Every week, I will showcase one team with either an interesting or well-executed lineup, and analyze how they work. From the champions to the matchups, as well as its pros and cons, this article aims to help readers understand the pro scene better, and possibly even incorporate these strategies into their own games.

Irelia. Morgana. Corki. If you have been a fan of the League of Legends competitive scene, then these names should be very familiar to you. These three are some of the champions who have been extremely popular during Season 2. However, today you would barely even see them being hovered around in champion select. The meta has shifted greatly, and unfortunately some of the superstar picks weren't able to adapt. Sure, you might see them once in a blue moon, but it is more for the surprise factor now.

So when SK Gaming chose Rengar, another sought-after champion last season, was picked, I personally got excited. Especially so since prior to that, ocelote went for his Orianna, and immediately got myself flashbacks of the wombo combo potential of those two. What I liked even more are the three other champions chosen to work around this concept, and how each of them fit in perfectly. With that in mind, let us take a look at SK Gaming versus Meet Your Makers during Week Four Day Two of the European LCS.

Picks and Bans

Let us first look at how it all started. SK banned champions that are used immensely by their opponents, taking out a level of comfort from them. MYM, on the other hand, made bans that more like due to their power level rather than player preference. It also removes threats that could hinder their strategy, which is made obvious as the drafts went on.

SK stealing Shen away from Mokatte severely narrowed the MYM jungler's choices, since his top two picks were now gone. In response, MYM immediately took the AoE CC-oriented duo lane of Varus and Zyra for strong early game harass and safe disengages in case they get ganked. SK's next picks were Sona and Orianna, typical for the team, giving them AoE engages in teamfights, particularly Orianna, who could deal tons of damage from afar at the same time.



The next two picks for MYM were interesting. Not the obvious Jayce, of course. His long-range poke and heavy burst on melee is a welcome addition to any team. It was the Skarner that definitely got everyone's attention. This is when the bans from MYM received greater value, for Skarner is easily kiteable, even with the speed bonus from Crystalline Exoskeleton. This throwback pick gave the team a pick-off option, and taking one out right before the big teamfight is definitely what they wanted.

The last two picks from SK were definitely a sign that they are throwing caution to the wind. The Vayne simply meant that they are sacrificing the usual strong early game of the team, hoping her late-game potential would carry them in the end. The Rengar looked like an answer to the nostalgia pick of Mokatte, but when you look at the team as a whole, it made perfect sense. The last pick of MYM in the form of Ryze was a direct counter to the Night Hunter, as well as providing as sturdy frontline for Jayce and Varus to get behind.





Execution