In the past, the LPL region was always famous for producing many novel and exciting playstyles. Players competing in the LPL were not afraid to be creative in their gameplay. Names like SofM, Doinb… were even seen as “pioneers” for their unique picks in matches. Their creative playstyles could be effective or could fail, but they never ceased to amaze the audience.
But after many years, as they began to achieve glory and gained more attention from the audience in the region, LPL teams gradually lost their greatest strength: creativity. At the World Championship (CKTG) 2022 recently, teams from LPL did not perform well, especially against representatives from LCK. In fact, the second seed from LPL – TOP Esports (TES) was eliminated early in the Group Stage. One of TES’s defeats was against Vietnam’s representative – GAM Esports.
Many fans and experts also believe that LPL is no longer daring to play creatively and innovatively as before. Recently, Doinb, a player known for his many “unusual” playstyles, received a question about why LPL teams are hesitant to experiment with Heimerdinger or Ashe in the Support position. On this occasion, Doinb also explained why the creative style of LPL is gradually fading away.
Specifically, the Mid Laner of LNG Esports (LNG) stated: “Why doesn’t LPL experiment with Ashe or Heimerdinger? That’s a good question, and I can answer it without fear of offending anyone. Have you thought about the difference between LPL and LCK?” “In LCK, if you pick these champions and lose, the audience just thinks ‘that was an experiment, they tried something new and lost, so they should practice more’. But if you do that in LPL, people will criticize and call for that player to retire”.
Perhaps, the pressure from failures and the expectations from the audience have made LPL players play too cautiously. This would work if they are much stronger than their opponents. But if they cannot impose their game plan, LPL teams have almost no way to turn the tide, especially when facing teams that can adapt, change situations effectively, and possess creative playstyles.