LPL Monday

  • (-135) Victory 5 v Rogue Warriors (+105)
  • (-300) Oh My God v ThunderTalk (+220)

Monday’s LPL has one clear game between OMG and ThunderTalk. The other match-up between V5 and RW is less certain, although I favor Rogue Warriors due to their more difficult schedule this far and showing more as a team, in my opinion, relative to V5, who look outclassed game after game.

 

Captain

Creme ($11,400)

The only two captains worth your time on Monday are the OMG carries, Creme and Able. From the two, I’d much rather have Creme than Able for one singular reason: we know precisely who will start for middle lane from Rogue Warriors, whereas for ADC they’re keeping their hand hidden until they step on stage. In fact, it’s entirely possible that both Betty and ZWuji will play, with a mid set substitution between games 1 and 2. Creme is a fantastic player, and it’s worth to bring two mids along on Monday.

Alternatives to consider: Able ($11,700)

Top Lane

New ($6,400)

The real problem with Monday is rationing out team slots, and neither top laner between RW and V5 is impressive. New isn’t remarkable in the slightest either, but he’s still a decent enough player to vaguely deserve his spot on OMG. I don’t think either top laner between the lower tier teams deserves to be in LPL, although if I had to chose, I think 8917 is better than invincible; 8917 has shown to have at least a few “alright” games begrudgingly, but I’d much rather just take New here.

Alternatives to consider: 8917 ($5,800)

Jungle

IceCoke ($6,600)

While IceCoke isn’t a very great jungler, I still think he is a strong pick since Aki isn’t an insanely strong jungler either. In addition, Rogue Warriors vs Victory 5 is likely to be a bloodbath of a series, and with junglers having high KP, I think it makes sense to snatch up- at least what I consider- a relatively stronger player on the team that I believe is more likely to win. Aki isn’t a bad option, but he’ll run you a premium and take away a team slot.

Alternatives to consider: Aki ($7,000)

Mid Lane

Forge ($7,000)

This is what I consider, to be the most important pick on Monday. While Uniboy has more experience than Forge on successful teams, he’s basically in Maple prison in the LPL. Just like Maple was stuck on a 16th, and then 13th LNG, Uniboy is also stuck in prison on dead last V5. Forge is actually a decent mid laner too; he’s not insane, but he does, for the most part, deserve his spot in the LPL unlike several of his teammates. He’s a decent pick up, but definitely make sure you also have Creme in the line-up too.

Alternatives to consider: Creme ($7,600)

ADC

Able ($7,800)

The biggest stepper of them all, Able. His reentry into the LPL should be met with much fanfare, as the prodigy once more has the opportunity to prove his insane mechanical talent. It’s likely that Able would have been the starting ADC for RNG (before Betty) if it had not been for his toxicity towards his teammates. I wouldn’t recommend grabbing a different ADC; Kepler is likely to lose, and it’s not apparent whether ZWuji or Betty will start both games- or who will start in the first place, but between the two, I’d grab ZWuji, especially since it’s more likely he will start.

Alternatives to consider: ZWuji ($7,000)

Support

Cold ($5,600)

Similarly, Qiuqiu and Kaixuan are relatively similar players, but at least at support it’s more likely Qiuqiu will start for Rogue Warriors. Regardless, I’d rather have Cold, even at his steep cost. Cold and Able’s strong bottom lane is what has revived OMG’s quickly dimming legacy, alongside Creme stepping into the middle lane. Their top side still is underwhelming, but their bottom side is worth stacking on Monday- especially since TT’s bottom lane is extremely weak.

Alternatives to consider: Qiuqiu ($5,000)

Team

Rogue Warriors ($4,800)

The team spot is usually safe to sack, especially considering that we can say with some confidence “Rogue Warriors is likely to win, we just don’t know how, or with which players.” Oh My God is obviously the safer choice, but with only four players being allowed on your squad from the team, I’d much rather have a real player as opposed to the team; especially considering our confidence in the Warriors to secure their first win.

Alternatives to consider: Oh My God ($5,400)

Stacks

Able & Creme

As stated before, the two big carries on OMG are worth applauding and picking up for your squad, they’re the best performers alongside support Cold (hint, hint) it’s fun to see a legacy team like OMG finally find two players that deliver them success reliably.

IceCoke & Forge

While I consider none of the RW players to be “good” the ones that I at least think can stick around are IceCoke and Forge. Beyond his funny meme name, IceCoke is actually a relatively decent jungler and his 2v2 with Forge is fine too, Forge is a capable enough mid laner, and while I think Uniboy is better, his team is far superior and will allow him to outshine Uniboy in middle lane.

Able & Cold

Cold is dissimilar to Creme and Able; he’s literally the franchise player of OMG. In spite of him being on the roster since 2015, he’s shown consistent improvement, and 2021 has been a solid year for him in spite of his long track record. Able is a strong pairing, as he finally has an ADC that can mechanically utilize his lane leads to carry games.

Top Picks: Able, Creme, Forge

Familiar faces meet Forge. Two mid laners make the most sense due to the uncertainty of RW’s ADC spot, you could guess that it’s ZWuji, but I’d rather make certain that RW don’t try to put in Betty randomly during the series. Able and Creme need no introduction, these two are fantastic.

Top Value: IceCoke, Forge, Rogue Warriors

All of Rogue Warriors, including the team, line up the top value. They’re valued below V5, although RW had the harder schedule, looked relatively more competitive in their games, and took a game off Ultra Prime. V5 took one game off of JDG, but that was with Lpc subbing in for Loken, so you can’t make the argument that JDG had their full starting line-up.