TL;DR
- IG demonstrated championship resilience by overcoming early game deficits in multiple matches
- TheShy’s Kayle performance became the series-defining factor, showcasing elite carry potential
- Griffin’s growth was evident but their inability to close games proved costly
- Team fight execution and objective timing were the decisive factors in IG’s victory
- The series highlighted the importance of draft strategy and champion priority in best-of-five formats
Invictus Gaming secured their advancement to the 2019 League of Legends World Championship semifinals following a hard-fought victory against Griffin. This quarterfinal matchup pitted the defending champions against an emerging LCK powerhouse in a battle of experience versus ambition.
The Chinese representatives moved closer to claiming their second consecutive World Championship title. As an LPL squad, IG demonstrated why they remain tournament favorites by defeating the relatively new Griffin organization and becoming the first team to lock in a semifinal berth.
Invictus Gaming is in it to win it at LoL Worlds
IG initiated the best-of-five series with two hard-earned wins that tested their composure.
The reigning champions faced significant early game challenges in the opening two matches. Griffin displayed impressive map control and coordinated teamwork during the laning phases, yet IG repeatedly demonstrated their ability to reverse unfavorable situations through decisive team engagements. The Chinese squad proved they maintain exceptional skill at exploiting opponent errors and converting small advantages into game-winning opportunities.
During the initial match, Griffin dedicated resources to securing the Rift Herald while IG maintained strategic positioning. Once Griffin completed the objective, IG immediately engaged to eliminate their vulnerable opponents.
Game two’s pivotal moment occurred around Baron Nashor. Kang “TheShy” Seung-lok’s Kayle selection emerged as the series’ most impactful performance, consistently providing his team with late-game security and scaling potential.
Griffin managed to secure a single victory in game three. The Korean team reestablished control over the match flow and effectively employed the same Kayle champion that had previously defeated them.
Throughout the series, Griffin revealed substantial development since their LCK debut. The organization maintained composure under pressure, avoiding the recurring mistakes that previously cost them three LCK championship finals.
Bottom lane specialist Park “Viper” Do-hyeon merits special recognition for his exceptional play. During game three, he achieved his inaugural Worlds pentakill. Viper delivered remarkable performances across the entire series, seamlessly navigating team fights and eliminating targets with precision.
Regrettably, Griffin failed to fully leverage Viper’s mechanical prowess and carry potential.
IG concluded the series decisively in game four. Griffin committed a critical error by allowing Kayle to remain available for TheShy. The top laner proved ruthless on this champion selection, securing an early elimination against Choi “Sword” Sung-won to initiate an unstoppable snowball effect. Griffin lacked effective countermeasures to contain the escalating situation, and TheShy’s map pressure alone created sufficient threat to deter enemy advances.
TheShy unequivocally stood as the series’ most valuable player. His side lane management expertise and flawless Kayle execution propelled his teammates toward victory. Griffin departs the tournament disheartened after suffering another best-of-five defeat.
This quarterfinal clash provided valuable insights into professional League of Legends strategy. Teams must balance early game proactivity with late-game insurance picks, particularly in extended series where adaptation becomes crucial. The draft phase proved instrumental, with Kayle’s priority shifting dramatically between games based on demonstrated impact.
For players looking to improve their own gameplay, studying IG’s objective control timing reveals important lessons. Rather than contesting every neutral monster, they prioritized engagements when opponents were vulnerable post-objective. This calculated patience separates elite teams from aggressive but undisciplined contenders.
Common mistakes to avoid include overcommitting to early game advantages without considering scaling compositions. Like Griffin discovered, winning lanes mean little if your team lacks tools to close matches against late-game specialists.
Advanced players should note how IG manipulated wave states to create cross-map pressure, forcing Griffin into unfavorable decisions. Understanding when to sacrifice objectives for larger advantages requires deep game knowledge that comes from studying matches like this.
IG progresses to the semifinal stage, where they’ll compete against the victor of the FunPlus Phoenix versus Fnatic matchup. Their progression demonstrates why consistent team fighting and draft adaptation remain essential at the highest competitive level. For comprehensive strategic analysis, our Complete Guide covers similar strategic concepts across different gaming titles.
Action Checklist
- Analyze team composition scaling windows to identify optimal engagement timing
- Practice objective control with calculated timing rather than forced contests
- Study champion priorities in best-of-five formats for adaptation strategies
- Implement cross-map pressure techniques through strategic wave management
- Review professional VODs to identify momentum shift indicators
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Invictus Gaming tramples Griffin, moves to LoL Worlds semifinals IG's strategic comeback victory over Griffin showcases championship resilience and TheShy's dominant performance