When I think of the gauntlet, I first think about how Thanos wiped out half of humanity with the snap of his fingers. And then I think about 2015, where Cloud9 reverse swept two series before clinching the third in four games to secure a Worlds bid. That’s still one of my favorite moments of professional play in League of Legends history — it captured everything we wanted from the gauntlet. Struggle. Heartbreak. Triumph. And this weekend, Clutch Gaming, Echo Fox, TSM, and Cloud9 will gather to fight for NA’s last ticket to Worlds. History will be made — for the first time ever, either TSM or C9 (or both) will not be a Worlds representative. Here’s what each team must do in order to advance:
Clutch Gaming
HOW THEY WIN:
1. Acquire amnesia and forget about regular season
Clutch only won six games this split, which is a far cry from their fourth place finish last season. Now they’ll need to more than double that and win nine games to make it to Worlds — that’s super hard to envision if you consider their performance thus far. Which is why they need to just not consider their performance thus far and embrace the clean slate.
Clutch only won six games this split, which is a far cry from their fourth place finish last season. Now they’ll need to more than double that and win nine games to make it to Worlds — that’s super hard to envision if you consider their performance thus far. Which is why they need to just not consider their performance thus far and embrace the clean slate.
2. Apollo and Hakuho are enabled
One of the ways they can reverse their situation is to lean more into their bot lane. When they found success last split, it was because these two played like one of the best bot lanes in the league. The meta is once again in a place where it might just boil down to whoever has the better ADC wins — if they can win their lane early and rotate first, then they can be the key that starts the Clutch ignition again.
One of the ways they can reverse their situation is to lean more into their bot lane. When they found success last split, it was because these two played like one of the best bot lanes in the league. The meta is once again in a place where it might just boil down to whoever has the better ADC wins — if they can win their lane early and rotate first, then they can be the key that starts the Clutch ignition again.
3. Febiven goes god mode
Short of anyone else stepping up, it’s going to come down to Febiven. He was brought over to be a superstar for the team, but he’s just not having a major impact this split. There are a lot of factors tied to this that aren’t necessarily on him, but more likely than not this team will need him to be the best player in the field if they hope to reach Worlds.
Short of anyone else stepping up, it’s going to come down to Febiven. He was brought over to be a superstar for the team, but he’s just not having a major impact this split. There are a lot of factors tied to this that aren’t necessarily on him, but more likely than not this team will need him to be the best player in the field if they hope to reach Worlds.
HOW THEY LOSE:
1. LirA’s struggles continue
LirA just hasn’t been playing at a high level all split — this is partially a chicken or egg scenario with his laners, and junglers generally look about as good as their team. But he’s been the 1st Team All-Pro jungler on a bottom of the barrel team before, so I’m not sure I buy that entirely. It’s time to step up or sit down.
LirA just hasn’t been playing at a high level all split — this is partially a chicken or egg scenario with his laners, and junglers generally look about as good as their team. But he’s been the 1st Team All-Pro jungler on a bottom of the barrel team before, so I’m not sure I buy that entirely. It’s time to step up or sit down.
2. Solo is exploited early
Huni was the only player with more deaths among top laners than Solo in the regular season, but Huni dies because of the amount of pressure he tries to generate (successfully or not). That’s not as true about Solo. He either needs more early help or he needs to play a bit safer (why not both?). Maybe if he changes his name to Duo, he’ll get some more ganks.
Huni was the only player with more deaths among top laners than Solo in the regular season, but Huni dies because of the amount of pressure he tries to generate (successfully or not). That’s not as true about Solo. He either needs more early help or he needs to play a bit safer (why not both?). Maybe if he changes his name to Duo, he’ll get some more ganks.
3. Febiven plays a supportive role
If he’s relegated to champions like Galio or Zilean, then I’m not sure this team will have the firepower to win games consistently. Or if they literally put him on Support. That would be the equivalent of inting the gauntlet, though, so I expect them to stick him on late game mage carries or melee assassins. I expect Akali to be a pretty contested pick for this team.
