With the LEC almost back, ESTNN looks at how our teams stack up in the pre-season.
The League of Legends European Championship (LEC) is almost back. With an off-season full of roster shuffles, an influx of rookie talent, and some blockbuster departures. We’re going to give our pre-season Power Ranking for the 2022 LEC Spring Split.
10 – SK Gaming
Someone has to come 10th in a Power Ranking, and while it could be one of three sides, SK Gaming was chosen. SK Gaming added Sertuss and Gilius joined the roster, while former jungler Treatz swapped to support for 2022. While Gilius has the experience, he left Schalke 04 after the side was purchased by Team BDS. Ultimately, SK Gaming doesn’t look like a roster that will challenge, and while they could end up placing higher than 10th, it’s unlikely they’ll challenge for anything in Spring.
9 – Excel Esports
After failing with their goal of making playoffs in their first three years, Excel needs a new drive for 2022. Having retained four of its roster, adding just Finn in the top lane, Excel are at least looking to build on 2021. Sadly, they’ve retained a roster that ended 2021 outside the playoffs once again, while Finn is likely to be an upgrade, it could be yet another challenging LEC split for Excel Esports.
8 – Astralis
Astralis finished the 2021 Summer Split in joint-seventh place alongside Excel. Having added Kobbe and Dajor to the roster, it doesn’t appear to have moved on much from 2021 with both players likely to be side-grades at best. Look at a lot of the teams at the bottom end of the table, providing they’re building a roster it’s fine, if they’re just mearing looking to exist within the LEC, it’s less than ideal.
7 – Team BDS
Team BDS are the newest side to enter the LEC, buying the spot off FC Schalke 04. As a new side, BDS has decided to build an entirely fresh roster for 2022, and on paper, it looks like a good start. They’ve picked up the former G2 head coach GrabbZ, and added some new faces, three of whom hail from the side’s native France. Top laner Adam, jungler Cinkrof, mid laner Jaylink, ADC x Matty, and support LIMIT will lead the line for BDS in 2022. While BDS are unlikely to finish in the top three, they have a massive fan base, and their potential to be a success in the LEC is huge.
6 – Misfits
It might be a case of “best-of-the-rest” for Misfits in 2022. Having lost Kobbe and Razork, they’ve added Mersa at support, with Neom rejoining in the ADC role, and Shlatan moving up from the academy roster. Sadly, the Misfits roster doesn’t scream quality, and even sixth might be generous.
5 – Rogue
Having managed to finish the 2021 regular season in first place, it’s a weird 2022 for Rogue. Having lost Inspired and Hans sama, they’ve added Comp and Malrang to their roster. Crucially they’ve retained Odoamne, Larssen, and Trymbi, so the roster should at least be able to grow over the course of 2022. For now, we’ve put them in fifth place, but if the roster can gel fast, we might see Rogue challenge sooner rather than later.
4 – G2 Esports
Having formed a “dream team” at the start of 2021, that roster has been ripped apart for 2022. G2 has made three new signings, with top lane Broken Blade, and bot lane duo Flakked (ADC), Targamas (Support). Just caPs and Jankos remain in the active roster. Mikyx will remain with G2 Esports as a sub, with no team looking to trigger his buyout. Now, the big worry for G2 is how well these new players can gel together, and how quickly they can do it. It’s certainly safe to say that, on paper, G2 are a weaker side than 2021, but that’s with the caveat that MAD has also been downgraded.
3 – Fnatic
It’s safe to say that Fnatic had a turbulent off-season/Worlds. Putting aside all the drama between players, and leadership fallouts, Fnatic has somehow managed to come into 2022 with a deadly-looking roster. With Upset and Hylissang staying (Nisqy has also remained as a sub) – Fnatic has added Wunder (former G2) in the top lane, Razork (former Misfits) jungler, and mid laner Humanoid (MAD). Fnatic might not be favorites, but they’ll be up there with the best, providing they can work together as a team quickly.
2 – MAD Lions
After a double title-winning year in 2021, MAD Lions are looking to build on that for 2022. Surprisingly for some, MAD replaced two of their double-title winning players as new mid laner Reeker, and ADC Unforgiven joined the roster. The pair replaced outgoing players Humanoid (now at Fnatic) and Carzzy (now at Vitality). It’s easy to look at MAD as favorites due to their performances in 2021, however, MAD has lost two of their best players to rival teams, so it might not be so simple this time. Plus, with the emergence of a new “super team”, MAD might face a new challenger to their throne.
1 – Team Vitality
For Vitality, they’re the closest Europe has to a super team right now, and with it, they’ll be looking to win their first title. They’ve retained 2021 jungler Selfmade, and support Labrove, while adding top laner Alphari, mid laner Perkz, and ADC Carzzy. While it might be too early to pin a favourite to the LEC title, you’d be mad not to consider Vitality as one of the favourites. With talent and experience across the roster, Vitality has gone from a sixth-placed side in 2021, to one of the most hyped rosters in League of Legends.
The LEC gets back underway Friday 14t and we’ll have recaps of every round of the Spring Split 2022.