[NA LCS] S4 Spring Week 1 - Page 3

They pretty much rekt'd the challenger scene. They were like 24-2 throughout the NACL, not includng other offseason games where they were also pretty much undefeated, against everyone from Quantic to Crs/Crs Academy (and CoL, before they fell apart).

Their mid-late game strategy is still predictable as fk, but it works. They really need to develop their strategy and variability there, but otherwise, yeah. Their summer split performance was surprising.

I would definitely rate Coast above Crs, Dig, and CLG, maybe EG (can't gauge powah level yet).

...here's hoping vlanitak has whipped Dig into shape -.-

GhandiEAGLE

United States20754 Posts

January 17 2014 07:38 GMT

#43

I don't know what Vlani can even do with them though. The team still hasn't (at least in the games vs alliance) learned to correct the same mistakes they've always been making. Where do you go with that?

JBright

Vancouver14381 Posts

January 17 2014 07:42 GMT

#44

On January 17 2014 15:31 NeoIllusions wrote:

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Curse and Dignitas I understand. But Coast?
Rumor has it that they've leveled up. They weren't too bad in NACL, no?

I didn't pay too much attention to the off-season stuff so it could just be the same impression I got from last year. Coast has good moments but they never registered as a top 4 team in my head.

ketchup

14521 Posts

January 17 2014 08:15 GMT

#45

On January 17 2014 16:38 GhandiEAGLE wrote:
I don't know what Vlani can even do with them though. The team still hasn't (at least in the games vs alliance) learned to correct the same mistakes they've always been making. Where do you go with that?

Dignitas needs more than what Vlanitak can even think about doing.

They need executive decisions from their higher ups. They need to pressure scarra by picking up a mid laner as an actual sub to get scarra to perform better in LCS/pressure situations. By that, I mean they need to make scarra realize he is replaceable. Maybe actually fly down one of the subs they already have, and start practicing with them in scrims. They need to pressure imaqtpie as well, but that's mostly because he seems to treat LCS games as solo queue games sometimes. He doesn't play his best certain days, and it really shows for Dignitas. I have no clue on their top laner, and their whole roster mix mash they did earlier on. I hope they found a better top laner though.

Of course, this is just a random spectator view, so I don't know how dignitas works internally. Maybe Scarra is actually a god at mid, but cannot play the same way during LCS games as he does during scrims for whatever reason. Maybe imaqtpie is 100% serious about LCS all day everyday, and knows how to carry his team. Who knows? Also, to be fair, I guess you can say I'm guessing from old information. It's not like we've seen them play during this break. So, I hope they prove me wrong this week, because they are a team I wouldn't mind seeing play well.

iKill[ShocK]

Vietnam3530 Posts

January 17 2014 09:01 GMT

#46

Is it even worth it to replace Scarra even if you know you'll lose 30-50% of your fanbase? (dig). DIG is in a hard spot in choosing between new talent or old timer with huge fanbase. Sad to say but Scarra isn't going to magically get significantly better, now with the competition being even more stiffer with mancloud/Pobelter/Bjergsen/hai. DIG is gotta blow up the whole roster or some miracles gotta happen for them to make top3 NA. Recycling KiwiKid to support isn't gonna make them top3.

Gahlo

United States35172 Posts

January 17 2014 09:04 GMT

#47

On January 17 2014 18:01 iKill[ShocK] wrote:
Is it even worth it to replace Scarra even if you know you'll lose 30-50% of your fanbase? (dig). DIG is in a hard spot in choosing between new talent or old timer with huge fanbase. Sad to say but Scarra isn't going to magically get significantly better, now with the competition being even more stiffer with mancloud/Pobelter/Bjergsen/hai. DIG is gotta blow up the whole roster or some miracles gotta happen for them to make top3 NA. Recycling KiwiKid to support isn't gonna make them top3.

Unfortunatly it seems the only way for the older NA teams to be forced to change is to be booted out of LCS. Scarra isn't gonna do much for your brand if you're not in the big leagues.

iKill[ShocK]

Vietnam3530 Posts

January 17 2014 09:15 GMT

#48

On January 17 2014 18:04 Gahlo wrote:

Show nested quote +

Unfortunatly it seems the only way for the older NA teams to be forced to change is to be booted out of LCS. Scarra isn't gonna do much for your brand if you're not in the big leagues.

Even in this situation DIG can just sponsor another new NA amateur team and have Scarra be a coach/analyst/sub. There's no real sense of urgency in the NA scene unfortunately. (be honest here, DIG is a reputable and outstanding org., everyone will be drooling over that sponsorship).

Gahlo

United States35172 Posts

January 17 2014 09:24 GMT

#49

On January 17 2014 18:15 iKill[ShocK] wrote:

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Would that really be so bad though? Players retiring into coach/analyst avoids their downfall, which is mostly mechanics. Plus, younger players have look up to DIG as a "Big 4" team in the past, which leads to Scarra having an easy in for an authority figure.

That is, assuming he could or would want to.

iKill[ShocK]

Vietnam3530 Posts

January 17 2014 09:46 GMT

#50

On January 17 2014 18:24 Gahlo wrote:

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Actually thinking about it, this situation would be good for the scene. Even though its sad to be rooting for a situation where two-three players loses their job.

Zato-1

Chile4253 Posts

January 17 2014 11:28 GMT

#51

On January 17 2014 12:59 NeoIllusions wrote:

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Realistically, if you want to believe this, you have to fathom three teams who will place below CLG. Who's your 3?

Hm. I'm gonna go with Curse, dig and XDG. Have you seen the roster changes on XDG? Zuna jungle, Xmithie AD, Benny top... well I'm not sure about Benny, but the other roster changes look to me about as coherent as putting Chauster/bigfat in jungle, Aphromoo Support or Nien top.

EG is also a bit of a wildcard right now, they could also potentially place below CLG.

EDIT: Oops, never mind about Benny then.

Numy

South Africa35471 Posts

January 17 2014 11:30 GMT

#52

Benny is Sid, he just changed his nick.

Fusilero

United Kingdom50293 Posts

January 17 2014 11:45 GMT

#53

To be fair as an XDG fan I'm not sure about benny/sid atm still, it feels like he's reverting to the afk farming top laner that really never does much for the team which put more pressure on mancloud to carry.
During the final week and playoffs he went HAM and carried harder than mancloud but he looked off vs gambit and at worlds

Redox

Germany24794 Posts

January 17 2014 12:00 GMT

#54

On January 17 2014 15:31 NeoIllusions wrote:

Show nested quote +

Curse and Dignitas I understand. But Coast?
Rumor has it that they've leveled up. They weren't too bad in NACL, no?

Yeah after seeing Coast's performance there and especially how Shiphhtur improved I rated them quite highly. Definitely not bot 3.

My bot 3 would actually be Dig, Crs, EG. EG is rated too high after their 3-0 in promotions, they still have a lot of problems.

edit: Maybe XDG will get wrecked by their position changes though and will compete for bottom.

zer0das

United States8519 Posts

January 17 2014 12:05 GMT

#55

I keep having dreams Dignitas is gonna get relegated and that I need to buy a hoddie now if I ever want to be a legit fan.

Real nightmare there.

JonGalt

Pootie too good!4331 Posts

January 17 2014 12:33 GMT

#56

I don't think dig would lose their fanbase if scarra shifted to a coaching/analyst position. it would actually probably allow him to stream more.

and I scoff at all ye TSM haters. we are obviously a 4-0 MAYYYYYBE 3-1 this week. TSM TSM TSM