponents.

Although BLG’s first match was nearly flawless, many LPL viewers still feel BLG’s strength is greatly overrated, especially since the 德杯 holds relatively low prestige. Furthermore, LNG did not acquire any star players during the transfer window, only signing the lowest-ranked mid laner and second-lowest jungler from the LCK region. Therefore, BLG’s victory over LNG does not necessarily prove their strength. Personally, I believe BLG needs to face AL in a match to truly demonstrate their upper potential.

IG secures its first 德杯 win

After IG’s top laner TheShy and mid laner ROOKIE declined to participate in the 德杯, many LPL fans thought IG’s 德杯 run was doomed. Indeed, IG’s first match performance matched those expectations. IG was thoroughly dominated by LPL playoff “gatekeeper” EDG, leading many viewers to believe IG would fail to advance from the 德杯 group stage. Some even predicted IG would be eliminated without a single win, as aside from jungler WEI, the other four players were considered average at best.

However, something surprising happened that delighted many IG fans: IG managed to secure their first 德杯 victory by defeating LGD 2-0. Many viewers joked that while IG can’t beat EDG, they still have a chance to win against some of the weaker LPL teams. Others think IG’s strength for the new season is seriously underestimated; their new top laner’s performance wasn’t bad, and if IG can improve team synergy, making the playoffs should not be difficult. (What do you think — can IG’s new roster qualify for the playoffs?)