Gen.G Doran at MSI: “There could have been better picks”

Following Gen.G’s unexpected elimination from MSI 2023 by Bilibili Gaming, top laner Choi “Doran” Hyeon-joon provided candid insights into the team’s performance struggles. The Korean first seed’s early departure marked a significant upset in the tournament landscape.

The competitive environment at MSI 2023 heavily favored team fighting compositions, with both JD Gaming and Bilibili Gaming demonstrating exceptional proficiency in this critical aspect of modern League of Legends gameplay.

Doran identified communication breakdowns during team engagements as the most significant factor in their defeat. “Our coordination in critical moments consistently fell short compared to top-tier international competition,” he explained, highlighting the gap between domestic and international performance standards.

When analyzing LPL teams’ success, Doran noted their distinctive approach to initiating conflicts. “Both JDG and BLG exhibit remarkable confidence when creating fight opportunities, often catching opponents off-guard with their aggressive positioning and timing.”

The precision of LPL players’ positioning presented particular challenges for Gen.G. Each member consistently maintained optimal spacing and role execution, creating coordinated pressure that proved difficult to counter effectively.

Reflecting on his personal contribution, Doran expressed clear dissatisfaction with his tournament performance. “I never reached the level of play I expected from myself throughout the entire competition,” he admitted, acknowledging the pressure of international stage performance.

His matchup against Chen “Bin” Ze-Bin presented additional challenges, as the BLG top laner maintained his signature carry-oriented approach despite the prevailing tank meta. “Bin’s commitment to his distinctive playstyle while most competitors opted for safer tank picks demonstrated both confidence and strategic depth,” Doran noted with professional respect.

When questioned about potential improvements, Doran carefully addressed strategic limitations. “We might have benefited from exploring alternative champion selections and tactical approaches,” he suggested, while acknowledging uncertainty about coaching decisions.

The limited preparation timeframe emerged as another contributing factor to Gen.G’s underwhelming results. Despite operating under identical conditions as other participants, the team struggled to adapt quickly enough to the evolving tournament meta and opponent strategies.

The MSI 2023 experience provided valuable lessons in international competition preparation. Teams must develop robust communication protocols that function effectively under high-pressure scenarios against diverse playstyles.

Strategic flexibility becomes increasingly important when facing opponents who excel at creating unexpected engagement opportunities. Developing multiple contingency plans and practicing diverse champion pools can significantly enhance tournament readiness.

For players seeking to improve their competitive performance, understanding these communication dynamics and strategic adaptation principles can provide significant advantages in high-stakes matches.

No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Gen.G Doran at MSI: “There could have been better picks” Gen.G's Doran analyzes MSI 2023 defeat, reveals team communication issues and strategic shortcomings