TL;DR
- TSM achieved a perfect 3-0 week using Viego’s newly enabled competitive potential
- PowerOfEvil and Huni demonstrated Viego’s versatility across multiple roles
- Immortals emerged as the only other undefeated team, climbing from bottom standings
- Xerxe’s Rumble performance forced opposing teams to reconsider ban strategies
- The standings remain extremely tight with only minimal separation between top teams

TSM delivered an impressive opening statement in the 2021 LCS Summer Split, securing three consecutive victories to claim the top position. Their dominant performance sets a challenging benchmark for other teams to match throughout the season.
The League Championship Series returned with immediate intensity as teams battled under the new format structure. Unlike previous splits, organizations began with their Spring Split records, creating immediate pressure at the top of the standings. TSM capitalized on this opportunity, demonstrating strategic mastery that propelled them to pole position largely through effective utilization of the newly enabled champion Viego.
#TSMWIN
@TSM
(15-6) never stop fighting against
@GoldenGuardians
(4-16) to lock up a perfect record on the weekend!
#LCS
pic.twitter.com/gy4GKHXNfm— LCS (@LCSOfficial)
June 7, 2021
Viego’s competitive debut proved instrumental in TSM’s success. After being unavailable since his January release due to technical issues, the Ruined King finally entered professional play, and TSM demonstrated immediate proficiency with the champion. Their confidence was evident from the opening match against Team Liquid, where mid laner Tristan “PowerOfEvil” Schrage unleashed devastating performances that overwhelmed opponents.
Facing Liquid in the season opener presented significant challenges, particularly given their elimination by the same team during the Mid-Season Showdown. This history provided additional motivation for TSM to secure redemption and establish early dominance.
TSM’s strategic advantage began at the drafting phase, where they completely disrupted Liquid’s preparations. The combination of Viego, Nocturne, Rell, and Rumble created a terrifying dive composition that reached peak effectiveness around the 20-minute mark. From this critical juncture, TSM’s teamfighting capabilities became overwhelming, gradually eroding Liquid’s control. Each engagement required Liquid to prevent PowerOfEvil from securing Viego resets—a task they ultimately failed to accomplish. Despite valiant resistance, TSM consistently identified optimal fight scenarios where Viego could demonstrate his full destructive potential.
PowerOfEvil concluded the match with a solid 4/3/10 KDA on Viego, showcasing the champion’s threat when positioned advantageously. TSM further demonstrated Viego’s flexibility in their final match against Golden Guardians, where top laner Heo “Huni” Seung-hoon displayed proficiency with the champion. Although Huni experienced significant lane phase difficulties, his remarkable recovery during late-game scenarios maintained TSM’s perfect win rate with Viego.
With Cloud9 struggling in their opening matches, TSM now occupies the coveted first-place position. The standings remain exceptionally competitive, with minimal separation between TSM and fifth place as the competition moves into its second week.
#TSMWIN!
@TSM
(13-6) take down
@TeamLiquidLoL
(12-7) in the opening game of the 2021
#LCS
Summer Split!
pic.twitter.com/MOcwnM8g54— LCS (@LCSOfficial)
June 4, 2021
Immortals starting to climb the LCS ladder
Immortals emerged as the season’s first major surprise, joining TSM as the only other team to achieve an undefeated week. After beginning the split near the bottom following a disappointing Spring Split performance, Immortals demonstrated immediate improvement and upward trajectory. Victories against 100 Thieves, Golden Guardians, and CLG established their credibility as legitimate contenders for top-six qualification.
Immortals currently shares a 10-11 record with Evil Geniuses, who failed to secure any victories during the opening weekend. Should Immortals maintain this momentum into week two, the perennial underdogs could finally break into the critical top-six positions that determine playoff eligibility.
Unlike TSM’s reliance on newly enabled champions, Immortals achieved success through more conventional picks executed with exceptional precision. Jungler Andrei “Xerxe” Dragomir delivered particularly outstanding performances that proved decisive in their victories. The Romanian jungler showcased his signature Rumble in two separate matches, achieving remarkable success that will likely force opposing teams to reconsider their ban strategies in future encounters.
The LCS landscape entering week two presents fascinating strategic dynamics. TSM must now contend with teams specifically preparing counter-strategies against their Viego compositions, while Immortals faces the challenge of sustaining unexpected momentum. The compressed standings create pressure for every match, with single victories potentially causing significant position changes.
Key matchups to watch include TSM versus rising contenders and Immortals facing established powerhouses. Teams will need to adapt their draft approaches, particularly regarding whether to target ban Viego or develop specific counter-compositions. For teams studying these early matches, our Complete Guide offers comprehensive strategic frameworks applicable to competitive gaming scenarios.
Common strategic mistakes during early split weeks include overcommitting to newly enabled champions without adequate practice and underestimating previously struggling teams showing early improvement.
Advanced optimization involves studying champion proficiency across multiple roles, as demonstrated by TSM’s successful Viego deployment in both mid and top lanes. Understanding when to prioritize comfort picks versus meta champions becomes crucial for sustained success. For weapon and equipment strategies that complement champion selection, our Weapons Unlock guide provides valuable insights into resource allocation decisions.
Teams should allocate approximately 15-20 hours weekly for specific champion practice and composition development. The condensed schedule demands efficient practice regimens focused on high-impact skills and strategic adaptations.
Action Checklist
- Analyze Viego’s kit strengths across different roles and identify optimal team compositions
- Study Xerxe’s Rumble pathing and objective control patterns
- Review draft strategies from Week 1 matches to identify emerging meta trends
- Monitor standings movement and calculate playoff qualification scenarios
- Develop counter-strategies for popular compositions, referencing our Class Guide for role-specific insights
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » TSM locks in first in LCS after a clean week 1 using Viego TSM dominates LCS Summer Split Week 1 with Viego while Immortals emerge as surprise contenders