If he’s relegated to champions like Galio or Zilean, then I’m not sure this team will have the firepower to win games consistently. Or if they literally put him on Support. That would be the equivalent of inting the gauntlet, though, so I expect them to stick him on late game mage carries or melee assassins. I expect Akali to be a pretty contested pick for this team.
Echo Fox
HOW THEY WIN:
1. Huni doesn’t get sick
FOX pushed TSM to five games without being able to practice with Huni in the week leading up to the Quarterfinals, which bodes extremely well for them. They’ll have a chip on their shoulder and they’ve got a pretty good excuse for losing in the Playoffs, which is something no one else here has. I think people are really sleeping on this team’s chances because of their loss. So just pick Gangplank, eat oranges, and voila — no sickness, and maybe no losses.
FOX pushed TSM to five games without being able to practice with Huni in the week leading up to the Quarterfinals, which bodes extremely well for them. They’ll have a chip on their shoulder and they’ve got a pretty good excuse for losing in the Playoffs, which is something no one else here has. I think people are really sleeping on this team’s chances because of their loss. So just pick Gangplank, eat oranges, and voila — no sickness, and maybe no losses.
2. Dardoch is supported on his aggressive plays
Dardoch is the best individual jungler in the league right now — at least when it comes to playmaking and carry potential. I want to see FOX pick winning lanes to support Dardoch’s preference for invading and fighting his counterpart. This team is at its best when they’re able to play aggressively and follow up on each other’s plays.
Dardoch is the best individual jungler in the league right now — at least when it comes to playmaking and carry potential. I want to see FOX pick winning lanes to support Dardoch’s preference for invading and fighting his counterpart. This team is at its best when they’re able to play aggressively and follow up on each other’s plays.
3. Lost steps into the moment
The young ADC was unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight halfway through the season — now that he’s had a few more weeks to adjust to the rigors of the LCS, perhaps he’ll be prepared to deliver. I think it’s easy to get lost (heh) in the shadows of Dardoch and Huni, but Lost needs to be an assertive player in this meta. He can’t just blend in. ADCs around the world are shining, and he needs to glow like them if FOX is to contend.
The young ADC was unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight halfway through the season — now that he’s had a few more weeks to adjust to the rigors of the LCS, perhaps he’ll be prepared to deliver. I think it’s easy to get lost (heh) in the shadows of Dardoch and Huni, but Lost needs to be an assertive player in this meta. He can’t just blend in. ADCs around the world are shining, and he needs to glow like them if FOX is to contend.
HOW THEY LOSE:
1. Huni doesn’t respect his opponents
Honestly, he’s probably not going to respect his opponents enough no matter what happens. He’s been criticized all split for underperforming and being constantly baited into bad fights — I think if he can just take his foot off the pedal even a little bit, then FOX will be alright. Like, instead of going 10 over the speed limit, maybe just go nine over. If he tilts or plays like he’s tilted, then this team’s whole identity will be shattered.
Honestly, he’s probably not going to respect his opponents enough no matter what happens. He’s been criticized all split for underperforming and being constantly baited into bad fights — I think if he can just take his foot off the pedal even a little bit, then FOX will be alright. Like, instead of going 10 over the speed limit, maybe just go nine over. If he tilts or plays like he’s tilted, then this team’s whole identity will be shattered.
2. Dardoch invades with weak laners
Dardoch might feel some extra onus to carry, especially given Worlds is on the line. So if you see this team drop a game or fall a few kills behind, then he might take it upon himself to make a big play. And in that situation, his team might not be in a spot to back him up — some patience will be vital to his team’s odds this weekend.
Dardoch might feel some extra onus to carry, especially given Worlds is on the line. So if you see this team drop a game or fall a few kills behind, then he might take it upon himself to make a big play. And in that situation, his team might not be in a spot to back him up — some patience will be vital to his team’s odds this weekend.
