FlyQuest’s performance in MSI, which involves lane switching and multiple over-commits, has raised eyebrows from League of Legends fans and analysts.
League of Legends Midseason Invitational is currently underway in Shanghai. And when all eyes are on you, pro players and teams are expected nothing less than greatness. However, Flyquest’s recent performance has puzzled both fans and analysts alike.
Despite FlyQuest’s early success in their first game against PSG Talon, their subsequent matches against T1 and PSG again ended in a 0-2 score. Moreover, FlyQuest’s game against T1 has recorded one of the fastest League of Legends pro history matches.
Some fans and analysts have pointed to lane switching and overcommits as the common culprits behind the North American team’s lack of success. While lane switching was a very effective strategy in the history of LoL pro play, it seems that it did not favor FlyQuest.
In a post-match interview with MSI Analysts Emily Rand and Jatt Leesman, Jatt called the team “arrogant” for lane-swapping against the fortification “without a hypercarry.” Jatt also called the move fearful, as this also omits Flyquest’s chance to clear the waves and earn gold.
Meanwhile, some fans have pointed out that lane-swapping is not the issue itself but FlyQuest’s inability to maintain their lead after benefitting from lane swaps.
Aside from the lane swaps in both T1 and PSG games, there was also a clip of a questionable move and decision from FlyQuest’s top laner and jungle. In the clip, it seems like both Bwipo and Inspired have decided to commit to killing GAzhi despite the multiple spell trades, an ult, and being slowed to their disadvantage.
Sadly for North American League of Legends fans, their representative team had to bid an early goodbye in the MSI tournament following the two losses.
However, as if the consecutive losses are not enough, many League of Legends fans and pros are questioning Western teams’ skills and capability to be on par with teams from LCK and LPL. In an interview, Top Esports’ 369 says, “Western teams were way more powerful last year.”
But the tale is not over yet for League of Legends fans in North America, as Team Liquid still has the chance to nab the elusive MSI title after qualifying for the Stage 2 Bracket.