Samsung White vs. Star Horn Royal Club - Quick Pre-Game Notes

I'm writing this, only to have something to say before the matches start and will have a much better and more detailed analysis later.

I really expect SSW to dominate the finals.  A white wash with SSW winning all the matches is not unexpected.  They have the strongest individual skill and as such all the other regions have been playing to the Korean meta-game the entire time of Worlds.  It's a little bit unfortunate that no one has been trying to play around, or completely bypass the style that SSW has been playing.  Instead, they've been trying to beat SSW at their own game.

TSM is the only team who has taken a game off of SSW, and while it can be said that SSW was messing around, TSM played great in game 4 as well while totally doing nothing in game 1/2.  This entire worlds, every region has decided to "play the Korean meta-game" instead of playing to their own strengths.  It's been very unfortunate.

I expect Star Horn to be toppled by Samsung White, because their regions are so close.  In my mind, TSM had the best chance to topple SSW, and now that that is over, SSW are going to clean sweep the Finals, with SHR playing the same game as SSW, but having weaker individual skill.

Having said that.  I would love to see SHR take a page from Kabum! and play a team focused composition and style, focusing on synergy and team play to topple individual skill.  Kabum really are the heroes of this Worlds.

Anyways, the Finals are in the hands of SSW, and its up to SHR to come up with ways to win, and honestly, there are not many of them.  They play the same style as SSW, and are outmatched in individual skill.  However there is one strategy that I'd love to see SHR try.  Ban out all the junglers. It will require baiting out at least one jungle ban from SSW, but if SHR can get Elise/Jarvan/Lee Sin/Khazix banned, Insec has shown that he has a huge jungle pool, and this could give SHR the advantage.  I feel that this is the only way that SHR can win, and they should be able to pull it off at every blue side pick.

Otherwise, GG Samsung White, we will see you at Worlds next year when NA take the title.

League of Legends Worlds Analysis, Quarterfinals - TSM vs. SSW, Pre-game

Samsung White vs. Team Solo Mid

Picks and Bans – Samsung White

From Samsung White we have seen a vast variety of champions during the group stages. 6 from Mid, 5 from Top and ADC. From Jungle and support we see a smaller pool, 3 each, but that is mainly because of the strengths of the specific champions in those roles.

Banning out SSW is going to be extremely hard, especially if TSM wants to make one of the generic bans that we have seen in the group stages. TSM can try to focus all their bans into the Jungle, and force Dandy onto a champion he has not shown, but I would wager it will be tough to throw him off his game. Instead TSM should choose a play-style/compostion that they want to play, and ban out champions that will throw a wrench into this plan (IE. Rumble against team-fight or death ball comps).

Expect SSW to pick primarily assassin mid lanes and know that Pawn can play many of them, banning him out should be pointless and any mid lane bans should be made if that champion hinders TSM's strategy for that game.

Picks and Bans – Team Solo Mid

TSM have shown their strongest strength in well crafted compositions. Their first win was with a Yasuo composition with subsequent wins following siege/sniper compositions or death-ball/protect the ADC compositions.

Forcing Bjergsen onto an assassin on assassin match-up would be a good way to really hamper TSM's ability to run either of these compositions. Xerath/Orianna/Lulu bans/picks would really hit TSM's ability to play these compositions from the mid lane, and force them into the assassin/brawling meta that SSW love to play. Alternately SSW can ban/pick out Tristana, Kog'maw, and Xerath. Taking out 2 potential champions for both TSM's protect the ADC and long range siege compositions.

Spending all bans on these area's though would allow TSM to potentially grab a disengage composition which works wonders against brawl/engage compositions. Rumble being a big part of the disengage.

As another strong note, Amazing has only shown prowess on Lee Sin. Banning him out could really remove him from the game.

Playstyles – Samsung White

We did not get to see much from Samsung White in the group stages other than clear domination. Samsung were able to easily steamroll through their group and played primarily brawl/skirmish centric compositions. Samsung White played compositions in which they wanted to fight and continue to fight. The only composition we saw that was not engage/brawl oriented was their first game in which they played a heavy disengage composition.

We know however, that SSW can play other styles, including long range poke compositions with Jayce, so TSM cannot assume that what SSW showed is all they have and will need to prepare for more than brawl compositions.

In games, we saw a very kill centric play-style from SSW, often times they would ignore objectives to get kills as well as play very overconfident and overaggressive. We should assume that this was due to the weakness of their group, but it may be something that SSW bring into the Brackets. Sometimes teams do falter when they think they are the better team.

Playstyles – Team Solo Mid

TSM have two primary play-styles that they like to run, with a third coming in close.

#1 TSM love death-ball/protect the ADC compostions, and they are really good at them. These compositions excel against engage and assassins as well as being a monster force to be reckoned with in the late game. SSW should be prepared to ban this out, or to run either a strong split-push or long range AoE composition into this. Champions like, Rumble or Ziggs really but a damper on the death-ball compositions.

#2 TSM also like to run siege/long range poke compositions with disengage. Xerath and Kog'maw are their preferred champions in this composition while running disengage or anti-engage in the other roles. SSW can counter this buy running a heavy wave clear champion and setting up a strong split-push in the other lanes. Also, if they ban Rumble when TSM is prepping this composition, then a strong engage composition should be able to counter the siege.

The third composition that we did see was a Yasuo composition. TSM like many teams, have learned how strong these compositions can be, especially since they include some of the very strong champions. Countering this out is done by recognizing its coming and either taking Yasuo, or stopping many of the picks he works so well with.

Weaknesses/Strengths – Samsung White

Samsung White is a dominant force. In groups their players put on a show of individual skill and got to show how mechanically strong they are.

Outside of individual play we saw very practiced vision control that looks like its become second nature to them.

Samsung White did play very overaggressive and overconfident though, in their group stage, costing them several fights and causing them to take much longer than was necessary to close games, showing a bit of unsafe play through this.

While we did not get to see much of Samsung White's strength outside of individual performance and really one play-style. SSW was also not challenged during the group stages. I feel this will be a major hindrance for them going into the Brackets. While every other team in the Groups was challenged, met with success and failure, learned and grew as a team, Samsung White really gained nothing from them. They played strong, but sloppily at times, and even played champions that they probably would not play if they felt challenged. The oomph behind TSM and behind the other teams in the brackets may help to give them an edge and bring them up to SSW's level and surprise them.

Weaknesses/Strengths – Team Solo Mid

TSM's individual skill does not seem as good as SSW, however it is close and TSM still have the ability to outplay SSW individually, though it will be an uphill battle. The duo lane of TSM may have the roughest time and depending on the team composition/lane match-ups will want to consider lane swapping.

TSM's strength will lie in their ability to make and play team compositions. While the Asian scene is heavily into the skirmish/brawl meta, the LCS teams have faced and created a large variety of different compositions and play-styles. TSM needs to play to this strength and take the mindset “We can win” not just relying on “I can/must win lane.”

How to win – Samsung White

SWW certainly have the edge in this match-up and to win they really just need to make sure that they do not fall prey TSM's compositions. They need recognize TSM's compositions and how to dismantle them both in picks/bans and in game. If they can keep TSM from getting their compositions rolling, then SSW should be able to draw TSM into their preferred style of play

How to win – Team Solo Mid

TSM are going to have a much harder time than SSW when it comes to pulling out wins. They need to and might just have to rely on their compositions to pull them past SSW's individual skill. That being said, TSM has some well crafted team comps and can play them to great affect. Prepping 3 or 4 styles and running through how to get them, prevent getting dismantled, and run scenarios in which SSW try to avoid them, will be necessary for TSM to make it through the best of 5.

