Kiaya Surpasses Both Zeus and Bin at Worlds 2024
If we had to find a player with the most impressive performance among the minor regions and wildcard groups in the Play-In and Swiss stages of Worlds 2024, Kiaya would likely be the first name mentioned. This could be considered a fairly successful Worlds for Kiaya as he continues to deliver outstanding performances. As the main carry for GAM Esports, Kiaya knows how to maximize his capabilities both in lane and during team fights. It can be said that he is the central axis in GAM’s gameplay and the player who determines the fate of the VCS representative.
The newly released stats after the final match of the Play-In stage also show that Kiaya is the Top Laner with the highest damage per minute (DPM) and percentage damage at 609 damage/minute and 29.2% damage per game, respectively. This figure surpasses both Bin (563 damage/minute and 21.5% damage per game) and Zeus (600 damage/minute and 23.5% damage per game). In terms of damage per minute, Kiaya is only behind Zika, but when it comes to percentage damage, the GAM player stands out compared to the rest.
Kiaya’s Stats Also Reveal GAM’s Issues
One truth is that GAM is not the only team playing around the Top Lane. But currently, a strong team must have about two reliable sources of damage, especially the stronger the side lanes are, the easier the game becomes. Another team that also plays primarily around the Top Lane, like GAM, is Bilibili Gaming. And their results are well-known: BLG had to wait until the last round of the Swiss stage to secure a spot in the quarter-finals, despite being a championship contender.
A strong Top Lane-focused gameplay is not necessarily unfeasible, but it requires that the other lanes must be strong enough to substitute or act as “backup carries.” GAM’s champion selection in the previous match against TL was just the last straw. GAM had to pick champions that were strong enough for Kiaya while ensuring that the other champions could adequately support him. However, instead, GAM chose a composition with up to four damage sources, but none were strong enough to “carry” Kiaya. TL easily countered GAM’s playstyle, especially when they were not even banned from their signature champions.
In reality, GAM will still follow this playstyle, as Kiaya continues to impress. However, if Kiaya’s teammates can share the burden with him, perhaps that is when GAM can perform even better on the international stage, especially when opponents are already too familiar with the VCS representative’s playstyle.