With the tournament MSI 2023, the version being used has changed quite a bit compared to the previous Spring season. As a result, many champions have made a strong comeback or are being used more, such as Viego or Aphelios. Of course, alongside that are names that have had to step back due to heavy nerfs. A prime example is Wukong – the most favored Jungle champion in the Spring 2023 season.
Specifically, in the four major regions and VCS, Wukong has a 60% pick rate with a win rate of 48.5%. Notably, Wukong has been banned 210 times and picked 443 times. Out of those, 442 times Wukong appeared in the Jungle position and once in the Top lane. In the VCS finals, whenever a team could pick Wukong, they secured victory.
However, moving into MSI 2023, Wukong has been used a few times in the Jungle but has a 0% win rate. Specifically, Wukong was played by Levi (GAM Esports), Oddie (Movistar R7), Croc (LOUD), Steal (DetonatioN FocusMe), and none of these players won. Even for a Wukong specialist like Levi, he was left helpless in game two against Golden Guardians.
The first reason pointed out is that Wukong has been heavily nerfed by Riot before MSI 2023. The cooldown time for W – Trickster Warrior has increased (22-12 to 22-14). Additionally, Wukong’s base damage has been reduced from 68 to 66 and the additional damage from his E – Cloud Leap has been reduced from 40-60 to 35-55.
But most importantly, GAM (and perhaps other teams) has revealed a very serious weakness: the ability to adapt to new patches. Levi’s champion pool has never been small, but in the two matches so far, he has only used an ineffective Gragas before returning to Wukong. Even SofM pointed out that GAM’s players only chose champions they were comfortable with but were unable to teamfight well or control the map compared to their opponents. Meanwhile, Viego is also a champion that Levi has previously used quite effectively.
Major teams have shown they adapt to new patches very quickly. For example, G2 Esports continuously brings new picks such as Mid Lane Nautilus, Top Lane Darius, Olaf, Kha’Zix Jungle… These innovative picks provide significant advantages and can certainly create breakthroughs.
Perhaps in the crucial match against Movistar R7, GAM truly needs bolder picks, along with a stronger mindset. The opportunity is not necessarily over, but it’s important that the players from VCS know how to seize it.
