Traditionally, it is difficult for a support in League of Legends to receive the fanfare and credit necessary to be recognized as the league’s Most Valuable Player. Still, Hu “SwordArt” Shuo-Jie finally managed it. After losing out on the award to J Team’s star mid laner, Chu “FoFo” Chun-Lan, in 2017 Summer and G-Rex’s star top laner, Hsieh “PK” Yu-Ting, in 2018 Spring, the voters recognized SwordArt as the best player in the LMS and awarded him the 2018 Summer MVP.

SwordArt is the first support to win the LMS MVP and no support could have been more deserving. Despite occasional dips in mechanical performance over the years, SwordArt remained at the apex of support play, not only in Taiwan, but the whole world. If not for spending the first two years of his career playing with the positionally challenged, Hsiung “NL” Wen-An, he might very well be more internationally recognized today. Even during Flash Wolves’ poorest splits, SwordArt was the constant that kept the team from totally falling apart.

When it comes to Flash Wolves’ domestic success — in the form of five straight LMS titles — SwordArt is the key. His vision priority with jungler Hung “Karsa” Hau-Hsuan and current jungler Kim “Moojin” Moo-jin historically defines his impact, often giving Flash Wolves the early-game control that brings them success. SwordArt learned to work with two different junglers — including one that doesn’t even speak Mandarin — and helped both blossom along with the team.

Nowadays, he even has mechanical monster Lu “Betty” Yu-Hung as his bottom lane partner, allowing him to flex his laning prowess on picks like Karma and Morgana. A stronger partner makes for an easier laning phase and more roaming opportunities — just the way SwordArt likes it.

More specifically this Summer, Flash Wolves reached a level of “untouchable” that was never before seen in the LMS. Flash Wolves dominated the prior Spring Split, but lacked a lot of the macro know-how displayed at the Mid-Season Invitational. This team was a different beast.

As the team centered around early bot lane control, SwordArt continued to be the bedrock of Flash Wolves, from scuttle crab control to cross-map plays. No one could stop Betty and SwordArt in the laning phase and that meant no team had any hope of halting Flash Wolves’ brisk pace to a perfect 14-0 season. SwordArt continued to be a shining star, clearly separating himself from not only supports in the LMS, but its players in general.

Despite all that, fans and players think of traditional carries, Huang “Maple” Yi-Tang or Betty, before thinking of SwordArt. It isn’t just internationally either, by fans who don’t know any better — but domestically as well. The coaches, players, and casters have consistently snubbed him in the MVP vote, often choosing flashy solo laners. Funnily enough — amid the Flash Wolves’ most dominant LMS split — it wasn’t what SwordArt did that caught the attention of voters, but what he didn’t do.

About three quarters through the Summer Split, Flash Wolves owned a perfect 10-0 record and recently qualified for the World Championship. They had also swept their last six sets, amassing a 19-1 overall map record. Given the circumstances, Flash Wolves started support trainee Liu “ShiauC” Chia-Hao in favor of SwordArt, for the sake of experience. The result was ugly and Flash Wolves’ clean early game fell apart at the seams. Flash Wolves dropped maps against both the 7th place Afro Gaming and 6th place Machi Esports. ShiauC wasn’t bad, but he couldn’t take the reigns the way SwordArt does.

Year in and year out, another player is always highlighted before SwordArt despite his efforts, but this display made the difference. Flash Wolves without SwordArt were a bunch of pups — defanged, skittish and undisciplined. The poise of the team that started 6-0 at MSI disappeared and while SwordArt wasn’t necessary to defeat Afro or Machi, top teams in the LMS would have taken better advantage of his absence. The gap between a SwordArt-Flash Wolves and a ShiauC-Flash Wolves was chasmic and his team was slipping into the abyss.

Last split, LMS voters even passed over SwordArt for the All-Pro team in favor of G-Rex support Lin, “Koala” Chih-Chiang, and before that, ahq eSports Club’s support, Kang “Albis” Chia-Wei. It took a brief absence from SwordArt for voters and fans alike to realize — He is the best support, player and most valuable teammate. SwordArt isn’t just the best support in the LMS, but one of the best in the world — if not the very best. He still has a final to play and a World Championship coming up, but as he goes for his sixth straight title, everyone will know that he is MVP and the crowned jewel of the Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau region.

Photo: Garena Esports