The greatest tragedy of S15 has unfolded! HLE stops at the quarterfinals, legendary veteran retires, fans at the scene weep uncontrollably

Greetings to all LPL viewers and League of Legends summoners, this is Tianxia Game Report.

The first match of the S15 World Championship quarterfinals was an intra-LCK battle, a heavyweight face-off and a replay of the LCK finals. GEN and HLE combined to provide the audience with a thrilling contest.

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In the end, GEN triumphed over HLE with a 3-1 scoreline, successfully moving on to the semifinals.

The greatest tragedy of S15 emerges, legendary veteran retires

After the quarterfinal matchups were drawn, many viewers expressed regret that GEN and HLE ended up in the same bracket. Considering both teams’ overall strength and their performances in the Swiss stage, they both had the caliber of semifinalists. However, due to the randomness of the world championship draw, these two teams had to face each other early.

In previous world championships, there have also been cases where two teams with semifinal-level strength met in the quarterfinals, resulting in only one advancing.

And the viewers’ opinions proved correct. The first two games between the teams were incredibly intense, especially the second game which lasted nearly 60 minutes before a winner was decided. This match gave the audience a profoundly thrilling experience, with both teams exchanging blows and showing remarkable resilience.

HLE fought back fiercely under adverse conditions, contesting dragons and seizing opportunities to teamfight. GEN responded calmly to HLE’s counterattacks. Neither side could secure a decisive lead until the very end, delivering the ultimate viewing experience that fans seek.

After the match concluded, the biggest tragedy of S15 was revealed: the legendary veteran Peanut performed his final dance and is set to retire.

Fans at the scene broke down in tears, the God King top laner fades away

The final score settled at 3-1. After the match, cameras frequently focused on Peanut, whose still youthful and handsome face bore the marks of many battles. Years of competing were all in pursuit of his ultimate dream. However, esports is ruthless, with many “uncrowned kings,” and Peanut is one of them.

After more than a decade on the competitive stage, Peanut has finally reached the time to say goodbye. Fans holding Peanut support boards were seen crying bitterly at the venue.

An old warrior’s last dance ended without further progress, eliminated at the first knockout hurdle. This is a huge regret for Peanut, HLE, and their fans. Yet beyond regret, the journey Peanut has traveled, the moments of striving for his dream, and unforgettable highlights on the stage will always be remembered. This is the most precious legacy of his professional career.

After the match, many viewers discussed player performances. Among them, the God King top laner Zeus faced much criticism. His choice of Camille in game four and his lackluster performance, along with being dominated by Kiin throughout the BO5, made him one of the team’s scapegoats.

HLE’s offseason dilemma: how to compete against the two powerhouses

In my opinion, Zeus is indeed a top-tier player, but he is not without flaws. He needs a strong team environment to perform at his best. In the current esports landscape, only GEN and T1 stand apart from other teams, providing the environment necessary for a top player to reach their peak.

Therefore, it is possible that Zeus might return to T1 by the end of this year. HLE is also facing a crisis in building their roster, which makes their situation somewhat similar to BLG’s.

The key issue is whether Zeus can stay. If he remains, HLE can maintain a top-tier lineup. But if Zeus leaves, HLE may face disbandment, with Viper likely departing to join a stronger team with better chances of success, especially a team with a more dominant mid laner.

Zeka’s poor form has been a major factor limiting HLE’s performance, but finding a replacement in the LCK is difficult. BDD might be an option, though he is older. Regarding jungle, HLE might consider collaborating with Korean imports from the LPL. Ultimately, it all depends on whether Zeus’s transfer can be finalized successfully.