Team Liquid utilizes Kai’Sa, Udyr to secure LCS Lock In trophy

The 2021 LCS Lock In tournament provided valuable insights into team dynamics and champion preferences for the upcoming competitive season. This analysis examines the standout champions and the players who maximized their potential throughout the event.

Despite being early in the competitive calendar, the meta demonstrated significant evolution between matches. With 71 different champions selected during the tournament, teams showcased remarkable flexibility in their draft strategies while certain picks emerged as clear priorities.

Riot Games’ consistent patch updates featuring item adjustments and champion balancing ensure the competitive landscape remains dynamic. This constant evolution makes professional League of Legends increasingly engaging for spectators tracking team adaptations.

Udyr’s unexpected viability became one of the tournament’s most compelling narratives, primarily driven by Team Liquid’s strategic implementation. New jungler Lucas “Santorin” Larsen demonstrated exceptional proficiency with the Spirit Walker, achieving victory in all four of his Udyr selections. The champion’s return to competitive relevance represents a significant meta shift that caught many analysts by surprise.

Santorin’s most impressive Udyr performance occurred during the decisive fifth game against Cloud9 in the finals. Under immense pressure, he delivered a world-class performance culminating in a flawless 6-0-11 scoreline. Additional dominant showings came during Team Liquid’s 3-0 semifinal sweep against Evil Geniuses, where he twice selected the champion.

Across the entire LCS Lock In, Udyr was chosen 12 times with most selections occurring during the playoff stages. The champion maintained a respectable 58% win rate accompanied by a 5.5 KDA, establishing his significance in the tournament’s outcome.

Kim “Ssumday” Chan-ho emerged as one of 100 Thieves’ most impactful players throughout the competition. The veteran top laner consistently delivered dominant performances, frequently utilizing Renekton’s early-game strength.

Although 100 Thieves fell in the semifinals after a reverse sweep by Cloud9, the team demonstrated considerable strength heading into the regular season. As a primary carry threat, Ssumday received Renekton in five matches with successful outcomes.

Ssumday initiated his Renekton dominance by overwhelming TSM in the opening match. He continued this success with victories against Golden Guardians and Immortals while maintaining lane control and teamfight impact.

Renekton’s synergy with the Goredrinker mythic item created a powerful combination that Ssumday expertly leveraged. Multiple competitors recognized the champion’s strength, contributing to Renekton’s impressive 71% win rate across 14 total games.

While Kai’Sa didn’t achieve an exceptional win rate statistically, she dominated draft priority as the most frequently picked champion. The popular marksman was selected 28 times throughout the competition, significantly outpacing Graves and Leona who tied as second-most picked with 20 selections each.

Season 11 witnessed Kai’Sa’s dramatic surge in competitive relevance, with many considering her the premier bot lane option currently available.

She doesn’t guarantee victory automatically but represents the safest and most adaptable choice for the ADC position in various team compositions.

Kai’Sa maintained a 50% win rate during the LCS Lock In alongside a 3.6 KDA. These moderate statistics reflect her status as a highly contested pick utilized by every competing organization when available. She transcended being merely a situational selection or niche counterpick, establishing herself as a consistent high-priority champion likely to maintain this status when the 2021 LCS Spring Season commences on February 5.

Team Liquid operates as a premier esports organization with operational bases in both the Netherlands and North America. Established in 2000, the organization has maintained leadership positions across multiple titles including League of Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive for several years.

The League of Legends division represents Team Liquid’s most recognized competitive team. The organization has secured four LCS championships, qualified for the World Championship on three occasions, and achieved second place at the 2019 Mid-Season Invitational.

The current League of Legends lineup features five starting players supported by an experienced coaching infrastructure. For the 2021 season, Team Liquid acquired Barney “Alphari” Morris for top lane and Lucas “Santorin” Larsen for jungle responsibilities.

The Team Liquid 2021 LCS roster is:

• Top – Barney “Alphari” Morris
• Jungle – Lucas “Santorin” Larsen
• Mid – Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen
• Bot – Edward “Tactical” Ra
• Support – Jo “CoreJJ” Yong-in

No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Team Liquid utilizes Kai’Sa, Udyr to secure LCS Lock In trophy Analyzing champion meta trends and standout performances from the 2021 LCS Lock In tournament