Roster moves that defined the 2020 Spring Split in League of Legends

TL;DR

  • Rookie support Keria transformed DragonX with aggressive playmaking that enabled carries
  • Pobelter’s mid-season CLG signing provided emotional leadership during organizational turmoil
  • Team Liquid’s jungle swap created league-wide power vacuum despite championship expectations
  • Veteran players Aphromoo and Ssumday proved age doesn’t diminish competitive edge
  • International experience from Mystic and Broxah demonstrated global talent value

The preseason period in League of Legends creates anticipation for roster transformations, player trades, and completely new team formations. This critical window sees promising rookies elevated from academy squads while established competitors seek fresh challenges in overseas leagues. However, the strategic adjustments continue well into the Spring Split itself, with organizations worldwide implementing dramatic personnel changes that yield varying degrees of competitive success.

Let’s examine the most impactful 2020 roster decisions that fundamentally altered team dynamics and reshaped entire competitive landscapes across major regions.

DragonX add Keria

Ryu “Keria” Min-seok entered the 2020 competitive season with minimal fanfare despite his DragonX trainee background. Age restrictions previously limited his competitive exposure, but LCK audiences quickly recognized the support player’s exceptional talent. His unusually aggressive positioning and playmaking create optimal conditions for DragonX’s primary damage dealers to maximize their effectiveness in team engagements.

Counter Logic Gaming sign Pobelter

Eugene “Pobelter” Park’s heartfelt public expression of disappointment about potentially missing the 2020 season made his subsequent acquisition by Counter Logic Gaming particularly meaningful for LCS supporters. Beyond mechanical skill, his optimistic mindset and willingness to address organizational challenges directly could provide the catalyst CLG needs to reverse their competitive fortunes.

Afreeca Freecs welcomes Mystic to the squad

Following his successful tenure with Team WE in China’s LPL, Jin “Mystic” Seong-jun returned to South Korea’s LCK as Afreeca Freecs’ newest acquisition. Recognized as one of the region’s most effective teamfight specialists, Mystic frequently becomes the decisive factor in securing victories for his squad. Afreeca’s current fourth-place standing in the highly competitive LCK demonstrates their capability to challenge the league’s elite teams.

Team Liquid choose Broxah over Xmithie

Mads “Broxah” Brock-Pedersen’s immigration complications appeared to initiate Team Liquid’s competitive decline this season. Subsequent developments revealed additional organizational challenges, indicating Liquid’s problems extended beyond the initial roster decision.

Many supporters continue expressing dissatisfaction with Liquid’s decision to transfer Jake “Xmithie” Puchero to Immortals, attributing the team’s struggles directly to this personnel move. Regardless of causation, this transition significantly impacted the LCS ecosystem. Liquid entered as the projected split champions but instead created a competitive void that Cloud9, FlyQuest, and Team SoloMid are actively competing to occupy.

Misfits Gaming introduce Razork to the world

Ivan “Razork” Martin Dias attracted limited attention preceding the 2020 LEC Spring Split. Despite an unremarkable amateur competitive history, Razork has been instrumental in Misfits’ transformation into legitimate league contenders. His distinctive aggressive jungle routing and pathing decisions consistently differentiate his in-game impact from other competitors.

Aphromoo shakes up Dignitas

Zaqueri “Aphromoo” Black has demonstrated conclusively that he and his teammates haven’t lost their competitive edge despite veteran status. Although many critics questioned Dignitas’ decision to dismantle the successful 2019 Clutch Gaming lineup, the organization has performed impressively throughout the current split. Occupying top-four positioning alongside Team Liquid, TSM, and Cloud9, Aphromoo’s enhanced support performances rapidly shifted public perception following a difficult season with 100 Thieves.

100 Thieves gives Ssumday a chance once again

After completing the Summer Split with 100 Thieves’ academy squad, Chan-ho “Ssumday” Kim has returned to the main roster with tremendous competitive intensity. The Korean top lane specialist consistently generates audience excitement through his characteristically aggressive approach, exemplified by his remarkable triple elimination against Team Liquid earlier this split. These highlight-reel performances maintain 100T’s relevance in competitive discussions while enabling Ssumday to validate his ongoing value this competitive year.

These strategic roster decisions reveal critical insights about professional League of Legends team building. Timing proves essential—mid-season acquisitions like Pobelter’s can provide emotional lifts, while preseason moves like Keria’s allow for developmental time. Chemistry considerations demonstrate that veteran leadership (Aphromoo) and international experience (Mystic, Broxah) both offer distinct competitive advantages. The long-term implications suggest that successful organizations balance established talent with promising newcomers while carefully managing transition periods to maintain competitive consistency.

Action Checklist

  • Analyze team chemistry needs before pursuing roster changes
  • Evaluate both short-term performance boosts and long-term developmental potential
  • Consider emotional and leadership factors alongside mechanical skill in acquisitions
  • Balance veteran experience with rookie potential for optimal team composition
  • Monitor international talent acquisition logistics (visas, cultural adaptation)

No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » Roster moves that defined the 2020 Spring Split in League of Legends Strategic roster moves that transformed competitive League of Legends teams during the 2020 Spring Split