The 2017 Summer Split has embraced a shifting meta and surprising upsets. Many players have already started to develop new power picks for themselves, or simply reincarnated, old, comfort, pocket picks.
A ‘pocket pick’ describes a champion that a player has mastered to a higher level than their counterparts, a champion they feel comfortable with and can be relied upon to provide a stellar performance.
Pocket picks forces opponents to think twice about the ban phase, and for many of these players draws a ban from their opponents that no other player can… as Counter Logic Gaming’s Choi “HuHi” Jae-hyun so frequently reminds us.
While some of these picks are seen almost every week, others have faded over time as the meta has shifted. Still, there are few things that can electrify a crowd like an old pick resurfacing, whether in the NA LCS or abroad in international competition.
CLICKON eSports takes a look at some of the players of the NA LCS, and the pocket picks you know them for:
The Most Notorious Pocket Picks In The NA LCS
1.CLICKON’s NA LCS Pocket Picks
Whether in the mid lane or as a support, there are a few players in the NA LCS who have mastered a Champion to the point where it has become synonymous with their name. We take a look at some of the NA LCS's best...
2.Aphromoo – Bard
Always known as a playmaking support, Bard fits CLG's Aphromoo like a glove. A common pick for Aphromoo even today, his highlight ultimates and skillful escapes make it a pick to watch.
3.Reignover – Olaf
Though he struggled in the Spring Split, a change in the meta may help Reignover. A staple of his champion pool, Reignover has found great success in his career on the axe wielding jungler, consistently surprising opponents as he controls their jungle and creates early kills.
4.Dardoch – Lee Sin
The self proclaimed "cleanest non-import Lee Sin", Dardoch plays like a man possesed every time he locks in the blind monk. With flashy plays and aggressive ganking, Lee Sin may be his best pick on the rift.
5.Bjergsen – Zed
A master of assasins, Bjergsen's Zed always draws a huge roar from the crowd. With his highly mechanical playstyle, it's just a matter of time before Bjergsen pulls off a highlight play.
6.Piglet – Vayne
Piglet is the only player on this list who actually has a skin designated to their pocket pick: an SKT Vayne skin from his World Championsip in Season 3. While we rarely see Piglet's Vayne any more, it still remains a favorite pick for the TL ADC.
7.Lira- Nidalee
There are few picks that fit a player's playstyle as well as Nidalee for Lira. An aggressive pick that can outfarm you and control your jungle, Lira is one of the only junglers who can make the pick work in the current NA LCS.
8.Ssumday – Fiora
When Ssumday gets his hands on Fiora, the question is no longer if he will carry the game, but when. A ticking time bomb in the top lane, many teams have learned to ban the pick or face the consequences.
9.Huhi – Aurelion Sol
Huhi has gained international acclaim for his play on Aurelion Sol, and his strong play with the champion has continued early into the summer split. Valuable not just for the massive map pressure it provides, forcing opponents to ban the pick can be extremely valuable for CLG moving forward.
10.Moon- Evelynn
If Evelynn is being locked in the NA LCS, it's going to be Moon. A unique pick that allows FlyQuest to execute creative early game strategies, there are few champions that inspire fear in laners like Moon's Evelynn.
11.Froggen- Anivia
Froggen was one of the first professional players to pull Anivia out as a competitive pick, instantly rising to fame as the best Anivia player in the world. Even today, Froggen is not afraid to pull out his patented pick, a staple of his champion pool you could see on any given week.
12.Pirean – Taliyah
Possibly the newest pick on the list, Pirean has burst onto the NA LCS scene behind the play of his Taliyah. Already drawing bans, his map presence and damage output on the pocket pick is too big to ignore.
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