During the matches, TSM will need to make sure to not get drawn into SSW's game like every team in SSW's group stage did.

TSM must play to their strength and stick to it as a full team.

League of Legends Worlds Analysis, Group Stage - TSM vs. TPA Game #2

Taipei Assassins vs. Team Solo Mid Game #2

Standard Lanes

Bans

Nami Alistar

Janna Zilean

Rumble Lucian

Picks

1. Maokai 2. Tristana

3. Thresh 2. Lee Sin

3. Yasuo 4. Braum

5. Twitch 4. Lulu

5. Khazix 6. Orianna

Lane Match-ups – Taipei Assassins

Top -

Should end up a very farm heavy top lane. Maokai is tanky enough and has the sustain to survive Lulu's harassment but does not have the damage to all-in Lulu. Going all in would allow Lulu to place a lot of damage onto Maokai so it is ill advised unless it is to set up a gank. Maokai should just focus on farming, using his TP to set up plays mid lane and bottom lane. Very safe against ganks from Lee Sin, able to Twisted Advance onto him if he comes from behind, or to knock-up his Sonic Wave dash. Must be careful though if he is pushed up far. Should have very solid ganks against a pushed up Lulu with Khazix.

Mid -

Yasuo has a slightly rough time against Orianna, but not enough to really be shut down from fighting. Good use of dashes through creeps can make it very hard for Orianna to hit him with offensive ball movement, and with good positioning Yasuo can get in some poke onto Orianna when his flow charge is full. As the lane progresses, Yasuo will gain bully presence at level 6, but will lose it once Orianna is able to wave clear in a spell cast or two. Both lack solo lane kill potential, barring any major mistakes, any ultimate trades should come out with even damage. A gank from Maokai at the level 6 stage should result in an easy kill.

Bot -

Twitch and Thresh will lack all-in potential against Braum/Tristana. Twitch getting stunned in this situation would spell a disaster. Early hooks allowing Twitch to put down casks and poison for expunge would be ideal. Use them to harass but do not engage until there is a clear advantage. Remember, Braum will soak a ton if not all of Twitch's damage throughout the game. Look for hook/lantern ganks with Khazix and Yasuo.

Jungle -

Khazix should primarily farm against Lee Sin, looking to mirror him around the map and provide counter-gank. A very farm heavy match. Best gank potentials will be top against a pushed Lulu or bot lane gank with hook/lantern.

Lane Match-ups – Team Solo Mid

Top -

Lulu has little to fear in this match-up. She will be able to put down harassment without having to worry about repercussions. If Maokai attempts to all-in, Lulu's shield will prevent a large portion of the damage while allowing her to deal out more to Maokai. Killing Maokai 1v1 will be almost impossible though. Lulu can either push extremely hard and keep Maokai at tower, or focus on keeping the lane even or pushed towards her by only auto attacking creeps and try to have Lee Sin gank when there is chasing distance on Maokai.

Mid -

Orianna generally has an awkward time against Yasuo. His swift dashes combined with the flow shield make it hard to land solid harass against him while also using the ball for CS. Optimal placement of the ball will either be on top of Orianna, or in the middle of her own creep wave. Both of these options will serve to zone/deter Yasuo from attempting to harass Orianna back, as the quick short ball movements will be much easier to hit than if the ball were residing in the opposing creep wave. The ideal point in this match will be when Orianna is able to quick kill the creep wave in 2-3 spells, this nets her a much faster clear speed than Yasuo, as well as forcing minor creep damage onto him. Creeps attacking Yasuo are also much more predictable in their movement and this will help in avoiding Yasuo's dashes. Level 6 will be a feared point though, mostly because of the potential for Maokai ganks into an unavoidable Yasuo Ult. Good warding, and keeping Maokai in top lane will prevent this.

Bot -

With Twitch's weak laning at the low levels, Tristana/Braum should easily have this lane. The biggest fear would be hooks into tower, but should be easily avoided. Anytime poke or all-in fights can be had, go for them, especially If Winter's Bite from Braum hits Twitch.

Jungle -

Lee Sin should focus on farming until 6 against Khazix. However, he really needs to watch top and bot play style for opportunities. Catching Maokai far from his tower, or being able to sneak into bot lane for a quick Braum passive proc would make for successful ganks.

Team Composition/Strategy – Taipei Assassins

*Win Condition – Focus on picks and small skirmishes. Getting fights with Maokai/Thresh and Yasuo will be ideal. As the game progresses, use the picks and skirmishes to build up a strong enough lead to let Yasuo split-push and keep TSM separated, or gain a big enough lead to be able to overpower the protect the ADC comp that TSM has.

TPA have a pick focused composition that also excels in small 2v2 and 3v3 skirmishes. Getting solid laning phases and then putting pressure onto jungle objectives when the second or third round of buffs spawn will be extremely useful for this team. Setting up Yasuo ultimates and allowing Twitch to roam for picks are going to be necessary for TPA to get themselves the lead they need to overpower or split up TSM.

Team Composition/Strategy – Team Solo Mid

*Win Condition – Do not lose laning phase, do not get behind, be wary of small skirmishes. Move into the mid/late game as a 5 man grouped up death ball.

TSM has drafted an extremely strong death ball/protect the ADC composition. To win, they need to not get behind in laning phase and with the strong and safe lanes that they have matched up against, should be no problem at all. Avoiding deadly skirmishes as the early game transitions into mid game will be key and once the first towers start to fall, grouping up as 5 and pushing towers and objectives will be their best way to win. Braum is a great pick here, and will be able to counter the engage that Maokai and Khazix will try, as well as being able to completely stop Twitch ultimate from hitting the rest of his team. TPA does not have the upfront damage to really offer a threat to any one member of TSM in this death ball/shield composition.

Game Notes -

Orianna really respects the dash capability of Yasuo and plays very safe, knowing his strength in this composition will be in the team play not the individual.

Lulu is letting Maokai push in their match-up while bot pushes, this draws Khazix to the bottom and when he is seen, Lulu pushes and Lee Sin moves into TPA's top jungle to counter-jungle and be in place if a play top is needed.

Lee Sin gives away his position with a sonic wave, gets collapsed on and looses a pink for it.

TPA has deep wards on TSM's blue, looking for the buff spawn and the skirmishes. Though it does not catch the blue timer, it does let them know that blue was the second take, and that Lee Sin is most likely at red when the second round of buffs spawn.

Orianna staying very near to her ball, allows her quick movement when Yasuo goes in and is able to take Yasuo to half hp, severely hampering any jungle plays TPA wanted to make soon.

A good hook by Thresh does draw Tristana into the tower, but a good shield wall from Braum stops all but the tower damage.

A flash ultimate from Braum gets Twitch and brings him a bit low, but is easily ended by Thresh lantern. The aggressive damage does give TSM the ability to pressure Dragon, but they get collapsed upon. A great flash Q by Lee Sin gets him First Blood on Twitch, and TPA get a kill onto Braum.

Twitch really did not need to put himself in the dangerous position that he did, the other 3 TPA members had the fight. Twitch also died with hi summoners.

Maokai tries to go all-in against Lulu and comes out way behind, almost dieing and forced to back.

Orianna, having not died to Yasuo early, is able to be more of a bully. Keeping the ball close, she once again catches Yasuo when he tries to fight and is able to kill him. This nets TSM dragon.

Lee Sin goes a little too aggressive and dies for it. Unsure of why he did not use it ultimate for the three man knock-back.

Tristana/Braum continue to bully bottom lane.

