Cloud9 turn their group stage around – emerge as potential contenders?
Though relegated to ‘minor region’ status and placed in the same group as the reigning world champions, Damwon Kia, Cloud9 still carried the high hopes of North American fans into MSI. A dominant Spring Split finish a championship winning finish had many claiming that this iteration of Cloud9 was the strongest team NA had ever sent to MSI. The first two days of group stage largely shattered this confidence. A strong early game that ultimately ended in a loss was generally seen as a respectable loss against Damwon Kia. Day two’s loss against the LJL’s DetontatioN FocusMe set off red flags.
Player many of their games on a knife’s edge, decisive fights sent Cloud9 to an early 0-2 deficit. Cloud9 thus far had shown incredible map control, holding the highest first dragon rate (83%) and only behind RNG in overall dragon control (74%). In truth, Cloud9’s errors were obvious as individual mistakes plagued their play. The LCS MVP, Blaber, specifically had a poor showing as the usually lane enabling jungler put up some of his worst performances to date. This particularly hindered C9’s solo laners, as Fudge and Perkz had marginal game impact at best without resources from their jungler.
Cloud9’s first game against Infinity Esports saw their play completely switch. Blaber’s return to form on Morgana saw the rest of Cloud9 elevate their individual performances in suite. Perkz specifically turned from a non-factor on control mages into one of the best midlaners from the group stage throughout C9’s four game tear. Perkz ended the groups stage 2nd overall in kills (32), found the highest DPM among midlaners (649), and was c9’s primary win condition as he made up the highest portion of his team’s kill share (34%) and the lowest death share (17.4%).
Cloud9’s win against Damwon Kia emphasized just how far they had come since day one. Though giving over an early kill, Cloud9 played with immense confidence while maintaining a solid grip over the map. Most teams that survive long enough to fight Damwon into the late game lose out simply due to their superior team fighting, however Cloud9 kept pace in this bloodbath. In a game that nearly posted one kill per minute, Cloud9 played well on the backfoot and won by punishing DK’s mistakes. Ultimately, if Cloud9 can continue to facilitate Perkz, they may pose a serious threat.
RNG – the final boss
After upsetting the LPL favorites in the spring split, RNG’s excellent domestic play has more than transitions into MSI. Many have qualified RNG’s absolute dominance by citing the relatively ‘easy’ group they were placed in. After the VCS’s representatives were prohibited from competing, RNG were only charged with defeating Pentanet and Unicorns of Love. Though certainly the Gigabyte Marines would have spcied this group up and potentially put a loss on the LPL champions, the level of dominance RNG has shown is nowhere near being replicated by any other team.
RNG have made quick work of their opponents, winning an average of 25 minutes while simultaneous posting the highest overall kills (184) and combined KDA (1.25). These snowball leads that start for the first minute have also given RNG that largest early game leads of MSI. Holding the highest GD@15 (6522), RNG have left the rest of MSI in the dust. Xiaohu, RNG’s longest standing member, has undoubtedly been among the best players of MSI 2021. Having role swapped top, Xiaohu has eased the transition but continuing his primary carry role, finding the highest KDA (16) and kill share (59%) while maintaining incredible laning stats.
So far RNG have remained uncontested in the tournament, though as we enter group stage and their competition level increases significantly, we will have to see if they can maintain this insanely dominant playstyle.
MAD Lions look to find the LEC’s second MSI trophy
The MAD Lions certainly have a lot to live up in this tournament, considering that the last LEC team to attend MSI won their region their first international title since season one Worlds. Many were skeptical MAD Lions could live up to G2’s legacy especially since their 2020 Worlds run ended in play-ins.
MAD Lions have shown group dominance comparable to the likes of RNG and Damwon however, dropping only a single game while maintaining a firm hold over their top position. Similar to their regular season results in spring, Elyoya has largely led up his team’s success. The rookie of the split has shown an incredible veteran mindset, competing with the likes of Canyon and Wei as the best jungler in the tournament.
Defying expectations so far, if MAD Lions can keep form during the rumble stage, they could stand to win the LEC’s second MSI trophy.
Also read:
- UoL Sheepy “If we want to compete at Worlds and actually have a good showing, people need to step up”
- Pentanet narrowly escape group stage
- PGG Pabu “I wouldn’t expect to be progressing much further”
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