The ABL’s 2019 competitive season is going to be the most exciting and intense yet, with the introduction of ABL Worlds, team owners are really hunkering down and looking to make some massive upgrades and improvements as they make their push for glory. With that said we are at the end of the 2018 competitive season and we thought it would be fitting to have a look back at some of the ABL’s best and most impactful players of all time – let’s get right in to it!
10. Clock (Mid/ADC – 37 Games, 3.1 KDA, 189 Kills, 7.9 CS/M)
Clock (formerly known as Pectus) made his debut in Season 2 on Enter The Beast (ETB) – known for his Leblanc, Lucian and other hyper-carry type champs. He managed to pull off the miracle run and win a Championship after an intense game 5 against the favorite’s Ares eSports (ARS). At the time, he was a top tier player that could Flex in any role and he was in high demand during off-seasons, but he refused other team offers only to start his own org; No Name Necessary (N3). Although their performance was mediocre in Season 3, he still stood out as one of the most dominant Mid Lanes at the time and could turn games around on his own. He ultimately retired after Season 4 finishing up on CQR with a strong 3rd Place finish.
9. Doctor Hi (Support – 29 Games, 3.4 KDA, 322 Assists)
Doctor Hi is one of the most recognizable players of the ABL, he started out in Season 1 as the Support for GGF (formerly TLG) as a Bot Lane Duo with Goertzen. They quickly made a name for themselves thanks to Doctor Hi’s shotcalling and play making abilities. In Season 2, he was a core member of IVG who would take first seed in the regular season. In his third season with the ABL, he joined forces with Quuadra, they were one of the best synergized Bot Lanes in the league and they were a driving force in RYL’s strong push in Playoffs. Doctor Hi ultimately ended his playing career on Cynical eSports (CYN) – many fans have called him the best ABL Support never to win a Championship.
8. Praeyer (Top Lane – 34 Games, 4.1 KDA, 153 Kills)
Although most people remember him for his memes and fun-loving ways, Praeyer (formerly Pride) was one of the strongest solo-laners and effective team fighters during his time. In his early days, Praeyer, alongside Sai, Cluadius, MightyRai and Doctor Hi started IVG, who went on 9-1 in the regular season. Although he bounced around from team to team in free agency the following seasons, he’s appeared in the Champ Finals twice and really had an impact for his team, whether it was on Nasus or Ornn, he held it down. He has grown substantially with the league from the early Season 1 days to the now highly contested Diamond ELO we’re in.
7. Solekks (Top/Jungle – 41 Games, 3.8 KDA, 163 Kills)
It’s no surprise at all to see Solekks on this list, the jump from Season 2 to Season 3 was one of the biggest increases in skill level for the ABL and that allowed players like Solekks to shine. Known for his crazy Aatrox plays, he almost single handedly carried TKK to victory over RYL in Season 3’s Quarter Finals. He has taken a leadership role in every team he has played on such as CER and FSR. Not only does he rarely lose his lane, he often dominates and allows his team to focus elsewhere on the map while he handles his own. Solekks is the kind of player that comes through consistently in the clutch moments to help close out games and win series for his team.
6. Slave (Jungle – 35 Games, 4.1 KDA, 111 Kills)
Two-time ABL Champion (Season 3 and 4), the best Jungler by far in both those seasons, Slave was FSG’s play maker and Auzy’s right hand man during their two-season reign as the kings of the ABL. When Slave came on the scene in Season 3, players did not know how to handle his play style – his pathing was great, he counter-jungled well and made ganks look effortless in every lane. He became a pillar for FSG and he continued to do so when he joined RXG last season. Doesn’t matter what team you put him on, he’s going to bring home Wins, plain and simple.
5. Nico (Jungle – 31 Games, 3.3 KDA, 135 Kills)
Our third and last Jungler on the list, Nico (also known as Narclas) is the ultimate comeback player, if anyone can effectively play from behind; it’s him! Known for his Nunu and Reksai picks, he worked the map with the best of them, but his team fighting was what set him apart from the others. A true underdog in his debut season, he was picked up by Goertzen’s GGF squad which was struggling until Nico joined the ranks. He managed to bring them out of The Gauntlet and in to the Quarter Finals, when no one thought they would make it. In Season 4, he took CQR (formerly GGF) all the way to Third Place and the got them their first ever cash-finish in the ABL. When the FSR super team came along, they picked him up as starting Jungle and that’s when he really showed us what he can do!
4. Stro (Mid Lane – 17 Games, 6.8 KDA, 113 Kills, 8.0 CS/M)
Some of you are probably scratching your head and saying “who is this guy?”, but the OG ABL fans will remember Stro, the legendary starting Mid-Laner for Ares eSports. At one point in Season 2 he had an 88.0 KDA and was the clear-favorite to win MVP that season. He also finished Season 3 at Rank #1 with a 9.9 KDA. We all know how the story ended for ARS, but not many know what happened to Stro after Season 3 – he was picked up by CQR and would have been playing alongside Nico and Clock, but he went MIA. Needless to say fans have long awaited the “Return of Stro” and are waiting for his rematch with Auzy.
3. Quuadra (ADC – 28 Games, 7.0 KDA, 148 Kills, 7.8 CS/M)
This next player does not need an introduction, he is a fan favorite and arguably one of the best ADCs to ever play in the ABL. He currently holds the best career KDA (7.0) of any player in any position. Where to begin? Quuadra has played with the best Supports and on every power-house team in each season. Not only is he mechanically superior to the majority of his lane opponents, but he’s a cool, calculating play maker too. He has appeared in almost every single highlight video since his debut in the league. Although he hasn’t won a Championship yet, he is still one of the most entertaining and talented players to watch – and he’s only getting better.
2. Deelun (Mid Lane – 47 Games, 4.0 KDA, 205 Kills, 7.0 CS/M)
This list would not be right without the ABL’s new S-Tier Mid Laner; Deelun at the top of it. After winning his first ever ABL Championship last season, Deelun can finally take a sigh of relief. It’s been three seasons for him and he’s managed to make Finals every single time, but this time around he was not going to accept defeat. You could see in his plays that he was changed, he made short work out of his lane opponent, Misaya (EGO) and brought his team the 3-0 sweep victory. One of the oldest debates in the ABL, has always been who is King of the Mid, the two names that are always in contention are Deelun and Auzy. He finally managed to best his long-time rival in the Semi Finals and put the argument to rest.
1. Auzy (Mid Lane – 47 Games, 5.4 KDA, 264 Kills, 6.9 CS/M)
It should not be a surprise to anyone to see Auzy in the number one spot. He is the most decorated player of all time in the ABL, in fact he’s won so many awards and accolades that we had to write them out in a list:
• Season 3 – Perfect Regular Season Record (9-0)
• Season 3 – Most Valuable Player (MVP) – 38% of Votes
• Season 3 – Championship Winner – April 30, 2018
• Season 3 – Best KDA (7.0)
• Season 4 – Number 1 Seed in Regular season
• Season 4 – Most Valuable Player (MVP) – 34% of Votes
• Season 4 – Championship Winner – August 13, 2018
• Most Career Kills – 264 Kills
• Career Win/Losses – 57 Wins / 21 Losses
• ABL Hall of Fame Inductee (April 30, 2018)
• 2 x All-Star Appearances
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