Note TSM's wards. And the two major CS leads in top and bottom.

Maokai has flash and Double Doran's Rings. I really dislike this. There is around an 800 gold loss in this build and completely delays him in a match that these items will not give him an advantage. That 800 gold would be better served with a Negatron cloak to deal with Lulu damage or just go for a faster Rod of Ages.

Both top and bottom turrets go down in TSM's favor. They have survived the early-mid game, avoided skirmishes, taken the first turrets, and Yasuo has not snowballed. TSM have a heavy advantage now transitioning into the mid game and are close to creating lead that TPA will not be able to overcome.

TSM will group and push mid and pressure dragon. They have full advantage of this match now, and the game is in their hands.

TSM 5 man dragon, and TPA look to pincer with Maokai and Yasuo to the left, and the rest to the right. When Maokai TP's to their left, TSM immediately rush the rest of TPA to the right effectively creating a 5v3 without TPA's front line or main threat. Watch how Orianna backs off and Tristana jumps forward and away from the approaching TPA members. From behind Orianna flanks, and is able to slow down Maokai and catch him. Fight leads to dragon and 2 kills for TSM, solidifying their lead and making it almost impossible for TPA to fight back.

TSM will stick together now as 5 taking any objective they please., and we will see TPA try to make several fights, only to be stopped by the shields and protection of TSM's composition.

TPA do pressure mid, since they know TSM needs to back and shop, netting them some small gold. An example of doing what you can when behind.

When TSM back as 5. Dyrus sticks around to watch for a Baron rush, but waits in the wrong spot and gets caught and dies. Better to die so baron cannot be taken, than to lose baron though. TSM's lead is too big for a single death to matter. And they eventually close the game.

End Game Notes -

Aside from superior play by all of TSM, their composition was a huge part of their win. It was extremely strong against the strategy that TPA wanted to play.

Orianna played amazingly against Yasuo, respecting him early and keeping the ball close for when it was needed. Preventing Yasuo from getting out of hand was key to prevent any overpowering of TSM's composition.

Maokai played too aggressively against Lulu and did not focus on farming, getting way behind.

Item Notes -

Maokai spent over 1100 gold on 2 Doran's Rings and a flask. He should have only picked up one of those 3 items, or even more so a Doran's shield against Lulu. The 800 gold he wasted on double Doran's after starting flask really delayed his Rod of Ages and his tank potential. Especially against TSM's composition, he should not be delaying his early to mid item spikes.

What Taipei Assassins should have done -

TPA's team composition was very weak against TSM, however part of that was how well TSM played the pick phase. TPA wanted to grab Yasuo after seeing Tristana/Lee to prevent TSM from grabbing it. After seeing the Braum/Lulu pick, and having already denied the Yasuo to TSM. Picking up Kog'maw instead of Twitch would have been more ideal, allowing TPA to have some poke against TSM's death ball.

The real counter to TSM's composition would have been a heavy poke composition. Champions like Xerath, Ziggs, Jayce, and Kog'maw come to mind.

In the game, TPA should have really lane swapped, preventing the bad top and bad bottom match-up that they had. Even though Maokai will have a harder time csing than Lulu, he will also be safer against a 3 man dive. Even if behind from the 2v1, a solid gank onto Orianna for Yasuo would still be very useful. In mid, Yasuo needed to use his dashes better to avoid Orianna's counter damage. Maokai being held down, and the damage that Yasuo took, prevented a lot of opportunity for TPA to great the small jungle skirmishes that they needed.

League of Legends Worlds Analysis, Group Stage - TSM vs. TPA Game #1

Team Solo Mid vs. Taipei Assassins Game #1

2v1 Lanes, TPA top

Bans

Nidalee Zed

Zilean Maokai

Syndra Alistar

Picks

1. Lee Sin 2. Lulu

3. Kog'maw 2. Tristana

3. Janna 4. Orianna

5. Rumble 4. Rengar

5. Xerath 6. Leona

Lane Match-ups – Team Solo Mid

Top -

Unfavorable match-up for Rumble early on. Lulu has the ability to harass Rumble and avoid getting caught by Rumble early on. At level 3/4 though, Rumble will have much greater all-in and trade potential than Lulu. If he can land his harpoon onto Lulu, he should be able to close the gap and come out with a favorable trade. The downside to this, is that he will take damage, and will not be able to kill early unless he can make multiple of these trades. Must be careful not to take damage outside of the trades or Lulu will squeak ahead. At level 6 though, Rumble will definitely have kill potential. Great kill potential with Lee Sin, as well as vulnerable to being ganked by Rengar.

Mid -

Mostly a farm match-up, both champions being picked for the team fight and turret control. Xerath can poke easier, but will lose trades or all-in fights unless he can land his stun. At 6 Orianna will definitely have the fight advantage, however Xerath will be looking to avoid it and just long range farm. Good kill potential with Lee Sin, if the stun can be hit or Lee Sin flanks behind Orianna.

Bot -

Lane is highly in favor of TSM. Janna is a great counter to Leona, able to stop her engage with tornado and able to shield out a large portion of the burst damage Leona provides. TSM should be able to take control of this lane. Need to be wary at level 6 though if Rengar ganks, lots of engage potential by TPA in that scenario, more than Janna can stop.

Jungle -

Lee Sin will have a good advantage over Rengar in the early stages of the game. He should look to get his lanes off to a good start early and primarily protect Rumble. Ganks should be focused up top or mid, coming from behind in mid or multiple paths in top.

Lane Match-ups – TPA

Top -

Lulu will have a heavy advantage in the first 2 to 3 levels and should use it to her advantage, bully out Rumble, dealing as much damage as you can to keep him from gaining favorable trades or all-ins once he has all 3 of his spells. When pushed back, Rengar ganks will be very successful, speeding him up to get in and keeping Rumble slowed the entire lane long. Must be wary of the amount of damage that Lee Sin and Rumble can put out though, if she gets gank or counter-ganked.

Mid -

Mostly a passive farm lane. Orianna should avoid taking poke as much as possible. I would suggest an early boots pick up to do so, and to let her play more aggressively. While it will be hard to get in range, Orianna is able to all in Xerath. Her damage output will be plenty superior as well as being much harder for Xerath to dodge if she is in close. The one counter to this would be if Orianna gets hit by Xerath's stun. At level 6, Orianna will have even greater 1v1 all-in potential, her ultimate being useful in the fight where as Xerath's will not. If at any point Xerath's flash is down and her flash is up, Orianna should play aggressively and flash his stun to go all-in. Great synergy with Rengar.

Bot -

Inferior lane, very hard for Leona to get in with Janna on TSM's side. Farm as well as possible and hope for Rengar ganks at level 6. Slight potential to all-in if you get level 2 first, but risky. All other times during the lane you will be at a disadvantage. Should look to 2v1 and avoid this lane.

Jungle -

Rengar should do his best to farm until 6. Best plays at 6 will be made against Rumble or with Leona. When going in against Janna, need to stagger engages with Leona to lock Kog'maw or Janna up.

Team Compositions/Strategy – Team Solo Mid

*Win Condition - Siege down TPA's team and avoid TPA's engagement. Superior poke and mid game spikes. Look to control dragon with Rumble and start you pushes around the time Kog'maw gets Trinity Force.

TSM has drafted a very solid siege composition. Xerath and Kog'maw's long range will be able to whittle down TPA at towers while Lee Sin and Janna provide good disengage against straight forward attacks. By sieging turrets and keeping vision solid around them, they can hold TPA in the lane, near their turrets. If they do get an engage, TSM can target the back line with Rumble, Kog'maw, and Xerath ultimates, slowing down their advancement while they deal with the front line as well.

