The LPL Third Stage group stage's first week schedule has ended. Last game day, NIP in the Rebirth Group shut out LNG to get their first stage win. TT, when facing EDG, also won easily and got an opening victory. So far in the Summit Group, only EDG and JDG haven't won any matches. EDG changed their mid and support players this stage, but their performance dropped instead of improving, losing even to TT.

On the same day, another match was BLG vs AL. The teams played all three games, and BLG eventually won. In this BO5, Hope was truly terrible; he was out-CSed in every laning phase, and in the decisive game he even performed a reverse Flash, sending himself directly into the enemy's mouth. With that level of AD, AL still kept him. I don't know how strong the relationship is between Aixiao and Hope, that they would rather let Laogiang take the blame than swap players.

The noteworthy points of this match, aside from Hope's terrible performance, include BLG's AD Akali in the second game. After seeing AL lock in Galio, coach Daeny made a bold decision: play Jayce mid and swap Akali to the bottom lane against Viktor. Although the bot lane did get some CS lead in the early game, AL's team composition was too good—four tanks protecting Viktor. BLG's offensive lineup couldn't break through at all.

Even Akali can go bot lane. How twisted is this version? From the draft, Daeny's Akali pick was indeed forced to the bot lane, but bot lane Akali wasn't first played by BLG. In the LEC Summer Split, when G2 faced MKOI, the opponent also tried Akali into Viktor, and the European player was crushed. BLG probably wanted to try if they could develop more AP bot lane picks.

Akali against Viktor, Xerath, and similar champions, when solo in the bot lane, has strong pressure. As long as there's an opportunity, she can get a solo kill. But this game BLG faced a fortress lineup, so Akali was indeed useless. However, daring to try is a good thing; otherwise, if opponents suddenly pull out such picks later, it would be hard to deal with. Barring surprises, bot lane Akali will appear more frequently.

GEN's bot lane AD Ruler has been practicing Akali in the bot lane in solo queue recently. It seems this playstyle is really about to catch fire. But at this stage, the champions that can be played bot lane seem to not be limited to ADCs and mages. Peyz has recently started trying Naafiri in the bot lane in solo queue. By the middle of the third stage, warriors might appear in the bot lane, and the draft mind games between coaches will become more and more exciting.

Although the current competitive version is very twisted, the matches are indeed exciting. Because except for games where traditional ADCs are first-picked, no one knows what the bot lane will pick. The most important thing is that this version may last for a long time, because the designer said: The mage bot lane in professional play is currently in a relatively balanced state. The strength of mage champions hasn't reached a level that requires adjustments.

However, by the time of Worlds, the version may change. The designer also said in an interview: Last year was the time for mid and jungle, the beginning of this year was the time for ADs, and in the future it could be the time for top lane. Although top lane players are currently quite satisfied, it hasn't reached a very strong stage. Riot wants to correct this part, but the timing might be around playoffs or before Worlds.

Conclusion:

For players who are only good at ADC champions, this version is really unsuitable. For example, JDG's Gala, his unconventional pick is just a Ziggs. If the hyper-carry ADCs don't rise, JDG will probably have a hard time achieving results. However, this version makes matches interesting; the sight of two ADCs farming against each other, to be honest, has already gotten old.

So, what do you think of the current version?

Feel free to leave a comment and discuss!