WE keeps pulling off upsets! Behind this lone hero is a jungle-centric system, the purest essence of the LPL's origins

In the 2026 LPL Spring Split playoffs, WE repeatedly staged upsets, beating LNG first, then BLG, and finally sweeping AL for an incredible turnaround! This sparked wild celebrations among longtime WE fans. Even though the current WE roster has evolved through many iterations, lacks superstars or high-priced players, their recent performances remind everyone of the old slogan from the era of the "Big Three": if a miracle had a color, it would be WE red. This team is just one BO5 away from MSI!

Looking back at WE's overall performance this year, after former core player Taeyoon left, the team spent a long time adapting but saw no improvement. Though they remained in the Ascendant Group during the second split, they were mocked as "free wins" in that tier, posting a 1-13 record in the regular season. Their practice games could only be arranged against lower-tier teams, as they couldn't secure matches against top LPL squads. This is why they've become the "lone hero" and are constantly evolving. So, is their string of wins—first over BLG, then AL—really just luck, or the result of opponents underestimating them?

Not entirely. WE's current system and playstyle are all about going all-out—no tricks, no fancy moves. They put everything on the shoulders of captain Monki, and he never lets his teammates down. He's turned a borderline playoff team into a true underdog warrior. Looking closely, whether Monki faced Xun or Tarzan, both BLG and AL were still feeling out opportunities, while WE pushed their style to the extreme. In the early game, they sacrifice some experience for certain players, focusing entirely on the jungler. They maximize resource invasion and early advantages, turning the massive Summoner's Rift into a chaotic brawl. With a "lose nothing if we fail, win big if we succeed" mentality, they keep charging forward relentlessly.

Perhaps veteran LPL fans miss this style, because this jungle-centric system is the purest form of the LPL's roots. Back in the WE 1.0 era, every position looked strong, but the real engine was Clearlove. In the WE 2.0 era, there was the miracle of the "Son of the Dragon" (rumored to now be an assistant coach at WE—a kind of legacy). Then came EDG 1.0: even with Pawn on the roster, the team's core remained Clearlove. And in RNG 1.0, there was no "4-protect-1"; only Mlxg's jungle-centric approach (he didn't know how to farm camps—just invaded) and his extreme mechanics.

The jungle-centric system is truly the purest essence of the LPL's origins. Later, it evolved into farming for late-game teamfights and macro play, but after all this time, WE has revived this style and made it work, tearing a huge hole in the traditional "macro" game that has dominated recent years. This isn't just a Cinderella story—it's a resurgence of LPL memories and a revival of LPL's identity. No matter how far WE ultimately goes, their performances so far are truly worth looking forward to. Who doesn't love a hero? Everyone in the world knows your name!