Worlds Play-ins Day 3

(-1400) LNG Esports v Infinity Esports (+700)

(+180) PEACE v Red Canids (-240)

(-145) Beyond Gaming v Detonation FocusMe (+110)

(-450) Cloud9 v Unicorns of Love (+290) 

Worlds continues on Thursday. LNG looks to complete their group undefeated against Infinity Esports, who are already on their way out. Cloud9 likewise looks to crush Unicorns of Love. Beyond vs DFM and PEACE vs the Red Canids look to be the close, high variance games, but I personally favor the Canids and Beyond likewise.

Captain

Doggo ($10,800)

Between the two ADCs I’d suggest for captain, there’s two strategies you can go for: I’d suggest grabbing Doggo, who has the harder match-up but is cheaper than TitaN and grabbing Zven as your main ADC: either way though, I’d definitely try my best to pick up an ADC, since mid laners are expensive, and junglers are generally fickle: Blaber could be a good option if you want him.

Alternatives to consider: TitaN ($11,100)

Top lane

Fudge ($6,800)

Fudge has been the strong consistent force for Cloud9 throughout the year, and he’s steadily improved since entering the LCS in spring. At worlds so far, he’s dominated the wildcard top laners and BOSS isn’t likely to be a significantly larger problem than anyone else he’s faced so far. Otherwise, Liang is up against Evi, who hasn’t been a strong part of DFM.

Alternatives to consider: Liang ($6,000)

Jungle

HuSha ($6,800)

The jungler for Beyond has been a solid player on Beyond so far- and his opponent in Steal is likely one of the more controllable junglers in his group. He isn’t too expensive, and it’s not like his teammates are incompetent despite Beyond’s relatively tough group match-up so far. Blaber is a fantastic second option and worth it if you’re willing to shell out extra for a jungler.

Alternatives to consider: Blaber ($7,000)

Mid lane

Perkz ($7,600)

Perkz is the middle lane GOAT of the west alongside Caps: Perkz is the most accomplished mid laner, and his opponent in Nomanz has had a disappointing worlds play-ins performance so far. Perkz is a great player and can outshine most play-ins mid laners aside from Chovy, my other suggestion would be Grevthar, who gets to play against Tally- a player who has had underwhelming international appearances twice in a row.

Alternatives to consider: Grevthar ($7,200)

ADC

Zven ($7,600)

Zven is always a solid option for ADC, especially against a weak bottom lane that won’t slow him down from reaching his peak game state position: teamfights. Zven isn’t a dominant laner, but if he’s placed up against an opponent who likewise isn’t strong, Zven will outshine his opponent in the mid to late game and pick up massive points. The other player I’d try to grab would be Doggo, Beyond’s ADC: while Beyond hasn’t been crazy strong at worlds so far, Doggo has the starpower to maintain their relevance in the event.

Alternatives to consider: Doggo ($7,200)

Support

Jojo ($5,800)

The support for Red Canids isn’t a standout player, but he is matched up against a poor player on PEACE in Aladoric, alongside having a capable ADC in TitaN and generally having a decent team across the map. It’s similar that I’d prefer Kino- Doggo and HuSha are great players for a support to have.

Alternatives to consider: Kino ($5,600)

Team

Beyond Gaming ($4,600)

Beyond up against DFM is even- Beyond has the advantage across the map, whereas DFM have a very strong mid laner in Aria. I think the jungle impact from Beyond combined with their bottom lane power should handedly allow Beyond to triumph over DFM. Red Canids should also find comfort in the fact that PEACE only has a strong jungle and ADC- but their supporting cast of top lane, mid lane, and support look sub standard.

Alternatives to consider: Red Canids ($4,800)

Stacks

Titan & Jojo

PEACE has taken losses against the major region teams, but handedly defeated the LLA. Between Brazil and Australia, I think that PEACE is the weaker team; The Canids swept through play-offs handedly whereas PEACE tended to struggle against teams like PGG. The bottom lane is likely the more exploitable region of PGG- not because of Violet, but Aladoric is generally a weaker point on PEACE, where Canids can abuse. 

Perkz & Fudge

UOL looks to be dead out of energy for groups. They have multiple problems across the map; Nomanz has looked dead, AHaHaCiK is lost, alongside their bottom lane who have struggled to find anything that works around the map, and BOSS is mechanically poor, whereas Fudge has been a star for Cloud9 throughout the regular season and at worlds. Perkz is a legendary mid laner in his own right, and will likely continue his worlds stomping match.

Doggo & HuSha

While Beyond hasn’t had an insane time at worlds, the two players that stand out to me are jungler HuSha and adc Doggo- Beyond’s opponents in DFM are begrudgingly human, but mostly due to their strong mid laner in Aria. I think Doggo should handedly control bottom lane whereas HuSha can control the jungle and help contain Aria from taking over the game.

Top Picks Ale, Blaber, Fudge

3-0 teams rule the top picks: Ale is the best top laner in play-ins hands down, followed closely by Fudge. Both picks sit comfortably against their opponents who likely comprise the worst top laners in the event. Blaber is likely to obliterate AHaHaCiK who has been on a gradual decline across his international events, after impressing initially.

Top Value: HuSha, Doggo, TitaN

HuSha and Doggo are two Beyond players worth their price, despite some underperforming teammates. TitaN is a solid player and a highlight on the Canids, despite having an underperforming top side (likewise with Beyond too). The wildcard/minor region ADCs are generally worth their salt.