Complete guide to LPL teams at Worlds 2021 with strategic insights and player analysis
Introduction: China’s Dominance in International League
The LPL delegation heading to Worlds 2021 represents the most formidable regional threat in Iceland, featuring EDward Gaming, FunPlus Phoenix, RNG, and LNG Esports as legitimate championship contenders.
China’s League of Legends Pro League stands as the overwhelming favorite to capture the Summoner’s Cup at Worlds 2021, with veteran organizations returning to global competition armed with fresh talent and refined strategies.
The LPL has already demonstrated international prowess in 2021 with RNG securing their second Mid-Season Invitational trophy. However, China’s strength extends far beyond a single team, as RNG doesn’t even rank as the region’s top squad statistically. Global competitors must prepare for China’s multidimensional threat portfolio – combining established powerhouses with emerging challengers in another formidable contingent traveling to Iceland. This comprehensive analysis breaks down what to anticipate from each LPL representative at Worlds 2021. For additional context, explore our complete Worlds 2021 coverage hub and detailed post-draw analysis featuring commentary from expert analyst Zack ‘Rusty’ Pye. Regional previews for other competing leagues are accessible through the links below:
EDward Gaming: The Resurgent Powerhouse
Wikimedia Commons: Bruce Liu
Six years have passed since EDward Gaming’s last international championship, but their current form suggests they’re perfectly positioned for Worlds 2021 victory. Most Recent Worlds Participation: 2018 (Quarterfinals) Best Worlds Performance: 5th-8th Place (Achieved four times: 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018) Primary Roster Composition:
EDward Gaming represents a familiar name for followers of professional League esports between 2014 and 2018. The organization consistently competed for world championships during this period, featuring legendary players including AmazingJ, Clearlove, PawN, Scout, Deft, and Meiko. Despite their consistent presence at international events, the team achieved only one major victory at MSI 2015 while repeatedly falling short at Worlds. Across five appearances, they reached the quarterfinals four times without advancing further. Only their 2014 campaign showed genuine potential for deeper progression. Following 2018, the organization experienced significant decline, rarely posing as a playoff threat within the competitive LPL landscape.
The 2021 season has marked a dramatic turnaround for EDward Gaming. With Scout maintaining his position throughout the organization’s evolution, EDG has regenerated into the dominant force that secured China’s inaugural League international trophy in 2015. Boasting their most complete roster in recent memory, the team possesses intense motivation to emulate predecessors like Invictus Gaming and FunPlus Phoenix by finally capturing the elusive Summoner’s Cup. Critical Player Focus: While Scout continues delivering strong performances as a roster mainstay, Korean AD carry Viper demands particular attention. His individual impact has fundamentally transformed this lineup into an LPL powerhouse through calculated, methodical gameplay centered around his strengths. After requiring some adaptation time, Viper arrives at Worlds with tremendous momentum and compelling redemption narrative, potentially proving capabilities he couldn’t fully demonstrate during his 2019 tenure with Griffin.
FunPlus Phoenix: Aggressive Champions Return
Michal Konkol for Riot Games
FunPlus Phoenix’s previous European excursion culminated in their first international championship. The question remains what Iceland holds for the returning champions. Most Recent Worlds Participation: 2019 (World Champions) Best Worlds Performance: 1st Place (2019) Primary Roster Composition:
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FunPlus Phoenix’s unexpected collapse in 2020 surprised the global League community. The 2019 world champions failed to qualify for Worlds entirely that year. Their return signals readiness to reclaim global dominance. Although they captured second place in both Spring and Summer splits without securing an LPL title this year, they’ve rediscovered the consistency that eluded them in 2020. With Nuguri replacing Khan in the lineup, FPX has intensified their characteristically hyper-aggressive gameplay philosophy, pursuing individual lane advantages across the map. This relentless approach powered their 2019 Summoner’s Cup victory when they overwhelmed G2 Esports, and remains essential for returning the trophy to China. Most opponents will struggle containing the overwhelming pressure FPX systematically applies – whether in best-of-one or best-of-five scenarios. Critical Player Focus: Kim ‘Doinb’ Tae-sang emerged as the LPL’s premier mid laner during the 2021 Summer split, achieving an impressive 7.4 KDA. However, Doinb’s statistical performance represents only part of his value – his exceptionally diverse champion pool truly distinguishes him. Ranging from Malphite to Yasuo to Ryze and virtually every champion between, Doinb demonstrates willingness to play any pick that provides team advantages.
