It wasn’t hard to read Fnatic player Trymbi’s facial expression when he opted for Alistar during their bot lane drafting. The sighs of disappointment were clear among the team and online spectators, with critics swiftly sending flak Fnatic's way. It has since become clear that Alistar was Trymbi’s personal choice, and this decision, according to Crisp from the opposing team, pretty much sealed the game’s fate.
The strategic planning and skill involved in drafting is undeniable. It plays a colossal part in winning matches. Though some teams can use their skills to weather a poorly conducted draft, even the world’s leading teams can become casualties of a lacklustre pick/ban phase.
This strategic element is particularly prominent on the blue side, as revealed in an interview by LNG’s Hang at Worlds 2023. Harnessing the strengths of the blue side first pick, and the R5 counterpick, are crucial for securing a draft win.
Weibo Gaming, for instance, has pulled off a rare victory by using an R5 counterpick strategically. Post-match, Liu ‘Crisp’ Qing-Song was so confident in this strategy's impact that he mentioned it in his interview. This observation became an instant talking point.
It's worth noting that a strong LoL team comprises both offensive and defensive roles. The presence of a frontliner is indispensable, as they lead the charge and start fights, often tipping the game balance. Despite alternatives like 1-3-1 and poke compositions, having a teamfighter remains a preferred strategy.
In today's matches, the support often takes on the role of the frontline initiator. While some teams might consider other team fight tanks, a support like Alistar can provide immense value. In fact, compared to other support roles, Alistar brings the added advantage of hard engagement in the game.
But these benefits also come with some weaknesses. Engage supports may not be strong in lane or have a solid poke, giving the enemy an opportunity to overpower them. Crisp spotted this vulnerability in Fnatic's Alistar pick during Game 3 of their set and seized the chance.
Following their match, Crisp made striking comments during the post-match interview aired on the Chinese broadcast. He attributed Weibo Gaming's victory to his Lux pick, a clear counter to Fnatic's Alistar. Subsequently, Fnatic has been in the line of fire amid fan outrage and scrutiny.
Speculation was rife over Trymbi’s apparent disapproval during the draft and his reluctant choice of Alistar. Online spectators questioned whether his hand was forced in this decision by the Fnatic coaches, adding further fuel to the debate fire.
The debate was centred around the possibility that Fnatic could have chosen a better champion over Alistar. After all, Fnatic already had enough frontline power, and there were two champions that Trymbi considered as better contenders against Caitlyn and Lux. But, revealing the insights behind the drafting process was nevertheless fascinating.
Nightshare, Fnatics’s coach, revealed their strategy during Game 3’s draft and explained why they went for Alistar. According to him, they were aware of Cait/Lux's impending appearance and they pondered between a better match-up or a different support. In the end, the choice was left to Trymbi who opted for Alistar. Although Alistar was not the best choice, Nightshare stated their game was very much alive with a chance at victory had they played a bit better against Cait/Lux.
In continuation, Nightshare elucidated that the Cait/Lux combo was unexpected as Crisp hadn’t played it in their practice sessions. He confessed that Fnatic consciously decided not to ban either part of the Cait/Lux combination.
Fnatic's choice of Alistar and their resultant performance provide a perfect example of strategic planning in eSports. While it opens doors for improvement and self-reflection, it also underscores the sheer intricacy and high-stakes nature of these matches. In conclusion, every choice, from drafting to gameplay, casts a significant influence on the game's outcome, reminding us of the crucial role of strategy in eSports.