In the build-up to the 2017 League of Legends World Championship, the NA LCS is undoubtedly set for its most competitive split in recent years. Having enjoyed a brief interval for the Mid-Season Invitational, more than half of the teams in the league have made changes and additions to their roster. CLICKON eSports assesses the strength of the NA LCS rosters in our 2017 Summer Split power ranking.
With the Spring Split now providing a chance for reflection, many of the moves made by the NA LCS teams in the off-season have fallen flat or simply failed to deliver the desired effect. With a trio of highly acclaimed Korean top laners arriving, perhaps only Team Dignitas’s Kim “Ssumday” Chan-ho has come close to meeting expectations. After signing a three-year contract with Immortals, Joshua “Dardoch” Hartnett was traded after just one split, hinting at his inability to shake the maturity and team issues that plagued him as a member of Team Liquid.
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Meanwhile, Team Liquid made roster changes at three different positions yet still fell to a ninth place finish. Aided by the loan of all-star ADC Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng from team SoloMid, they were able to retain their position and avoid relegation by winning the Promotion Tournament. Now a full split later, they have returned to the original roster they fielded at the beginning of the year, hoping a change in coaching staff and a shifting meta will deliver them the results they had expected.
With a shifting meta and many roster changes to consider, CLICKON eSports predicts how the league rankings will shape up over the course of the Summer Split:
CLICKON eSports 2017 NA LCS Summer Split Power Rankings
CLICKON eSports NA LCS Power Rankings
On the heels of Rift Rivals, CLICKON ranks the teams of the NA LCS.
9th: Echo Fox
After a hot start to the split, Echo Fox has cooled off considerably. Although their mid laner Froggen continues to play at an exceptional level, he still has not received consistent enough play from his teammates to push Echo Fox above a bottom tier team. With a new season approaching, expect Echo Fox to make multiple moves in the off-season if they fail to make the playoffs once again.
5th: Immortals
The surprise of the season so far has been the resurgence of Immortals behind their new jungler Xmithie. Maintaining the top spot for most of the season so far, Immortals find themselves coming off their first 0-2 week. Whether this is an anamoly, or a sign of things to come, Immortals have proven they can compete with NA's best.
7th: Team EnVyUs
Team NV could be a dark horse in NA moving forward, with a star jungler and consistent bot lane play that has led to significant improvement from their last place finish in the Spring Split. WIth both Pirean and Nisqy showing they can hold their own in the mid lane, NV should finish the season as a contender for a playoff spot.
10th: Team Liquid
Team Liquid may have hit rock bottom halfway through the second split of the 2017 season. With constant substitutions in their starting lineup, Team Liquid have yet to find the right combination to push them forward. For Team Liquid, it is time to start thinking about next season already.
8th: FlyQuest eSports
The addition of former TSM AD Carry WildTurtle has failed to provide the positive spark that FLyQuest were hoping for, and in response they have fallen quickly from their former perch near the top of the standings. Still a fringe playoff team, FlyQuest remains a dangerous team that can not be ignored on any given week. If Hai and Moon are able to rekindle some of their Spring Split synergy, FlyQuest could make a run to end the year.
5th: Team Dignitas
Team Dignitas may be the biggest wildcard of the upcoming split, a team loaded with potential and talent who had a very tumultuous first split. The addition of subs Shrimp and Big should provide flexibility to a roster that has continued to synergize as the season progressed. If LOD is able to keep up with the other ADCs in NA, Dignitas will be a team to watch out for.
2nd: Counter Logic Gaming
Expectations were high for Counter Logic Gaming entering the split after the arrival of Dardoch, and those expectation have been mostly met as CLG currently sits atop the NA LCS standings. With greatly improved play from top laner Darshan, CLG have become a favorite to capture another NA LCS title. Do not be surprised to find them as one of the two teams playing in the Finals in Boston.
3rd: Phoenix1
Following their third place finish in the Spring Split, do not expect much drop off from Phoenix1 in the upcoming split. NA MVP Arrow should excel in a meta that emphasizes ADCs, and both Ryu and Zig have proven to be more than competent solo laners. The only unknown for Phoenix1 seems to be new support Shady, who was given the starting position despite his poor performances near the end of the last split.
3rd: Cloud9
Coming off a 2-1 series victory over Team SoloMid, Cloud9 had a less than impressive showing at Rift RIvals. With the news that the majority of the team was sick at the event, we will cut C9 a break and still have them as a top three team in NA. If they can find consistency from their two top laners, Cloud9 could challenge for the NA LCS crown once again.
1st: Team SoloMid
Following their dominant showing at Rift Rivals, Team SoloMid should once again be considered the favorites in NA. With string laners and great macro play, TSM have shown significant growth already in the split. The return of Doublelift and the emphasis on improvement has paid dividends for the reigning NA LCS Champions, and could easily lead to another title.
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