League of Legends 2019 spring LCK power rankings – preseason

2018 LCK certainly laid the foundation for what will be one of the most competitive LCK splits of all time. With new teams, new rosters and new faces to the LCK here is our initial LCK power ranking to determine who are the favorites coming into 2019.

Will the new innovative generation of Korean league players finally take down the old generation of world-class Korean players? Or will long-standing teams like SKT and Gen.G successfully restore their reputations as World Champions? 2019’s LCK is sure to be fun to watch with these storylines and after watching all the revamped teams at the 2018 KeSPA Cup, here are our LCK power rankings for the upcoming split.

10. Jin Air Green Wings

Unfortunately, last on the LCK power ranking lies the Jin Air Green Wings. Despite their long history in the LCK, Jin Air has consistently failed to make it past the Top 6 in the LCK and judging from their new roster’s performance at the KeSPA Cup 2018, it seems like this year will be no different. Currently, the team consists of many rookies and new names to the League scene except for their mid-laner Lee “Grace” Chan-ju. It seems like Jin Air’s success in the LCK will depend on how well Grace is able to lead his team and how much they can improve their coordination before the start of the 2019 LCK Spring Split.

9. SANDBOX Gaming

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SANDBOX Gaming is a new organization having just played their first match together in an official tournament setting last week in the KeSPA Cup. Despite their inexperience on the stage, the team has definitely earned the praise of Korean fans by sweeping their first match in the tournament, although eventually losing finalists Gen.G. The rookie team is led by their support and shot-caller Cho “joker” Jae-eup who has mentioned that he is confident his team can be one of the best in the LCK.

8. Hanwha Life Esports

The biggest name in this team is Park “Thal” Kwon-hyuk, SKT’s ex-top laner from 2018 and he is set to be a substitute player for Hanwha. Despite the fresh start with two new top laners (Kim “SoHwan” Jun-yeong and Thal) and junglers (Kim “Bono” Ki-beom and Kim “Moojin” Moo-jin), the team had a poor performance during the pre-season KeSPA Cup and were swept by new amateur team KeG Seoul. Having always been a middle-to-low tier squad in the LCK, Hanwha is the underdog team to look out for during the LCK Spring Split 2019.

7. Kingzone Dragon X

Where there are highs, there are always lows and unfortunately, it seems like Kingzone Dragon X hit their low in the second half of 2018. Following their disappointing performance at the 2018 Mid-Season Invitational, Kingzone never got to their peak again despite their strong roster. Now with an objectively weaker roster and tougher competition, Kingzone may fall out of the region’s top teams for good if they don’t learn from their loss to Gen.G in the KeSPA Cup and improve their teamwork before the LCK starts.

6. Afreeca Freecs

Like KT Rolster, Afreeca Freecs has also revamped their roster with experienced jungler Lee “Spirit” Da-yoon at their core. With new roster changes, however, comes a need for time to adapt and judging from their performance at the KeSPA Cup, the new team has not yet molded together. The team will depend on Spirit’s leadership and with their new world-class mid laner Son “Ucal” Woo-hyeon, things will surely be looking up for Afreeca Freecs in the upcoming 2019 LCK Spring Split.

5. DAMWON Gaming

DAMWON Gaming is definitely the wild card team for the 2019 LCK Spring Split. Similar to Griffin in their innovative strategies and next-generation hype, DAMWON has already made a name for themselves internationally with praise from top teams around the world naming DAMWON as good scrim partners after Worlds 2018. Even Martin “Rekkles” Larsson has claimed that these guys are a world class team. Having knocked out the new SKT during the KeSPA Cup, DAMWON Gaming, led by their top laner Jang “Nuguri” Ha-gwon, is a strong and young team to look out for in the coming LCK season.

4. KT Rolster

KT Rolster has consistently been a top performing team in the LCK, yet always falling just a little short during the matches that mattered. Hopefully for KT fans, this coming split will be different and KT Rolster will achieve the success they so deserve with their new roster, with their top laner Song “Smeb” Kyung-ho and jungler Go “Score” Dong-bin at their core. Despite their new roster, KT Rolster has shown that they can compete with the top teams, having beaten Griffin in the LCK 2018 Summer Split finals, and they have a good chance to find success in the 2019 LCK Spring Split.

3. Gen.G

Despite their poor performance last year at Worlds 2018, Gen.G is coming back with a bang in 2019. With their newly formed roster consisting of long-time world-class jungler Han “Peanut” Wang-ho and their promoted support Kim “Life” Jeong-min, Gen.G had an explosive run through to the finals of the KeSPA Cup 2018. With such an outstanding performance at the KeSPA Cup yet barely a month of practice, the combination of veteran experience and rookie power in Gen.G’s new roster is sure to make for interesting and hyped matches during the LCK regular season, and even more so in playoffs with Lee “Cuvee” Seong-jin’s famed playoff buff.

2. SK Telecom T1

The long-time kings will inevitably return, stronger than ever, in LCK’s Spring Split 2019. With a completely new roster full of passionate veterans and strong personalities, SKT is looking to retake the throne as the world’s best team and prove to all League fans that the 2018 season was just a stumble along a treacherous climb to the top. As Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok puts it, “individual abilities are more important than anything else” and with SKT’s new world-class team, their individual players might be the strongest in each of their respective roles. Playing alongside the greatest to ever do it, Faker, is famed veteran top-laner Kim “Khan” Dong-ha, as well as legendary support player Cho “Mata” Se-hyeong who is known for his international success and MVP role at Worlds 2014. SKT’s new roster is packed with gameplay talent and professional experience, making them a definite contender as World Champions, let alone just the LCK.

1. Griffin

Having taken League fans all around the world aback by their major success during their first professional league split on 2018 Summer, Griffin has emerged as the next generation of Korean league professional players. With a seemingly reckless playstyle complete with surprising picks and slightly off-meta reads, Griffin is the LCK favorite coming into the new year. Each player on the team has proven to have the potential to carry games, with Lee “Tarzan” Seung-yong even being named the world’s best jungle at the moment by Dennis “Svenskeren” Johnsen, and Jeong “Chovy” Ji-hoon and Park “Viper” Do-hyeon carrying their teams MVP style through the KeSPA Cup finals. Having already won the KeSPA Cup with ease, Griffin has solidified fan’s hopes as one of, if not, the best team in the LCK currently and their youth ensures that they will stay together, or at least be playing in the LCK for a very long time.

And that’s it for 2019 LCK power ranking and predictions for the spring split! Have other predictions you think are more accurate? Comment and share them with us down below!