Game of the Week: TiP vs Team Liquid

NA LCS was in disarray this week: favored teams dropped the ball left and right, and consistent playoffs finalist Cloud 9 finished 0–2. Alone at the top sits Team Liquid. In the spirit of insanity, Liquid opened their LCS season with a 4-protect-1 composition centered around their World Champion AD Carry Piglet. Except due to visas, soloq all-star KEITHMCBRIEF had been substituted in – no matter, onward with the last pick Kog'Maw into a Leblanc, Jarvan, Irelia, Sivir, and Thresh. XiaoWeiXiao scored some early kills on Leblanc, but Quas and IWD dominated their share of the map, giving plenty of space for KEITH to farm. As team fights broke out, Gnar and Nunu formed an impassable zone that allowed Kog'Maw to kite out all of TiP's dive threats and finish the game with a single death. KEITH would have another great performance against CLG, but his continued ability to navigate chaotic teamfights with the immobile Kog'Maw, made this game the must-watch of the week.

Game of the Week: Fnatic vs Elements

In the off-season, Fnatic nearly disbanded, after a shaky Summer split, a first loss in the playoffs, and a disappointing World's performance. Rekkles left for Alliance, Cyanide retired, and xPeke and sOAZ formed Origen. Alone remained YellOwStaR, a veteran of all four World Championships. Reforged with Challenger talent, the new Fnatic looked to cultivate a new breed of champions. Meanwhile, Elements assumed the role of incumbent powerhouse, retaining almost their entire roster amidst the upheaval. The marquee match of EU LCS, Fnatic vs Elements, looked to be a veteran team showing the newcomers the ropes. Instead, Fnatic trounced Elements. ReignOver, perennially stuck in NLB, looked like KaKAO as he dominated the jungle, dazzling with his Rengar play and bedazzling with his interview charm. Huni, straight out of Korean soloq, demonstrated why Lissandra is one of the most banned champions in OGN. Febiven, the former H2k Mid, had textbook Xerath play, keeping safe until ReignOver set him up to drop Arcane Barrages to the tune of 10–1–12. The EU region has been defined by the rise and fall of Fnatic. And like a phoenix from the ashes, in their opening game to kick off EU LCS, Fnatic has shown that they are once again a force to be reckoned with.

Game of the Week: JinAir vs Najin

A few months ago, almost no one would believe us if we said the Jin Air Green Wings would participate in one of the best League of Legends games of 2015. Truth, however, often turns out to be stranger than fiction, and Jin Air have surged to count themselves as one of Korea's (if not the world's) best teams. Their first game against NaJin e-mFire in OGN Champions Spring was an absolute strategic marvel to behold, with both teams cautiously placing wards to ferret out their opponents' plans. This 64-minute marathon of a game perfectly summed up the rational, conservative play of Korea's top teams, and featured an outstanding performance by Lee "GBM" Chang Seok on Xerath.

Game of the Week: King vs Snake

For most of the English speaking audience, King and Snake isn't exactly a marquee match-up. As first-time participants in the LPL with no superstars, Chinese or Korean, King and Snake were already relegated to bottom-feeders in many people's minds. Not content to stay out of the spotlight, these LSPL rivals made a fantastic showing in week 2 and played one of the most exciting games of the league. Back and forth action abound with great rotations, individual brilliance, and just generally solid team play from both squads. Shocking many, Snake currently sits at #2 on the leaderboard while King is being hyped as a darkhorse contender despite a slow week 1 start, and this game perfectly showcases just how competitive the LPL is shaping up to be.

Game of the Week: AHQ Esports Club vs Yoe Flash Wolves

Coming into this yoe were looking to solidify their second position in the LMS while AHQ continued to pursue a victory against the top teams. Power picks are traded here as yoe Flash Wolves had the almighty GNarvan combo while AHQ drafted Maokai and the new girl Rek'Sai. AHQ would find a solid start killing steak early on and take a dragon. But as the game progressed the power of yoe's Corki/Jayce poke would start to kick in as yoe rushed to turn around the game against AHQ's late game insurance in the Tristana/Janna botlane. For those that enjoy an old fashioned brawl this game will satisfy the bloodthirsty.

Game of the Week: DetonatioN FM vs Rascal Jester

DetonatioN FocusMe and Rascal Jester were by far the best teams in the 2014 LJL, and both have now taken steps to elevate their game to the next level: RJ has been living in a team house for a few months now, and FocusMe goes full time next week. As such, their first meeting in the 2015 LJL was a great way to observe the “current” level of Japanese LoL, and to see how far it advances by the IWCI in April. Unfortunately, none of Rascal Jester's players looked comfortable in their newly-swapped roles, with Lillebelt and Rkp in the bot lane as the only bright spot. Meanwhile, DetonatioN was solid across the board, and we got a chance to see why Yutaproid's AD Carry play is earning him some notoriety even amongst North American pros.

*Kabum! Black was punished and are therefore lower in the rankings.

Game of the Week: CNB vs INTZ

Since the Brazilian Regional Qualifier, INTZ e-Sports has been a team on the rise. A strong laning team, they have shown an increasing awareness of map movement and teamfight coordination in off-season third-party tournaments and their first CBLoL week against KaBuM! Orange. Nipping at the heels of the two best teams in Brazil, Vivo Fibra Keyd Stars and paiN Gaming, INTZ’s week two test was to continue to defeat teams that they were expected to best. CNB e-Sports was one of those teams.

It’s a new year for CNB, and while they show glimpses of promise, particularly from their jungler, Carlos “Nappon” Rücker, and support, Willyan “Wos” Bonpam, they lack the synergy that INTZ has cultivated over the past few months. CNB had some good ideas in this match, specifically a lane swap at level one, but they were countered beautifully by INTZ at every turn, including a clever three-minute dragon using their blue buff on top-laner Felipe “Yang” Zhao’s Cassiopeia.

All in all, a show of strength from INTZ through strong map movement and harmonious teamfighting.