After some of the hectic League of Legends offseasons in current reminiscence, the LCK is ready to have an explosive begin that can preserve followers tied to their screens. With the return of a few of the finest particular person Korean abilities from overseas, the extent of the LCK competitors might be going up a notch in comparison with final yr.
Not solely that, however some LCK groups have determined to spend money on younger gamers and rookies which implies that we’d see the rise of recent superstars. To assist you to make amends for all of the groups’ strengths in addition to roster strikes, we’ve compiled a listing to rank all of the individuals this season. Here are our LCK Power Rankings forward of the 2022 Spring Split.
| Rank | Team |
| 1) | T1 |
| 2) | Dplus Kia |
| 3) | Gen.G |
| 4) | Hanwha Life Esports |
| 5) | KT Rolster |
| 6) | DRX |
| 7) | Nongshim RedForce |
| 8) | BRION |
| 9) | Kwangdong Freecs |
| 10) | Liiv SANDBOX |
Scrap within the backside a part of the standings: BRION, Kwangdong Freecs, Liiv SANDBOX
The LCK has at all times been a top-heavy league, with one of the best organizations claiming the highest a part of the standings and one of the best seeds in playoffs. This yr isn’t any exception, with extra groups having the potential to combat for the title.
Therefore, a niche has been created with the underside a part of the league. BRION, Liiv SANDBOX, and Kwandgong Freecs are doubtless going to be battling for the final spots, as all three of them won’t have what it takes to get to playoff competition. That mentioned, whereas Liiv SANDBOX and BRION are relying extra on veterans who’ve performed within the LCK for a while, Kwangdong Freecs have put their cash on the kids. If head coach cvMax could make issues work as he did again within the Griffin days, then we’d see the Freecs rising up a tier and rising as a playoff contender.
The Dark Horses of the LCK: Nongshim RedForce, DRX
Nongshim RedForce and world champion DRX are going to be two groups to be careful for within the LCK 2023 Spring Split. On one hand, there may be NS RedForce, which parted methods with its complete 2022 roster and introduced in its academy gamers, who had been the latest LCK Challengers League champions. Despite them going through a lot stronger opposition in the primary league, the gamers could have the benefit of getting already constructed good synergy with one another in addition to with its teaching workers. They won’t make playoffs, however keep watch over their progress trajectory all year long.
DRX, alternatively, have had an eventful offseason. The group was unable to maintain its Worlds-winning roster and training workers, leaving help BeryL as the one returning member. That mentioned, the 2023 roster they had been capable of put collectively has the potential to shock us.
Rascal, regardless of not being on a top-tier crew, was capable of get the best variety of solo kills final yr (23, in response to gol.gg) and robust particular person stats (second in CS per minute, fourth in expertise differential at quarter-hour). He might need a revelation yr as Kingen or Zeka did earlier than him. With stable gamers like mid laner FATE, jungler Croco, and ADC deokdam, DRX have a very good likelihood of exceeding expectations.
Lots of potential but additionally numerous variance: KT Rolster, Hanwha Life Esports
Just just like the groups above on this listing, KT Rolster and Hanwha Life Esports have additionally revamped most of their lineups going into 2023.
KT saved their jungler Cuzz, in addition to ADC Aiming who single-handedly carried the crew within the newest LCK Summer Playoffs. Kiin, Bdd, and Lehends are respectively the brand new high, mid, and help gamers, veterans that possess loads of expertise.
That mentioned, Bdd and Kiin have been on a downward trajectory within the final two years, so KT’s success will largely rely on their solo lanes. If they’ll increase their degree of play once more, then the crew will discover itself with a scary trio of carry gamers. Out of all of the LCK groups, this might be the crew with the best variance: They may go from doubtlessly contending for a top-three end to discovering themselves out of playoffs.
Hanwha Life Esports’ roster additionally raises some query marks, which is why we put them fourth within the standings. Kingen and (most significantly) Zeka carried DRX at Worlds, however they may be overrated for that cause. Between the 2, Zeka showcased better consistency final yr, so it’s Kingen who might be within the eye of the storm along with jungler Clid. The Korean participant had a disappointing 2022 season within the LPL, barely making it to the playoffs on each splits, so he might want to step up now that he has returned to residence soil.
On the opposite hand, the one participant that has elevated the crew’s potential on his personal is Viper. The 2021 world champion ADC has returned to Korea after spending two years on EDward Gaming, and he joins Hanwha Life as probably the greatest marksmen on the earth. With Ruler gone, Viper is able to declare the vacant spot because the no. 1 ADC within the LCK.
The three kings of the LCK: Gen.G, Dplus KIA, T1
Even with all of the roster strikes in the course of the break, the highest three within the LCK are unchanged. T1, DK (now rebranded to Dplus Kia), and Gen.G are nonetheless one of the best groups that the area has.
Compared to final yr, although, Gen.G and DK have swapped locations in second and third place. The former noticed the departure of its famous person Ruler, and new academy prospect Peyz could have large sneakers to fill because the carry of the crew. Considering his performances on the academy crew final yr (second in harm per minute, third-highest KDA, in response to gol.gg), he may rise as the brand new star in the course of the season.
On the opposite hand, Dplus Kia saved its best-performing trio of Canyon, ShowMaker, and Kellin, and proceeded to improve its “weak links” with Canna and world champion Deft. While they aren’t nice enhancements by way of uncooked expertise, Canna and Deft needs to be extra stable in comparison with Nuguri and deokdam. Last season, DK wasn’t capable of combat with the highest two of Gen.G and T1. This yr, it appears like we could have a three-way battle for the title.
And lastly, we’ve got T1, the one LCK crew to make no modifications to its lineup going into 2023. If NS RedForce have a bonus by maintaining their gamers collectively, then an identical argument will be made for the Worlds finalists which can stick collectively for at the least one other yr.
The crew was one sport away from successful the long-awaited title and was one of many strongest groups on the earth all through the season: it’s laborious to consider they gained’t be on the high once more this season.
