Ning – the most aggressive jungler
At his peak, Ning was considered one of the best junglers in the LPL. Not to mention, with TheShy always ready to charge forward, Ning’s aggressive playstyle had plenty of room to shine. The pinnacle of Ning, TheShy, and Invictus Gaming was the 2018 Worlds championship, where he, “Top God,” and the entire IG roster instilled fear in the hearts of the world.
However, Ning is also one of the fastest declining junglers on this list, perhaps only second to Tian. Ning’s last success was winning the LPL Spring Championship 2019, and that was it. He was no longer the sought-after player by many top teams, becoming a “leftover” due to his declining performance, and was even rumored to be the source of internal instability within IG when he was no longer in sync with TheShy – Rookie. His ranked games didn’t improve, and when Ning left IG, even fans of the team advised him to consider retirement.
Tian – All in for the championship, then faded away
At the peak of his performance during the 2019 Worlds, the world admired the jungle skills of “Little Tian.” Even though his team had “the one who always tries hard in every match” Doinb, and at that time Lwx and Crisp were performing well, it was Tian who ended up being the FMVP – the most valuable player of the 2019 Worlds finals. However, even faster than Ning, Tian’s performance plummeted steeply after the 2019 Worlds. The peak was when FunPlus Phoenix went empty-handed for two consecutive seasons in 2020 and 2021, missing the 2020 Worlds, becoming the first LPL team to lose all 4 matches in the group stage of a Worlds (2021), then facing a bitter elimination.
It can be said that injuries severely affected Tian’s performance in the 2020 and 2021 seasons, but the decline in his form is undeniable. Recently, Tian, along with his new team Top Esports, won the Demacia Cup – the tournament before the start of the new 2022 season, and he was again the FMVP. LPL fans are certainly hoping Tian will regain his form and help TES achieve glory in the new season.
Canyon – the strongest and most stable champion
Among the 4 champions in this list, the name that stands out for stability and talent is undoubtedly Canyon. The jungler of DWG KIA, in the 2021 season, performed just as well as he did in the 2020 season when he helped DK clinch the championship. With his creative and unpredictable yet solid playstyle, Canyon contributed significantly to DK’s two LCK championships in 2021, as well as leading the team to the finals of the two biggest League of Legends tournaments – MSI 2021 and Worlds 2021.
Unfortunately for Canyon and DK, their opponents studied them too well, and the entire DK team had critical weaknesses, leading them to come away empty-handed from both international tournaments in the 2021 season. Nevertheless, in the 2022 season, Canyon is still expected to continue reaching new heights alongside ShowMaker and his new teammates, helping LCK regain dominance in the world of League of Legends.
Jiejie – The “Silent Hero”
In the achievements of EDward Gaming, many mention the “God Marksman” Viper, refer to “the one who has gathered all the titles in his career” Meiko, or the “playmaker” Scout, “Avengers” Flandre. But there is one name that has also contributed significantly to EDG’s triumph, which is Jiejie – a player who can be considered incredibly quiet.
Compared to the players above, Jiejie shares with Ning and Tian the fact that he also won the championship in his first Worlds appearance. However, Jiejie is not as aggressive as Ning, nor is he the standout player in the finals like Tian. Jiejie’s strength lies in his ability to play for his teammates, putting the team’s victory first.
Currently, the jungle position remains incredibly important to ensure a smooth and coherent playstyle. The names mentioned above, except for Ning, will continue to compete in the new season. And it is very likely that their performance will determine the success of the teams they represent, not only in domestic competitions but also on the international stage.