Week 1 - There Goes Our Power Rankings
Preconceived notions failed us and the faithful were rewarded.
Welcome back Scuttlers,
I’m in shambles.
The inaugural ScuttleStack LCS Power Ranking has been my undoing. Teams I thought wouldn’t have any early-split steam are tied for first with a 2-0 record, squads that looked impressive on paper are mingling in last place with historically-lackluster orgs, and Dignitas is (predictably) subpar after its major overhaul. I failed to have enough faith in CLG, didn’t hedge my bets enough on 100 Thieves, and was made of fool of by retirement-bound Pyosik. Worst of all, I underrated FlyQuest, a fumble that was only worsened by the majority of LCS fans dubbing them a top team this year.
While my pride has been damaged as an analytical professional, my ability to sniff out some of the most exciting teams to watch from a narrative perspective goes unmatched. The ScutteStack LCS Pog Rankings successfully predicted CLG’s plot armor, highlighted the momentum Cloud9 carried into Week 1, and predictably snubbed teams like Golden Guardians and Immortals.
But enough patting myself on the back. On to our first standard ScuttleStack of the year.
While we’re on the topic of expectations, let’s talk about the entrances some teams made this week.
100 Thieves
This squad was one that many fans were excited to see because of the wild variability such a mixed squad brings to the table. Busio’s Game 1 Azir flex won me over and left me optimistic that some creative drafts could be in the pipeline for the team, but in practice, I failed to see that move pay off beyond one sad excuse for a Shurima Shuffle at the tail-end of the game. Tenacity brought brawlers to the top lane but was quickly outclassed not only by top-tier laner Fudge, but failed to carve an advantage against his Day 2 matchup in Revenge. As for the team’s veterans, Bjergsen proved to be reliable, but completely whelming, whereas Doublelift showed more promise across two different playstyles.
CLG & FlyQuest
(And tangentially, Dignitas.)
Fan-favorite squads CLG and FlyQuest found success in the face of mixed matchups this week. Both squads played Dignitas, which awarded them wins after the team failed to find its footing in Week 1. However, both teams’ second wins came from opponents slated to perform strongly going into 2023. CLG trumped EG in a nearly 45-minute slog where a dominant team fight performance from Big Dhokes and Contractz. Despite an unassuming KDA, Luger also stood out after making up over 30% of the team’s total damage. FlyQuest took their win off of Team Liquid, who allowed Spica to take control of the early game and safely carry the team toward the mid game, where the tree-hugging teamfight composition ran over the competition.
TSM
I’ll give credit where credit is due — TSM managed to pull out a very sneaky 2-0 record coming out of Week 1. Granted, their first win came out of a match against Immortals who didn’t have much to write home about across both days of games, but their second was certainly earned against Team Liquid. The Korean-speaking squad commanded the gold lead all game, but smart playmaking from Maple and cohesive, objective-focused team fights allowed TSM to claw back and ultimately take the game. Next week, their matchups will be less forgiving, but hopefully the team can ride their newfound momentum.
Cloud9
It goes without being said that the returning LCS champs made a showstopping debut. Fudge handedly asserted himself as one of the best top laners in the league — especially when handed K’Sante — and the team’s bot lane duo in Berserker and Zven have continued to demonstrate strong, positive growth. While Week 1 is in the books, my eyes are on Week 2, where Cloud9 will have to defend their top standing against fellow 2-0 squads FlyQuest and CLG.
There’s little movement behind the scenes after Week 1, so let’s tackle some quick hits:
Golden Guardians mid Gori made it to LA after visa delays kept him from playing in Week 1. Substitute mid Young was rattled, but not too shaken in his debut matches, but here’s to hoping Gori’s reintroduction gives the team a much-needed lift.
Former LCS talent Ovilee made a splash this past week by announcing she’s joining FlyQuest as a content creator. The news came with an LCS-themed music video filled with Tenacious charm and the launch of her independently-run, innuendo-free podcast Casters Couch.
Noob-friendly hyperscaling support Yuumi is on the receiving end of the nerf bat, which is intended to handedly remove her from pro play. In caster-turned-dev Phreak’s patch breakdown, players can expect to see hits to Yuumi’s ability to trade with lane opponents, among other tweaks.
Week 1 didn’t just serve as the debut for new LCS squads, but introduced a reimagined LCS broadcast, which carried with it mixed expectations from fans including myself.
Despite my hesitancy, I was really pleased with the new direction the broadcast took. Overall, the production felt more fluid and carried energy well between segments, and analysts will still given opportunities to break down standout plays both on their own and alongside players. The additions of guest hosts in QTCinderella and Bwipo opened doors to new, content-driven segments and strategy-driven breakdowns live during the match. The broadcast walked a fair line between innovating without feeling alien, and I anticipate it carrying that momentum throughout the split and beyond.
Until next week, Scuttlers.
Giving you an Evi-style thumbs up because you deserve it,
Nick Mo.