IG champions stumble in their first match! Rookie shines in the opening game, Xiaohu avenges live, and WBG stages a comeback for a winning start

Hello to all LPL viewers and League of Legends summoners, welcome to Tianxia Game Hub.

The eagerly awaited new LPL season began today, and the first match was full of highlights, featuring IG versus WBG, WEI against Jiejie, and Rookie matched up with Xiaohu—several fascinating duels to watch.

Despite taking the first game, IG ended up losing the series after being outplayed 1-2, missing out on a winning kickoff.

Rookie shines in the first game, Elk racks up 19 kills

In the first game, IG drafted a composition focusing on bottom lane skirmishes with other positions diving in. Jwei’s play on Tahm Kench became the key to breaking through, his consecutive engages helping WBG gain control. Photic also performed well, landing a predicted Varus ultimate in mid on Yuna, allowing Rookie to easily secure a kill.

Rookie’s debut game was impressive, outplaying Xiaohu’s Taliyah, while Soboro’s Quasanti in the top lane also dominated Rumble. Although WBG tried to counterattack from a disadvantage, they couldn’t change the outcome. With the early stage set, Soboro’s Quasanti made a crucial mid-lane flank to help seal the game for WBG.

After losing the first game, WBG regrouped and picked a Kai'Sa composition. Xiaohu locked in Lissandra, and WBG’s bottom lane secured first blood early, setting the stage for Kai'Sa’s later burst. IG tried to focus on the top lane for kills, but the situation quickly turned. Jiejie’s initiation on Rammus in the jungle helped WBG win a vital Rift Herald team fight.

Following WBG’s jungle invasion, IG made mistakes, with their support low on health initiating a fight and dying. The rest of the match turned into a Kai'Sa domination, with Elk killing from start to finish, astonishingly securing 19 kills overall.

Xiaohu avenges live, IG champions stumble in their first match

After the second game, many felt IG’s composition had issues, including Guan Zeyuan who thought IG’s Senna pick was poor and Mundo failed to reach level 16. In the deciding game, WBG’s form clearly improved, with Xiaohu picking mid-lane Cassiopeia to exact live revenge on Rookie.

In this game, IG’s bottom lane secured first blood, but WEI’s Nidalee jungle gank attempt failed as Xiaohu controlled him in the jungle, preventing his ultimate from engaging. WBG’s reinforcements arrived swiftly, turning the fight around for a 2-for-0 exchange.

With Cassiopeia well farmed, IG suffered significant pressure. Despite WBG making a mistake in the bottom lane allowing IG to counterattack, WBG’s team fight positioning remained superior. They quickly amassed dragons, and while IG held on, WBG’s top laner Zika grew unstoppable, swiftly taking down turrets and escaping enemy attempts to trap him.

In the crucial Elder Dragon team fight, though IG secured the dragon, WBG’s Nidalee and Cassiopeia combo delivered powerful AoE crowd control and burst. Jax entered smoothly to eliminate the carry, securing the match victory for WBG.

WBG stages a comeback for a winning start, showing improved form

It’s worth noting that IG just won the Demacia Cup earlier this year and was highly favored by fans, with Rookie having rejoined the team. Despite WBG’s strong roster, many expected IG to win, mainly because IG’s team chemistry and synergy were considered superior.

However, unexpectedly, WBG developed a solid competitive state during their preseason training. Even after a poor first game with unfavorable lanes and team fights, they quickly adapted and diversified their strategies to avenge IG.

In my opinion, there was a noticeable difference in the form of the two teams’ dual carry players. Rookie played well in the first game but made significant mistakes in the decisive match. Photic was also suppressed in lane, and Jwei, after a strong first game, went quiet.

Additionally, IG’s hero selections still need review and improvement. They should thoroughly analyze their drafts. Finally, congratulations to WBG for securing the opening win; starting with a victory is crucial for climbing the rankings in the upper tier.