Royal Never Give Up: MSI Champions’ Redemption Arc
Riot Games
The reigning MSI champions aim to recover from a challenging Summer split and demonstrate their championship caliber. Most Recent Worlds Participation: 2019 (Group Stage) Best Worlds Performance: 2nd Place (2014 as Star Horn Royal Club) Primary Roster Composition:
RNG staged a remarkable comeback following a disappointing 2020 season, surging up the LPL standings in 2021 to secure their fourth domestic championship and second MSI trophy. However, seasonal fluctuations resulted in a disastrous Summer start that forced them through the Regional Finals qualification path to Worlds. While not the most straightforward route, they’ve successfully reached the global stage. Their previous Icelandic experience yielded significant success. Admittedly, they encountered a relatively manageable Group stage path, but delivered crucial performances when necessary, decisively defeating opponents like PSG Talon and DWG KIA en route to their MSI championship. This iteration of RNG differs substantially from the Uzi-centric rosters of past years. Although the team continues prioritizing bot lane focus with GALA, resource allocation feels more balanced across the map. They maintain capability to play through other lanes, including the versatile Xiaohu who has transitioned between top and mid roles repeatedly throughout his career. While this may not represent Uzi’s RNG anymore, potential Summoner’s Cup victory would undoubtedly honor the most iconic player in Chinese League of Legends history. Critical Player Focus: Xiaohu has provided stability for RNG over multiple seasons, adapting to whatever role the team requires. Though most comfortable in mid lane, his mastery of carry champions like Lucian and Jayce establishes him as a formidable lane threat within the LPL. If he can excel in a region overflowing with exceptional solo laners, Worlds expectations will demand significant performance elevation.
LNG Esports: The Dark Horse Contender
LPL
LNG Esports represents China’s unpredictable wildcard entry with significant upset potential at Worlds 2021. Most Recent Worlds Participation: Organizational Debut Primary Roster Composition:
LNG enters Worlds 2021 as a complete unknown quantity. The Chinese organization makes its international debut at this prestigious event. Previously operating as Snake Esports before 2019, the team typically occupied middle-tier positions within the LPL hierarchy. However, their Summer 2021 campaign featured an impressive 7-0 start that secured playoff qualification and eventual Regional Finals placement. They sustained this upset streak through improbable underdog narratives, qualifying for Worlds ahead of established organizations like Team WE, Rare Atom, and Suning. Only one roster member possesses previous Worlds experience – Tarzan. His 2019 performance with Griffin proved disappointing following the Korean team’s early elimination. After taking competitive hiatus and returning in 2021, he’s demonstrating improved form. LNG hopes to avoid replicating LGD’s 2020 experience, where China’s fourth seed nearly fell to Japan’s V3 Esports during Play-Ins. Unlike most Chinese representatives, they prefer methodical gameplay that enables Light to scale effectively. This strategic divergence could either benefit LNG significantly or precipitate early tournament elimination. Critical Player Focus: Lee ‘Tarzan’ Seung-yong dominates the jungle position within the LPL. Following his competitive break, he’s performing at career-best levels, essentially carrying this assembly of LPL prospects (alongside icon, previously OMG’s mid laner) to League of Legends’ ultimate competitive stage. LNG’s advancement from Groups or even Play-Ins depends entirely on Tarzan deploying his complete strategic arsenal.
Strategic Analysis and Tournament Predictions
The LPL’s Worlds 2021 contingent demonstrates remarkable strategic diversity that could prove challenging for international opponents. EDward Gaming’s methodical, scaling-focused approach contrasts sharply with FunPlus Phoenix’s relentless aggression, while RNG’s balanced resource distribution and LNG’s calculated patience create multiple tactical dimensions. This variety ensures that opponents cannot prepare for a single “LPL style” but must adapt to four distinct competitive philosophies.
Critical success factors for each team include EDward Gaming’s ability to execute their late-game teamfighting, FPX’s capacity to maintain early-game pressure against international competition, RNG’s flexibility in adapting to meta shifts, and LNG’s capability to translate their regional upset potential to the global stage. The jungle position emerges as a particular strength across the delegation, with each team featuring exceptional junglers who could dominate their matchups.
Potential tournament pitfalls include overreliance on individual players, adaptation to international meta interpretations, and handling the pressure of China’s championship expectations. Teams that successfully navigate these challenges while leveraging their distinct strategic identities possess legitimate potential to continue China’s recent international dominance and bring the Summoner’s Cup back to the LPL.
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