League of Legends - Esports Rundown
Many gamers have taken to spectating League of Legends rather than playing it. Watching professionals play has become more and more of a pastime over the years, and League as an eSport has grown exponentially. I was able to hop on to the scene just before the LCS started, and some can claim watching or even attending the lone events that comprised eSports. Today, rather than a handful of events a year to watch, there are a handful of entire leagues that play each week. Depending on your timezone, some may be easier to watch, while others may escape your attention because getting up at 3 a.m. to watch your favorite Korean team would kill your sleep schedule. New fans of League eSports have quite a lot of options to choose from, so I’ll break down all of the leagues for you!
The League Championship Series (LCS)
Arguably some of the more mainstream teams and leagues in the western hemisphere, the North American and European LCS are two of the most popular available. Home to pro League organizations like Team Dignitas, Team SoloMid and Counter Logic Gaming, the NA LCS has seen rivalries flare up, promising opportunity crumble and new talent flourish. Some say that NA > EU, but each year fans eagerly await big events like All Stars, Worlds or the new Mid-Season Invitational for their chance at region bragging rights. The podium is always shifting, and it’s quite fun to be a part of the continental rivalry.
Across the Atlantic in EU, the old name Fnatic is powered by new blood as they secured the title of number one in the spring split. Though older powerhouses like Gambit Gaming and Elements have faltered or fallen by the wayside, EU is the home to a myriad of fresh talent like H2k and Unicorns of Love. Early victories aside though, the upcoming summer split will be the true test of their mettle. With worlds coming up, we’ll see who really has the talent to go toe to toe with the best.
League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK)
Touted as the kings of League of Legends (rightly so with their three year world finals showing), the Korean region is the pinnacle of skill in the game. If you’re looking to see what metas are the best, check out the LCK via VOD if you can’t watch it live. Though Faker and SKT won the Season 3 World Championship, a relatively new team, the GE Tigers, have pulled ahead of them this season. A team of incredibly skilled players, the Tigers make sure that when they win, they do so in style, and have some of the craziest uniforms around.
In the off season following Season 4, the reigning champions Samsung White split up, and many Korean players took deals over in China to play in the LPL. Events like the MSI and Worlds will tell if that decision was wise. Korea may finally fall to other regions like NA or EU, while China may claim the title as king that has been just barely out of their reach for so long.
League of Legends Pro League
Even before the Korean exodus to China, this region was easily among the top contenders for Worlds. With the addition of big name Koreans like PawN and Deft, they may topple the opposition, or show that it’s not just talent that wins, but synergy and communication. Teams like OMG and Star Horn Royal Club, teams who’ve lost in past World finals, all have taken a backseat as others pass them. LPL is reaching a boiling point in terms of talent, and many are looking forward to their answer to events like Worlds or IEM Katowice.
Conclusion
There are a few regions that I haven’t mentioned, not to say they’re lesser, but they’re certainly less well known. I’m talking about regions like LMS Taiwan, South America, Oceania or even the Challenger scenes in NA and EU. It’s a ton to take in and way too much to watch and keep up with. My advice: figure out which region you can most easily watch and pick a favorite team. When you’ve got someone to cheer for, it’s a whole different experience.
With the shifting of talent around regions and some regions allowing more teams in their leagues, the whole world is stepping their game up to bring home the prize. Is this the year that NA or EU topples the eastern Goliath? Will the Koreans continue to dominate as they have in the past? Or is China primed to ruin those that have kept it from the top? Welcome to eSports!
Robert Wery