The third stage of the LPL group matches is nearing its end. In the Nirvana group, EDG faced their eighth match on the last game day against the less strong UP team, achieving a straightforward 2-0 win. Should EDG win both remaining games, they will retake the lead in the Nirvana group rankings. Considering upcoming matches against LNG and LGD, there appears to be little challenge, making their success seem guaranteed.

On the same day, another match featured BLG from the Summit group against JDG. Both teams have been struggling lately, but JDG’s performance has been particularly poor throughout this stage. They haven’t delivered any impressive games and have lost every match against strong teams like IG, Top Esports, and AL. Although BLG also suffered two consecutive losses, the skill gap between the teams is significant, so this BO3 was never in doubt—BLG emerged victorious.

In the first game’s early phase, JDG had a slight advantage, and by mid-game, their economy was even with BLG’s. However, JDG’s team fights were poorly executed, with ZHuo repeatedly caught out behind enemy lines, even dragging Peyz down with him. What started as a promising lead quickly evaporated. In the second game, the jungle gap was significant; Xun’s tempo dominated Shaodou. JDG’s early team fights were disastrous, allowing BLG to snowball and simplify the match, evening the series.

The deciding game was unfortunate for JDG. They held lane advantages top and bottom, but mid laner Scout became the weak link. The Rabbit champion was pressured early, forced to flash at level 2, and barely survived while farming minions, only to be solo killed by Left Hand’s explosive burst. After respawning and returning to lane, a skirmish broke out in the jungle near the bottom lane. The rookie tried to assist, secured a kill but died himself—this was his only kill of the entire game.

After dying twice within 3 minutes, Scout’s performance spiraled downward. By 20 minutes, JDG was trailing by less than 1000 gold, but Scout’s score was 1-6-0. Such a poorly farmed Rabbit champion offered no help to the team. Despite advantages in top, bottom, and jungle, JDG couldn’t win team fights. After 28 minutes, JDG’s base was destroyed. At the moment of defeat, Scout didn’t dare to deal damage and was already retreating to the fountain.

Finishing the match with a 1-8-1 score, no mid laner in the Summit group this stage has posted such a poor record. The only comparable player is Doinb in the first stage with a 1-11-2 Pantheon. Despite earning the highest salary on the team, Scout’s performance was worse than that of the newly joined Xiao Xu. Scout truly dragged JDG down and, among the “Four-Wheel-Drive mid laners,” he deserves his own table, as he’s even below ShowGod.

After this loss, JDG’s chances of directly qualifying for the playoffs are very slim. With a 4-7 record and three matches left, even winning all would only bring them to 7 points, tying with IG and AL. Without the ability to surpass them, direct qualification is out of reach. Since AL and IG still have 2-4 matches remaining and are unlikely to lose all, it’s safe to assume JDG will have to take the long route through the knights’ path.

With BLG’s victory over JDG, their points rose to 9. The fifth-ranked WBG, even if they win all remaining matches, can only reach 8 points. Thus, BLG becomes the second LPL team to secure a playoff spot. However, regular season results seem less important to BLG. Before the match, ELK said: “I think the regular season isn’t that important; winning is what matters, losing doesn’t.” That really sounds like something Bin would say.

Conclusion:

Scout’s decline this year has been strikingly rapid. Up to now, he has only carried a handful of games, and most of the time, mid lane has been a liability. Honestly, with this level of skill, he no longer deserves a spot on a top-tier team. Many viewers, seeing his 1-8 Rabbit performance, have directly called for his retirement to avoid further damage to his legacy.

So, what do you think about Scout’s current form?

Feel free to leave your comments and join the discussion!