Team Compositions/Strategy – Taipei Assassins

*Win Condition – Keep Tristana alive in the back lane by engaging onto TSM's team and disrupting their back line. Rengar/Leona being delivery systems for Orianna will be key. Need to find fights where TSM are grouped up.

TPA have come out with a decent engage composition. It will be tough to get into TSM, but not impossible. The damage coming out of their composition will be low for awhile, but once the late-mid game hits, they should have very high sustained damage. The key will be getting Rengar onto Kog'maw or Xerath and disrupting them while Tristana and Orianna deal damage. In fights, Tristana needs to be aggressive, staying behind Rengar but not letting the sniper ultimates of TSM zone him out of the fight.

Game Notes -

2v1 lanes initiated by TPA. Avoids the bad bot lane match-up.

Note that Rumble has started health crystal, having read the lane swap. This will let him reach Haunting Guise much sooner.

Leona, heading for the bot lane to meet up with Lulu, ends up spending a lot of time wasted running around, as Lulu is far away should have gone mid to meet her and the big 3v4 surprise party that happened.

With the bot turret really low, TPA end the lane swap.

Counter-gank by Lee Sin up top earns TSM first blood. Damage is so much higher on Rumble/Lulu.

Deep ward sees Rengar trying to gank top. Rumble delays Rengar and burns ult for nothing.

Catch onto Lee Sin in the dragon bush. TPA let him go. Rengar could have instantly used his ultimate for the speed buff to catch Lee Sin. Takes a very long time to decide what to do, but eventually head to dragon.

Rengar gets very low from dragon, and Rumble TPs to dragon. It gets canceled, but delays the dragon just long enough for TSM to collapse with their long range. The scramble for dragon leads to several bad plays in all the lanes by TPA and TPA gets aced and lose dragon.

Rengar, Lulu, Orianna gank top and show off the power of the combo, killing Lee Sin and Rumble.

Deep wards really keep Rengar in check this game. Pink ward at blue especially.

TPA get a great engage near dragon and get a kill on Lee Sin, but TSM's disengage and long range turn things around, killing Leona and pushing TPA away. (TPA need to get Xerath or Kog'maw to really win a fight).

Tristana buy critical strike component of Infinity Edge instead of saving up for BF Sword.

TSM push mid and siege the turret while both of their lanes are moving into a slow push. TSM keep the area around them, extremely warded to counter Rengar.

TSM move bot lane. Rengar pops ultimate for no engage in the jungle beside T2 bot turret (awful place to even try).

At this point, TPA must go late game, as they are too behind at the moment to fight TSM. They keep Tristana farming lanes while they attempt to 4 man defend turrets. TSM have this game under their control now, and can easily control the map and siege for the next 15-20 minutes, which is roughly how long it will take for TPA to be able to fight.

*Note – Rengar has built damage, against the heavy damage output of TSM. With the composition that TPA has, they need a front line. Rengar should be building tank/MR, especially since TSM 3 main threats can be considered to be almost 2.5x magic damage.

TPA get a good engage onto Xerath and Kog'maw, but Tristana is not in range to do damage, and both get away. When Tristana does get in, they get a kill onto Lee Sin, but with Xerath and Kog'maw now safely in the back and TPA engage down, they turn the fight around with their poke and get a kill on Tristana + the tower. Also note, Orianna ultimate and Lulu ultimate were used at the same time. Lulu ultimate canceled the pull-in of Orianna's ultimate.

TSM place pink wards at the siege point to see Rengar's linear engage.

TSM will simply take their lead and siege TPA's base for the win.

Wave manipulation with the bottom inhibitor down earn TSM Baron.

Item Notes -

Rumble starts with Ruby Crystal, expecting the lane swap, and it nets him an early Haunting Guise.

Rengar builds damage when TPA need a stronger lasting front-line. Easy tank itemization would have been found with MR/HP.

Leona builds her Face of the Mountain extremely late. Should have built an Aegis this late instead of completing Face.

Tristana builds Blade of the Ruined King, would have preferred to see Blood Thirster. Offering more leach and the initial shield to deal with the poke.

End Game Notes -

TSM played their composition superbly.

TPA tried to force too many plays without respecting the damage that could come out from TSM's team, particularly Rumble, two bad plays putting him way ahead of Lulu and skyrocketing his damage.

The play from TPA at the first dragon was too scattered, and was the catalyst for TSM taking control.

Rengar's play was sub-par, spending a lot of time sitting in bushes early, and then not being aggressive enough at a few key points in the mid game.

What Taipei Assassins should have done.

I would have liked to see a more early game focused jungler coming from TPA in an effort to put pressure onto Rumble and Xerath. Jarvan comes to mind, keeping the engage that TPA wants as well as being more difficult for TSM to stop. Leona was also a strange pick into TSM, Braum would have offered better lane control in a duo match-up as well as being able to engage with Rengar.

In their play, TPA should have traded top tower for bottom before sending Leona bottom. TPA was in position to 4-man push it and then move into standard lanes. This would let Tristana/Leona stay farther back in the bot lane, making it unsafe for TSM's bot lane, and opening up top lane for a longer/deeper gank onto Rumble. If TSM also send their duo top, then TPA would continue to avoid the rough match-up against Janna and give TPA greater dragon control.

Just before the first dragon fight, Rengar should have instantly used his ult to chase down Lee Sin and kill them, then take dragon. The delay in decision making lead to a cross map ace as the team seemed confused as to how to exactly go about dragon.

League of Legends Worlds Analysis, Group Stage - TSM vs. SHR Game #2

Team Solo Mid vs. Star Horn Royal Club Game #2

Standard Lanes

Bans

Nami Alistar

Janna Zilean

Rumble Lucian

Picks

1. Lee Sin 2. Ryze

3. Tristana 2. Janna

3. Nami 4. Khazix

5. Rumble 4. Caitlyn

5. Orianna 6. Fizz

Lane Match-ups – Team Solo Mid

Top -

Rumble will get bullied by Ryze early on, the range and Q spam of Ryze really putting on the pressure. Level 3 will give Rumble a bit more ability to fight, however Ryze with his snare should keep Rumble at bay. Rumble's time to shine, will be his level 6 and when he picks up his first Mpen item, growing even more when he gets his second. This will be during Ryze's weak point of gaining his mana. Rumble needs to be extremely wary of ganks from Khazix before level 6, however Lee Sin counter-engages will heavily turn into TSM's favor.

Mid -

Orianna will have the pressure in this match-up for the first 2 levels, able to really put the pressure onto Fizz and deny him farm. Once level 3 hits, things will be tougher for Orianna, as Fizz can harass and hop out. Just as against Yasuo, Orianna will need to keep the ball close in order to guarantee safety and return damage against Fizz. Barrier will almost be essential for surviving level 6-8 against Fizz's all-ins. Hang back and farm with your ball when you have no knowledge of Khazix, and stay close to your ball and harass Fizz when Khazix is no where near. In the end, Orianna should be able to out-farm Fizz and win the lane that way.

Bot -

Trist/Nami are in for a rough lane if they go 2v2. Caitlyn and Janna will be able to get very good harass from level 1 and can continue it as the match progresses. TSM should be reduced to farming under turret as Caitlyn and Janna push against their tower. All-in potential for TSM should be very low, as Janna shield and knock-ups will be very strong if Tristana jumps in. At level 6, expect Caitlyn to be using her ultimate on cooldown against Tristana, while Janna holds her ultimate to prevent any all-ins.

