Week 1 of LCK Summer 2022 has wrapped up, concluding the first two matches for each team. Four teams have already topped the leaderboards, with three having a perfect week. This will be the time for teams to adjust to roster changes and strategy for the upcoming season. Here is the Week 2 LCK Power Rankings for Summer 2022.
[Related: LCS Power Rankings: 2022 Summer Split Week 1]
Previously, HLE finished in tenth place with a 3-15 record in Spring 2022. Promotion of Coaches Kim “Key” Han–gi from academy and the acquisition of Choi “DanDy” In-Gyu promised better results, but the early results are still lacking. Although HLE took a game off of Freecs, the rest of the series and the 0-2 against Gen.G looked uninspiring. All four games never had HLE above four combined kills, with ADC Lee “SamD” Jae-hoon struggling. Out of all the ADCs in the opening week, SamD is consistently found at the bottom. He currently ranks at 10 with a 1.36 KDA, 10 in Kill Participation at 41.7%, and 9 for CSing at 292.6. HLE’s staff will have to look at shoring up SamD’s deficit’s and the disasters from early game losses that snowball to defeat.
(Photo Credit: Riot Games)
NS RedForce acquired Heo “Irean” Young-cheol in the off-season, looking to turn their fortunes from eighth place in the Spring Split. However, they found themselves in their old habits: taking early fights and trading blow for blow. These fights would give them Dragons and Souls, but their inability to cleanly fight and close games cost them against both DRX and T1. NS continues to show potential but clearly fail to deliver, with unnecessary deaths plaguing their midgames. Four out of five members of NS rank in the top 10 Deaths after this first week. If NS want to claim a victory next week, they need to solidify a plan for cleaner and precise teamfights.
KT Rolster got slammed by Gen.G in their opening match, but kept a very competitive series against T1. They were able to secure Soul and Barons before falling in a Game 3 fight that cost them the series. Although KT sits tied at the bottom, they are not a team to be underestimated. Moon “Cuzz” Woo-chan was the biggest star, bringing a combined 14/6/23 K/DA for all five games this week. Although they are tied for seventh at an 0-2 record, KT’s performance betrays their record and should continue to trend upwards with repeat games like these.
Fredit Brion faced a tough opening week, taking four losses in total against DAMWON and DRX. Game 1 against DAMWON will go down in infamy, with only three kills in total, none for BRION. However, this score should not fool viewers, as BRO kept close team fights against DK, even claiming an Ocean Soul in Game 2. Fredit Brion has the highest potential to make upsets, and will likely climb standings and LCK Power Rankings if they can shore up their early game losses.
The Freecs continue their middling performance from Spring Split at fifth place, winning against HLE but dropping against SANDBOX. Traditional compositions and drafting enable Top Laner Kim “Kiin” Gi-in and ADC Park “Teddy” Jin-seong to succeed on carry champions, as seen against HLE. However, vision control and map awareness were severely lacking against LSB, leading to constant isolated picks. KDF have the makings of a potentially great team, but have to take further control of the map, or risk getting picked apart in each and every future match.
(Photo Credit: Riot Games)
Contrary to their Spring Split ninth place record of 4-14, SANDBOX claimed a notable win against the Freecs. While also keeping a competitive early game against DWG before falling. The return of ADC Lee “Prince” Chae-hwan to the bot lane stood out in his deathless performance against the KDF with a 10/0/14 K/DA. Although LSB lost 0-2 against the DK powerhouse, Pre-15 minutes in both matches had LSB either only 1K Gold behind, or in the lead, showing a clear plan to play around Jungler Kim “Croco” Dong-beom. Many fights started or ended early from dives by Croco, who either found the perfect opener or died alone. DK effectively shut down most of Croco’s all-ins, showing LSB’s reliance on their Jungler, and how they crumble without standout games from him. Next week’s matches against T1 and KT will truly decide where SANDBOX lies in the LCK and the Power Rankings.
T1 continues their domestic win streak from Spring 2022, but looked shakier than ever. Questionable draft decisions in Camille for Ryu “Keria” Min-seok in Game 1 against KT leave much to be desired, alongside struggling early-game performances. The 46-minute Game 2 against NS shows the biggest cracks in the titan’s armor, winning only off of a sloppy final push by NS. Mun “Oner” Hyeon-jun on Viego and Lee “Gumayusi” Min-hyeong on Ezreal saved the base and the game, but T1 found themselves constantly in the backseat in all of their games this past week. If this performance keeps up, the undefeated record will soon fall, following Week 2’s second game against DRX.
Gen.G Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon’s performance all week is the highlight of the team, going deathless in all four matches. The fastest match of Summer was set at 23:44 against HLE, where Gen.G snowballed through early dragon control to constant favorable team fights at objectives. Even in their match against KT, Gen.G outmatched their opponents through cleaner fights and focus, despite an Elder Dragon steal and Dragon Soul. Gen.G’s willingness to skirmish constantly keeps the game in their tempo, and neither HLE or KT could wrestle it away from them.
DRX take a 2-0 week to open the season, retaining their Spring 2022 form despite a hard-fought series against NS. All games showed a slow and steady pace, holding onto a gold lead and extending it through careful Macro in the early to mid game. Seven Heralds, Three Dragon Souls, and Eight Baron buffs showcase DRX’s control, gameplan, and execution. DRX’s current form should continue to steamroll next week against HLE and KDF through greater strategy and force.
(Photo Credit: Riot Games)
Jang “Nuguri” Ha-gwon returned to DAMWON in the Top lane to rousing success, leading the team to a perfect week. Nuguri powered them to convincing victories over Fredit BRION and Livv SANDBOX, with only two deaths in four games. The honeymoon period is here for DK, as each teamfight has all members constantly contributing. Kill Percentage goes from Heo “ShowMaker” Su at 76.6% to Support Kim “Kellin” Hyeoung-gyu at 89.4%. Next week, DAMWON stares down GenG and T1, a true test for Nuguri’s return after a year off the LCK, and to see who tops the standings and LCK Power Rankings after.
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