Invictus Gaming is blowing up its LPL roster before 2022 season

Invictus Gaming is undergoing a dramatic roster transformation that has sent shockwaves through the League of Legends Pro League (LPL) community. The organization appears to be conducting a comprehensive overhaul of its competitive lineup, with multiple key players announcing their departures in rapid succession.

Kang “TheShy” Seung-lok initiated this cascade of changes by declaring his free agent status in November 2022, shortly after the conclusion of the World Championship. This was quickly followed by Song “Rookie” Eui-jin’s emotional farewell announcement on Weibo, China’s dominant social media platform. Additional roster instability emerged as Zhang “Wink” Rui and Gao “Ming” Zhen-Ning also signaled their intentions to leave, while speculation mounts that support player Su “Southwind” Zhi-Lin will soon follow suit. The systematic dismantling of this once-promising lineup is unfolding in real-time, leaving fans and analysts alike scrambling to understand the implications.

Social media activity from numerous players has been extensively covered by Chinese esports media outlets and discussed by international fans on platforms like Reddit. This digital paper trail strongly suggests that Invictus Gaming has been grappling with significant internal challenges that precipitated the abrupt disintegration of its competitive roster. Both Wink and Ming indicated their probable exits on the same calendar day, while Southwind posted a definitive goodbye message on his personal Weibo account, further confirming the team’s structural collapse.

Where will Invictus Gaming’s roster go?

Industry insiders and community analysts overwhelmingly predict that TheShy will transition to the former Suning Gaming organization, which has rebranded as Weibo Gaming. This potential move represents a significant upgrade for Weibo’s competitive prospects while providing TheShy with a fresh start following IG’s disappointing season.

Invictus Gaming’s previous lineup failed to qualify for the 2021 summer playoffs after suffering a devastating defeat against Team WE during the critical bracket stage of the summer split. Despite demonstrating exceptional individual skill and collective potential, the team ultimately could not reach a mutually satisfactory arrangement with the organization’s management. While not every member experienced the pinnacle of Invictus Gaming’s 2018 World Championship victory, the current dissolution places numerous elite players onto the free agent market simultaneously.

Rookie’s next competitive home remains shrouded in uncertainty, with industry sources suggesting a return to his former team appears increasingly unlikely. Although discussions with the organization continue, the mass exodus of his teammates makes it improbable that Rookie would remain as the sole veteran presence. This development also means that Invictus Gaming’s roster composition for the upcoming competitive split remains almost completely undefined and subject to extensive rebuilding efforts.

The sudden availability of multiple star players from Invictus Gaming’s former roster has created unprecedented opportunities for LPL organizations seeking to strengthen their competitive lineups. Teams must carefully evaluate how these free agents fit within their existing rosters and strategic frameworks. For organizations building around specific playstyles or linguistic requirements, the integration of Korean imports like TheShy and Rookie requires additional consideration regarding communication and team dynamics.

Invictus Gaming now faces the daunting task of completely reconstructing their competitive identity from the ground up. This process involves not only recruiting new talent but also developing cohesive team chemistry and strategic identity—elements that typically require multiple splits to cultivate effectively. The organization’s management must balance short-term competitive viability with long-term developmental goals during this transitional period.

From a strategic perspective, teams considering these free agents should analyze how each player’s strengths and weaknesses align with their existing roster composition. TheShy’s aggressive laning style and carry potential make him particularly valuable for teams lacking top-side pressure, while Rookie’s veteran leadership and consistent mid-lane performance could stabilize younger rosters. The timing of these departures creates both challenges and opportunities across the entire LPL ecosystem as organizations recalibrate their competitive aspirations.

For fans seeking to understand the broader context of roster changes in professional League of Legends, our Complete Guide provides additional insights into team dynamics and player transitions.

No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Invictus Gaming is blowing up its LPL roster before 2022 season Analyzing Invictus Gaming's roster exodus and future destinations for top LPL players