TL;DR
- Kingzone DragonX loses three key players: PraY, GorillA, and Peanut after two-year tenure
- The veteran bot lane duo had been playing together since 2015 across multiple organizations
- Despite high expectations, the team consistently underperformed in international tournaments
- Khan and BDD remain in contract negotiations as potential foundation for rebuild
- Team faces significant roster restructuring ahead of upcoming competitive season
The competitive League of Legends scene witnesses a significant shift as veteran players Kim “PraY” Jong-in, Kang “GorillA” Beom-hyeon, and Han “Peanut” Wang-ho officially depart from KINGZONE DragonX following their two-year commitment to the organization.
PraY and GorillA initially became part of the franchise back in 2016 during its Longzhu Gaming era, establishing themselves as cornerstone members. Peanut integrated with the squad in 2017 subsequent to his successful stint with legendary organization SK Telecom T1. This formidable trio transformed Kingzone into a top contender for the 2017 World Championship title, though their journey concluded prematurely with a quarterfinal elimination against the eventual titleholders Samsung Galaxy.
The legendary bot lane partnership between PraY and GorillA originated in 2015 with HUYA Tigers, demonstrating remarkable longevity in professional esports. Their synergistic relationship persisted through multiple organizational rebrandings of the Tigers franchise before culminating in their Kingzone chapter.
Peanut experienced a brief period of collaboration with the duo during 2016 under ROX Tigers banner, then advanced to SK Telecom T1 where he secured both a World Championship crown and Mid-Season Invitational trophy. This championship pedigree initially generated substantial optimism about Kingzone’s international prospects with his addition.
Despite assembling exceptional individual talent and theoretically optimal team chemistry, Kingzone consistently fell short in global competitions. The 2018 Mid-Season Invitational particularly disappointed supporters as the squad placed runner-up to China’s Royal Never Give Up, failing to meet heightened expectations.
Professional esports teams often struggle with translating individual skill into collective success, and Kingzone’s experience exemplifies this challenge. The gap between domestic dominance and international achievement remains a persistent hurdle for many organizations.
All three departing competitors declared via Twitter their intentions to explore new professional opportunities both within Korea and internationally. Kingzone management has maintained silence regarding potential roster replacements, leaving fans speculating about future directions.
InvenGlobal reporting indicates Kim “Khan” Dong-ha and Gwak “BDD” Bo-seong continue contract discussions with the organization. Both players maintain elite status in their respective roles, making them logical cornerstones for any Class Guide style team reconstruction. Building around top-tier talent represents a sound strategic approach for organizations navigating major roster transitions.
For teams undergoing similar restructuring phases, consulting a comprehensive Complete Guide to roster management can provide valuable insights. Additionally, understanding Weapons Unlock strategies metaphorically applies to acquiring and developing player talent in esports.
Action Checklist
- Analyze remaining core players’ contract status and performance metrics
- Research available free agent market for potential replacements
- Evaluate team chemistry factors in previous roster configurations
- Monitor social media for official announcements from players and organization
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Pray, Gorilla, Peanut to leave Kingzone Dragonx Analyzing the departure of Kingzone DragonX's star trio and what it means for the team's future roster strategy