Jungle -

Lee Sin vs. Khazix, much of the same. Farm mostly but try to use your early pressure. Gank opportunities will be primarily in the top lane. Getting a counter-gank top if Khazix tries to gank Rumble will go great for TSM. Otherwise going after Fizz if he uses his combo against Orianna will also net success.

Lane Match-ups – Star Horn Royal Club

Top -

Ryze will be able to bully Rumble at the low levels and should do so as much as possible. When Rumble gets his level 3 combo up, Ryze should keep him at bay with a quick Q cast into snare then backing off away from Flamespitter damage. Prioritizing an early Negatron Cloak would do wonders for Ryze in this match-up and should be picked up before Rumble can get both of his Mpen Items, even if it will slow his scaling down some. Ganks with Khazix will be very successful, as Rumble has no escape, however they must be wary of the counter-gank from Lee Sin which would turn the fight heavily around.

Mid -

Fizz is going to have a hard time against Orianna, getting bullied early, and having trades after level 3 that will only go even or in Orianna's favor. However, if Orianna's ball is ever far away from her, that gives Fizz the opportunity to get in some free harass and pole hop away before the ball can move back to her or move to hit him. Look for opportunities to all-in at level 6, saving pole hop to dodge Orianna's ultimate. Getting this opportunity will be difficult, but rewarding. Ganks onto top or bottom will yield more success, but will sacrifice a lot of cs and tower damage.

Bot -

Strong in either a 2v1 or a 2v2. In either situation Caitlyn/Janna will bully the lane and push into the tower, trying to take it down as quickly as possible and denying a lot of CS to whoever they face. They should win the lane they are in, but will be unlikely to net a kill. The advantage should be used to get a quick tower kill and then switch lanes with top to do the same again.

Jungle -

Another Khazix vs. Lee Sin. Khazix needs to farm quickly to level 6, and then join Caitlyn/Janna in tower pushing with an Evolved Spike Rack. In the earlier levels, he should try to gank Rumble, but must make sure that he knows where Lee Sin is before attempting this. After 6, if not pushing with the team, timing a gank with Fizz ultimate onto Orianna will yield summoners, and possibly a kill.

Team Composition/Strategy – Team Solo Mid

*Win Condition – Withstand the early turret pushing power of SHR. Take dragon during Rumble's power spike and Ryze's mana generating phase. Once Tristana gains enough range and items, start to push turrets, using Rumble ultimate to zone SHR's back line if they engage.

TSM has drafted what can be considered an anti-engage composition. If SHR ever want to dive in onto TSM, Nami and Rumble will keep the back line of SHR zoned and far away from them, giving TSM time to focus and take down Fizz and Khazix. Any engage made by SHR should be shut down my TSM's champions as long as SHR do not gain a massive lead. Once Tristana scales up enough, TSM will use her to start besieging towers while being ready to disengage. Their team is also extremely strong in corridors, as a disengage composition so they can make good use of retreats made through the jungle.

Team Composition/Strategy – Star Horn Royal Club

*Win Condition – Fast push turrets with Caitlyn and move the early gold lead around the map to take as many objectives early as possible, getting Fizz and Ryze past their weakest points and close to their late game hyper-scaling. Once they reach their strong points, have Fizz and Ryze split-push while the 3 man squad of SHR wave clear and poke from range in mid.

SHR has picked up two hyper-scaling champions in Fizz and Ryze. This leaves them at a bit of a disadvantage during the mid game, especially against a Rumble. To somewhat alleviate this problem, they have chosen a duo lane that can fast push towers. SHR need to quickly push at least two, if not three turrets and us that gold advantage to get to the strong points of Ryze and Fizz quickly. Once Fizz reaches the point where he can split-push, he should definitely do so, Ryze following suit later on when he reaches it as well. Khazix, Janna, and Caitlyn can offer decent wave clear and poke, holding their own near towers against TSM.

Game Notes -

I would have preferred to see a lane swap by SHR, taking the top tower with Khazix extremely early, then moving to bot lane and dominating TSM's duo quickly after, taking bot turret as well. However, in the standard lanes, they do keep Tristana behind a good amount.

Even though Lee Sin being bottom does not result in a gank, the presence allows Tristana to not fall farther behind.

Fizz taking many jungle camps.

Rumble goes all-in against Ryze, using his ultimate. Ryze uses his flash, unnecessarily so I feel, and backs off. I feel as he had already stepped out of Rumble's ultimate, Ryze could have taken the fight and killed him, or at least backed off simply by running and not being forced to use flash.

Lee Sin dashes to ward as Fizz is dashing into him and drags Fizz with him, ends up getting SHR first blood. Should have just ran towards Orianna and tower. Also nets SHR dragon as bot lane is heavily pressured and pushed in as well.

Tristana/Nami are finally able to put some pressure onto SHR's bot lane with Janna's mana low and her ult down from dragon.

Lee Sin dives top lane with Rumble, killing Ryze. The lost flash earlier coming up huge here.

Khazix ganks bottom, burning 3 of TSM's summoners on bot lane.

SHR finally take bottom turret at 15 minutes.

Rather than backing off after taking the turret, they continue to push, resulting in a great flank TP by Rumble, getting kills on both Caitlyn and Janna. Fight goes 2 for 1 in TSM's favor and then gains them a lot of damage onto the bottom turret.

Dragon is the next focus for both teams, immediately following. Some great harass from Orianna as SHR moves in prevents them from being able to do dragon, and zones them away from mid, allowing TSM to take the mid turret.

SHR start dragon, and Lee Sin steals it for TSM. Khazix leaps into 4 members of TSM, to start the fight, but a great Rumble ultimate completely zones the rest of SHR and keeps them away long enough to annihilate Khazix. SHR continue the fight, currently a 4v4 with Tristana away from it, however she is able to make it to the fight and clean up. The result is 5 kills for TSM, 3 for SHR, with 3 kills going onto Tristana and the dragon to TSM. This massive swing brings Tristana even with Caitlyn and TSM into the lead in the game.

Now in the lead, TSM have a great team for taking control of the jungle and pushing turrets.

Rumble 1v1's Ryze in the top lane. Ryze has 0 magic resist against Rumble who now has triple Mpen items.

TSM will begin to push turrets and take control of SHR's jungle, by grouping as 4 or 5 and using their team fight power. At this point it is TSM's game to lose.

SHR rush top with their whole team while TSM move to push bottom lane. They catch Dyrus, kill him, and take baron. The unexpected 5 man top, ignoring everything else, comes up huge for SHR. Very risky, but it did work out. (Better warding for TSM in the top jungle, and Dyrus being more aware of the danger would have prevented his death, and then he could have stopped Baron alone or at least slowed down SHR enough for TSM to make it there).

TSM out-rotate SHR, putting pressure onto SHR mid turret, SHR flank TSM and get good damage, but TSM disengage and SHR chases TSM into the jungle, while Rumble and Orianna still have their ultimates and turns disastrous for SHR as they get over zealous.

Great play by SHR draws TSM into a very spread out, chaotic fight, breaking TSM's team fight advantage. The fight goes 2 for 2, but SHR are healthy enough and in the right position to take TSM T2 mid turret.

TSM takes SHR mid inhibitor, and backs towards dragon with no vision on Baron. SHR see this and rush to Baron, getting it again. TSM really needed to back from the inhibitor down middle and then towards baron to be ready for the counter-baron. Delays the game again.

SHR push bottom, still trying to team-fight instead of using Fizz's split-push potential. Doesn't net them anything but time, as Orianna's wave clear at this point is instant.

