Aphromoo and Johnsun reunite on FlyQuest for LCS 2022 redemption arc with strategic insights and partnership dynamics
The Strategic Reunion: Why Aphromoo and Johnsun Reconnected
After spending a year competing on separate teams, veteran support Zaqueri ‘aphromoo’ Black and rising AD carry Johnson ‘Johnsun’ Nguyen have reunited under the FlyQuest banner for LCS 2022, driven by a shared objective: competitive redemption and proving their combined potential.
Their initial partnership in 2020 on Dignitas showed flashes of becoming NA’s premier homegrown bot lane, though results fell short of expectations. Now reunited with FlyQuest, both players bring refined perspectives from their individual journeys, ready to leverage those hard-earned lessons for greater success in the evolving LCS competitive landscape.
When the LCS 2022 offseason commenced, Johnsun approached team building with specific strategic intentions.
The FlyQuest marksman encountered significant challenges throughout 2021, navigating the developmental hurdles of an inexperienced lineup during just his second professional season. The absence of strong vocal leadership created systemic issues that undermined team cohesion. This resulted in inconsistent LCS appearances and Academy team rotations—a stark contrast to his promising 2020 debut where analysts positioned him alongside Edward ‘Tactical’ Ra as North America’s emerging carry talent.
Recognizing these structural deficiencies, Johnsun proactively reached out to his former lane partner aphromoo to explore reunion possibilities.
“The opportunity materialized during offseason negotiations when both organizations were evaluating roster directions. After reflecting on last season’s challenges, I specifically pursued reuniting with aphromoo because our team desperately needed experienced in-game leadership,” Johnsun explained to Dexerto.
This strategic outreach didn’t surprise aphromoo, who remained with Dignitas throughout 2021 guiding another developing roster. Despite a promising Spring split, the team experienced Summer regression. When Johnsun initiated conversations about reuniting, the veteran support recognized the potential value.
“During the offseason transition period, Johnsun expressed interest in reconnecting socially and discussing competitive partnership possibilities. I appreciated his initiative and recognized the potential in reuniting,” aphromoo stated.
Now positioned as the veteran core of another emerging FlyQuest roster, both players express confidence that their second partnership attempt will yield significantly improved results.
Introducing our 2022 #LCS roster. @KumoLoL @Josedeodo@Toucouille_lol@Johnsun_lol@aphromoo
We’re ready to #ShowcaseGreatness pic.twitter.com/CV1XkM8Hmm
— FlyQuest (@FlyQuest) December 2, 2021
Growth Through Adversity: Lessons from Separate Journeys
The familiar adage about distance strengthening appreciation resonates profoundly with Johnsun’s bot lane partnership with aphromoo. Transitioning from his rookie season alongside the experienced support to a roster lacking comparable vocal leadership proved challenging operationally and developmentally.
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“Gameplay becomes significantly more manageable for developing players when paired with experienced mentors. As a veteran AD carry, I could potentially guide a new support, but when both lane partners lack extensive competitive experience—as with FlyQuest last year—coordination challenges multiply exponentially,” he analyzed.
Johnsun faced individual performance obstacles beyond team structural issues. The emergence of Evil Geniuses’ standout rookie Kyle ‘Danny’ Sakamaki captured community attention while Johnsun navigated inconsistent starting status within FlyQuest’s LCS lineup.
His LCS Summer 2021 concluding statistics reflected these challenges: league-low KDA (1.65) and gold generation (382 per minute) among starting AD carries. Champion diversity also emerged as a concern—only five different picks across 14 Summer games, with heavy reliance on scaling options like Ezreal and Tristana. By comparison, his substitute Frank ‘Tomo’ Lam demonstrated broader champion proficiency with ten picks over 13 appearances.
“Competitively, last season proved disappointing because limited playoff runs restricted my stage game exposure compared to peers. This prompted deep reflection about necessary improvement areas and development priorities,” he acknowledged.
“The Academy experience ultimately strengthened my motivation. Identifying major adjustment requirements and minor refinements became clearer through that competitive environment.
“Regarding roster modifications, change felt necessary regardless of specific decision outcomes—the situation demanded fresh energy and approach.”
Aphromoo immediately defended his lane partner’s capabilities. Statistical summaries inadequately capture complete performance context in his assessment. The 29-year-old veteran—now the LCS’s most experienced player by two years—noted Johnsun shouldered substantial responsibility throughout his early professional career across both team environments.
“Johnsun demonstrates exceptional learning efficiency—communicate concepts once and implementation follows. He consistently engages in strategic theorycrafting and meta analysis,” aphromoo emphasized.
“During our Dignitas tenure, performance execution and incremental improvement came naturally. While avoiding overstatement, success frequently depended on our lane dominance—when we struggled, team outcomes suffered. Johnsun often needed early advantages and snowball potential to drive victories.”
Bot Lane Synergy: The Foundation of Competitive Success
Their cultivated relationship represents crucial competitive infrastructure, developed during their Dignitas partnership despite limited championship success. Bot lane compatibility directly impacts team stability—dysfunctional partnerships can instantly undermine roster cohesion. Conversely, long-term synergy development can establish competitive dynasties, as aphromoo previously demonstrated with Yiliang ‘Doublelift’ Peng during their CLG championship era.
“Bot lane performance collapses when partners develop personal animosity. That dynamic cannot exist competitively,” aphromoo laughed. “We performed effectively together. Emotional exchanges occur naturally within team environments—without constructive disagreement, improvement stagnates.”
“Review sessions proceed efficiently because we understand communication preferences and reception styles. Since I deeply respect Zaq’s insights and experience, implementing feedback and addressing mistakes happens smoothly,” Johnsun added.
