5 most successful players to ever roleswap

Throughout the years, countless players in LoL esports have roleswapped and found incredible success. Ahead of Bwipo’s roleswap to the jungle, who are the best players to have roleswapped?

The break between the LEC Spring and Summer Split has been rife with shocking trades and roster developments. Chief among these changes were the sudden roleswaps of Gabriel “Bwipo” Rau and Erik “Treatz” Wessen. Both players decided to switch off their primary role to the jungler position. Organizations have been heavily criticized for opting to take these players off their main role rather than pursuing talented junglers either in free agency or in the ERLs.

Roleswapping is nothing new to League of Legends esports. Some of the historically most successful players have roleswapped at some point in their careers. Both domestically and internationally, players who have held multiple positions (even under the same team) have reached incredible heights in their new positions. Whether or not Bwipo or Treatz’s move to the jungle will have the same results remains to be seen.

1. Jo “CoreJJ” Yong-in – ADC to Support

CoreJJ unquestionably saw the most improvement resulting from his roleswap. In the span of one year, CoreJJ went from a 9th place ADC to an eventual World Champion Support. Most will recognize CoreJJ from his incredible tenure at Samsung Galaxy, later re-branded to Gen.G, and his following time in NA at Team Liquid. CoreJJ though began his illustrious career maining ADC on Bigfile Miracle, a Korean team which struggled to qualify and maintain it’s spot in the LCK.

CoreJJ made his first move to NA to play on Dignitas in 2014 continuing as a starting ADC. In the LCS, CoreJJ was undoubtedly among the worst ADCs in NA, ending Spring with the lowest KDA among botlaners. CoreJJ’s move back to the LCK as a support main for Samsung Galaxy yielded his true career highlights.

In his first year as a starting support, CoreJJ competed with top LCK teams and made it to the 2016 World Finals. In his second year, CoreJJ became a World Champion. CoreJJ’s second coming to the LCS made a significantly greater impact than his first. Winning two back-to-back Splits, two regular season MVPs, and standing as one of Team Liquid’s franchise player, CoreJJ’s roleswap made a mark on both regions he’s played in. Though a select few have emulated CoreJJ’s success, no one has matched his results.

2. Luka “Perkz” Perkovic – Midlane to ADC (and back to Mid)

Perkz may have the most recognizable roleswap in recent memory. In terms of achievements in both roles, Perkz is unmatched. As a midlaner, Perkz led G2 both into the EU LCS and through their first dynasty. Perkz’s may not have been the single best midlaner during this time, but did play a massive part in the four consecutive domestic titles G2 found between 2016 and 2017. Though early iterations of G2 struggled to find international success, it was Perkz’s steady performances in midlaner that allowed G2 to upset Worlds 2018 favorites, RNG.

Perkz’s decision to roleswap to the bottom lane was a self-sacrificing move made for the betterment of the team. G2 had a rare opportunity to sign one of the best players in the LEC, Rasmus “Caps” Winters. Perkz’s roleswap botlane not only allowed this acquisition to happen, but also facilitated G2’s second dynasty. Not only winning another four LEC titles, but now also excelling international by making World Finals and taking MSI, Perkz’s roleswap put Europe in the forefront of LoL esports.

3. Kang “Ambition” Chan-yong – Midlane to Jungle

Jungle is notoriously among the most difficult positions to play, and few have ever elected to roleswap to ‘harder’ position later in their career. As a midlaner, Ambition was apart of several legendary rosters such as Azubu Blaze and CJ Entus. Ambition largely failed to make it internationally, and similar to his teammate, CoreJJ, reached unprecedented heights in new position.

Ambition joined Samsung Galaxy as a jungler and played a massive role in their 2017 Worlds victory. Retiring in 2019, Ambition’s legacy encapsulates both roles.

4. Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng – Support to ADC

North America’s most dominant player domestically, few remember that Doublelift began his career as a support. One of the LCS’s oldest players before retiring, Doublelift’s first team in the pre-LCS era was Epik Gamer. Famous for his Blitzcrank, which Doublelift still pulls out on-stream, his support prowess got Doublelift his start on CLG.

Of course from here, Doubelift quickly roleswapped to ADC. Doublelift’s prolific career as an ADC won him five LCS titles consecutively and eight overall. Though his time as a support player was relatively short, it was vital to Doublelift’s career and legacy.

5. Jeong “Impact” Eon-young – Support to Top

Another eventual legend with an obscured early career, Impact started on Xenics Storm in Korea as a support player. Finding middling results in the role, Impact’s cross map switch immediately brought better results and landed him on LoL’s most successful team, SKT T1.

Playing alongside some of LoL’s best players arguably at their peak, Impact found two World Championships as a toplaner and has maintained relevance in North America, winning four consecutive LCS championships. With perhaps the most jarring roleswap form support to toplane, Impact’s laneswap immensely helped in solidifying one of the game’s greatest dynasties.

Also read:

Who do you think had the best roleswap? Join the discussion on social media or our Discord!

You can also help improve our website by submitting direct feedback!