2019 LPL Spring Split Primer and Power Rankings

#3 – Suning Gaming

Roster:

🇨🇳 Xie “XiaoAL” Zhen-Ying (Top)
🇨🇳 Yu “Biubiu” Lei-Xin (Top)
🇨🇳 Yang “H4cker” Zhi-Hao (Jungle)
🇨🇳 Wei “Weiwei” Bo-Han (Jungle)
🇹🇼 Huang “Maple” Yi-Tang (Middle)
🇨🇳 Xiang “Angel” Tao (Middle)
🇨🇳 Han “Smlz” Jin (ADC)
🇹🇼 Hu “SwordArT” Shuo-Chieh (Support)

Week 1 Games:
vs Vici Gaming (16th of January) (Shanghai)
vs Royal Never Give Up (20th of January) (Beijing)

Suning is clearly chasing an LPL championship with the roster they’ve assembled ahead of the Spring split. They’ve spared no expense in bringing in very skilled players which lands them just below the two Chinese titans on this power rankings list.

XiaoAL is one of the best top laners in China and Suning have held on to him to bolster their roster. He was a standout player for them last split and he showed that he can hang with the best China has to offer in the top lane. Biubiu has been promoted from Suning Gaming-S who was one of the best teams in the LDL East last season and obviously the feeder team of Suning Gaming (SNG). He can learn from XiaoAL while playing with the main roster and will be able to step into the team when needed.

H4cker has also been retained and he too was one of the better junglers in the LPL last split. Suning didn’t allow their best players to be whisked away which is just as important as bringing in new faces. H4cker was a key part of Suning’s success last split and he will continue to be a rock for this team in the jungle as we approach the 2019 season. Joining him in the jungle is another Suning Gaming-S promotee in Weiwei who will be looking to learn from the accomplished jungler.

One of their big signings is Maple from the Flash Wolves. Most people will be familiar with Maple from his strong play at international events, he’s been immense for Flash Wolves during his years there and now he’s finally struck out from Taiwan to a different team. He hasn’t tested his mettle against many of China’s mid laners but it’s safe to assume that he’ll be one of the best in the LPL right off the bat. Maple joining the team, of course, means that Angel will be taking a step back despite playing very well in the last split. If for whatever reason Maple starts playing poorly, SNG is lucky to have Angel in their back pocket.

Smlz, the highly touted ADC from the Rogue Warriors has also joined SNG to bring their bottom lane to a new level. He was one of the best ADs in China last season and is most likely an upgrade over Fury who was a very good ADC himself.

Finally, we have their support SwordArT who came along with Maple from Flash Wolves. SwordArT has been showered with praise throughout his career and for good reason, he has consistently shown himself to be one of the most intelligent supports playing right now and this is in addition to his fantastic playmaking talents. SwordArT and Smlz promise to be an exciting duo and we got a taste of this combination at the Demacia Cup where they had some good 2v2 plays despite being out of practice.

It will still be very difficult for SNG to compete with RNG and IG but if any team can do it will be this Suning lineup. They should be able to brush aside Vici with ease in their opening game before they face their real challenge in the current champions, RNG. This game is a must watch as the kings clash with the new blood.