Practical Partnership Tips for Bot Lane Success:
- Establish clear communication protocols for laning phase and team fights
- Develop shared champion pool preferences and counterpick strategies
- Create non-judgmental feedback systems for mistake analysis
- Balance aggression levels based on individual playstyle compatibility
- Schedule regular vod review sessions focusing specifically on bot lane coordination
Common Bot Lane Mistakes to Avoid:
- Prioritizing individual performance over partnership synergy
- Inconsistent communication during critical objective moments
- Failure to adapt to partner’s champion preferences and comfort picks
- Neglecting non-verbal cue development for coordinated engages
- Allowing frustration over mistakes to impact future coordination
Season 12 Meta Evolution: Adapting to League’s New Landscape
Each new competitive League of Legends season introduces meta adaptations. Season 11’s comprehensive item system overhaul transformed champion dynamics universally, while Season 12’s dragon modifications and rune updates continue shifting competitive priorities.
Game pacing has evolved dramatically from Seasons 6-7’s methodical approaches toward constant aggression and skirmishing as standard (perhaps excessively so from Riot’s design perspective). Players must adapt to born-into-chaos environments, managing relentless action throughout matches.
“Constant fighting defines current gameplay—bruisers dominate every lane while scaling champions primarily appear mid lane. Mid lane control becomes non-negotiable—losing that map segment guarantees defeat. Other lanes demand high-tempo play, rapid reset management. Dragon stacking and soul acquisition drive victory conditions,” aphromoo elaborated.
The veteran specifically highlighted Team Liquid’s LCS 2022 roster reconstruction—acquiring aggressive players like top laner Gabriel ‘Bwipo’ Rau and marksman Steven ‘Hans sama’ Liv—as exemplifying meta adaptation requirements.
Bot lane specifically experiences meta disruption through Lethal Tempo and First Strike rune introductions, expanding viable champion options.
“Rune modifications slightly altered meta dynamics, with Lethal Tempo effectiveness on specific top and mid lane champions. First Strike introduces gameplay reminiscent of Kleptomancy, potentially enabling additional bot lane champion viability,” Johnsun explained, maintaining strategic discretion about specific preparations.
However, new dragon introductions—particularly camouflage-granting Chemtech Drake—generate significant concern, which aphromoo characterized succinctly as “problematic.”
“Rengar’s updated camouflage interaction especially creates balance concerns—that won’t produce enjoyable gameplay experiences,” he continued. “The mechanic recalls Kha’Zix’s historical dominance periods with unrestricted assassination potential.”
The veteran also values current preseason experimentation periods where players test enabler supports like the Lucian-Nami combination that gained late-2021 popularity. He anticipates returning to tank-focused responsibilities once stage competitions resume.
“Support champion options remain relatively consistent—I appreciate increased diversity, but LCS resumption will likely return us to tank-centric compositions,” he predicted.
Season 12 Meta Adaptation Strategies:
- Prioritize early game tempo and objective control over scaling compositions
- Develop flexible champion pools that accommodate multiple rune configurations
- Master Chemtech Drake camouflage mechanics for both utilization and counterplay
- Balance aggressive laning with strategic dragon setup and control
- Adapt reset timing and recall patterns to maintain map pressure
FlyQuest 2022 Vision: Building a Contender from Ground Up
During their 2020 Dignitas tenure, Johnsun and aphromoo aimed to establish new competitive legacies. Many perceived aphromoo as declining following his 100 Thieves stint, while Johnsun represented relatively unknown carry talent developing foundational skills.
Competitive outcomes disappointed—seventh Spring and eighth Summer placements—making their FlyQuest reunion narrative one of redemption, approaching incremental progression methodically.
“Playoff performance capability matters significantly, but this season we’ll definitely qualify. With only ten LCS organizations, lacking self-confidence should prompt roster position reconsideration,” aphromoo declared.
Johnsun understands the structural foundation and leadership approach aphromoo provides. The veteran has developed expertise constructing competitive rosters from developmental talent, evidenced by Dignitas’ surprising Spring 2021 performance.
Implementing his competitive philosophy throughout FlyQuest’s roster—including unpredictable jungler Brandon Joel ‘Josedeodo’ Villegas, Aatrox specialist Colin ‘Kumo’ Zhao, and European prodigy Loic ‘toucouille’ Dubois—proves crucial for 2022 success.
“I believe each teammate possesses individual competency—that’s my understanding pre-scrimmages. Confidence exists despite limited collaborative practice,” Aphromoo stated.
“Early team identity establishment and consistent reinforcement prove vital—excessive imitation undermines development. Perfecting unique stylistic approaches creates competitive advantages through opponent adaptation difficulties. Role assignments naturally crystallize through this process.”
FlyQuest adopts measured ambition approaching LCS 2022. While Worlds qualification represents every professional player’s ultimate objective, they avoid overwhelming immediate expectations.
Primary focus centers on securing playoff positioning, completing narrative threads left unresolved since 2020—establishing themselves among North America’s elite bot lane partnerships.
“We’re implementing gradual development—fostering mutual understanding, building competitive and personal trust, ensuring comprehensive teammate support to achieve playoff success and eventual Worlds qualification,” Johnsun affirmed.
Team Building Optimization Strategies:
- Establish clear team identity before attempting to replicate other organizations’ styles
- Balance veteran leadership with rookie innovation in strategic discussions
- Develop trust through both in-game performance and outside relationships
- Set incremental goals rather than overwhelming season-long expectations
- Create environments where role specialization emerges organically through practice
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