2019 is a year of change for much of League of Legends, and the LPL is no exemption. We have already had a glimpse of how the landscape has altered in the Demacia Cup just a few weeks ago, but with Spring Split just around the corner, let’s take a closer look at some of the more important roster changes that might have slipped under your radar.





JD Gaming





cr: JDG京东电子竞技俱乐部





In addition to new Bot Laner Bvoy, JDG managed to pick up two big-name Junglers in the off season that fans might recognize. Flawless, previously of RW fame, and Levi, of 100 Thieves Academy but is fondly remembered as a part of Gigabyte Marines, have joined together to fill the shoes of Clid, the previous Jungler for JDG. Raz claims that JDG's goal this split is more or less the same, "because they had a very successful formula in Summer Split, though they didn't get to go to Worlds." JDG qualified for the 2018 Chinese Regional Finals, and though the series was intense, they ended up dropping in a crucial game 5 to EDG, who went on to defeat RW and advanced as the final Worlds seed from the LPL.



Though Clid has departed the roster for SKT, JDG seem to be trying to replace him with someone similar if not better. "I think that's a good move. You bring in Flawless, same style, basically same carry potential, if not more stability if you're comparing him to Clid," says Raz. The only concern for Raz is who is going to be the leading man for the team, as the goal of these new Junglers should be to emphasize Yagao's solo lane strengths.

Clement agrees that JDG should be looking for something similar to Clid, who is mechanically strong and can play to their strong solo lanes. "Yagao and Zoom are definitely in the top three for their positions, in those solo lanes. They want a strong mechanical Jungler that can link those solo laners up." Flawless and Levi definitely meet the quota of being mechanical powerhouses, but only time will tell if they can make the Dumpling Brothers of Zoom and Yagao look like a tasty treat, or otherwise.”





Bilibili Gaming







cr: BLG电子竞技俱乐部





Raz: "I'm a fan of Kuro. I think Kuro during the LCK regular season is consistently pushed for MVP's."





BLG have undergone changes as well, losing Top Laner AmazingJ to RNG and Road to Victory Five; they are attempting to re-stabilize in the New Year with star Mid Laner Kuro, formerly of Afreeca Freecs in the LCK. "If we're talking about the best Mid Laners in Korea, [sans] Faker, you would immediately go to Bdd, but I would also go towards Kuro." Stylistically, Kuro may need to change his approach, or alter BLG's if he hopes to see success. "He is a slower player, he's more of a mage type player. He's gonna realize that he's gonna have to change the way he plays when he comes to the LPL. I think that's the biggest change for him, but if you want to build a team around Kuro, I think thats a good way to go for that, I think it’s a good idea."

Clement feels that Kuro may need to do more than just change his playstyle in the LPL. "Kuro is much more of a tech player, in terms of the international stage. You don't really expect him to outmuscle people with his athleticism or raw talent; he basically brings in something new and tries to win through counterpick," Clement explains. The team is in a pretty heavy rebuilding phase, finally stepping away from AmazingJ's leadership over the past several years. Historically, we have seen teams that focus on a Korean playstyle, such as VG with Easyhoon, fail in the LPL. Both casters agree that Kuro is better than both Mole and Athena, but raise questions toward his career longevity and his capacity to be a strong carry for the new BLG.

As to whether or not this new roster is an upgrade, both casters are hesitant to say. "There are way too many pieces up in the air, right now," says Clement. Raz thinks that conference draw could alter their standings as well. BLG have a unique mix of young and old players, and that leaves only a large question mark in everyone's eyes.





EDward Gaming







cr: EDG电子竞技俱乐部





Raz: "I think Heart is a good step in the right direction."





The next big change comes from the coaching staff of RNG, as Heart joins the EDG roster. Though EDG have lost Coach Nofe to Afreeca Freecs, they seem set to resume their success with little trouble. RNG have had consistent victories under Heart's direction over the past two years, and now a strong voice from a new coach might be just what EDG need. "EDG desperately need [him]; this time around, they're in dire need of direction." EDG have been one of the most consistently successful teams in the history of the LPL, though lately they haven't been satisfied with their second and third place finishes. Stylistically, Heart is expected to provide more direction the team, as the meta and playstyles have changed, yet EDG’s struggles remained the same.

Clement feels that EDG might need more than a new coach. "They've lost their competitive edge, that they held on to before. In the past, EDG have had three of the five best positions in the LPL, and they had the best macro game so far, but in 2018, that’s just no longer the case." Clement continues, "Bottom line is EDG's old style is not gonna work, and Heart has to change this team to a different win condition." For Clement, he hopes that EDG can turn towards teamfights as a solution to their macro game woes, ever a staple strategy of the LPL teams. Raz agrees that with franchising, the landscape has changed for EDG. Many other teams and brands are challenging EDG by forcing them to think smarter, instead of just getting better players, as EDG did in the past. Heart might be the coach to encourage that type of change in the long-lived EDG.

While this is not an exhaustive list of the changes, heading towards Season 9, this should prepare you for some of the most important big roster swaps as we approach the starting day of January 14th.













Written By: Benson Cheng @1337sn1per

Edited By: Dom Roemer @DomRoemer and Caramelized @iced_caramel11









