Splyce vs SK Gaming

For our second quarterfinal match-up of the week, we have a clash between two mid-tier contenders – Splyce and SK Gaming. This isn’t exactly a clash many people expected, and with good reason. The chances we would be seeing SK Gaming in the playoffs instead of, say, a stacked Misfits Gaming, were staggeringly small. No one could have predicted this outcome, but no one’s complaining either. This match-up doesn’t exactly scream top tier play, but make no mistake – it should be one heck of a Best of 5.

The reason why is rather simple – this is a clash between two very solid, well-rounded line-ups that have a ton of tools at their disposal. They’re similar in strength and potential, and they also love to skirmish whenever possible. That last one is key, at least when entertainment is involved.

In other words, while it might not look like a premier clash, you do not want to miss it.

But who’s favored, and why?

Right off the bat, we have to side with Splyce. They’re a team that’s filled with numerous veterans who have played at the highest possible level for longer periods of time. They were able to maintain a certain level of excellence, and in the hyper competitive LEC landscape, that’s not easy. Not in the slightest.

Just one quick glance over their line-up is all it takes to understand their innate potential – Vizicsacsi in the top lane, Xerxe in the jungle, Kobbe as their AD carry, and breakout support player Norskeren rounding out the bottom lane duo. That’s an incredibly solid roster regardless of the way you look at it. They have the mechanical prowess and the mental fortitude necessary in order to compete at the highest level – something which they have proven throughout the Spring Split.

On the other hand, SK Gaming is basically a rookie-led team. There are a couple of recognizable names like Werlyb and Pirean, but they’re not the starts of the show, at least not right now. Their jungler Selfmade and AD carry Crownshot carry the heavy load more often than not – especially in the current meta. But even on a good

The fact that Selfmade has to make an impact is also troubling. His performance isn’t just a part of a bigger picture – he absolutely needs to take over the game in order to get the win. When he’s on a passive champion, when he’s not imposing his own will and dominating across the map, SK Gaming simply don’t have the tools to fight back. Selfmade is their biggest catalyst, and against a cerebral, mind-blowingly versatile jungler like Xerxe, he won’t have that same of impact.

Even Splyce’s new mid laner Humanoid managed to make a name for himself fairly quickly through his willingness to engage and to be the one taking the hit for the team.

Whatever SK Gaming can do, Splyce can do better. They can tie them lane-by-lane, and they’re far more versatile and capable in all stages of the game. Regardless, both teams like to decide the outcome of the game through hectic five-on-five team fighting, and in that sort of game, anything can happen.

We’re siding with Splyce on this one, but don’t expect a one-sided affair. SK Gaming have a chance at making this into a highly competitive Best of 5, but even though they might fight back harder than most expect, they shouldn’t be able to take down Splyce. They’re simply too inexperienced as a five-man unit right now, and they shouldn’t have enough gas in the tank to go all the way.