TL;DR
- FPX jungler Tian announced mental health break during 2021 LPL Spring Split
- Former eStar Young jungler Zhou ‘Bo’ Yang-Bo rumored as temporary replacement
- Break comes during FPX’s roster rebuild following disappointing 2020 season
- Tian’s 2019 World Championship victory remains career highlight
- Team faces immediate synergy challenges with potential new jungler integration
FunPlus Phoenix’s star jungler Gao “Tian” Tian-Liang, renowned for his 2019 World Championship performance, has made the difficult decision to step away from professional League of Legends competition temporarily.
Following a decisive 2-0 victory against Rogue Warriors in week three of the 2021 LPL Spring Split, Tian revealed he would be taking an extended break to address mounting mental health concerns. The jungler specifically noted that the RW match represented one of his few genuinely enjoyable competitive experiences since their 2019 championship run.
Tian posted on weibo that due to health reasons he decides to take a break from competitive scene for a while. pic.twitter.com/quStRV7GWE
— Ran (@ran_lpl) January 20, 2021
“Our recent clean sweep against Rogue Warriors marked one of the rare instances since 2019 where I truly found pleasure in competing,” Tian explained in his social media statement. “However, during our subsequent match versus EDG, overwhelming competitive pressure triggered sudden physical discomfort that necessitated this decision.”
The duration of Tian’s competitive absence remains unspecified, though indications suggest it could span multiple weeks. To maintain competitive continuity, industry sources point to former eStar Young jungler Zhou “Bo” Yang-Bo as the leading candidate for interim replacement. These speculations gained traction after FPX mid laner Kim “Doinb” Tae-sang and support specialist Liu “Crisp” Qing-Song were observed extensively practicing with Bo in ranked solo queue environments.
This development arrives precisely as FunPlus Phoenix was demonstrating signs of resurgence following a challenging 2020 competitive cycle. The 2019 world titleholders failed to replicate their championship form last year, prompting significant roster enhancements for the current season. Most notably, FPX secured former DWG KIA top lane powerhouse Jang “Nuguri” Ha-gwon to bolster individual lane proficiency across the lineup.
With Tian’s temporary departure, FPX’s anticipated comeback trajectory faces potential delays as the organization must now cultivate strategic coordination with an entirely new jungle presence.
FPX will play its next game on January 23 against Suning. A new jungler will be announced leading up to that.
Who is Tian in LoL?
Gao “Tian” Tian-Liang represents one of China’s most accomplished professional junglers at just 20 years old. Tian initiated his competitive pathway with Young Miracles in 2017 before advancing to Suning for his LPL debut season in 2018. His tenure with Suning proved relatively brief, as FunPlus Phoenix recognized his exceptional potential and acquired him to spearhead their LPL dominance campaign.
Throughout the landmark 2019 competitive year, Tian and FPX systematically ascended to LPL supremacy, ultimately capturing the 2019 LPL Summer Split championship. This domestic achievement seamlessly transitioned into international success when FPX secured the 2019 World Championship title in a stunning victory that defied pre-tournament expectations.
FPX’s Revamped 2021 Competitive Lineup
Following comprehensive top lane modifications for the 2021 season, FunPlus Phoenix has assembled an exceptionally talented starting five. Nuguri unquestionably stood as the LCK’s premier top lane performer and now aims to extend that regional dominance within the LPL competitive landscape.
- Top – Jang “Nuguri” Ha-gwon
- Jungle – Gao “Tian” Tian-Liang (on break)
- Mid – Kim “Doinb” Tae-sang
- Bot – Lin “Lwx” Wei-Xiang
- Support – Liu “Crisp” Qing-Song
The timing of Tian’s absence presents particular strategic complications for FPX’s rebuilding initiative. Teams undergoing roster transitions typically require 4-6 weeks to establish fundamental coordination, particularly for jungle-mid lane synergy that forms the core of modern competitive strategies. For players considering similar breaks, establishing clear communication with coaching staff and implementing structured return protocols can facilitate smoother reintegration processes.
Action Checklist
- Monitor official FPX announcements for confirmed jungle replacement and expected return timeline
- Analyze team coordination in upcoming matches against Suning on January 23
- Track solo queue performance metrics of potential replacement players
- Evaluate Nuguri’s LPL adaptation and lane dominance indicators
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » FPX Tian is taking a break from competitive LoL due to health reasons FPX jungler Tian takes mental health break during 2021 LPL Spring Split, team adjusts roster strategy