While the LPL is on pause due to the coronavirus outbreak, here is a look at each team participating in the tournament. Starting with eStar, the team that joined the LPL this season.
Investor: PDD
The only time that a team’s investor will be mentioned in this series is with eStar. For some background, PDD is the investor for Young Miracles, an LDL team that consistently develops top tier talent. Ning, Ming, Knight, Killua, Tian, Bvoy, and most recently XiaoLongBao have all played for Young Miracles. So, when he decided to invest in eStar, he brought 3 players from YM to his new team, CJJ, Alu and Rat. As for his starting 5, he picked up young talent that had built-in synergy with each other. By the looks of it, PDD will continue to place his bets on rookies and rely on their talent.
Top: Xiaobai
Previously known as Jeremy and Bai, Xaiobai made his LPL debut this year. After spending 2 and half years on RNG’s academy team, Royal Club, Xaiobai caught the attention of PDD. Having played with two of the other four members, he has synergy with his mid laner, as well as his carry. With a preference towards carry top laners, he has already made himself at home in the LPL, with positive performances against both Crazy and Khan.
Jungle: Wei
Another player who joined from Young Miracles, Wei has been on PDD’s team for his entire career. Despite spending most of 2019 on the bench, Wei had a stellar debut week, winning 1 MVP award, as well as winning rookie of the week. Wei has built-in synergy with his mid-laner Cryin, as they have both played together in the past.
Mid: Cryin
The young mid-laner is the player who forms a bridge between the two rosters that form the base of eStar, having previously played on Young Miracles as well as Royal Club. Having played with Wei on YM and Xaiobai on Royal Club, he had a short stay on RNG as a temporary mid-lane substitute, but he never saw play. Cryin started his LPL journey with an MVP award, as well as an impressive 14.3 KDA.
Carry: Wink
Previously known as Kiyomi and Smile he is the only player on this team that had LPL experience before week one. Last year, he was the substitute carry for RNG and played while Uzi was on break. Before joining RNG, he spent some time on Royal Club, where he played alongside Xaiobai. No longer in Uzi’s shadow, Wink is here to prove that he belongs amongst the best carries the LPL has to offer.
Support: ShiauC
Hailing from Taiwan, ShiauC joined from the now disbanded Flash Wolves. Having been trained by the legendary support, SwordArt, ShiauC is the most experienced player on this roster, having attended MSI in 2019. Despite that, he is still a young player, and eStar is his second org. With much to prove and stiff competition, ShaiuC started well, earning a nomination to rookie of week one.
Team Review
The team showed up in week one, taking down Rogue Warriors and FPX, the reigning world champions. As much as fans would love to see this team keep up that pace, it’s far too early to tell. The LPL is a long tournament, and these are young and inexperienced players, not to mention that the new-years break will be much longer than initially planned. If eStar makes playoffs, it would be considered a successful first split. For now, only time will tell how eStar will perform in the LPL.
Tomorrow there will be a look at Vici Gaming.