Preface: The LPL playoffs are about to conclude. This year's playoff script is completely different from previous years. The biggest change is those"famous but weak veteran teams" collectively collapsed.. WBG fell into the Relegation Group and missed the playoffs. Traditional powerhouses TES and JDG were eliminated by IG and NIP, who rose from the Relegation Group. Many viewers now call IG, NIP, and LGD the new dark horse teams of the LPL. Of course, more dark horses is a good thing for viewers, since the LPL has had poor results at Worlds in recent years, and everyone craves fresh blood. However, under the new LPL rules, these dark horse teams must eliminate each other, and ultimately only one dark horse team will have a chance to qualify for Worlds.

This year, the LPL probably has the most dark horse teams ever. Apart from the regular season kings BLG and AL, who didn't stumble in the playoffs, many other powerhouse teams suffered upsets in the playoffs. For example, the "domestic powerhouse" TES was defeated by LDG and IG, eventually missing the subsequent schedule. Furthermore, JDG, which has the top domestic coach Tabe, was swept by the Relegation Group team NIP. JDG even created the "most shameful history in LPL", becoming the first Summit Group team in LPL history to be swept by a Relegation Group team in the playoffs.

As LGD, IG, and NIP performed excellently in the playoffs, many viewers hoped that these dark horse teams could advance together to the LPL Regional Finals, adding more hope for the future of LPL at Worlds. However, something that many LPL fans found heartbreaking happened: under the new LPL rules, only one team among LGD, IG, and NIP can qualify for the LPL Regional Finals. The other two teams will inevitably be eliminated during the playoffs and ultimately miss the chance to compete in the Regional Finals.

IG, LGD, and NIP have too few points from the first two splits. This means that if IG, NIP, and LGD want to secure a spot in the Regional Finals, they must surpass JDG's 80 points (JDG has already locked in a Regional Finals spot). To get enough points, they must finish in the top three of the LPL. Taking IG as an example, they need to defeat the dark horse team WE from the second split in the upcoming schedule, then beat the winner between NIP and LGD. Only then can IG qualify for the Regional Finals.

It must be said that IG's current Worlds points are really too low. Unless IG directly wins the championship and gets the first seed, even if IG gets the runner-up in the playoffs, they will still have to play in the Regional Finals. Of course, after seeing IG's current situation, many LPL viewers are completely frustrated and criticize the LPL's official rules as unreasonable. Some even cite the neighboring LCK region as an example, arguing that the LPL's current format is too outdated. The LCK region implemented a major format reform this year, directly removing the Regional Finals and instead using the playoff rankings to determine which teams qualify for Worlds.

Viewers' complaints about the official rules are understandable. After all, any discerning person can see that NIP, LGD, and IG are currently in better competitive form than TES and JDG. However, two of these teams are bound to be eliminated, while the underperforming TES and JDG have a chance to participate in the Regional Finals. Of course, many viewers also think it's reasonable for TES and JDG to play in the Regional Finals, since some teams intentionally underperformed in the first and second splits, causing their points to fall behind other teams.

Conclusion

To be honest, I really didn't expect JDG to be easily crushed by NIP. After all, JDG recently released an internal documentary saying they reviewed gameplay every day until 4 AM. But after watching JDG's matches, you can see that both their macro play and teamfight execution are very sluggish. Precisely because JDG stumbled early, IG's current situation is awkward. Do you think IG will have a chance to participate in the Regional Finals in the future?