TL;DR
- LCK teams demonstrated superior meta adaptation with innovative champion selections
- Korean teams showcased disciplined macro play and objective control throughout the series
- Individual player performances highlighted the importance of role specialization in competitive matches
- Strategic flexibility proved crucial as LCK adjusted tactics mid-series to secure victory
- The 3-1 result signals Korea’s resurgence as a global League of Legends powerhouse
After consecutive disappointments in previous tournaments, Korean League of Legends organizations finally captured the Rift Rivals championship in a dominant display of strategic prowess.
The third iteration of this regional showdown delivered redemption for LCK squads that had struggled internationally despite domestic success. Four intense days of competition culminated in Korea claiming the top honors at Seoul’s historic Jangchung Arena.
The final series concluded with LCK securing a decisive 3-1 victory through methodical gameplay and superior team coordination. Korean representatives demonstrated remarkable consistency and strategic depth throughout the event.
Invictus Gaming vs. Kingzone DragonX
The championship series commenced with reigning world champions Invictus Gaming facing off against Kingzone DragonX in a clash of contrasting philosophies.
Kingzone’s jungler Moon “Cuzz” Woo-chan selected Karthus, demonstrating LCK’s willingness to adopt European meta innovations while adding their distinctive strategic layer. Meanwhile, IG maintained conventional draft choices prioritizing late-game scaling compositions.
While the Chinese champions employed calculated, reactive strategies, Kingzone executed with aggressive precision. Bottom laner Kim “Deft” Hyuk-kyu delivered an exceptional Ezreal performance that consistently outmaneuvered opponents in crucial engagements.
Kingzone’s early Baron Nashor capture translated directly into multiple inhibitor advantages, forcing IG into perpetual defensive positioning. The match concluded decisively at 29 minutes when Kingzone eliminated the entire IG roster to secure LCK’s initial advantage.
SK Telecom T1 vs. TOP Esports
SK Telecom T1 continued the momentum against TOP Esports, with legendary mid laner Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok orchestrating their revitalized aggressive approach.
SKT systematically dismantled every strategic initiative TES attempted, mirroring Chinese rotational patterns while consistently winning crucial skirmishes. Faker’s Neeko demonstrated exceptional map presence, exploiting Zhuo “Knight9” Ding’s limited Lucian pressure to maintain lane dominance while influencing other areas.
As the mid-game progressed, TES displayed clear strategic disorientation, struggling to formulate effective responses to SKT’s coordinated plays. Faker continued applying relentless pressure through perfectly timed flanking maneuvers that consistently disrupted TES formations.
The final engagement saw TES attempting to isolate Kim “Khan” Dong-ha, only for Faker to execute a game-winning flank that secured multiple eliminations and the match victory.
Griffin vs. FunPlus Phoenix
With the series at match point, Griffin assumed responsibility for clinching the championship against a determined FunPlus Phoenix squad.
The LPL representatives refused to surrender easily, with innovative mid laner Kim “Doinb” Tae-sang selecting Pantheon with Ignite, demonstrating regional willingness to embrace unconventional strategies.
Doinb coordinated with jungler Gao “Tian” Tian-Liang to apply concentrated pressure in the bottom lane. Four FPX members effectively neutralized Griffin’s bottom duo of Park “Viper” Do-hyeon and Son “Lehends” Si-woo through relentless coordinated dives.
FunPlus maintained constant four-player groupings that established map control dominance. During the mid-game phase, Griffin stabilized their position and identified a narrow timing window where outscaling seemed achievable.
Around the second Baron encounter, Griffin attempted to contest the objective, but FPX initiated a decisive engagement that systematically eliminated the entire Griffin roster, securing a crucial victory for the LPL.
JD Gaming vs. Damwon Gaming
The LPL maintained hope for a series comeback, with regional expectations resting on JD Gaming’s performance against Damwon Gaming.
JD Gaming initiated strong early-game dominance, with Damwon conceding first blood at level one and facing continuous adversity. The laning phase proved particularly challenging for bottom duo Sin “Nuclear” Jeong-hyeon and Cho “BeryL” Geon-hee against the relentless aggression of Gu “imp” Seung-bin and Zuo “LvMao” Ming-Hao.
However, after transitioning from lane phase, BeryL emerged as the match’s pivotal performer, creating multiple highlight moments with Alistar’s signature Headbutt-Pulverize combination that consistently secured eliminations.
Damwon organized around BeryL and jungler Kim “Canyon” Geon-bu to secure crucial objectives. Simultaneously, top laner Jang “Nuguri” Ha-gwon established unstoppable side-lane pressure.
Damwon systematically dismantled structural defenses en route to victory, with BeryL’s final engagement capturing two JD Gaming members to complete the ace and championship victory.
Meta Adaptation Strategies
Successful teams demonstrated flexibility in champion selections, adapting European meta innovations while maintaining strategic identity. The Karthus selection demonstrated LCK’s evolving approach to international competition.
Practical Tip: Study regional meta differences and identify adaptable strategies that complement your team’s strengths rather than blindly copying popular picks.
Common Strategic Errors
Teams struggling internationally often fail to adjust mid-series strategies or become predictable in their approach. The LPL’s conventional responses to LCK’s aggressive plays highlighted this vulnerability.
Optimization Technique: Develop multiple game plans for different scenarios and practice transitioning between them during matches.
Advanced Game Mechanics
Professional matches emphasize the importance of objective sequencing and timing windows. Understanding when to force engagements versus when to scale requires deep game knowledge and team coordination.
The victory provides LCK with significant momentum heading into the World Championship, demonstrating Korea’s continued relevance in global League of Legends. The result sends a clear message about regional strength and strategic development.
All participating organizations will resume regular season competition shortly, with LCK week five commencing July 10 and LPL resuming July 12.
Action Checklist
- Analyze regional meta differences and identify 2-3 adaptable strategies for your team
- Practice objective control sequencing in custom games
- Develop contingency plans for different mid-game scenarios
- Study professional VODs focusing on role transitions and timing windows
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » LCK topples LPL, finally comes out on top at Rift Rivals 2019 LCK's strategic dominance over LPL in Rift Rivals 2019 reveals crucial gameplay insights for competitive League of Legends