A New Team SoloMid
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Team SoloMid is currently riding on an amazing start at the Worlds 2017 group stage. They are standing on a 2-0 score after taking down Flash Wolves and Team WE. They share this undefeated record with SK Telecom T1 and Longzhu Gaming. Fans of TSM should be rejoining the cheering at this point. Given how the NA team has been performing so far, it’s not hard to see why.
Doublelift has reclaimed his position as AD Carry with his remarkable patient early game. Team SoloMid owes most of their success to Doublelift’s clutch in the late game team fights. The reinvigorated TSM carry has found his place as a catalyst for the team’s Worlds success.
Yet despite their early success at Worlds, many will still think back to their insufficient performance in the previous World Championship where they failed to make it out of Groups.
A Brutal Wake-up Call
The traditional play style of Team SoloMid used to be all about aggressive plays around the map. It worked well against their local opponents in the NA LCS, but they found it difficult to match up with international competitors. The NA squad would oftentimes overreach in team fights with disastrous results.
Doublelift has been long touted as a mechanically skilled player, but often over eager in exchanges. Their final game at Worlds 2016 saw multiple unfavorable clashes take place in the bot lane, resulting in a deficit for TSM. They were unceremoniously eliminated from the tournament after a crushing loss at the hands of China’s Royal Never Give Up.
This failure to perform well at Worlds resulted in the infamous temporary hiatus of TSM’s AD Carry, Yillian Doublelift Peng.
Getting Back on the Horse
Team SoloMid returns to the Worlds stage as the 1st seed of the NA region for the 2nd year in a row. Doublelift has found his way back onto the starting roster since the beginning of the Summer Season and he is hungry to prove himself.
TSM started the tournament by taking down two prominent teams in their group, WE and FW. They fielded a late-game scaling composition in both games. This champion lineup revolved around Doublelift on the hyper carry Tristana pick.
They only have one objective, play passive in the early game to turn the tide later in the match. They have found success so far with their brand new approach. Their current performance has erased the bitter failures of their old aggressive play style.
Doublelift has also stepped into Worlds with a brand new perspective. The TSM carry is well known for being one of the strongest trashtalkers in the game. His infamy has been the cause of jeers from fans of League whenever TSM would fail in the international setting. However, with his new humble demeanor, it is clear that he has found his focus on his performance in the bot position.
This new patient TSM play style increases their chances of successfully breaking through the group stage. One can only hope that this team will continue their amazing performance, and make it through to the playoffs.
