SUPER WEDNESDAY

North America (NA) started week 4 of the LoL Championship Series (LCS) with an action packed Wednesday. The results can be found here, however the predictability of the outcomes understates the excitement of the matches. I can honestly say that today has revitalized my love for, and interest in, the LCS. So much so that I've attached today's footage to the end of this post, and insist you watch as much of it as possible if you missed seeing it live. Briefly, here's some takeaways from today's matches. 

Early 3v1 Tower Push Meta

Reminiscent of the Korean proclivity to prioritize global objectives, the trend of pressing 2v1 lanes with early tower kills has streamlined into a predictable time table (around 3:45-4min). It's natural in one sense, given that the timing of minion waves and jungle clear allows for a timely 3v1 gank. Previously, it was instinctual to defend the tower at all costs by calling for your mid or jungle and likely dying to save it; often in vain. Now the current meta is to let the tower fall and simply execute the same play on the other side of the map. On one hand, it's a great play that creates a lot of potential for roaming and ends the laning phase early. On the other, there are the benefits of actually defending the tower and keeping the lane phase going. 

What's ideal for stopping a 3v1 tower push so early in the game? Jungler assistance in lane to keep the lane from being pressured so hard, or having your mid take teleport to allow for either a 3v3 or a 2v3 with the jungler free to cover mid or attempt the same play. Granted, you'd want champs that actually scale well from laning in a 2v1--Cho'gath comes to mind. 

Regardless of this trend fanning the flames of a supposed "NA Sheep" mentality, I'm happy to see a meta that enforces such early game aggression and roaming. At best, it better conditions NA teams for Asian early games. At worst, it's fun to watch until teams develop better strategies to counter it. 

The Rise of Vulcun

After Vulcun Command's (VUL) success last week, they've managed to get their record to 4-7. Whether it's Zuna's yelling or adapting to the pressure of competitive play, I consider them the most formidable of the newer teams. Despite being ranked below MRN (currently ranked 5th at 3-4), I feel their momentum and attitude will continue to propel them forward--for the time being, anyway. Time will tell if they're special, or merely finding their footing after playing so many games. 

I still expect them to lose to TSM in their next match, but hopefully it's a good match. 

AP Tryndamere

For those of unfamiliar with the idea of AP Tryndamere or why he's OP, here's why: 1.5:1 ap scaling heal, 1:1 ap ratio for his E (spinning slash). Maxing CDR and stacking AP makes him a godlike split-pusher and duelist. Despite the impending nerf to his heal that's currently on PBE, I'd expect AP Tryn to become even more popular as the NA sheeple begin to insta-lock him as much as possible. Luckily, there is a slight skill curve that will allow decent players to capitalize on band-wagon noobs. Not to mention he can be countered with either hard cc + focus, or having a team that is extremely hard to 4v5 against (thus nullifying the advantages of a split-pusher). 

As much as I love abusing AP Tryn, I'm not looking forward to seeing people try to play my guilty pleasure. At least the next patch has Quinn to look forward to. After playing her on PBE, I'll probably spend the RP for the skin bundle.