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These are the teams to watch at the LoL World Championship 2019
Who are the key players? Which outfits stand the best chance of glory and what meta can we expect? Here's everything you need to know ahead of the League of Legends Worlds.
The League of Legends World Championship, the culmination of every league season, could not be more exciting in 2019. After years of Korean dominance, Invictus Gaming recently secured a Chinese team title in a clear 3–0 win over Europe's cult team, Fnatic. And ever since G2's gripping win at the Midseason Invitational, everyone's been counting down to this year's Worlds – an open-ended strike between equally strong teams from the top regions, leaving room for surprises with a quick, aggressive meta.
An open meta
Throughout this season, players and teams have already experimented with different meta. New, unique strategies are being devised and the 'usual' way to play League of Legends is effectively no more, particularly with the Botlane, which now welcomes Ranged Carries, both mages, Assassins or even a Bruiser. Meanwhile, Riot added flexibility with the last patch changes, where the most contested picks, like Sylas or Yuumi, also had to take heavy hits.
While forgotten champions such as Ryze are becoming increasingly popular again, the focus is on currently strong flexpicks, like Pantheon or Syndra reinforced. As well as big Nerfs, expect big buffs and Ekko and Ashe to open the Meta for more picks and more access to the Rift.
What's more, it's clear that we might be expecting the widest range of possible champions we've ever seen at Worlds, which is especially good for viewers and adds even more importance to the picking and launching phase in the aggressive, tower-oriented early-to-mid game meta.
The top teams
1. SKT – The most successful LoL team in history
SK Telecom T1 are looking stronger than ever.
© Riot Games
The three-time world champs return to the biggest League of Legends Stage after last year's absence and will be out for revenge this time around. Not only were SKT defeated in 2017's Samsung Galaxy in the final, but also came unstuck at the Midseason Invitational. Following their defeat in the semi-final against G2, SKT returned to Korea after dominating the competition in the summer split, securing the first seed. Expect the team to have a big say on proceedings.
While past line-ups of SKT have always built heavily on Faker, this season they've spread their talent. The fact that Faker is a guaranteed hedge on the midlane and that he always performs at Worlds, even above his own level, will add to their chances of winning, but in Teddy the team has one of the most talented carries for the Botlane. With one of the best foundations going, they're in an excellent position to once again secure the League of Legends title.
If there are weaknesses, then it's likely that they're still playing too much under the old rules, showing less creativity and mid-game speed than a team like G2.
2. G2 Esports – The EU giant on course for a perfect season
G2 celebrate
© LEC
Signed from rivals Fnatic in 2018, Caps continues to look like one of the strongest midlane players Europe has ever produced, while Perkz, the face of G2 Esports and star midlaner, has revolved on the Botlane and subsequently revolutionised the Meta significantly, changing the game globally. After securing both the Spring and Summer Splits, as well as the MSI, G2 has the opportunity to be the first team ever to win a League of Legends Grand Slam in a single season.
G2's greatest strengths are their creativity and unpredictability. Flexible champion pools allow them to swap champions anywhere in the lanes, making it very difficult for competitors to prepare. This flexibility is complemented by individually phenomenal players who, especially through their teamwork and shot calling in the mid-game, quickly grab the game and pose an enormous threat to any rivals.
At the same time, the team's willingness to take risks and make extravagant picks can, of course, be used against them (as has been shown this season), but they're without doubt one the strongest contenders in the mix.
3. FunPlus Phoenix – The next Chinese winners?
Doinb, the MVP of LPL and one to watch at Worlds
© Riot Games
Similar to SKT, FPX offer an enormously strong mid-jungle duo, where Doinb regularly shines with creative off-meta picks. This strength around the midlane is even more potent with targeted Roams across the whole map, so as to continue to generate pressure on rivals. This playing style is particularly effective, because the whole team has outstanding mechanical skills that should make them extremely dangerous, especially in the group stage.
The team's biggest indirect weakness may be their lack of international experience. Hyped newcomers often can't get reach full potential on the biggest League of Legends stage.
