In about 2 weeks, MSI 2022 will officially kick off. This tournament gathers almost all previous MSI champions. Furthermore, this MSI 2022 also marks the return of VCS to an international level League of Legends tournament after 2 seasons absent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, the “undisputed champion” of VCS, GAM Esports, cannot participate due to national duties at SEA Games 31. “Leading the charge” in place of GAM is the “Buffalo Herd” Saigon Buffalo.
With previous MSIs lacking renowned names from LEC and LCS like Fnatic, G2 Esports, Team Liquid, or Team SoloMid… and both LCK and LPL proving too strong, this tournament is seen as a stage for Eastern Asian League of Legends teams to showcase their power. In fact, at MSI 2021, PSG Talon from the PCS region (also an Eastern Asian team) surprised everyone by reaching the top 4. Meanwhile, the finals featured a “Great War” between Royal Never Give Up and DWG KIA.
However, despite the notable return of G2 – a team once seen as the hope of the European and American League of Legends scene – the likelihood is that MSI 2022 will be similar to last year’s tournament in Iceland: a stage solely for LPL and LCK.
G2 is no longer the G2 of old
At MSI 2022, G2 has returned and is showing extremely good form. However, it is clear that at this moment, G2 will find it hard to replicate the achievements of three years ago. Those who regularly follow LEC and LCS can clearly see that the era of G2 has passed. The 2019 generation of the “Circus” was crushed 2-0 by SGB in the group stage but continued to improve. At that time, CaPs, Perkz, Jankos, Wunder, and Mikyx were all at their peak performance. They played in a way that was “better to shine for a moment than to fade away”. Every match during that time of G2 was definitely worth watching.
But Jankos is now on the downside of his career, and it took him more than 2 years to deliver a performance as good as the Spring 2022 split. Meanwhile, the current G2 roster no longer includes Wunder or Perkz. And to compare, the talented bot duo of G2 may perform well, but they still cannot match Gumayusi – Keria or GALA – Ming. In terms of both mentality and experience, this is the first official international tournament for Flakked and Targamas.
LPL and LCK are even stronger and more perfect than before
Furthermore, both LPL and LCK are currently exceedingly strong and can be seen as being in a more perfect version compared to previous seasons. Considering RNG, they have the services of Bin to return Xiaohu to the mid lane and send the “weak point” Cryin away. At this moment, the “heavenly mandate” of LPL can be viewed as a team nearing perfection. There are always names ready to “carry the team”, even if it is just a Support like Ming.
In addition, RNG is still the reigning MSI champion. And surely, another championship, won right on the land of their “great rival” LCK, will be a highly significant title. Not only will it help RNG defend their MSI throne, but it will also affirm the strength of the “Royal Legion” and the entire Chinese League of Legends scene against LCK.
As for T1 – the “undisputed champion” of the League of Legends scene at the moment, their goal at MSI 2022 is nothing less than the championship. Faker has waited too long to participate in an international tournament and even longer to touch international titles – something that seems all too familiar in his glorious career.
This year at MSI, T1 brings one of the youngest rosters in the tournament, second only to SGB and ORDER Gaming (LCO region). And notably, T1 is soaring high at present, alongside Faker, is the strength of the youth. Oner, Zeus, and Gumayusi – Keria are performing remarkably. It can be said that with a perfect blend of youth, talent, and experience, T1 is currently even better than DK in 2021. And very likely, Faker will have the opportunity to add another trophy to his collection. This would be a well-deserved reward for the “Demon King” after his efforts to prove that “the older, the wiser”.
Conclusion
Perhaps at the upcoming MSI 2022, G2 may still surprise with their “quirky” playstyle, but it is likely that this will still be the playground of LPL – LCK. Not to mention, G2 also has a very “unfavorable” matchup against SGB and on a surprising day, it’s very possible that the “Buffalo Herd” will also showcase the strength of Eastern Asian League of Legends on the world stage.