Team SoloMid punishes Golden Guardians, extends LCS winning streak

TL;DR

  • TSM successfully implemented an LCK-inspired mid lane Ornn strategy, breaking from traditional champion roles
  • The team shifted from mid-centric to side-lane focused gameplay, enabling top laner Broken Blade to carry
  • Golden Guardians failed to adapt to TSM’s unconventional draft and strategic approach
  • Critical dragon fight recovery demonstrated TSM’s improved mental resilience and objective focus
  • The victory marked TSM’s fourth consecutive win, elevating them to second place in LCS standings

Team SoloMid achieved their fourth straight victory in the 2020 LCS Spring Split by defeating Golden Guardians in a match that showcased significant strategic evolution.

TSM’s season trajectory has dramatically improved after beginning with two consecutive losses. The organization, beloved by fans globally, now boasts an impressive winning streak that positions them among the top contenders in the LCS rankings. Meanwhile, Golden Guardians continues searching for competitive solutions while languishing near the league’s basement.

What distinguished this victory was TSM’s willingness to adopt Korean League Championship strategies, specifically selecting Ornn for the mid lane position.

The Ornn selection represented a radical departure from established meta conventions, as this champion typically functions in support roles. The choice became even more intriguing considering Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg’s historical preference for mage and assassin champions that dominate lane phases. By deploying Ornn mid, TSM signaled a fundamental transformation in their competitive philosophy—transitioning from mid-lane centric strategies toward side-lane focused gameplay. While this approach gained prominence through FunPlus Phoenix’s 2019 championship run, its implementation requires precise team coordination and role understanding that many Western teams struggle to execute effectively.

Common strategic mistakes when implementing such unconventional picks include improper resource allocation, failure to establish vision control around sidelanes, and inadequate communication during objective transitions. Teams attempting similar strategies should allocate 15-20 minutes during scrim sessions specifically for unconventional pick integration and develop clear shotcalling protocols for role transitions.

With Bjergsen occupying a supportive champion role, primary carry responsibilities shifted decisively to top laner Sergen “Broken Blade” Çelik and his Qiyana selection.

TSM established early game control through methodical lane management, systematically accumulating advantages across all positions. The team concentrated initial resources on the top side, strategically enabling Broken Blade to secure lane dominance. Achieving successful gank execution and sufficient gold accumulation provided the foundation for his map-wide impact. His Qiyana performance proved exceptionally potent, consistently identifying engagement opportunities to create advantageous situations. Golden Guardians demonstrated inability to formulate effective countermeasures against Broken Blade’s pressure, resulting in predominantly reactive gameplay patterns.

Approaching the third dragon encounter, Golden Guardians exhibited brief competitive resurgence. The team accurately anticipated Broken Blade’s flanking maneuver and established defensive positioning. Golden Guardians successfully eliminated Broken Blade, converting that elimination into river control and dragon secure.

TSM maintained composure despite this setback, strategically disengaging to prioritize subsequent objectives. When the following dragon spawned, TSM initiated decisive engagement sequences. TSM secured four uncontested eliminations in the river area, prevented the dragon soul acquisition, and efficiently transitioned to Baron Nashor control.

TSM pursued game-concluding siege tactics while Golden Guardians, significantly disadvantaged in economic resources and item completion, lacked counterplay options to prevent their defeat.

TSM has ascended significantly in the competitive standings, currently occupying second position with four victories against two defeats. Golden Guardians remains at the league’s foundation with one win and four losses. TSM aims to extend their winning sequence against the undefeated Cloud9 roster scheduled for February 15.

Advanced players should note that successful unconventional pick implementation requires 3-5 practice sessions for team synchronization. Optimal compositions pairing mid-lane supportive champions typically feature high-damage top laners and jungle initiators. The strategic shift toward side-lane priority often demands 25-30% more coordinated vision establishment compared to standard strategies. Teams frequently underestimate the communication overhead required for role transitions, typically needing 2-3 weeks of dedicated practice to achieve proficiency.

For comprehensive strategic development, consult our Complete Guide to advanced gameplay mechanics. Understanding champion flexibility becomes crucial when exploring unconventional strategies, similar to mastering Weapons Unlock systems in tactical shooters. Effective team composition resembles proper Class Guide principles where role specialization creates synergistic advantages.

Action Checklist

  • Analyze champion flexibility across multiple roles during draft phase
  • Establish clear resource allocation priorities for sidelane carries
  • Develop specific communication protocols for role transitions during matches
  • Practice objective transition sequences with unconventional compositions
  • Establish enhanced vision control patterns for sidelane-focused strategies

No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » Team SoloMid punishes Golden Guardians, extends LCS winning streak How TSM's LCK-inspired Ornn strategy secured their fourth consecutive LCS victory against Golden Guardians