3. Rookies crumble under pressure
Damonte and Lost haven’t ever seen stakes like this — not even close. And it’s not just stakes. They’ll need to play through three grueling days of games to make it to Worlds. This gauntlet is a test of skill just as much as it is one of endurance. Smashing the first day or the second day even doesn’t mean anything if you can’t do it on the third day, so they absolutely cannot let little mistakes carry over from one day to the next. The opponent will only get harder as they advance.
Damonte and Lost haven’t ever seen stakes like this — not even close. And it’s not just stakes. They’ll need to play through three grueling days of games to make it to Worlds. This gauntlet is a test of skill just as much as it is one of endurance. Smashing the first day or the second day even doesn’t mean anything if you can’t do it on the third day, so they absolutely cannot let little mistakes carry over from one day to the next. The opponent will only get harder as they advance.
TSM
HOW THEY WIN:
1. Bjergsen plays at an MVP level
Bjergsen played one of the cleanest games of the split in the fifth and decisive game against 100 in Oakland. It showed exactly why TSM was so happy to stick him on Zilean for most of that set. That’s the kind of play you want to see from him in the gauntlet. He’s carried TSM a lot in the past, and he’ll need to channel everything now to make sure they don’t miss Worlds for the first time ever. They absolutely can’t go down in the stereotypical “sit back and do nothing” kind of losses that have plagued them in the past.
Bjergsen played one of the cleanest games of the split in the fifth and decisive game against 100 in Oakland. It showed exactly why TSM was so happy to stick him on Zilean for most of that set. That’s the kind of play you want to see from him in the gauntlet. He’s carried TSM a lot in the past, and he’ll need to channel everything now to make sure they don’t miss Worlds for the first time ever. They absolutely can’t go down in the stereotypical “sit back and do nothing” kind of losses that have plagued them in the past.
2. Zven and mithy win lane
The formerly anointed “best in the west” can redeem everything about this season by carrying TSM to Worlds now. No one will remember how they got to Korea so long as they actually make it. The meta is perfect for enabling the ADC to carry — we saw TL lean heavily into it with Doublelift, and Zven is the man who replaced him. They should be — by far, even — the best bot lane remaining, and they need to transition from just surviving lane to winning it to propel TSM all the way.
The formerly anointed “best in the west” can redeem everything about this season by carrying TSM to Worlds now. No one will remember how they got to Korea so long as they actually make it. The meta is perfect for enabling the ADC to carry — we saw TL lean heavily into it with Doublelift, and Zven is the man who replaced him. They should be — by far, even — the best bot lane remaining, and they need to transition from just surviving lane to winning it to propel TSM all the way.
3. Grig plays a supportive role
Or, honestly, any role — he still doesn’t seem to know what his place on this team should be, and I think that’s probably to be expected. It’s kind of like he has too many options when it comes to picking which lane to support, but I kind of want to see him just hard camp one lane. Right now he just doesn’t seem to have much synergy with anybody on the team. If he can get in sync with them and find his groove, then this could be an entirely new TSM.
Or, honestly, any role — he still doesn’t seem to know what his place on this team should be, and I think that’s probably to be expected. It’s kind of like he has too many options when it comes to picking which lane to support, but I kind of want to see him just hard camp one lane. Right now he just doesn’t seem to have much synergy with anybody on the team. If he can get in sync with them and find his groove, then this could be an entirely new TSM.
HOW THEY LOSE:
1. Bjergsen is successfully camped
Bjergsen has always been very good at not dying, but TSM does seem to crumble when he’s having a poor game. To me, he’s the type of player that will always feel like his team has a shot at winning (and they do) so long as he’s playing well, but if you can eliminate him from the equation, then this team is frequently lost. He’s their spiritual leader now, too, so he needs to be the one to keep them focused after having played 15 games already in this post season with up to 10 more remaining.
