Link at All-Stars : The Unseen Threat

By Jeremy Heimann and Jodi McClure

Counter Logic Gaming's Link has a lot in common with a Teemo mushroom. Quiet and very low-key compared to his larger-than-life teammates, the young mid-laner can sometimes be invisible to LCS fans, but ignoring him on the playing field is deadly. He'll explode on you if you're not paying attention, and even though he's small in stature, this mechanically-sound eighteen-year-old can pack a lot of punch. Similar to Hai, (the recovering Cloud 9 player he'll be replacing at All-Stars,) Link has a large champion pool to draw on and heavily favors current meta bullies like Lulu and LeBlanc. And like Hai, he's familiar with a team that likes rotations. Plus, like Hai, Link excels at late-game shot calling. In fact, he's practically the ideal made-to-order player for those mid-less white-hoodie-wearing gangstas.

For both parties, the temporary trade appears to be an excellent deal. Cloud 9 gets a competent replacement and CLG gets an interesting look inside the enemy camp. Besides gaining experience on the international stage, the understated Link will have a chance to infiltrate Cloud 9's mind and maybe steal a glimpse at the sacred pages of LemonNation's notebook (and copy them with a pen camera, if he's got any James Bond in him at all.)

Call it a sweet but smart move by CLG, who won't be getting much practice in anyways with Doubleleft away at All-Stars. No downside, huge upside, and great exposure for the unusually wraith-like Link, who's only been growing in confidence since earning a spot on CLG's starting line-up. He'll go to All-Stars. He'll blend in. And he'll do for Cloud 9 what he does best - silently playing the ghost in the machine while his cyborg mind absorbs everything. And then he'll bring it all back to his team. C'est la vie, C9!

LCS Central's Question of the Day!

We asked:

Which team do you think will benefit most from their off-season changes?

And here's what you had to say - 

‏@meltotheany said: I hope #Dignitas because I'm a fangirl and #CLG because they will be so scary if Seraph is 100% confirmed as their starting top!

@LoLDecayd said: Seraph hype train incoming. But I think Dignitas/Curse benefited the most.

‏@Gentleman_Joey said: Love Dig's moves. Zions an amazing top laner and they got arguably the 2nd best mid in NA last split. Dig looks good.

‏@Reckcer  said: Fixing the weak solo laners on Dig will definitely be the most beneficial thing to happen for a team.

‏@JessuehCosplay said: Have to go with TSM again, Amazing will most likely get coaching by TOO to adjust to NA, also new support wind. looking strong!

‏@packieeeeee said: If Seraph stays on CLG then CLG it is. But since that isn't 100% sure yet I'll go for Curse!

‏@COGAvenger said: I'd have to say TSM, TheOddOne coaching and some new players put them in a great position - just what they need to break the slump!

‏@DSherony said: I really could talk about this for hours. C9 probably benefits most from all the off-season changes everyone else has something new.

‏@AndrewGridah said: Removing legacy members like OddOne and Xpecial might just put TSM in the position to take 1st place finally in this upcoming split.

‏@n_Fatic said: I'd say @TeamCurseGaming, imo, got the best support in NA/EU on their team. If IWDominate steps it up next split then who knows!

‏@kate_diegan said: I don't know about changes but I think EG will make it big next split. i think they need the whole team under 1 roof to make magic happen.

‏@JoeyDevaux said: Honestly, I think it's Curse. If Xpecial shows up to play then I think he'll dimensionalize the line up.

‏@AmunyLoL said: Dignitas. They now own very strong laners, and I can't wait to see how Crumbz will be able to apply pressure more freely.

‏@cbgaara said: Definitely clg. Having a consistent high level top laner will help them out greatly

‏@Konman81 said: CLG, a high mechanical top laner is almost the missing piece for them.

‏@Fenixsniper said: CLG! From #3 to #2 or 1 ez

‏@salicylism said: Probably DIG. Very good additions to their roster.

‏@rHougs said: Dig and C9, digs new solo owners are massive and C9 not making any changes is pretty smart

‏@irvomusyoka said: Dignitas!! They now have a very strong midlaner and their toplane can carry hard at times! As well as the legendary kiwipie bot!

‏@RderVayne said: i think Dignitas have strong players now if they can handle their shot calling then they will be strong next split.

‏@nuggetsauce said: After watching CLG's new top laner, they got a lot stronger.

‏@thebadw0lf_ said: Dignitas!

Looks like Dignitas picked up a lot of new fans and support this week. What do you think, #LCS Friends? :) 

Promise's Recovery : Slow...but Promising.

by Jodi McClure

Two months ago, AHQ League of Legend's pro, Cheon "Promise" MinKi, ruefully admitted on the Inven forums that he intentionally threw games due to threats from his team's manager. Just minutes after writing the post, Cheon attempted to take his own life, jumping from the top of a twelve-story building - but the flexible metal roof of a shed and the pliable plastic of a recycling bin mercifully intervened. Despite all odds, the young marksman lived, although multiple fractures (including a broken right arm and leg) now devastated his body. Promise emerged from his coma, underwent several hours of surgery, and began a slow and painful path to recovery.   

(The shed Promise hit.)

His story garnered international attention for weeks. Fund-raisers brought an influx of substantial donations from well-wishing fans. Fellow players streamed for him and NA LCS teams kicked in proceeds from their merchandise sales. In total, almost $53,000 US Dollars were raised. The last update we had was during a visit last month from Inven, when Promise became overwhelmed with emotion. Barely able to write due to his injured hands and unable to speak due to a badly broken jaw, he could express only that he was sorry for his actions, thankful for his survival and amazed by the outpouring of love he was receiving from everyone.

So how is he doing now?

