Preface: The S16 season has officially started, and most fans have been closely following the recent action. The LPL playoff competition is intense, and in the most recent matches, AL’s overall form has remained steady, as they defeated EDG 3-0 to move forward in the bracket. It's clear there is a significant gap between the two teams. AD carry Hope, using Corki, secured 19 kills in this match, tying the LPL single-game record for an AD carry and becoming the new kill king. Previously, eight AD players had achieved this feat.

LPL's New AD Carry Kill King

Most fans are familiar with AL, a team that has gained much attention in the LPL over the past two years. Their overall performance and results have been relatively stable, and last season they won the LPL championship with a very low-cost roster. This season, AL underwent some roster adjustments and coaching changes, which caused some issues in their draft phase, but they still rank near the top. In their first playoff match, they faced EDG. Given the huge gap in team strength, AL easily swept EDG 3-0, advancing to the next round. All three games were one-sided victories with little resistance.

In the first game, just eight minutes in, Tarzan set the pace: he secured the dragon and killed Orianna for first blood. At ten minutes, top laner Flandre used an E-flash combo to solo kill his opponent. By 36 minutes, Tarzan's Nocturne used his ultimate to target the enemy ADC, Jinx, and AL's teamfight was unstoppable, wiping out EDG and taking game one. In the second game, AL's draft was at a disadvantage. At four minutes, Fizz and Wolf (likely referring to the champion Aurora?) tower-dove and killed Flandre's Twisted Fate top lane. EDG gained an early lead. However, during the crucial Rift Herald fight, Ashe's arrow hit Ezreal, and AL quickly eliminated the enemy Lee Sin, executing a perfect teamfight. They secured a 1-for-4 trade and took the Herald, turning the draft disadvantage around through exceptional team coordination.

In the third game, AL charged forward aggressively. Just four minutes in, bot lane Hope's Corki earned first blood. At six minutes, AL executed a 4v2 tower dive bot lane, and Corki's item power spike came too quickly. In the following teamfights, Hope, with maxed damage output, racked up more kills and gold. At 36 minutes, with his teammates' assistance, Hope's Corki secured a pentakill, ending the third game. He posted a perfect stat line of 19-2-9. A new kill king was born in the LPL. While the opponent was weaker, securing 19 kills on a professional stage still proves the player's skill.

Previously, eight AD carries had achieved the feat of 19 kills in a single match: Kael (likely meant "kaen") in the 2013 RYL vs EP.HK game, Weixiao in the 2014 WE vs LGD game, Uzi in the 2015 OMG vs Snake game, Krystal (Crystal) in the 2015 EDG vs Snake game, Viper in the 2022 RA vs EDG game, Starry in the 2024 OMG vs BLG game, Gala in the 2025 IG vs AL game, and Elk in the 2026 BLG vs IG game. Now Hope joins them. It seems the 19-kill milestone is very hard to break—13 years have passed since 2013, and the record remains untouched.

In my opinion,

Hope is indeed not the most outstanding player in the LPL; he still has mechanical issues. But he may be the most suitable AD carry for AL. Although AL's results have fluctuated this season, they are still a top-four team in the league, with a good chance of competing in international events. They have already secured a ticket to Paris—now it's up to them to bring home the trophy.

What do you, our dear audience, think about this?