Bjergsen has always been very good at not dying, but TSM does seem to crumble when he’s having a poor game. To me, he’s the type of player that will always feel like his team has a shot at winning (and they do) so long as he’s playing well, but if you can eliminate him from the equation, then this team is frequently lost. He’s their spiritual leader now, too, so he needs to be the one to keep them focused after having played 15 games already in this post season with up to 10 more remaining.
2. Hauntzer doesn’t feed first blood
It’s become a meme where if Hauntzer dies first, then TSM somehow wins the game. They’ve actually won 62.5% of games where Hauntzer feeds first blood, so… feed to win? I think this is kind of tied to my first point — Hauntzer being killed first means his other lanes have some freedom to flex their muscles, and his other two lanes are very good at doing that. Anyway, maybe this point is just a giant ploy to try to convince teams to not gank Hauntzer, who definitely did not pay me to write this section.
It’s become a meme where if Hauntzer dies first, then TSM somehow wins the game. They’ve actually won 62.5% of games where Hauntzer feeds first blood, so… feed to win? I think this is kind of tied to my first point — Hauntzer being killed first means his other lanes have some freedom to flex their muscles, and his other two lanes are very good at doing that. Anyway, maybe this point is just a giant ploy to try to convince teams to not gank Hauntzer, who definitely did not pay me to write this section.
3. Grig disappears
There’s a fine line between not feeding and not doing anything — I know because I’ve been in situations where someone on my team is super fed, and I just try my best to not get in their way. And then we lose because it’s still a team game. Sometimes that’s what it feels like watching Grig maneuver around the map in the mid game — maybe a part of him has too much reverence for his teammates and for the TSM name. That pressure is only going to be amplified with their last shot at Worlds on the line.
There’s a fine line between not feeding and not doing anything — I know because I’ve been in situations where someone on my team is super fed, and I just try my best to not get in their way. And then we lose because it’s still a team game. Sometimes that’s what it feels like watching Grig maneuver around the map in the mid game — maybe a part of him has too much reverence for his teammates and for the TSM name. That pressure is only going to be amplified with their last shot at Worlds on the line.
Cloud9
HOW THEY WIN:
1. Their substitute situation regains footing
C9 played three different rosters against Team Liquid in the Finals and got swept. When it came to mid and late game macro especially, this team just got ran around in circles by TL — that’s not really something that’s going to be fixed by roster personnel. Luckily, TL is not in the gauntlet, which means final boss C9 is the favorite to advance to Worlds again. I think being able to swap the two mid/jungle pairings will be really helpful this weekend — this team likely won’t be phased by any endurance-related issues.
C9 played three different rosters against Team Liquid in the Finals and got swept. When it came to mid and late game macro especially, this team just got ran around in circles by TL — that’s not really something that’s going to be fixed by roster personnel. Luckily, TL is not in the gauntlet, which means final boss C9 is the favorite to advance to Worlds again. I think being able to swap the two mid/jungle pairings will be really helpful this weekend — this team likely won’t be phased by any endurance-related issues.
2. Jensen plays like the 1st Team All-Pro mid laner
Jensen was one of the few bright spots for C9 against TL, but ultimately that was still a pretty dim light as he didn’t exploit Pobelter nearly as much as he needed to. I really do think C9 was caught off guard by the Zilean bans, and I’d expect whoever they play against to continue that trend. I’d like to see them lean heavily into assassins for Jensen if the Zilean bans come out again. Give Jensen tools and demand that he puts this franchise on his back.
Jensen was one of the few bright spots for C9 against TL, but ultimately that was still a pretty dim light as he didn’t exploit Pobelter nearly as much as he needed to. I really do think C9 was caught off guard by the Zilean bans, and I’d expect whoever they play against to continue that trend. I’d like to see them lean heavily into assassins for Jensen if the Zilean bans come out again. Give Jensen tools and demand that he puts this franchise on his back.