SHR rotate towards Baron/top, taking top T2, TSM rushes mid, forcing SHR back to defend their inhibitor. SHR gains a turret kill, but TSM now are free to take vision of Baron.

The fight happens at the Baron area. A great Rumble ult zones Caitlyn out of the fight completely. A bit of a split allows Fizz and Ryze to take brawl with Orianna/Rumble/ and Nami while Tristana leaps past them to take out Khazix and Janna, then return to clean up the fight. With Caitlyn delayed and Tristana so strong, Tristana rushes down mid and takes the Nexus.

Item Notes -

No early MR from Ryze really puts him at a huge disadvantage against Rumble and costs him several deaths. The pick-up of Glacial Shroud before Negatron Cloak really offers Ryze nothing against the double AP comp of TSM.

Janna goes Mikael's against a team whose only hard CC is Nami's bubble. Janna needed to pick up an Aegis/Locket which would have been huge against TSM's composition. Exponentially more effective than Mikael's.

End Game Notes -

SHR did not play into their strengths, and try to fight TSM several points, even though TSM has such a great anti-engage composition. Trying to fight this, gets SHR into a lot of trouble early on and sets up TSM to take control of the game.

A very risky play by SHR and then a sloppy back by TSM, end up giving them a great reward and they secure 2 Barons in a row.

SHR continue to try to fight TSM though, and lose out against the disengage. To be fair though, with their inhibitor exposed in mid, it is just about if not completely too late for a split-push.

What Star Horn Royal Club needed to do -

In the team composition that SHR chose, they needed to get an advantage early in all lanes, not just in the bottom lane. The best way SHR could have facilitated this is by using the huge advantage that SHR's duo lane had to fast push turrets. SHR should have opted into 2v1 lanes and taken the top tower as quickly as possible. This would have created team gold, and while it would not have kept Tristana down in the beginning, it would have kept Rumble down. As soon as the top turret drops, then Caitlyn/Janna switch to bottom lane, having an item advantage from shopping as well as the match-up advantage and pushing down the bottom tower quickly as well. Khazix (or an Elise) could easily help facilitate this by rushing level 6 and picking up Evolved Spike Racks for the poke and fast wave clear.

With two turrets down, Khazix/Caitlyn/Janna could have pressured mid while Fizz switches into a split-push (TP would have been great on Fizz instead of ignite). This would have helped Fizz and Ryze get the lead they needed to be able to split-push, win the 1v1s and draw multiple members into their lane.

Another thing that SHR club could have done, was to not pick Fizz. They could see the full intention of TSM's team and had an opportunity to pick their mid laner in response. A mid laner that has good long range abilities, does not have to all in, and is able to provide usefulness in a tower siege would have been great against TSM, as TSM had no hard engage and SHR already had Caitlyn/Janna for the turret pushing. Xerath, Syndra, Ziggs, or Jayce would have been great for SHR. Playing the same way as mentioned in the previous paragraph, but instead of SHR's mid laner split-pushing, he would help in the siege once it reached mid lane. From there, poke around dragon, manage waves, and then push into the T2 turrets, extending the gold lead.

League of Legends Worlds Analysis, Group Stage - TSM vs. SHR Game #1

Star Horn Royal Club vs. Team Solo Mid Game #1

Standard Lanes

Bans

Maokai Fizz

Nidalee Lee Sin

Alistar Lucian

Picks

1. Zilean 2. Ryze

3. Rengar 2. Zed

3. Tristana 4. Nami

5. Irelia 4. Corki

5. Janna 6. Elise

Lane Match-ups – Star Horn Royal Club

Top -

Irelia will get bullied by Ryze early and will be reduced to surviving and farming. It will be rough for a while, but being lower than Ryze will keep his kill potential almost non-existent during the low levels, as well as providing Irelia with an easy way to set up a gank through the long duration of her stun. Once Irelia reaches and 6 and picks up a Sheen, she will have more control over the lane than Ryze. Her all-in onto Ryze will be superior while Ryze is scaling up with his tear/catalyst. Every opportunity after this point should be used to push Ryze out of lane and potentially kill him. Jungle with Rengar will be extremely potent and should be a priority.

Mid -

Zilean does not have much to fear from Zed. Safe use of bombs to get farm and harass should be used while making sure to avoid a level 2 or 3 all-in from Zed. Once level 6 hits, and Zilean in an even lane will hit it first, all kill pressure from Zed will be gone. Zilean can freely fast push mid lane and then roam to the sides and make plays there. The ability for Zilean to speed up Rengar during Rengar's ultimate will make for good ganks, and good plays later on in the game.

Bot -

Tristana/Janna will have a fairly safe time against Corki/Nami, but will be unable to put much pressure onto them. Farm as much as possible to get Tristana into that late game and avoid 2v2 engagements with TSM's bot lane, especially when Corki picks up pieces of or completes his Trinity Force. The passive movement speed from Janna will help when Rengar lane ganks with his ultimate.

Jungle -

Rengar should farm as much as possible and use the increased experience from Zilean to reach level 6 ASAP. From there he has solid gank potential in every lane (though the least in mid as Zed is slippery). Ganks before 6 should be focused top, as Irelia can set them up very well.

Lane Match-ups – Team Solo Mid

Top -

Ryze can bully Irelia, though it might not be so wise. With Irelia lower than Ryze, it will put Ryze at risk to be ganked easily by Rengar. Harassment should only be done when he knows that Rengar is on the other side of the map and must be wary anytime his presence is not accounted for. Be especially mindful of low hp ranged creeps and the ability of Irelia to double gap close in those situations. If possible, try to keep the wave slightly on TSM's side of the river, giving more time to chase Irelia in a gank, since she has built in tenacity to deal with Elise and Ryze CC, and because Ryze will need a short escape route if he gets ganked.

Mid -

There's really not much for Zed to do in this lane. If possible, get harassment in the early levels, and try to all-in around levels 2-4 for the kill. If Zed cannot get ahead early, there will be no way for him to kill Zilean after 6. Other than that, Zed must farm and get enough of a power lead to be able to split-push later on in the game.

Bot -

Corki/Nami will have the advantage in this lane. With superior all-in, poke, and sustain they should be able to come out ahead in this lane. The key will be landing the skill shots in trades/fights though. If Nami and Corki miss their skillshots, they can lose a trade to Tristana/Janna. TSM's lane needs to be extra careful against Rengar when he hits 6, especially Nami. Janna's passive move speed bonus on top of her slow into knock-up will give Rengar plenty of time and an easy setup to gank.

Jungle -

Elise against Rengar is a bit of an awkward match-up, especially in these compositions. I would suggest that Elise put on an early tower push bottom. Rengar cannot do much early on against a siege. Elise should use her ranged and pick ability to help push towers early, opening up the map for TSM to ward and keep track of Rengar. Early gank potentials will be against top lane, if Irelia is pushed to Ryze's tower or mid, if Elise can somehow sneak into for a flash cocoon.

Team Compositions/Strategy – Star Horn Royal Club

*Win Condition – Deny TSM the ability to split-push, have Rengar get the lanes (primarily top) going. Group up with the mid game potential of Irelia and Zilean, denying Zed's usefulness and allowing Rengar to make great engages. Alternately just get ahead of both Ryze and Zed to completely shut down TSM's split-push ability.

