Introduction: The S15 season has officially begun, and it's evident that the majority of players have been paying attention to the recent competitions. The third phase of the LPL has been highly competitive. The match between IG and WBG became a focal point for many players, with both teams being on par. Yet, IG managed to outshine WBG, winning 2-0. Mid-laner Rookie became the center of discussion among players, showcasing an outstanding performance with his Yone, effectively saving his team. He also achieved his 4000th career kill, becoming the first player in the LPL to reach this milestone. After the match, a picture of Rookie's burnt chicken frame gained significant popularity.
Most players are likely familiar with IG, a top-tier team in the LPL. During the winter transfer period, they underwent significant roster changes, acquiring several core players and assembling a formidable lineup. To enhance their performance in the third phase, they also brought in jungler Wei. However, these changes have drawn some dissatisfaction from fans, and even some industry insiders have revealed that jungler Jiejie has responded, stating he will not return to IG. Wei will accompany IG for the remainder of the season, and based on their current performance, IG's rhythm seems solid.
The clash against WBG has drawn considerable attention from players, as the two teams are longstanding rivals. In the first game, just four minutes in, Wei's Pantheon flashed in with W, combining with Orianna's damage to secure first blood against Xiaotian. After that, Xiaotian faced constant targeting, and IG seized the initiative by the seventh minute. The subsequent team fights were relatively effortless, with Gala's damage reaching its peak. The first match lasted only 30 minutes, with IG easily pushing down WBG's base, and jungler Wei earned the MVP for this match. The second game was particularly thrilling; just six minutes in, Brother Xu's Gwen executed a perfect solo kill on TheShy, securing first blood.
In the following matches, both teams engaged in considerable back-and-forth, but WBG maintained an advantage. Gwen's items improved significantly, making her damage increasingly uncontrollable. Yet, Rookie from IG managed to withstand all the pressure. Notably, at the 36-minute mark, he seized an opportunity in the jungle to instantly eliminate the opposing support, securing a crucial dragon soul. The match continued until the 49-minute mark when Rookie's ultimate hit Xiaohu, taking out a key carry, allowing IG to push through and finish the game. The economic curve was quite erratic; WBG once led by over 8000 gold at the 40-minute mark, but ultimately, IG made a comeback.
After the match, a picture of Rookie's burnt chicken frame also went viral. It can be said that in this game, Yone performed exceptionally, leaving no room for error. Every team fight was executed perfectly, and it felt like even Faker would struggle to turn the tide under such extreme conditions. Reviewing the post-match statistics of the second game, both teams' six carries dealt maximum damage over 50 minutes, with each reaching nearly 50,000 damage output, and Viktor even hitting 60,000. It can be concluded that IG's current form is remarkably stable, and veteran Rookie has seemingly found a second wind.
I doubt anyone expected IG to make a comeback in the second game. From the beginning, Gwen in the top lane held a significant advantage, consistently leading in item progression, with team fight damage being exceptionally high. It seems there are certain issues within the coaching staff in the LPL, particularly their enthusiasm for the jungler champion Viego, which is currently a very unfavorable pick in the meta. Why continue to choose it?
What do you all think about this situation, dear viewers?