TL;DR
- Invictus Gaming defeated reigning champions FPX 2-1 in LPL Spring opener
- Strategic patience and adaptive resource allocation proved decisive factors
- New bottom lane duo Puff and Southwind demonstrated immediate impact
- Critical elder dragon fight in game one shifted momentum permanently
- Team successfully adapted mid-series to counter FPX’s jungle-focused strategy
The 2020 LPL Spring season commenced with an explosive opening match featuring Invictus Gaming clashing with defending world champions FunPlus Phoenix. This highly anticipated rematch carried extra significance following their dramatic 2019 World Championship semifinal encounter where FPX emerged victorious.
Both organizations entered the new season with significant roster adjustments. Invictus Gaming introduced their new bottom lane partnership of Ding “Puff” Wang and Su “Southwind” Zhi-Lin, previously of Vici Gaming. Meanwhile, FunPlus Phoenix strengthened their lineup by acquiring former T1 standout top laner Kim “Khan” Dong-ha, adding another dimension to their championship-caliber squad.
Strategic Patience: IG’s Path to Victory
The opening game appeared firmly in FunPlus Phoenix’s control during the early stages. Jungler Gao “Tian” Tian-Liang delivered a masterclass on Jarvan IV, executing three successful ganks within the first four minutes while securing two crucial kills. However, FPX’s growing impatience led to questionable engagements that ultimately backfired spectacularly.
At a critical juncture with dragon soul and Baron Nashor buff already secured, FPX made a fateful decision to contest the elder dragon rather than applying pressure through side lanes. Khan’s Ornn ultimate initiation was perfectly countered by Southwind’s Braum defensive play, creating the opening Invictus Gaming needed to capitalize.
Game two witnessed Khan demonstrating his signature Fiora prowess, supported by Tian’s continued jungle dominance. FPX displayed improved coordination around neutral objectives, securing multiple dragons while playing decisively through their jungler to level the series.
Learning from previous matches, Invictus Gaming implemented a strategic pivot in the deciding game. Recognizing FPX’s focus on targeting Kang “TheShy” Seung-lok, they deliberately shifted resources toward enabling their new carry Puff, forcing TheShy to operate independently while the team focused on bottom lane advantage.
The series victory highlighted several critical strategic principles applicable to high-level competitive play. Teams must balance objective control with strategic patience, as FPX’s overcommitment to the elder dragon despite already holding significant advantages proved costly. The ability to adapt mid-series, as demonstrated by IG’s resource reallocation, separates elite teams from championship contenders.
Puff’s performance validated Invictus Gaming’s roster decision following the departure of star bottom laner Yu “JackeyLove” Wen-Bo. The new duo’s immediate synergy suggests careful offseason planning and scouting, providing valuable insights for organizations considering roster changes.
Looking ahead, Invictus Gaming faces Dominus Esports on Wednesday, while FunPlus Phoenix returns to action against newly promoted eStar on Friday. These upcoming matches will test whether the strategic lessons from this opening series have been fully integrated.
Pro Tip: When your team holds dragon soul and Baron buff, prioritize map control and lane pressure over additional neutral objectives unless absolutely necessary.
Action Checklist
- Analyze opponent’s resource allocation patterns in early games
- Identify when to shift strategic focus based on game state developments
- Practice objective control discipline with existing advantages
- Develop adaptive playstyles that can counter specific opponent strategies
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Invictus Gaming opens the 2020 LPL Spring beating FunPlus Phoenix How Invictus Gaming's strategic patience and roster adaptation secured victory over reigning champions