Week 0 - Setting Expectations
Here's where my expectations are set ahead of the LCS's 2023 Spring Split
Welcome back Scuttlers,
The LCS’s glorious return is on the horizon and with it, a smattering of changes across scheduling, talent, and rosters is creating a whirlwind of questions for fans going into the 2023 Spring Split. Some landmark LCS teams look radically different going into the split while others have put polish on already gleaming rosters. With a fresh year of competitive League of Legends ahead of us, it’s time to zoom out, set some expectations, and usher in the new season.
Enter the ScuttleStack Power and Pog rankings, a pair of straightforward, perfectly unbiased lists where I rank the 10 LCS teams on two criteria: roster strength and level of fan (mostly me) excitement. This new tradition should set the table ahead of Week 1 and, more realistically, provide us with content fodder that we can look back on, woefully critique, and eventually leave in the dust once it’s subverted.
Some quick FAQ’s on the lists:
Why two rankings?
LCS fandom isn’t just built on a team’s record. Underdog stories, unpredictable outcomes, and dominant runs make the league as fun as it is to watch. I hope these two lists capture both a nuanced, professional viewpoint and a more casual, narrative-driven perspective.
Why qualify these lists to be applicable to just the first half of the split?
Strong teams are defined by their ability to grow, synergize, and adapt. However, it’s difficult to project how teams will shift throughout the split, and much easier to guestimate their immediate trajectories. I feel much more comfortable projecting immediate successes and cutting out some of these long-term variables.
You’re a self-loathing Dignitas fan still, right? How will that influence these ratings?
Poorly.
ScuttleStack’s LCS Power Rankings
How good do I think each team will be within the first half of the split.
1. Cloud9
It’s difficult to reflect on Cloud9’s successful year in 2022 and expect nothing but consistency at the very least with such a similar roster. Fudge and Blaber have been strong pillars in defining the team’s playstyle, and both Berserker and Zven came into form especially at the end of last season. Jensen filled the mid lane well last year, but never seemed to be the long-term franchise player the organization was looking for. Diplex’s tenure is much smaller, but presents strong upsides and a dynamic, playmaking champion pool.
2. Evil Geniuses
EG was hit fairly hard by Danny’s departure at the tail-end of 2022, but found ways to adapt the team’s playstyle to salvage some of their season. Looking at 2023, FBI seems like a solid upgrade over Kaori, but still feels like there is a gap between his ceiling and Danny’s. Impact really showed up after Danny’s departure, and I don’t see Ssumday demonstrating as powerful peaks.
3. 100 Thieves
100 Thieves boasts a dynamic roster defined by rising talent and returning legends. Tenacity and Busio are bringing top Academy-level talent to the big leagues, and Closer’s return to the jungle provides another chance to assert his reign – a particularly interesting prospect in a season ripe with changes to jungling. Doublelift’s return to pro play – and on the same squad as the newly-returned Bjergsen no less – is a headlining act this split, but perhaps one of the biggest unknowns for this promising team.
4. Team Liquid
Team Liquid is sporting an Korean-speaking roster this split, with only CoreJJ returning to anchor the team. It’s a seismic shift from 2022’s “Super Team,” which ultimately failed to deliver a super performance. However, the new Team Liquid has a fair bit to be excited about, including Pyosik facing up against a pool of talented junglers, Summit returning to the LCS, and Yeon’s rise from TL Academy. I expect the squad to start slow, but hit their stride further into the season.
5. FlyQuest
FlyQuest’s roster feels like wandering souls crossing paths. Impact and Spica – two historically dominant players – have found new homes after being cornerstones for their previous teams; VicLa and Prince are making their LCS debuts with impressive headwinds; and Eyla aims to convert strong Academy performances to momentum on the big stage. I see a roster with a lot to prove, and if each moving part clicks into place, the sky’s the limit for this team.