3. Don’t forget their offering to the gauntlet god
C9 has won every single NA gauntlet since the event began in 2015, and until proven otherwise, I’m forced to believe they have an ancient Greek god on their side. Not needing to play until the third day is truly a massive advantage — they only need to win one Best-of-5 set, and they’re guaranteed to be able to scout at least one set by their opponents, who won’t really have time to change things up. With a seven-man roster, C9 will be that much harder to prepare for, too.
C9 has won every single NA gauntlet since the event began in 2015, and until proven otherwise, I’m forced to believe they have an ancient Greek god on their side. Not needing to play until the third day is truly a massive advantage — they only need to win one Best-of-5 set, and they’re guaranteed to be able to scout at least one set by their opponents, who won’t really have time to change things up. With a seven-man roster, C9 will be that much harder to prepare for, too.
HOW THEY LOSE:
1. Their bot lane gets snowballed on
While Sneaky and Zeyzal are both great individual players, they’ve yet to prove themselves as being a powerhouse bot lane. They’ve leaned into a few obscure picks like Quinn to make themselves more unpredictable, but I’m not as confident in their ability to stand strong in a standard lane. Sneaky in particular posted the lowest KDA in the playoffs, and while the sample size was small, it’s on the heels of a relatively meek regular season. And, if just by relativity, C9’s bot side of the map is a little weaker than their top half, especially if Jensen is in the game. This is the lane teams will try to punish.
While Sneaky and Zeyzal are both great individual players, they’ve yet to prove themselves as being a powerhouse bot lane. They’ve leaned into a few obscure picks like Quinn to make themselves more unpredictable, but I’m not as confident in their ability to stand strong in a standard lane. Sneaky in particular posted the lowest KDA in the playoffs, and while the sample size was small, it’s on the heels of a relatively meek regular season. And, if just by relativity, C9’s bot side of the map is a little weaker than their top half, especially if Jensen is in the game. This is the lane teams will try to punish.
2. They pick losing lanes
I don’t think Twitch and Ezreal are giving the C9 bot lane enough pressure early, and that’s probably what contributed to some of their struggles. Combined with a Malzahar pick in the mid lane, it seemed like C9 was just hamstringing their carries. It didn’t really feel like they were set up for success. All split, they’ve been very good at winning early and closing out games, so I expect them to focus on getting winning lane matchups.
I don’t think Twitch and Ezreal are giving the C9 bot lane enough pressure early, and that’s probably what contributed to some of their struggles. Combined with a Malzahar pick in the mid lane, it seemed like C9 was just hamstringing their carries. It didn’t really feel like they were set up for success. All split, they’ve been very good at winning early and closing out games, so I expect them to focus on getting winning lane matchups.
3. Their young players lose confidence
After getting smashed in the Finals, I don’t think it’d be entirely surprising to see them regain some composure. They were riding a big hot streak going into the Playoffs, but then they were decidedly subpar in the Best-of-5 sets. And it wasn’t just the thrashing they received in the Finals — TSM took them to five in the Semifinals, too. Jensen and Blaber in particular didn’t win much at all, so I wonder if that means Blaber’s champion pool is exploitable in a long set. Game 1 will be absolutely critical for this team — another loss and I fear their confidence may be rattled for good, and with it, their year will come to an end.
After getting smashed in the Finals, I don’t think it’d be entirely surprising to see them regain some composure. They were riding a big hot streak going into the Playoffs, but then they were decidedly subpar in the Best-of-5 sets. And it wasn’t just the thrashing they received in the Finals — TSM took them to five in the Semifinals, too. Jensen and Blaber in particular didn’t win much at all, so I wonder if that means Blaber’s champion pool is exploitable in a long set. Game 1 will be absolutely critical for this team — another loss and I fear their confidence may be rattled for good, and with it, their year will come to an end.
Tune in Friday at 2:00 pm PT as Echo Fox takes on Clutch Gaming to kick off the NA LCS Regional Qualifier.
Kien Lam is a writer for Lolesports. You can find more awful great jokes and commentary on his Twitter.