LCS 2021: Grading All the Signings from Day 2 of Free Agency

The free agent frenzy has hit the LCS and we’re here to break down every signing from Day 2 of free agency.

The initial free agency spending spree slowed down after the fast and furious action of Day 1. On Day 2, LCS teams continued to round out their rosters with some smaller additions. As with Day 1, today we will be breaking down and grading all the roster moves on Day 2 of free agency.

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As a reminder, we will only be commenting on roster moves and signings that have been confirmed by reputable sources. So for those of you waiting to see our breakdown of a possible C9 Perkz addition, you’ll have to keep waiting.

TSM Adds SwordArt for Biofrost

After shocking everyone by adding Huni yesterday, TSM took another big swing in the support role by adding Hu “SwordArt” Shuo-Chieh, formerly of the 2020 Worlds finalists Suning Gaming. After a disappointing Summer Split from Vincent “Biofrost” Wang, TSM was again looking to upgrade a role of weakness and it certainly appears they have done so.

Biofrost was one of the lowest-rated supports in the LCS last summer, despite actually having a decent Spring Split. But in SwordArt, TSM is getting a player who was rated among the top ten supports at Worlds 2020. So it’s definitely a talent upgrade, but my fear is that with culture adjustment (this is SwordArt’s first time playing in the West) and needing to adjust to a new roster, there could be the possibility that TSM struggles.

Grade: B-

FlyQuest Adds Johnsun for WildTurtle

On Day 1, FlyQuest added Deftly as their presumed starting ADC to go along with new support David “Diamond” Bérubé. However, on Day 2, FlyQuest proceeded to bolster that role by adding one of the most promising young AD Carries in the region.

With Johnson “Johnsun” Nguyen, FlyQuest has a dynamic, young bot lane that is at least far stronger in the ADC role and has the potential to mesh. Although I wasn’t as high on Johnsun in summer as I was after the Spring Split, he’s shown he definitely belongs in the LCS and has the room to grow and improve. If the pairing with Diamond works out, this is a low-risk/high-reward gamble that could pay off huge for FlyQuest.

Grade: B+

Immortals Add Destiny for Hakuho

While he’s always been one of the more underrated supports in the LCS, it’s no question that Nickolas “Hakuho” Surgent had a down year for Immortals last year. To upgrade, the team looked to take advantage of the new OCE resident exception by adding former MAMMOTH and Origen support Mitchell “Destiny” Shaw to their roster.

While it’s encouraging to see Immortals taking a look at players from under-scouted regions, Destiny did not have the best showing with Origen. He was one of the worst supports in the LEC, barely grading ahead of supports like Doss and Jactroll. The hope will be that he and his fellow OCE ADC will have some chemistry, but that is a stretch, in my opinion.

Grade: C

Immortals Add Raes for Apollo

Once again, IMT looked to Oceania to upgrade their bot lane, bringing in former Legacy Esports ADC Quin “Raes” Korebrits. He replaces long-time LCS veteran Apollo “Apollo” Price on Immortals.

While I wasn’t sold on the addition of Destiny, I am fully on board with IMT adding Raes, as he graded out as one of the best ADCs at Worlds 2020. Certainly, he’s lightyears ahead of Apollo and his past chemistry with Destiny (they played together as part of the OPL’s Chiefs Esports in 2018 that just barely missed Worlds, this could be the steal of free agency.

Grade: A

TSM Adds PowerofEvil for Bjergsen

The retirement of Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg caught TSM and LCS fans by surprise, leaving many to wonder who could stand up and replace one of the most iconic players in the league’s history. With those tall shoes to fill, TSM knocked it out of the park by acquiring Tristan “PowerOfEvil” Schrage.

Although Bjergsen ended up being in the MVP conversation last year, I’ve long considered PoE to be the best mid laner in the LCS for a few years now. As an exceptional laner, he knows his champion pool and playstyle limitations and plays within those boundaries perfectly. With Bjergsen now his coach, we could see PoE rise to a level we have never seen before.

Grade: A+

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Immortals Add Xerxe for Xmithie

After leaving the success of Team Liquid, Immortals jungler Jake “Xmithie” Puchero looked like a player nearing the end of his productive playing career. He graded out as the worst jungler in the LCS and it was all but a foregone conclusion that Immortals would look to replace him.

Indeed they did by picking apart the carcass of the former Origen team and adding their jungler Andrei “Xerxe” Dragomir. While once a star of the LEC, Xerxe had a down year with Origen, grading as one of the worse junglers in the league. He should still be an upgrade over Xmithie, but the question is whether he can revitalize his career with a new org and new roster.

Grade: B-

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