TL;DR
- DWG KIA maintains top ranking but faces intense pressure from MSI champions RNG
- MAD Lions demonstrates Europe’s continued international relevance without G2 Esports
- PSG Talon overcomes substitute challenges to secure semifinal placement
- Summer split performances will determine final ranking positions before Worlds
- Regional strength disparities create unique challenges for maintaining top-10 positions
The 2021 Mid-Season Invitational has reshaped the competitive League of Legends landscape, creating intense competition at the pinnacle of global team rankings.
Following an electrifying tournament conclusion, DWG KIA and Royal Never Give Up continue their rivalry beyond the stage, now competing for dominance in official team standings. Both organizations secured their positions after demonstrating exceptional performance throughout the first major international competition of the year. Despite RNG capturing the championship trophy, DWG KIA retains its position as the highest-ranked team globally, though the margin has narrowed significantly.
- Understanding WIN.gg’s ranking methodology reveals how team consistency, international performance, and regional dominance contribute to final positions.
Can RNG catch DWG KIA on the LoL team ranking?
As teams transition into summer competitions, DWG KIA clings to its premier status but faces unprecedented vulnerability. RNG’s commanding MSI finals display has positioned the Chinese squad within striking distance of the top ranking. A sluggish opening to DWG KIA’s LCK campaign combined with sustained LPL excellence from RNG could trigger a leadership change in the standings.
The extensive MSI schedule presents potential performance decline risks during initial summer split weeks. This temporary dip might create opportunities for other squads to advance, though both elite teams are projected to finish their domestic seasons strongly. Based on MSI results, RNG emerges as the clear LPL championship favorite while DWG KIA remains the dominant force in Korean competitive play.
MAD Lions and PSG Talon chasing top 3
Further down the hierarchy, two MSI standout organizations begin their ascent toward elite status. Occupying fifth position, Europe’s MAD Lions delivered consistently impressive tournament performances despite their semifinal elimination. The team successfully demonstrated that European competitive integrity remains strong in G2 Esports’ absence. Their current fifth-place standing likely represents merely the beginning of their climb, with potential to reach top-three status by maintaining their competitive level when LEC Summer Split commences.
Directly beneath them sits PSG Talon, finally experiencing top-tier international competition at MSI. The Pacific Championship Series representatives achieved semifinal qualification despite competing with replacement players. This accomplishment earned substantial ranking points, though maintaining this position presents challenges. Returning to PCS competition means facing less demanding opponents, potentially complicating their efforts to preserve a top-ten global ranking.
Despite these obstacles, projections indicate PSG Talon will secure another PCS split victory and showcase their capabilities at the 2021 World Championship.
Understanding ranking dynamics requires analyzing multiple performance dimensions beyond simple win-loss records. Teams earn points through domestic consistency, international performance, strength of schedule, and head-to-head matchups against similarly ranked opponents. The transition between splits often creates ranking volatility as organizations adapt to meta shifts and roster changes.
Common strategic errors include over-prioritizing international tournaments at the expense of domestic performance, or failing to properly manage player fatigue after extended competition periods. Advanced teams optimize their approach by strategically rotating players during less critical matches and focusing preparation on key ranking-determining events.
Regional league strength significantly impacts ranking sustainability. Teams from weaker regions face steeper challenges maintaining top positions due to limited high-level competition between international events.
Action Checklist
- Monitor DWG KIA’s LCK opening week performance for signs of post-MSI fatigue
- Track RNG’s LPL momentum through their first 5-7 domestic matches
- Analyze MAD Lions’ adaptation to summer meta changes in LEC
- Evaluate PSG Talon’s performance against PCS competition for ranking sustainability indicators
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » DWG KIA and RNG in clash for first place in LoL team rankings Analyzing the post-MSI League of Legends team rankings and what to expect from top contenders in upcoming splits