Latest picture from Promise

This past weekend, Promise updated his Facebook page, showing just how thin he'd become while lamenting his half-swollen face (labeling one half 'Starved Promise' and one half 'Fat Promise,') but considering his condition two months ago, he looked remarkably well. His jaw, which had been wired shut, can now move, and his mouth is able to open a fair half-inch. (A feat he measures by how many stacked tongue depressors he can fit in there.) 

His spirits seem brighter, despite considerable bouts of pain. His Facebook posts reflect a craving for pizza and a desire to game again. While it may still be some time before he can eat solid foods, he's been enjoying soup and ice cream. He is in and out of the hospital and rehabilitation for treatments. His hand (which had several pins placed in it) is very weak and his thumb function is bad. (He's been working on gripping and moving a mouse.) He eagerly looks forward to getting rid of the splints on his arm and leg.

From the tone of his posts, Promise seems to have grown mentally stronger. It's an encouraging sign from a young man who was at such a point of despair back in March.

His Facebook page is MinKi Cheon if you'd like to send him a fast hello or note of encouragement. I'm sure Google Translate will make your words understandable enough.       

The Off-Season Report

By Joshua Kon and Jodi McClure


Covering rumors and confirmations and all news that has taken place these past few days!

Positions Still Up For Grabs -

1. CLG's Top Lane *assumed to be Seraph but no official word yet*
2. Gambit's Mid Lane *niQ will play for them first week but nothing official*

Confirmed Retirees - Bischu, Benny and Cruzerthebruzer have all officially announced their retirements.

Confirmed Benched -

1. Nien - Benched himself from CLG feeling his performance was not up to his standard. He is currently a CLG Sub and does not look to be coming back for any team this split.
2. Migxa - The European support for Super Hot Crew has been benched after his record-breaking death performance last split. Leading player to replace him right now is Leduck.
3. Goldenglue - Put aside in favor of Shiphtur.
4. BunnyFuFu - Put aside for Xpecial.

Moved to non player positions - 

1. The Oddone - Stepped down and will remain with TSM as a coach. 

Confirmed Left Their Teams -

1. Forg1ven - 

Confirmed Movement - 

1. Shiphtur and Zion - officially joined Dignitas
2. Amazing - officially joined TSM as their new jungler.
3. Xpecial - officially moves to Curse. Yes...Curse. 
4. Gleebglarbu - becomes TSM's new support.  
5. WeWillFailer - joins Supa Hot Crew as their new support.
6. Woolite and Airwaks - join C.Wolves's as ADC and Jungle.
7. Alex Ich - Joined a reworked Ninjas in Pyjamas with k0u, Freeze, mithy and Nukeduck.

Team Disbandment - Every season we see teams and organizations break up when failing to enter or re-enter the LCS and this season was no different.

1. Complexity Red - After Black made it to the LCS, it didn't take Complexity much time to disband their other amateur team.
2. SK Gaming Prime - Confirmed to be disbanded
3. Reason Gaming - Confirmed to be disbanded

Not Disbanded -

1. XDG Gaming - Despite rumors to the opposite, XDG is not disbanding. The team owner, Marshall Alexander, confirmed that he is in talks with other teams to buyout/trade player's contracts. XDG will continue as a challenger team, but Alexander is trying to be accommodating to players who wish to remain in the LCS.  
2. Coast Gaming - Reorganizing for challenger, most likely with a whole new roster, although Daydreamin, Nintendudex, and Wiz still under contract until October.

LCS Central : Question of the Day :

We asked:
What was the first computer/video game you ever played? 

And here's what you had to say:

‏@TheRealTZT Mario Tennis for the Virtual Boy yet for some reason that didn't stop me frm playing games.
‏@SabrewoIf Tekken 2 I love Tekken to bits.
‏@FTG_Steve Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game
‏@KatieOhWrites  A thousand years ago...Below the Root. Great game. Still remember the dialog.

‏@Iollipoppy Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (Sega MegaDrive)
‏@Seraph1337 Doom. i was 7 years old.
‏@SFFpunk My first two memorable ones were Sim City 2000 and Civilization II, both classics.
‏@LoLTonelica I was super young but my first memory is of Pitfall for the Atari 2600. We has an NES at the time but I liked the joystick more.

‏@JessuehCosplay Some Donkey Kong Game! Was awesome!
‏@ChrisReeves600 It was definitely pinball lol
‏@Cthemetfan11 The first Sly Cooper game on the PS2, fell in love with the series.
‏@HHGilean There were probably a number of games I have mixed up, but first game that I extensively played, beat, owned was Super Mario World.
‏@ReverendBlair Probably Asteroids at the arcade. Intellivision baseball at home.

‏@iherdu Combat. Yup I'm a little dated :)
‏@DSherony  Super Mario Bros.
‏@marissamoodyLoL They were called arcade games way back when...;-)My first was probably PacMan. My first console game was Atari's Pong.(circa 1982)
‏@strawbrarie James Pond on Sega Megadrive! :D

‏@Narya1992 Tekken 2 :D Was lot of fun^^ Angel and Devil *.*
‏@Pheqes Prince of Persia
‏@RobMeyer7 first I ever played: Super Mario Bros on NES. First I ever made: Chip
‏@JasonAlanMcLain Joust, on the Atari, at 3 years old. I'm a dinosaur.

‏@kerrikwong Streetfighter on Sega Genesis :p.
‏@ArronDempers Sonic the Hedgehog I or II on I think a Sega Master System II.
‏@Gentleman_Joey Jordan v Bird on tbe atari
‏@Aayeela Beyond Good&Evil,if anyone knows that^-^

                                       What's the first game that you ever played, Summoner?