SHR have a great composition here to completely shut down TSM's plan. Zilean + Rengar can make extremely fast engagements that are hard to see coming and hard to stop. The experience advantage will allow Rengar to make level 6 ganks that much earlier as well. If/when TSM try to split-push, Rengar is great at stopping them, able to gank straight down the lanes and turn the split-push into a 2v1 very quickly. Alternately when TSM try to push with their 3 man squad, the engage potential (as noted before), should be able to prevent them from escaping. As another note, Irelia's strength in the mid game and as a duelist will help to prevent a successful split-push from TSM.

Team Compositions/Strategy – TSM

*Win Condition – Get ahead enough to be able to perform a 1-3-1 split-push and whittle down SHR with the pressure.

TSM's composition here, kinda sucks to be honest. The Rengar pick has really screwed over their ability to split-push safely. Picking Zed into Zilean completely gave away their strategy and allowed SHR to deny them it. TSM must get ahead early and stay ahead early to be relevant in this game. To do this, TSM should use the advantage that Elise has over Rengar (her ranged and siege ability) to fast push turrets and get them an early gold lead. If TSM manage to gain a lead, then they will need to put pressure around the map with deep wards to spot out Rengar. Zilean will be the biggest deterrent with his wave clear, for the 3 man squad and the team should pay very close attention to his animations, If they ever see him cast his speed up, but do not see the particle, then Rengar is near. If TSM get behind, it will most likely be over. They will have to fully commit to the split-push and hope to trade objectives.

Game Notes -

*I would love to see pink wards make it into the bushes by SHR's T2 turrets early on. Not sure how they will work out, but would be interesting to see.

Very great gank by Elise up top, but Irelia's passive gets her away.

Nami misses her bubble and SHR goes in, coming out ahead in the trade.

TSM bot lane, falling behind SHR bot lane. Every other lane is winning in CS.

Irelia with level 8 able to do a ton of damage to Ryze. Rengar ganks through lane soon after. A great flash into the leap from his ultimate denies the warning time for Ryze and gets the kill onto Ryze with Irelia.

3v3 on bot lane, Irelia TPs as soon as the fight starts, but Ryze takes much longer. Tristana flashes back to focus on and knock-back Elise. SHR does much much more damage and takes out Elise. The quick TP allows Irelia to secure it and then pick up Nami. As Zilean comes down, he is able to speed up Rengar and add damage from bombs so that he is able to reach and kill Ryze. Takes dragon.

At this point TSM's strategy is completely dismantled. Bot lane has lost pretty hard, top lane has reached the point where Irelia's mid game spike is much stronger than Ryze, and Zed has not gained enough of an advantage to deal with SHR's anti split-push.

Irelia is able to 1v1 Zed in the bot lane, this is her power against split-push during this stage of the game.

SHR will start to use Tristana to start taking towers, while Rengar Zilean and Irelia will do a lot of running around to gank lanes and control jungle objectives.

TSM delay backs to try to take middle, but then decide to try to get kills. Ryze goes in too early and without any defenses, goes down in seconds before TSM can reinforce.

TSM get heavily out rotated and make a very risky fight. Able to push SHR out, but nothing else. SHR want to be the ones to engage, and let the fight go, even though they most likely would have come out ahead, but with several losses.

TSM disengage from SHR fight, mainly through Corki poke and a weak engage from SHR.

TSM create a fight behind SHR, but are too far behind. Tristana is now past your mid game dip and has skyrocketed past Corki's mid game spike.

TSM aced trying to stop Baron. Great play by Zed though, watch how he uses shadows to kill Trist.

End Game Notes -

TSM really lost the game during champion select. SHR read their strategy and completely countered it.

No lane for TSM got an advantage with bot outright losing the lane, and top lane falling behind during Irelia's power spike.

TSM did not react in game to SHR's composition and did not do anything to salvage the game and alter their strategy any.

What Team Solo Mid needed to do -

Top and mid were picked to early I believe. It gave away TSM's strategy right away and allowed SHR to pick Rengar without TSM having the ability to counter him in their picks. Pulling out a heavy disengage/team fight/protect the ADC composition really makes things hard for teams that lack siege potential. This would have allowed a better mid pick primarily. Xerath, Ziggs, or Orianna would have been great against Zilean and this team, providing AoE to spread damage out as well as providing disengage and utility to escape when SHR wants to engage. If TSM wanted to stay with this strategy, then they should have recognized the deadliness of Rengar against split-push and decided on how to get around it. Sticking with Ryze/Zed first, the rest of their picks were good/decent, if they had switched up their strategy, maybe trading Corki or Caitlyn.

With the composition that TSM ended up with, they really needed to get themselves an early advantage and use the early turret pushing ability to gain map control and a gold lead. TSM should have started with 2v1 lanes, and gone for a fast push, bringing in Elise after buffs to accelerate this. TSM could have also tried a little bit of a crazy play, and 4 man pushed top lane and move to the T2 turret. 4 ranged champions, with the CC of Elise/Nami/Ryze would easily secure them 1 if not 2 towers. The early gold and the exp denial to Rengar if he tries to turret defend would be a huge boon for TSM and help Zed get the gold lead he needs. From here, judgment would need to be made in the game, but continuing tower pushing early with Caitlyn, or at 6 with Corki would be ideal. Use Rengar's inability to engage early on and take advantage of the CC that Elise/Nami/Ryze can offer.

League of Legends Worlds Analysis, Group Stage - TSM vs. SK Game #2

SK Gaming vs. Team Solo Mid Game #2

ADC/Top switch, SK Gaming

Bans

Zed Alistar

Tristana Nidalee

Ryze Aatrox

Picks

1. Khazix 2. Maokai

3. Swain 2. Janna

3. Morgana 4. Lee Sin

5. Vayne 4. Kog'Maw

5. Ziggs 6. Syndra

Lane Match-ups – SK Gaming

Top -

Swain is a lane counter to Maokai, able to bully him extremely well, more so than Maokai can sustain, and is safe against Maokai at all points during the game. Swain should take an easy lead in the top lane match-up, zoning from level 1/2 and going for kill pressure at level 3 and beyond. Must be aware of ganks from Lee Sin before level 6, at 6 Swain should be safe to escape any 2 man gank without ignite. Has plenty of potential with Khazix ganks.

Mid -

Ziggs turns this mid lane into a farm fest. Ziggs should seek to keep Syndra pushed back for the first few levels but no longer than level 6. Outside of that, Ziggs should seek to farm as many jungle camps as he can while quickly clearing mid lane when it shows up. Stay away from Syndra, and do not let her get kill pressure onto Ziggs. Pretty safe against Lee Sin ganks as long as Ziggs has quick reactions with the satchel.

Bot -

Vayne/Morgana don't really make for a great lane. There is some potential for a binding into wall stun and Black Shield can block some damage, but there is no hard CC for it to stop in the bot lane. However, Morgana will be good for getting picks later on and for providing massive protection against Syndra later on in the game. Should look try to farm, but will most likely be taking harass from TSM's lane. Can have a solid gank with Khazix if Morgana lands the right binding. Switching and fighting a 2v1 lane would probably be a much better choice.

Jungle -

Khazix vs Lee Sin again. Farm stuff. Best ganks will occur on the top lane against Maokai, especially if Swain can get him low. Try to mirror Lee Sin top and bottom to prevent him from having successful ganks. Mid lane should be just fine.

Lane Match-ups – Team Solo Mid

Top -

Maokai has been countered, it is going to be very difficult for Maokai to exist in this lane. Maokai needs to do everything he can to avoid harass and get farm. Needs to be wary of using saplings to farm creeps, as they will keep the lane in Swain's favor.

Mid -

Against Ziggs, this lane has been turned into a farm lane. Syndra should just farm, get to the point where she has fast wave clear, and then roam. Looking for catches in the jungle with Lee Sin would also be very strong. If Syndra can land a stun, before Lee Sin is caught by vision, a gank mid can happen, but it will be difficult.

