OG’s Topson and iG’s Ning convinced us that this year is their year
Topson Image via MoonduckTV | Ning Image via LoL Esports
Co-written with Maouie ”M-King” Reyes
Esports has seen the rise of multiple legendary players that have earned the right to stand at the pinnacle of their chosen league. Such players invite excitement and loyalty from dedicated esports fans because they are expected to always perform at a higher level than their contemporaries. It’s the same as any traditional sport where fans flock religiously around their favorite star player because they enjoy watching him do what does best.
It’s only natural to keep an eye out for the most distinguished players taking the stage, or map. The two biggest esports titles today, DOTA2 and League of Legends, both have a long eight-year history of competition that has given birth to several esports legends. The same veteran smorgasbord was expected in the biggest tournaments for each title this year, but two specific newcomers to the international stage inadvertently disrupted the status quo just by playing their own game.
This year has seen two teams populated with rookie players take their respective tournaments by storm. DOTA2’s OG and LoL’s Invictus Gaming both stood out of the rest of the competitors by having never competed in an international LAN prior to their momentous world championship win. 2018 has certainly proved to be the Year of the Rookies.
OG Topson
The International 2018 was Topias ”Topson” Taavitsainen many firsts; first LAN tournament with OG, first international LAN tournament, and first international LAN championship. Before he was recruited by the multi-Major Dota 2 squad, Topson had $3,790 as his total prize earnings in competing professionally. After winning the biggest esports tournament in terms of the prize pool, his career earnings ballooned to $2,251, 622.
Nobody really knew who Topson was before OG dramatically won what was arguably the greatest iteration of Dota 2’s world championship. Although he had experience playing with semi-professional esports teams, the Dota 2 community knows almost nothing about him except that he’s a 9K MMR pubstar from Europe. Johan ”N0tail” Sundstein discovered the Finnish talent after Tal ”Fly” Aizik, co-founder of OG, and Gustav ”S4” Magnusson left the team for Evil Geniuses.
It was a stressful time for N0tail. The guy who was practically a brother to him left in a crucial time—right when everybody was cramming to qualify for The International 2018. With two players down, OG had to surrender their slot at the China Dota2 Supermajor, the last Major tournament of the 2017-2018 Dota Pro Circuit. After a few weeks, returning player Anathan ”ana” Pham and Topson completed OG’s roster right in time for The International 2018 European Qualifiers.
Compared to other midlaners at The International 2018, Topson objectively had the least experience. The community didn’t expect much of him, as well as to his team—some even predicted that OG will be one of the teams that will have an early exit. The views were expected, but none of it matter to Topson, because he wasn’t there to please them—he was there to play and win.
Topson reinvented Invoker at The International 2018. Aside from reviving the Quas plus Wex skill build, the Finnish pubstar also built an unconventional Meteor Hammer with the complex mid lane hero. He exhibited an ability that can rarely be found on experienced players—the ability to freely explore one’s fullest potential. What makes Topson extra special is that he did so at the grandest Dota 2 tournament of the year.
IG Ning
Invictus Gaming as an organization has never managed to win any major title especially with their current lineup. The IG time that eventually Worlds 2018 had a great showing in both splits of the regular season but they were ultimately unable to convert their regular season accolades into local title wins.
The roster may have some weathered veterans, especially when it comes to their Korean imports. Top laner, Duke, is a former world champion, while their Mid laner Rookie, spent an extended period with KT Rolster back in South Korea. This is why the emergence of one of their lesser-experienced teams as the most significant Summoner in the grand finals series makes it all the more exciting.
Their jungler, Ning, may have been playing for teams since 2015, but he only made it to the official league in the Summer season of 2017. He only just barely crossed his 1-year professional career mark before flying to South Korea to represent China as its second seed.
Ning managed to deliver when his team needed him most, on the grandest stage of League of Legends. The IG Jungler, remained a silent but consistent part of his team’s offense for the majority of the tournament given the meta’s preference for solo laners. Their man in the Top lane, TheShy, and Rookie attracted more attention due to their flashy plays. However, during the all-important match against Fnatic in the grand finals, Ning was able to truly shine to help push his team towards the Summoner’s Cup.
Ning’s KDA average of 14 and Kill Participation percentage of 62.69% across the three-game series is nothing that should be scoffed at. Worlds 2018 was Ning’s first time competing in an international LAN and what a first Worlds appearance it was. Summoners from across the globe dream of someday making it to Worlds to earn the right to challenge for the world championship title. Ning succeeded in achieving the ultimate Summoner dream on his very first Worlds outing and even managed to secure the Worlds Finals MVP title, that’s not bad for a player that hasn’t competed in a Worlds in the past.