6. CLG
Run it back, win more games – the phrase has defined CLG’s 2023 roster, which boasts the same players from the team’s defining 2022 performance. Last year, CLG accelerated past expectations and the scrappy team demonstrated impressive development throughout the year. This squad wants to prove fans wrong, and with any luck, I’ll join many other spectators in underestimating them.
7. Dignitas
Dignitas is bringing a radically different roster to 2023 defined by veteran talent. With LEC powerhouse Armut in the top lane, veterans Santorin and Jensen in jungle and mid, and a big question mark in Spawn and igNar (or Biofrost, depending on how visa issues remedy themselves), this team seems bent on middle-of-the-pack results or bust. That’s exactly what Dignitas needs after a few seasons of disappointing performances, but this squad could offer the backbone the organization needs to grow.
8. Golden Guardians
I really, really want to like this Golden Guardians squad, but I’m hedging my bets a bit. River rises to the top as an explosive, dynamic player that I’m expecting to breathe a lot of life into this roster. However, I’m not as sold on players like Licorice and Stixxay rising to the occasion. With huhi as a spectacular upgrade in the bottom lane and Gori hoping to make a splash with his LCS debut, Golden Guardians will be a wild card squad with exciting variability.
9. TSM
TSM doesn’t present much to hang your hat on this season. Solo has demonstrated solid upsides, but ultimately needs to show up against a strong top lane pool. Bugi has big shoes to fill following Spica’s departure and the team’s bot duo leaves much to be desired. However, Maple stands out as a strong anchor to this mixed squad. With a 64.5% career win ratio, I’m optimistic his rich experience can lead this hungry squad to a solid performance.
10. Immortals
I had initially placed Immortals higher on my list, but gradually grounded my expectations. Players like Revenge, Ablazeolive, and Tactical have demonstrated the potential to punch above their weight class, but are historically unreliable across a split. I’m hopeful that players like Kenvi – who had a difficult transition to pro play but an admirable career in Proving Grounds – and Fleshy – who bring with him a dominant tenure from his time in Turkey – will give this squad the pizzazz it needs to stand out.
ScuttleStack’s LCS Pog Rankings
How excited I am to watch each team perform over the first half of the split.
100 Thieves
CLG
FlyQuest
Cloud 9
Evil Geniuses
Dignitas
Team Liquid
TSM
Golden Guardians
Immortals
This list is build far more on the unbiased power of “vibes” and less on performance-based metrics, but some quick-hit thoughts:
100 Thieves and FlyQuest strike an exciting balance of seasoned talent, rising stars, and bold personalities. These make-it-or-break-it rosters give fans enough expectations to be excited, but just as many variables that could result in an interesting trajectory.
CLG became a fan-favorite squad for many since last split, and demonstrated a standout commitment to supporting promising talent. I want them to run it back and make even more waves.
Cloud 9 and Evil Geniuses bring a lot of dominant familiarity to their roster. I expect heavy fandom to follow, but we largely know that we’ll get blockbuster performances from both teams with any luck.
Dignitas is a squad I so desperately want to be good. Is this the year? Unlikely, but a guy can dream.
Team Liquid has an exciting roster, but feels like a lot of the wind is out of the organization’s sails. I want them to prove me wrong, and even if they don’t I’m a huge fan of some of their players individually, especially CoreJJ and Yeon.
TSM enters 2023 without Spica, who felt like the team’s franchise player. As such, it takes a big hit, but I’m hopeful fans can root for Maple as the team’s silver lining.
Golden Guardians and Immortals just didn’t wow me with many of their offseason moves. River may be the standout pickup here, but even with that, I think most fans know what they’re getting with these teams.
Closing Thoughts from the River
This is one of the most exciting moments of each LCS split for me. We sit on the threshold of a seasoned destined to subvert our expectations, give us new teams to cheer for, and carry new names to stardom. This will be one of the last essay-style posts for ScuttleStack until the end of the split, so expect week-by-week analysis on and off the rift to return in a familiar fashion. Until then.
Still referring to the new jungle pets by their “Pokemon” names,
Nick Mo.
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