Top Esports vs DAMWON Gaming

Next up, we have a fairly one-sided clash between Top Esports and DAMWON Gaming. This match-up isn't quite as entertaining as the one preceding it (FPX vs. T1), but that doesn't mean it isn't worthy of your undivided attention. On the contrary!

This one match will give us a better understanding into both teams and their overall potential -- something that we're severely lacking at this point in time. Back when they last competed, the world was a far more chaotic place. They were playing League of Legends in an online-only environment, without a live audience, from the confines of their gaming facilities. Hardly spectacular. Furthermore, enough time has passed for us to consider their most recent results as somewhat obsolete. They might be worse than they were a month ago; they might be miles better. The meta didn't change that much, but the players could have -- in no small part because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They might have acclimated to these new circumstances or they might hate playing in a scrim-like environment.

Fortunately for us, both teams have fairly obvious roles in their respective regions. DAMWON Gaming is not exactly a gatekeeper, but they're that cliche team that's incredibly layered and solid, and yet completely incapable of beating the LCK giants. They will always hover near the very top, strong enough to challenge but not strong enough to actually leave a mark in the grand scheme of things. That's DAMWON, in a nutshell. Top Esports, on the other hand, grew into a bona fide LPL giant. They were a top 4 team throughout the regular portion of the split, but then sort of went Super Saiyan once the playoffs came along and nearly became the LPL champions. The sight of them beating Invictus Gaming in 3-1 fashion and then going the distance against JD Gaming is not something that many people expected. They're an incredibly capable team and have all the right tools to not only beat DAMWON Gaming, but also leave a mark in this inaugural 2020 Mid-Season Cup between the LPL and LCK.

Still, the tournament has only just started and anything can happen. These teams had quite a lot of time to prepare but who maximized their practice and who didn't still remains to be seen. Either way, Top Esports is the heavy favorite and with good reason. While DAMWON certainly has what it takes to compete on even footing, they shouldn't be able to match the second best LPL teams lane for lane. In any case, expect a skirmish-heavy affair that's bound to entertain us in every way imaginable. DAMWON is not exactly the stereotypical LCK team so they'll surely trade blows whenever they can.