TL;DR
- DWG KIA replaces three veteran players after falling short in 2021 international tournaments
- New top laner Burdol (17) brings youth from Gen.G and T1 Academy development systems
- Established bot duo deokdam and Kellin join from NS RedForce with proven synergy
- ShowMaker and Canyon remain as foundational core to guide new roster
- Team debuts in 2022 LCK Spring Split with focus on bot lane improvement
Marking their first significant roster adjustments since late 2020, DWG KIA has initiated a comprehensive restructuring of their League of Legends competitive squad. This strategic move comes after careful evaluation of their recent international performances and long-term team development goals.
Despite achieving impressive runner-up finishes at both the 2021 Mid-Season Invitational and 2021 World Championship, the organization recognized the need for fresh talent infusion to maintain their dominant position in the highly competitive LCK ecosystem. The decision to make three major position changes reflects their commitment to continuous improvement rather than settling for near-success.
The transformation specifically targets three key roles where veteran players have departed: top lane, bot lane carry, and support positions. DWG KIA bid farewell to Kim “Khan” Dong-ha, Jang “Ghost” Yong-jun, and Cho “BeryL” Geon-hee, all of whom contributed significantly to the team’s achievements throughout the 2021 competitive season.
Analyzing DWG KIA’s Strategic Roster Reconstruction
To fill the substantial gaps left by departing star players, DWG KIA has secured the services of 17-year-old top lane prodigy Noh “Burdol” Tae-yoon, who previously served as a substitute player for Gen.G during the 2021 season. His earlier development within T1 Academy’s rigorous training system has positioned him as one of the most promising emerging talents in the top lane position, bringing both mechanical skill and strategic versatility.
Addressing the bot lane vacancies created by Ghost and BeryL’s departures, the organization has acquired marksman Seo “deokdam” Dae-gil, who demonstrated exceptional performance consistency throughout his tenure with NS RedForce. Despite his relatively limited professional experience, deokdam consistently competed at the highest level against established LCK veterans, culminating in NS RedForce’s respectable fourth-place finish during the 2021 LCK Summer Split, where they ultimately fell to DWG KIA in the playoffs.
Complementing deokdam in the bottom lane will be his former NS RedForce partner, support specialist Kim “Kellin” Hyeong-gyu. This pre-existing partnership offers immediate tactical advantages, as their established synergy and communication patterns can accelerate integration within DWG KIA’s strategic framework.
Significant attention will undoubtedly focus on DWG KIA’s reconstructed bot lane, which historically represented the team’s most vulnerable area during Ghost and BeryL’s tenure. The pressure now shifts to deokdam and Kellin to demonstrate that this previously identified weakness has been transformed into a competitive strength through their combined capabilities.
Guiding this new roster configuration will be mid lane maestro Heo “ShowMaker” Su and jungle virtuoso Kim “Canyon” Geon-bu, who remain as the foundational pillars from the 2021 squad. Their veteran leadership and championship experience will be crucial in mentoring the incoming players and maintaining team cohesion during the transition period. This core retention strategy ensures institutional knowledge preservation while incorporating fresh talent perspectives.
Common strategic mistakes during roster transitions include overestimating immediate synergy development and underestimating adaptation timelines. Teams typically require 4-6 weeks to develop basic coordination and 2-3 months for advanced strategic integration, making early season performances potentially volatile as new dynamics solidify.
The complete DWG KIA competitive lineup for the 2022 season comprises:
- Top Lane – Noh “Burdol” Tae-yoon
- Jungle – Kim “Canyon” Geon-bu
- Mid Lane – Heo “ShowMaker” Su
- Bot Lane Carry – Seo “deokdam” Dae-gil
- Support – Kim “Kellin” Hyeong-gyu
The revitalized DWG KIA lineup will make its competitive debut when the 2022 LCK Spring Split commences early next year. This period allows for intensive practice sessions and strategic development before facing official competition.
Action Checklist
- Monitor early Spring Split performances for synergy development indicators
- Analyze bot lane matchup statistics against top LCK teams
- Track individual player performance metrics across key indicators
- Compare team coordination in early vs mid-split stages
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Here is DWG KIA’s full roster for the 2022 LCK season Analyzing DWG KIA's strategic roster rebuild for 2022 LCK season with new talent acquisitions