Bot -

TSM have a much stronger duo lane. Janna/Kog'maw can get some easy harass onto SK's duo and eventually push them into a very defensive position in lane. Stay away from positions that will get you knocked into a wall if Morgana lands a binding. TSM should expect the lane swap SK, and try to match it. While Maokai will have a bad lane against Swain, if Vayne free farms, she will be able to deal with Maokai throughout the game anyways.

Jungle -

Another Khazix against Lee Sin match-up. Farm and try to be ready to counter-gank. Lee Sin.

Team Composition/Strategy – SK Gaming

*Win Condition – Get Vayne ahead and strong enough that she is able to decimate Maokai and split-push while the 4 man squad siege turrets using Ziggs/Khazix poke.

SK has not so much crafted a composition as they have baited TSM into picking Maokai and Syndra. Swain and Vayne counter Maokai pretty hard while the Ziggs pick effectively shuts down Syndra's lane strength by long range farming. Morgana is also used to prevent Syndra from being able to one shot people with her ultimate.

*SK's special strategy – SK have a plan going into this. Rather than sending Swain to fight Maokai, SK lane swap, sending Morgana and Vayne top. The moment they see that Maokai is indeed top, Morgana leaves Vayne alone. SK effectively switch their top laner and ADC. Vayne is great in a 1v1 against Maokai and Morgana/Swain become a bot lane that TSM don't really know what to do against.

Team Composition/Strategy – Team Solo Mid

*Win Condition – Win lanes, win game. Get ahead of SK, find picks, and push them down.

The team TSM crafted does not really excel at anything. It is however, a very strong composition. TSM have a strong front-line, good play making champions, disengage, pick, and a hyper-carry. Their team is very solid, and while it does not do any one thing super amazing, it does everything very well. TSM will be looking to get an early lead, and use that to just be stronger than SK. TSM need to make sure that the lanes go well early, and then start getting picks/plays with Syndra and Lee Sin.

Game Notes -

SK performs a very crafty lane swap, switching ADC with Top. Khazix will gank top lane for Vayne at level 3, this plan is already in SK's mind from the start of the match.

Maokai, with the level 3 to 2 advantage goes all-in against Vayne but Khazix is close by. Maokai has spent too much mana however, getting a few cs before the all-in and runs out before he can finish off Vayne (who he very nearly kills). Vayne then escapes with heal move-speed and Khazix picks up the kill.

It is not first blood though, as Lee Sin performs a dive on bot lane and gets the kill. However, TSM go too aggressive and end up performing a second, unnecessary dive onto Morgana and end up giving her 2 kills so the dive effectively trades 2 for 2 with Swain able to TP back to lane to grab the farm/exp. (Morgana does not have binding at level 2, very odd). Swain gets a huge level lead from this.

Lee Sin continues to focus bot lane, really should be keeping Vayne down instead.

Swain having the level advantage really allows SK's bot lane to be able to CS and fight against TSM's lane. Once Kog'maw reaches 6 though, the lane really turns back into a bullying situation.

Vayne being so strong against Maokai, Khazix comes top and they are able to turret dive a level 6 Maokai and get top turret.

Swain/Morgana make a great attempt to all-in Kog'maw/Janna, but a TP from Maokai and a counter-engage by Lee Sin and roam by Syndra allow them to pick up both kills for nothing.

TSM's bot lane move top, while SK goes bottom, trading T1 turrets. Vayne gets even farther ahead.

Vayne with her level lead and Blade of the Ruined King can 1v1 anyone at this moment, TSM having no response for her.

TSM put so much focus on Swain, making plays that are too aggressive and leave them vulnerable. TSM still have put 0 focus onto Vayne.

Misplays by SK around dragon gets Swain killed and TSM take dragon, but with mid lane low from Zigg's constant pressure, SK are able to take mid turret. (I would have liked to see Vayne have stayed top instead of moving for dragon. Could have taken top T2 or kept Maokai from joining TSM at dragon and letting the 4 man squad poke at mid/dragon.

Returning from dragon, TSM run through jungle towards mid, not respecting the power of Vayne, and the AoE damage of Ziggs. Ziggs deals tons of damage and zoning against the returning, low hp TSM members, and SK get 3 kills for 0 and mid T2.

At this point the game is pretty even, but Vayne is miles ahead. SK really need to keep up the split-push with Vayne.

SK take top T2 next. With only bottom T2 left, SK should start to push mid as 4 and let Vayne split-push and 1v1. They do so, then collapse for the final T2 turret.

TSM start to focus on jungle objectives that will force SK to group. However, with all outer and inner turrets down, SK should keep Vayne split-pushing, either trading for inhibitor turrets or preventing TSM from being able to focus on such objectives. They do not however do this.

Vayne backs at 27:00 from bot lane while TSM is 5 man in mid. Vayne should have just kept pushing bottom.

SK get a pick onto Lee Sin, but then wander around Baron for awhile, they should have pressured mid with their 4 man squad while Vayne pressured top, could have easily put down turret pressure.

SK get caught in TSM's jungle, ending up in a 5v5 fight. TSM take 2 unanswered kills. TSM head to dragon and catch 1 kill plus take dragon.

SK give up on the split-push at this moment, (bad decision) and TSM start to gain an advantage.

Vayne finally heads to the split push but backs off when TSM head to Baron. Because TSM is low, this does work and SK are able to collapse, stop Baron, and then take it themselves.

Once again, SK do not use their split-push advantage, this time having Baron. TSM get a pick and take dragon.

This trend continues for a long time. SK not using their split-push advantage and playing into TSM's superior 5v5 team. Several fights occur over the next several minutes, TSM getting picks and pincers until they are able to freely take Baron. TSM, for the first time this game, gain control of the match.

TSM take mid inhibitor and Vayne finally starts to split-push again. TSM get antsy for the win and push as 4 into SK's base for nexus turrets, but get collapsed on from behind without their front-line. Trapped in SK's base, without Maokai, TSM get split up, flanked, caught out, and dismantled. Kog'maw goes down early, Syndra is unable to one shot Khazix, and everything goes down hill. SK Ace TSM in their own base, and are able to push all the way up to TSM's base and win the game before TSM can re-spawn.

Item Notes -

Ziggs goes Zhonya's second item. I would have much rather seen a Deathcap for greater poke, or especially a Lichbane for tower damage while Vayne splits and pulls multiple members away from SK's 4 man squad.

Would have preferred to see Zhonya's from Swain instead of Rylai's.

End Game Notes -

This game was a real mess for both sides.

SK gained a huge advantage on Vayne early, used it well to get the outer and inner turrets of TSM, but then just stopped. They could have kept pressing the advantage for Inhibitor turrets and potentially inhibitors. They threw the game by not keeping up the split-push pressure and not running a 4-1 push.

TSM played awful early game, not knowing what to do with SK's top/ADC switch. They do pull it together late game, however this is because SK does not play their composition well. However, impatience and one tremendous error ends up losing TSM the game.

What Team Solo Mid should have done -

Expect and match the lane swap. Having not matched it, then TSM should have put the focus onto Vayne top instead of on Swain bottom. Kog'maw/Janna would do fine against the lane, but Maokai will have a very rough time against Vayne. Lee Sin could easily swing that lane, using the cc of Maokai to keep Vayne in range for the kills. TSM needed to recognize as soon as SK left Vayne top in a 1v1 that Vayne needed to be stopped from being able to become a split-push monster.