League of Legends Worlds Analysis, Quarterfinals - C9 vs. SSB, Pre-Game

Samsung Blue vs. Cloud9

Picks and Bans – Samsung Blue

I think that SSB's weakest point in picks and bans is going to be their ADC Deft. He's only shown off 3 ADC's so far, and 2 of them are immobile champions. Making sure that Deft gets onto an ADC that he is comfortable performing on in the World Stage will be important. This is doubly important because SSB prefer to run dual threat teams and if mid or bottom can be put onto something uncomfortable and/or shut down, then SSB will be in a weak spot.

I expect top lane to be mostly ignored by SSB in terms of bans, other than the standard OP champions of Maokai/Alistar being just, standard bans not targeted ones. In the mid lane, I expect Yasuo to be a desired choice by SSB, working well with Maokai that Acorn loves in the top lane. We also know that Jayce is a staple of the Samsung Teams and we can expect to see it here at least once.

As for aiming bans towards C9, I'd primarily pick on Hai, force him onto Zed, or onto something really awkward for him by banning out Syndra, Zed, Yasuo/Talon. If not a super focus onto Hai, then Rumble and Lee Sin are both strong bans against C9.

Picks and Bans – Cloud9

If I were Cloud9, I'd be looking primarily towards making sure that Hai gets a champion that he can play on, hopefully he is carrying a new pick ready for this series. It will be paramount that Hai get a champion that he can play and shot-call on and I'd love to see picks that are stronger throughout the game no matter happens than Zed for Hai. Syndra and Yasuo would be great, as would Orianna or Ahri if he has picked them up.

Balls should be fine in the top, no matter what goes on there. His champion pool is currently holding all strong picks and should be of no worry. Meteos has looked a bit weak in his champion pool, only winning on Khazix and Lee Sin, however the jungle is a very stale place at the moment so I don't expect to see a lot of contention going on over the jungle.

The bot lane is where I'd like to see Cloud9 make some real focus, at least one game. Ban out Kog'maw/Corki/Twitch and then take Lucian. Force SSB's Deft onto something he hasn't played and then take the strongest lane bully ADC. Destroying the bottom lane, especially against SSB's dual threat compositions, will be very very effective.

Play-styles – Samsung Blue and Cloud 9

I group the teams together this time around because both teams play a very similar style. Neither team do a lot of crazy low level map movements or early-game risky plays, but both teams prefer to have a bit of a muted first 10-15 minutes. After this point, the mid-game objectives come into play and we see a lot of emphasis start to be played onto the neutral objectives and then soon after the turrets come under pressure.

We see a lot of focus on the individual play up until this 10-15 minute mark in which both teams will then look for those strong 5v5 fights. We do not often see skirmish compositions or even pick compositions from either of these teams. Both want to reach the mid-game team-fights and both want to clash head to head.

The only different play-style is that Cloud9 are much better at the split-push than SSB and will dedicate themselves to it 100% where as Samsung blue are way way more likely to stay together and always come together for fights.

Strengths and Weaknesses – Samsung Blue

Samsung Blue's weakest point is their early to early-mid game. We see a lot of sticking around to their lanes and seemingly looking to survive to the mid-game rather than trying to make plays early. This can put them on the back foot against teams who want to make heavy rotational plays in the early game. Luckily, Cloud9 are similar in this and the weakness should not rear its ugly head too bad.

SSB's biggest strength comes in their team-fight ability and their mid-late game decision making. This really shows up in how little hesitation they show in making calls and in how well they are able to perform with just dual threat teams. Samsung Blue will need to rely on this ability to deal with any rotational calls made by C9 and to out-fight them in team-fights.

Strengths and Weaknesses – Cloud9

Cloud9's biggest weakness lies in Hai and his champion pool. I hate to harp on it like everyone else, but it is true. Before going further, let me say that his champion pool throughout the season has been diverse, but a lot of his champions are no longer relevant. In this match though, I expect him to be focused and made a weak point. Getting him onto a comfortable champion, such as Syndra or Yasuo should be a focus for C9. I'd love to see Hai not play Zed unless forced to, as both his performance on Zed and Zed himself has been weak this tournament. If Cloud9 can get Hai onto a comfortable and safe champion that he is strong on, this will be huge for Cloud9

One of C9's biggest strengths this tournament, has been the bot lane of Sneaky and LemonNation and I would love to see C9 fully focus this at least one game and ban out Deft while putting Sneaky onto a strong champion.

In play itself, Cloud9 have very strong rotational play, even early on if they open up the map. If they at all miss getting the duo lane, I want C9 to fast push and then start to rely from an early point on their ability to manage and move around the map. Opening up the options for split-push and neutral control.

Balls in the top lane is also playing very strong and getting him Rumble or Ryze should be a solid point for Cloud9 to focus.

How to Win – Samsung Blue

Focus Hai. Get him uncomfortable from champion select and then keep him weak throughout the game. Dade is much stronger and SSB should seek to use this to their advantage.

Avoid the duo lanes when possible, especially in weaker duo match-ups. Acorn plays a very safe, support style anyways, where as Balls likes to play more carry oriented. Finding the 2v1's will work in the benefit of both of SSB's lanes.

Be ready to make split second decisions in game. If C9 make a rotational play, do not let it go unanswered. Trade objectives if you must, but do not dilly dally in response. Even as little as 3-5 seconds in decision making can end up becoming a huge cost.

How to Win – Cloud9

Make sure Hai has a champion that he can be relevant on no matter how the match goes. Let him focus on the shot calling rather than on the need carry the game himself. Balls and Sneaky/LemonNation have been doing great and focus should be put onto these lanes. Get Hai the likes of Syndra or Ahri (if he's learned her), or maybe even Xerath. If possible, Yasuo combo with Maokai would be ideal. Believe in Hai's shot calling.

Find the duo lane every game. Sneaky has been very strong with LemonNation in lane and Cloud9 should use this to turn the mid-game into their favor. Do not let 2v1 lane swaps go on for too long if they do happen, especially if Balls is playing Rumble.

If playing the mid-game team-fight does not seem to be working out. Get Hai onto Zed and split-push early, using their great shot calling to pull SSB apart. A lane swap in this situation would be great, quick pushes onto turrets to open up the map and then out rotating SSB.