SKT are very lucky that when they're at their "weakest" in terms of team synergy for the first two weeks they play teams expected to be low in the standings.

Week 5, they play Longzhu and Samsung. Week 6 they play KT.

Zess

Adun Toridas!9144 Posts

January 24 2017 12:35 GMT

#82

On January 24 2017 21:22 AdsMoFro wrote:
SKT are very lucky that when they're at their "weakest" in terms of team synergy for the first two weeks they play teams expected to be low in the standings.

Week 5, they play Longzhu and Samsung. Week 6 they play KT.

Their biggest advantage is they probably have the coaching to have great practice even without having to play a strong team on stage, so they only have free standings points to gain playing bottom table teams.

Most people pre-ranked SKT/KT/Afreeca/Longzhu in the top 5 and SKT dodges all of them in their opening matches. Given that the playoffs are probably going to be gauntlet again, this gives them a huge advantage. And the top seeds could be separated by just a few points this split.

REyeM

2674 Posts

January 24 2017 22:12 GMT

#83

It's shaping up to be a fantastic season. Haven't been this excited since S4.

cLutZ

United States19573 Posts

January 25 2017 05:35 GMT

#84

I do wish they would end gauntlet and move to a seeded 6 team bracket with byes. Or even 4 teams. I like it better to see at least 1 series of each team before the finals.

Gahlo

United States35118 Posts

January 25 2017 06:05 GMT

#85

The only thing I can say in favor of the gauntlet is that it makes a nice positional ranking without having moderate stakes "3rd place" matches. They run through it way too quick for my liking though.

cLutZ

United States19573 Posts

January 25 2017 06:10 GMT

#86

If 3rd place had better worlds gauntlet points I'm sure people would try. In the old format there were 3 seasons so any 3rd place match was fairly useless. However, if we imagine a world where if KT lost in the finals,.+ Samsung won the 3rd place they switch 1-2 in the gauntlet, that would work very well.

Harem

United States11390 Posts

January 25 2017 08:23 GMT

#87

deft bringing back tear ghostblade on varus w e w

Gahlo

United States35118 Posts

January 25 2017 08:23 GMT

#88

They're going to need the poke to fight back against Jihn/Corki.

Zess

Adun Toridas!9144 Posts

January 25 2017 09:21 GMT

#89

I think the gauntlet format was fine in 2015/2016 when there basically wasn't any talent, but now we actually have at least 4 teams where a bracket stage would be pretty interesting (and probably top 6 could all make it competitive tbh).

Zess

Adun Toridas!9144 Posts

January 25 2017 09:45 GMT

#90

Poll: Prognosis for Longzhu?

Mid tier - LZ will be average (7)

58%

Can be top tier - LZ needs time to build synergy (2)

17%

Bottom tier - LZ is gonna be donezo again (2)

17%

Still top tier - KT is just too good (1)

8%

12 total votes

Your vote: Prognosis for Longzhu?

(Vote): Still top tier - KT is just too good
(Vote): Can be top tier - LZ needs time to build synergy
(Vote): Mid tier - LZ will be average
(Vote): Bottom tier - LZ is gonna be donezo again

cLutZ

United States19573 Posts

January 25 2017 21:26 GMT

#91

Fly in midlane is all you really need to know about LZ.

Kyo Yuy

United States1286 Posts

January 26 2017 22:09 GMT

#92

Honestly I can't see anything other than SKT winning LCK Spring, Summer, and Worlds again this year. None of the other teams look remotely good.

Gahlo

United States35118 Posts

January 26 2017 22:10 GMT

#93

It's still early. Teams can grow between then and now. Rosters can change between spring and summer.

NeoIllusions

United States37500 Posts

January 27 2017 00:05 GMT

#94

Not that I mind a SKT dynasty... but it is still early like Gahlo mentioned. SKT this point last year looked really rough and it's not unfathomable for teams to get better and become capable of rivaling SKT 6+ months from now.

I don't doubt we'll have at least two KR teams in the semis again. So it's up in the air who the other 1-2 non KR teams will be for this year.

cLutZ

United States19573 Posts

January 27 2017 04:59 GMT

#95

KT still seems plenty good to take advantage of botlane and maybe top while mucking up the mid-jingle game. Seems to me to be very up in the air.

Slusher

United States19143 Posts

January 27 2017 06:39 GMT

#96

Actually I thought KT's games this week were very promising and SKT like. 1 game close for a long time, into eventual win, 2nd game download complete.