LPL Monday

  • (-250) Ultra Prime v Rogue Warriors (+185)
  • (-475) JD Gaming v LNG Esports (+315)

 

Tuesday’s LPL features a top rated team in JD Gaming fighting off a mid table LNG who will try to claim a statement game against the LPL #1 team currently. On the other hand, Ultra Prime who has been looking better than expected with the addition of Smlz and Xiaocaobao try their luck against last split’s last placed Rogue Warriors.

 

Captain

H4cker ($10,200)

Coming into this split, I didn’t expect much from H4cker, or Ultra Prime at all. Truthfully, I still don’t; but I do think that UP has potential- Xiaocaobao is decent, and Smlz is actually a really strong ADC. H4cker’s role is simple: out jungle the worst team in the league; the bar is low, and he comes in at an excellent price point. For a more powerful captain, I suggest Yagao- but you’ll have to sac support and pick up a less-than-favorable option, most likely.

Alternatives to consider: Yagao ($11,100)

 

Top Lane

Zoom ($6,600)

JDG’s Zoom is one of the best top laners in the world, and he’s maintained that title throughout this season so far. JD is off to a decisive start in the LPL; the only team to not drop a single game against any opponent (other than RNG, who has played no games at all so far). LNG’s top laners in Ale and M1kuya are weak spots on the team and are primed to target. Zs isn’t a bad choice either; 8917 is really weak and primed to being exploited.

Alternatives to consider: zs ($6,200)

 

Jungle

Kanavi ($7,200)

Jungle doesn’t matter here. Kanavi has the better opponent in Tarzan, whereas H4cker has the worse all-around team. Between the two, I think Kanavi is more capable but he’s also more expensive. Pick whichever you need to fill out your team spots effectively; just make sure you have enough to grab Ultra Prime’s bottom lane.

Alternatives to consider: H4cker ($6,800)

 

Mid Lane

Yagao ($7,400)

Xiaocaobao entered the LPL and the crowd went mild. Honestly, there’s no reason to select him over Yagao. XCB is more expensive, and is the inferior player relative to Yagao, who has been on a tear through the LPL and has looked like the most improved piece of JDG. He is the #1 choice on the day, and I’d argue the most important player.

Alternatives to consider: Xiaocaobao ($7,600)

 

ADC

Smlz ($7,800)

However, I also think that #2 is in close contest with Smlz, the ADC who joined Ultra Prime and has consistently pitched close games against opposing teams. His match against FPX showed that he was here to stay, his match-up in Kaixuan and ZWuji is unremarkable and both players are gapped by their opponents. These are the only two roles I wouldn’t recommend JDG players in, since Loken and LvMao are the least consistent pieces of the squad.

Alternatives to consider: Loken ($7,600)

 

Support

ShiauC ($5,800)

Freed from elo hell, temporarily at least. ShiauC alongside Smlz forms a strong bottom lane, while Ultra Prime is likely to fall short of play-offs, they are at least a decent place for Zs and XCB to develop well enough. Rogue Warriors should be easy for UP, especially their bottom lane. If you are short on cash, LvMao is a fine option too, but I do think he’s inconsistent.

Alternatives to consider: LvMao ($5,600)

 

Team

Ultra Prime ($5,000)

Both teams are fine to take. JDG is the better team, whereas UP has the weaker opponent. UP lets you save up on JDG team spots and save money, so I think it’s the overall better option; I don’t think Rogue Warriors will end higher than last place this split.

Alternatives to consider: JD Gaming ($5,200)

 

Stacks:

Kanavi & Yagao

The mid-jungle of JDG is strong, Yagao has shown a lot of promise this split and makes me optimistic for a JDG resurgence after an underwhelming spring split, falling short of top 4. The JDG that won spring last year may be coming back thanks to these two and the evolving jungle meta that favors more aggressive picks once again.

 

Smlz & ShiauC

I was a big fan of former Ultra Prime (then Estar) ADC, Rat. However, I do admit that Rat lost his place on a team by virtue of his underwhelming laning that prevented Ultra Prime from navigating the early game; having laners across the board that were weak. His strong teamfighting did little to ameliorate these issues, so Smlz accompanying ShiauC is a welcomed change.

 

Zs & H4cker

The top side of Ultra Prime is underwhelming, but they’re strong enough to push over Rogue Warriors, a team ravaged by controversy and internal issues. Zs and H4cker are more than “enough” to win the slate.

 

Top Picks: Yagao, Smlz, Zoom

Yagao and Smlz in particular are some of the most excellent options on the day, and topping it off with fellow JDG solo laner Zoom forms the basis of a world class team. The jungle pick matters the least, but grabbing the JDG solos are what you want to gun for the most, and the Ultra Prime bottom lane is a great match-up against RW.

 

Top Value: Yagao, H4cker, Zs

Two of the top picks are also cheaper relative to the #1 pick. The most worthwhile players in Yagao and H4cker are in their match-up: Yagao gets an easy time against Icon, and H4cker dodges the Tarzan that Kanavi will have to play against. Zs is an all around “okay” top laner, and while I think Zoom is a better option, I have no issue choosing Zs.