TL;DR
- Udyr returned to LCK after 1,800 days through DRX Pyosik’s strategic pick
- The champion offers strong clear speed and chase potential but struggles with early objectives
- Turbo Chem Tank enhances Udyr’s engage and durability in team fights
- Pyosik confirmed Udyr fits current meta and will appear more frequently
- Professional viability requires specific team compositions and strategic planning
The League of Legends competitive scene witnessed a remarkable throwback when Udyr, the Spirit Walker, made his surprising reappearance in the LCK. Professional jungler Hong “Pyosik” Chang-hyeon selected this unconventional pick during DRX’s second match confrontation with Nongshim RedForce, marking a strategic departure from established meta choices.
This selection represented Udyr’s inaugural LCK appearance in nearly five years—approximately 1,800 days—making it one of the most unexpected champion returns in recent competitive memory. Pyosik not only broke the champion’s extended absence but also secured Udyr’s first seasonal victory, demonstrating the pick’s potential viability.
Udyr’s Current Meta Viability Assessment
Despite receiving minimal discussion as a potential competitive selection across any major league’s current meta landscape, Udyr surprisingly fulfills numerous criteria that define contemporary jungle preferences. His toolkit aligns with several key attributes professional teams prioritize when building their jungle strategies.
Udyr brings substantial jungle clearing efficiency that enables him to outpace opponents favoring early gank-oriented champions. His remarkable pursuit capabilities shine during team engagements, particularly when augmented by the Turbo Chem Tank mythic item. This combination allows Udyr to relentlessly chase and impair opponents while simultaneously building significant health and magic resistance stats.
However, professional matches expose several critical weaknesses in Udyr’s design. The champion demonstrates notably weak early-game objective control, a deficiency clearly evident during the Nongshim RedForce encounter. Pyosik secured merely one neutral objective within the initial 15 minutes, conceding substantial early map pressure to the opposing Nidalee player.
Lane ganking presents another substantial challenge for Udyr in competitive settings. Pyosik repeatedly attempted top lane interventions that ultimately failed due to opponents utilizing flash escapes and Gnar’s mobility tools effectively.
For players considering Udyr in their own games, understanding his power spikes is crucial. His effectiveness dramatically increases upon completing Turbo Chem Tank, transforming him into a formidable engage threat. However, you must compensate for his weak early objective control through strategic pathing and communication with your team.
Common mistakes include overestimating Udyr’s early dueling potential and attempting ganks without proper lane setup. Advanced players can optimize his performance by mastering stance dancing techniques and timing their engagements around key item completions.
Pyosik explains why Udyr was picked
During post-series discussions with interviewer Ashley Kang, Pyosik elaborated on Udyr’s compatibility with current meta demands. He revealed the strategic plan always involved deploying the champion during the second match, irrespective of the initial game’s outcome—demonstrating calculated preparation rather than spontaneous experimentation.
Pyosik had been testing Udyr extensively in solo queue with moderately positive outcomes before introducing him into professional scrimmage environments. The champion demonstrated sufficient competitive performance during practice sessions to justify his selection in official matches. Pyosik specifically emphasized Udyr’s exceptional movement speed attributes and straightforward gameplay mechanics that remain effective even at professional competitive tiers. He indicated spectators should anticipate more frequent Udyr appearances moving forward as teams continue exploring innovative jungle solutions.
From a practical implementation perspective, if you’re looking to master unconventional picks like Udyr, consider studying our Complete Guide to understanding champion viability in different meta environments. The strategic thinking behind such picks often relates to broader team composition planning, similar to considerations discussed in our Class Guide for optimal role execution.
Professional players typically dedicate 15-20 hours of practice with off-meta champions before considering competitive deployment. This extensive preparation ensures they understand matchups, power spikes, and teamfight roles—knowledge equally applicable when working through Weapons Unlock systems in other tactical games.
Action Checklist
- Analyze team composition needs before selecting Udyr – ensure your team has adequate early objective control from other roles
- Master jungle clearing routes to maximize Udyr’s farming efficiency advantage
- Time Turbo Chem Tank completion to coincide with mid-game teamfight phases
- Coordinate with laners to set up gank opportunities that compensate for Udyr’s mobility limitations
- Practice stance dancing combinations in training mode to optimize damage and utility output
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Udyr in pro LoL? Jungler picked by DRX Pyosik in LCK match Analyzing Udyr's LCK resurgence: Pyosik's strategic jungle pick and competitive viability explained