League of Legends Worlds Group Stage Predictions

Worlds group stage begins September 18th in Taipei, Taiwan. FanZone writers Jerrod Steis, Reece Dos-Santos and Louis LeMeillet took the time to write out their predictions. 

Group A Predictions  

Group B Predictions  

Group C Predictions  

Group D Predictions  

Link at All-Stars : The Unseen Threat

By Jeremy Heimann and Jodi McClure

Counter Logic Gaming's Link has a lot in common with a Teemo mushroom. Quiet and very low-key compared to his larger-than-life teammates, the young mid-laner can sometimes be invisible to LCS fans, but ignoring him on the playing field is deadly. He'll explode on you if you're not paying attention, and even though he's small in stature, this mechanically-sound eighteen-year-old can pack a lot of punch. Similar to Hai, (the recovering Cloud 9 player he'll be replacing at All-Stars,) Link has a large champion pool to draw on and heavily favors current meta bullies like Lulu and LeBlanc. And like Hai, he's familiar with a team that likes rotations. Plus, like Hai, Link excels at late-game shot calling. In fact, he's practically the ideal made-to-order player for those mid-less white-hoodie-wearing gangstas.

For both parties, the temporary trade appears to be an excellent deal. Cloud 9 gets a competent replacement and CLG gets an interesting look inside the enemy camp. Besides gaining experience on the international stage, the understated Link will have a chance to infiltrate Cloud 9's mind and maybe steal a glimpse at the sacred pages of LemonNation's notebook (and copy them with a pen camera, if he's got any James Bond in him at all.)

Call it a sweet but smart move by CLG, who won't be getting much practice in anyways with Doubleleft away at All-Stars. No downside, huge upside, and great exposure for the unusually wraith-like Link, who's only been growing in confidence since earning a spot on CLG's starting line-up. He'll go to All-Stars. He'll blend in. And he'll do for Cloud 9 what he does best - silently playing the ghost in the machine while his cyborg mind absorbs everything. And then he'll bring it all back to his team. C'est la vie, C9!

LCS eSports Question of the Day:

Question of the Day:


How long do you think the LCS can conceivably last on its present map?
Here were some of your responses:


‏@TheRealTZT wrote: Until the internet dies and explodes #LCS


‏@AverageGuyNA wrote: I give it 3 more years, just like anything, everything has to end.


‏@nuggetsauce wrote: I think they're already expanding the map with NACS. They need to open up LCS size though, and perhaps double the number of games.


@Joe_Sorci wrote: I think for LoL to be relevant in the future They need to make the bad champs good You see the same champs every game #GetsOld


‏@SFFpunk wrote: StarCraft is still relevant today and it went competitive long ago. I think LOL is more popular, so I don't see it going away soon. I can see Riot making minor tweaks to Rift, but sports don't change fields, and I view LoL as more sport than game.


‏@CheetahBotVeLoL wrote: Considering competitive Tetris is still around...League will be alive & an e-sport for quite a long time if Rito plays this right.


‏@Matheson_Allen wrote: 2 more seasons


‏@Prof_Random wrote: Depends on how many champions are going to have getaways that let them go through terrain. Thresh is broken for that in a way


@CoC_Pepitas wrote: Truthfully it's hard to say. Starcraft had a 10 year cycle and was never this ingrained in the culture. I'm saying 5+.


‏@Zeke640 wrote: No other pro sport changes it's field, I don't see why LCS needs to. New champs, players, and strategies are what keep it alive.


‏@RobMeyer7 wrote: Seems the history of MOBAs + LoL presents different maps as diversions or alternates to the *main* 5v5 map. Obviously MOBAs =/= RTSs when it comes to map rotations. Has any MOBA ever switched its main focus map? So I guess my answer is: how long the present map lasts is equal to how long the LCS will last & since that itself is a non-answer to your original question, I say LCS will last another 5 years, all on its current map. :)


@SabrewoIf wrote: A S-Rift Upgrade will come at the right time and bring a whole new feel to the game, thats why SR hasnt gotten any skins recently

IEM World Championship Saturday, March 15th

Today's Matches: 

1. Fnatic vs Invictus Gaming (w- Fnatic)
2. Gambit v Team WE (w- Gambit)
3. Azubu Taipei Assassins vs Gambit (w- Gambit)

4. Semifinal #1  Fnatic v Cloud 9 HyperX (w- Fnatic)
5. Semifinal #2  Gambit v KT Rolster Bullets (w- KTB)

Cutest Pro NA Competition!

We asked for your nominations and there were some clear cut favorites:

1. Snoopeh

Besides being an amazing Jungler and a ridiculously gorgeous man, Snoopeh has the Snoopeh Stare...a dangerous look of total domination that would have even Christian Grey begging for a spanking. There are few fan girls who wouldn't put him on the top of their list...but he's clearly a man's man too. :)

2. Krepo

Krepo isn't just adorable...he's also an excellent support...the guy we all want behind us when we sneak into the bushes. Okay, let's face it. He is just adorable!!

3. Imaqtpie

They say that one of the main points of attraction to the opposite sex is how they make you feel about yourself. Qtpie may lack classic good looks, but he exudes a shamanistic charm and warmth that makes you feel good about the world.  You can eat a cookie around this man without feeling any guilt. Hell, you can eat a steak, fries and a vanilla shake, smoke a funny cigarette and take a nap on the couch and wake up feeling fine as fuck. He is eternal sunshine. He is peace and rainbows. He's also the only actual American on our Cutest NA Pro list!

Honorable mentions: Yellowpete, Balls, Doublelift and Dyrus all got mentions but not enough to make our TOP Three, and yet, I'm sure ther's not a one of us would kick them out of our lanes. They're all WORTH in my eyes!

Be sure to choose your favorite on my poll in the sidebar above so we can crown "Cutest Pro NA" next week!