Splyce vs Rogue

For our first quarterfinal clash, we have a rather fascinating match-up between the perennial LEC gatekeepers Splyce, and a challenger no one gave much thought coming into the split -- Rogue!

Now, straight off the bat we have to highlight that this is an incredibly exciting clash, both stylistically as well as narrative-wise. On one hand, we have Splyce -- a seasoned veteran team filled with some of the most recognizable faces the LEC has to offer. Players that are synonymous with the region like Tamás "Vizicsacsi" Kiss and Kasper "Kobbe" Kobberup. Even though they're still incredibly young, they're seasoned veterans by every single metric, and they're showing no signs of stopping. In fact, this is the most they've been competitive in quite a long while.

Simply put, this Splyce line-up "clicked" in a highly peculiar, idiosyncratic way. They quickly locked down a unique identity from the very get-go and even though it wasn't the most diverse of identities, they definitely found a way to make it work. Their most recent Summer Split, however, was the moment everything coalesced. They were no longer just a one-dimensional threat, but rather a worthy, layered challenger that could win through multiple avenues. Perhaps most importantly, all of their players stepped up immensely. There's just no weak link right now, and they're all capable of producing highlight-worthy plays and moments.

They also share one of the most important (and rare) traits with G2 Esports -- they never hesitate. Once one of their members decides to engage or go for a play, they all immediately follow, for better or worse. So they win as a team, or they fail as one. Seeing how they were in the running for second place throughout the regular portion of the split, the former was much more frequent, fortunately.

They didn't exactly end the split on the highest of notes, but they're still one of the best teams in the region. They also have a fantastic, well-rounded coaching staff behind them, which is also evident by the fact that they always fix their issues mere days after they pop up.

All in all, Splyce are deceptively strong and are definitely on the verge of becoming a top-tier LEC contender -- an actual one, rather than a solid gatekeeper that has flashes of brilliance.

Rogue, on the other hand, is still somewhat of an unknown quantity. When they're good, they're downright *insane*. When they not, however, they're far less dangerous and capable. Regardless, despite their inherent inconsistency -- which is also forgivable seeing how they're still syncing as a five-man unit -- they're never bad or abysmal. They always find a way to be competitive and make things somewhat even. Their mid and late game could be better though, and it is in those hectic five-on-five moments that you get to see they're still a somewhat uneven team that needs time before becoming an actual, layered threat.

The fact that they finished the regular portion of the split in fifth place is downright spectacular and it speaks volumes about their grit and determination. Simply put, there wasn't any space for them in the LEC pantheon, and yet they carved out a small opening and capitalized tenfold. The fact that they're in the playoffs while also being better than Team Vitality, Origen, and a stacked Misfits Gaming is at once both confusing but also incredible. It is a seismic achievement in every regard.

Now, an important question spawned with their recent triumph -- could they go even further? Will they be able to upset the LEC status quo? It is an exciting question, there's no doubt about it, and it is precisely so because there's no definitive answer. We simply don't know, as they're a dark horse in every sense of the term. They could, by all means enter today's Best of 5 and outclass Splyce in ways we never thought they could. Conversely, they could also be somewhat competitive before ultimately succumbing to the overwhelming pressure of a challenger much more seasoned and dangerous. After all, Splyce has been fighting to get to this moment far longer than Rogue did. They want it more, and they know it's their time to shine.

Both teams have a shot, although Splyce definitely has the edge. They definitely know what they're up against, and they've also recently beaten Rogue, albeit in a Best of 1 format. They're more experienced, and they've shown higher highs throughout the most recent Summer Split. Perhaps most surprisingly, their mid laner Humanoid is currently regarded as one of the best mids in the entire region -- and his recent level of play definitely backs up such a huge claim. His pop off games on Akali (and any other similar assassin or high-impact pick) were absolute masterclasses in mechanical prowess as well as map-wide impact. He's a beast in every regard, and he's only getting started.

If they draft around him, like they did in the past, and if they play as well as they can, they definitely have the edge over Rogue.

In the end though, we simply have to side with Splyce. They've built too good of a reputation over the years, they're well-equipped for basically any challenge not called G2 Esports, and they have all the right tools in order to emerge victorious in this one and advance further. They might not be perfect, they might make confusing calls and ill-advised engages from time to time, but they're a well-rounded challenger, one that's highly dangerous in every stage of the game.

And no one's even talking about their late game insurance (Kobbe), a player who didn't even get the chance to shine over the last couple of weeks seeing how Splyce mostly dominates early on and basically closes things out before reaching the later stages of the game. Rogue, while talented and brimming with potential, simply isn't as dangerous or well-rounded. They lack the mental fortitude that comes from experienced these high-pressure situations, and they're bound to crumble sooner or later.

Either way, regardless of how this Best of 5 resolves, expect an absolute barnburner that could, by all means, go the distance!