On April 7th, the finals of the VCS Spring 2024 concluded with GAM Esports claiming the championship title. In a season full of twists and turns, fans of League of Legends in Vietnam can feel somewhat satisfied that legendary players like SofM and Optimus returned. The four teams in the playoffs delivered incredibly thrilling performances. It can be said that although Vikings Esports did not win the throne and SofM did not make his MSI debut, VKE and GAM created one of the most exciting finals in the tournament’s history.
However, after the “dream final,” both SofM and Levi hinted that they might leave their roles as players in the near future. In fact, Levi worried fans by stating that this could be his last MSI. The reality is, Levi is older than the average player, and his choice is completely reasonable. But when both SofM and Levi faced each other, competing in the finals and hinting at retiring from their playing careers, one question has resurfaced and sparked debates recently: Between SofM and Levi, who is better?
Peak Period: SofM 1-0 Levi
During the peak period of each player, SofM fought from Full Louis and later went to LPL for “studies,” while Levi also had the opportunity to shine under the GIGABYTE Marines and later GAM Esports. However, there were also some phases when Levi, in the prime of his career, joined 100 Academy (the youth team of 100 Thieves) and JD Gaming. Unfortunately, his time there was largely forgettable as he was hardly given a chance. Failing to succeed internationally, Levi returned to VCS and worked hard to become a legend of the tournament.
But SofM was different. At his peak, SofM completely changed the jungle gameplay in LPL. In fact, he achieved a “Triple Kill” of awards including: Rookie of the Year, Best Foreign Player of the Year, and Best Jungler of the Year in 2016. Afterwards, SofM moved to LNG Esports (when Snakes Esports was acquired) and then to Suning. At Suning, SofM became the first Vietnamese player to compete in a World Championship final and secured the runner-up position. These are achievements that Levi is unlikely to replicate.
Influence in Their Competitive Region: SofM 1-1 Levi
In the LPL, as mentioned, the series of titles right after joining LPL for just over six months (05/2016) shows how SofM left his mark in the land of the billion people. In the LPL, his fanbase is not inferior to that of any well-known domestic superstar. In fact, many nicknames have been given to SofM, one of which is “Rich man” due to his highly strategic gameplay. Moreover, SofM’s Control Jungle – Meat Eating style has been studied and emulated by many players.
Superstars like Tian, Karsa, Canyon, and Inspired all admit they learned a lot from SofM. Tian even argued with his former teammate GimGoon to defend SofM, while Inspired is a huge fan of Lê Quang Duy.
As for Levi, his influence on VCS is unquestionable. In the Vietnamese League of Legends scene, Levi is not just a monument of professionalism and determination, but also a talent and leadership ability. As a leader in his team, while SofM made his mark in the LPL, Levi is also called the G.O.A.T of Vietnamese League of Legends. Currently, Levi continues to lead his juniors toward glory with GAM.
In VCS, other players also respect and admire Levi. In the international arena, there have been many times when audiences were left in awe by Levi’s “Karthus 16 button” plays or his stunning performances with Lee Sin in the past. This is irrefutable proof of the influence of the 1997-born legend in the professional League of Legends arena.
Impact on the Current Vietnamese League of Legends Scene: SofM 1-1 Levi
Returning to Vietnam, SofM continues to show his love for League of Legends and his desire to contribute to VCS. He became a coach for the Vietnamese League of Legends team at ASIAD and later invested in a team competing in VCS. Notably, he even took on the roles of both coach and player when his team faced difficulties. SofM’s return also made the recent Spring playoffs much more exciting. In fact, VKE with SofM playing Support executed macro strategies in a very systematic way. There were even moments when it felt like watching an LCK team play.
As for Levi, the fire within him has likely never gone out. At 27, Levi is still the leader of GAM and they are preparing to attend MSI 2024. In the finals, there were many situations where Levi “outsmarted” SofM. Despite fluctuating performance, Levi continues to show he is a reliable support, both in skill and performance.
Conclusion: SofM 3-2 Levi
In the past, SofM had a slight edge over Levi during their peak periods, as he may not have won a domestic title in the LPL, but he significantly influenced the gameplay of the tournament. Moreover, he was the runner-up in a World Championship. However, in VCS, Levi’s role and influence are undeniable.
Above all, both are legends of Vietnamese League of Legends and the world. One has made the assertion that “Vietnamese League of Legends can produce players capable of reaching a World Championship final,” while the other has proven that “VCS players are not inferior.” And although SofM has a slight edge over Levi, both have contributed and will continue to contribute their abilities to further develop Vietnamese League of Legends, both now and in the future.