There are numbers, there are statistics and there are opinions - our list is a little bit of all three
1. FORG1VENGRE – H2K Gaming
A man with more aliases than an international spy, Konstantinos ‘FORG1VEN/FORG1VENGRE’ Tzortziou-Napoleon plays as the AD Carry for H2K and it is safe to say he is currently crushing it.
Ranked first for KDA in the EU LCS bracket by some distance with 14.2, he is one of the major reasons H2K are joint-first. He is also a well-known trash talker, with a volcanic personality.
The fine line for H2k is keeping the Grecian’s fiery temper channelled into aggressive and incisive play, rather than explosive outbursts like the kind that got him a four-game suspension when he was with Gambit for “toxic behaviour”.
If he stays in check, H2K will surely keep performing. As Aristotle said: “No excellent soul is exempt from a mixture of madness.”
It is getting the right mixture that is important.
2. Rudy – Unicorns Of Love
What is the dream if you’re a substitute? To come on and blow everyone away with how good you are, right?
Well, that is exactly what one player did in Week 4 of the Spring Split. Step forward, Rudy Beltran, who was substitute jungler for Unicorns Of Love.
Thanks to the continuing visa issues for Danil ‘Diamondprox’ Reshetnikov, UOL’s regular jungler, Rudy got his chance.
Even while Rudy was scheduled to play in Week 4, Unicorns were openly asking for jungler applicants on their Facebook page. One suspects they won’t be asking any longer.
Rocketing into second in the KDA charts with an 11.5 ratio – he was saluted for his fearlessness, taking the game to the opposition continuously.
As his favourite chat phrase says: “Hi, it’s Rudy.” And Rudy is here to stay.
3. Trick – G2 eSports
Despite only being a couple of years old, G2 have already made quite the name for themselves – and currently sit joint top of the League of Legends EU LCS Rankings thanks to seven victories and just one loss.
Perhaps the biggest reason for this is Kang-yoon ‘Trick’ Kim, the Jungler for G2.
The devilish South Korean only joined G2 in Decemeber of last year after some time with CJ Entus, but has made a very quick impression on his team and everyone else’s.
There has barely been an opponent who has managed to get close to him in 2016, veteran or not.
Despite sitting fifth in the KDA table with 7.8, what he brings his team is reliability and flair.
If you’re struggling in your lane, he’ll pop up and help out. And if he is facing you down with his favourite Champions, Graves or Nidalee, be very afraid.
4. Vander – H2K Gaming
Looking for the ultimate Support player this season? Look no further.
As important as FORG1VENGRE is to H2K, you need a good support to be the glue to hold the team and especially that bottom lane together – and that’s exactly what Vander does.
He is the cool, calming yang to Konstantinos’s rage-filled yin.
A fountain of knowledge, Oskar ‘Vander’ Bogdan came to H2K from ROCCAT and is well placed to continue the success he had there.
Currently sitting second in the assists table with 77, second in the kill participation list with 80.4 per cent, fourth for KDA ratio with 8.2 and his team joint-first in the Split, you could say he’s going from strength to strength.
5. Adrian – Immortals
If this sounds like a bit of a cheat, it’s because it is.
Despite focusing mainly on the EU LCS Split, it would be impossible to mention LoL without discussing what a season Immortals are having so far.
And much of that success can be attributed to one person: Adrian.
When Immortals decided that the way to finally conquer NA LoL was to import the Korean dynamic duo of top-laner Huni and jungler Reignover, we assumed they would be the star players this season.
But if there’s one thing 2016 has taught us so far, it is that there is always somebody under the radar ready to step up.
Adrian has one kill. Five deaths. But what he does have is 92 (count them) assists. And the No.1 KDA ratio.
Astonishing numbers that prove he is the ultimate support this season and a large reason Immortals have stormed to an 8-0 lead, laying wake to every team in their path so far.
Of the top five-ranked players in NA LCS, Immortals make up four. But Adrian tops them all. Let’s see how far he can go.
Think any of these players won’t be in this top five at the end of the season? Or have we missed anyone?
Let us know at @Betwayesports.
