LoL Fantasy Grind Down: Sunday, February 28th
Welcome to the RotoGrinders LoL Grind Down! These articles will cover everything you need to know for playing League of Legends fantasy including defense vs position, projections, vegas odds, and detailed analysis.
Also included is the RotoGrinders original statistic pace — a higher pace means bloodier games, so when two teams with high pace play, expect a bloodbath!
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Team Impulse vs. NRG eSports
| Team Impulse | NRG eSports | |||||||||||
 | Record | 4-9 |  | Record | 6-6 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | +180 | Vegas Sprd | -223 | |||||||||
| Avg. KP | 67.2 | Avg. KP | 72.8 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 0.82 | Team Pace | 0.83 | |||||||||
| Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Feng | Procxin | Pirean | Gate | Mash | Players | Impact | Moon | GBM | KonKwon | Altec | |
| Opp. Season | 8 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 7 | Opp. Season | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | |
Each of these teams played in similar games on Saturday, but on opposite sides. Team Impulse never really showed up and were easily beaten by Liquid, while NRG had a rare and dominating performance, albeit over a barely-there Renegades. As the regular season begins to wind down, we may see teams who have nothing to play for fade further into obscurity as they await their fate in the Promotion/Relegation playoffs with Challenger Series teams. Above the relegation line though, NRG sits in a position where they need wins over those below them in the standings in order to solidify their spot in the playoffs.
After Team Impulse landed on a consistent roster one may have thought they would be a dark horse for a push up the standings. It hasn’t been so as they have instead won just one of their last seven games. The winning streak that made them an upstart team with lane-walker Gate the story of the league is now a complete afterthought. Impulse have by far the worst early game gold differential, averaging well over a 2,000 gold deficit at 15 minutes.
Disappointingly, NRG’s easy win over Renegades featured just seven kills for the winning side. It was a poor result for those who went with NRG players, but it was encouraging to see NRG get back to the basics and earn a win where they were the superior team. Impulse provide more of a challenge than Renegades and although NRG’s inconsistencies are a worry, the better-than-Renegades opponent does provide higher upside.
Team Impulse
Elite Plays
None.
Secondary Plays
Mash (AD: $7,300, DK: $6,500) – If there is to be any miscues from NRG that could lead to Impulse success, it’ll likely come from the bottom lane where it will be LOD’s second game as the team’s new ADC after Altec stepped down.
NRG eSports
Elite Plays
Impact (AD: $7,400) – It was a return to form against Renegades by Impact, who participated in all seven of NRG’s kills. Priced behind the likes of kfo and Hauntzer on AlphaDraft, he is the best option in the top lane on the site.
GBM (AD: $7,700) – With AlphaDraft being more generous when it comes to NRG players, GBM is an elite option there even though he has not been in carry roles as often as we would like.
NRG Team (AD: $3,700, DK: $5,400) – Not terribly expensive on either site and a strong option in all formats.
Secondary Plays
Impact (DK: $6,900) – A hair more expensive, relatively, on DraftKings, Impact still makes a strong play.
LOD (AD: $7,600, DK: $7,700) GBM ($7,700) – There is reason to have doubts about LOD as a legitimate replacement for former ADC Altec, but Impulse’s inability to pose a threat to anyone in the league makes the opposing carry tempting almost regardless of who it is.
Cloud 9 vs. CLG
| Cloud 9 | CLG | |||||||||||
 | Record | 9-4 |  | Record | 9-4 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -125 | Vegas Sprd | +103 | |||||||||
| Avg. KP | 67.8 | Avg. KP | 67.0 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 1.02 | Team Pace | 0.91 | |||||||||
| Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Balls | Rush | Jensen | Hai | Sneaky | Players | Darshan | Xmithie | Huhi | Aphromoo | Stixxay | |
| Opp. Season | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 3 | Opp. Season | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | |
With Immortals suffering their first loss of the season, Cloud9 are now the hottest team in the league. Of course, they will be facing the very team that brought down the undefeated Immortals. C9 were absolutely masterful on Saturday, turning a Dignitas team which beat TSM in their last game into a Renegades look-a-like. In control in dominating fashion from the moment the game began, Jensen and friends are a very good team, as well as North America’s best fantasy options on a weekly basis. Cloud9 have 101 kills in their last five games. For reference, Renegades have 99 kills this season. Never fade this team.
CLG are off the heels of a big, yet fantasy lacking win over Immortals. CLG differ from C9 in that they are more than content to play the control game and whittle away at objectives, so even in the event of a CLG upset, the possibility that big scores don’t go along with it is something to keep in mind.
Cloud 9
Elite Plays
Balls (AD: $7,400) – From cries for a replacement by Cloud9 fans to superhero carry, Balls can no longer be overlooked as a fantasy option. Quite the opposite, really, haven stepped into a more significant damage-dealing role. Comes cheaper than lane opponent Darshan on AlphaDraft.
Jensen (AD: $8,400, DK: $7,200) – It was almost as if Jensen must have went out of his way to not record assists in Cloud9’s 24 kill demolition of Dignitas. It hardly mattered though, as his 13 kills and flashy plays made him the play of the day on Saturday. Jensen has become the man to watch every NA LCS day, transforming from mediocre last season, to an absolute star this season.
Secondary Plays
Rush (DK: $6,100), Sneaky (DK: $7,200) – The cheaper prices for Cloud9 players on DraftKings mean they’re all in contention, but we have to resist the urge to be all-in on them. CLG is very tough competition.
CLG
Elite Plays
HuHi (DK: $6,900) – CLG’s fantasy scores were low in their upset of Immortals after the game turned cat and mouse with Baron and Immortals base, but HuHi remains the teams top option and certainly boasts significant upside against a team who loves to fight like Cloud9.
Secondary Plays
Xmithie (AD: $7,800, DK: $5,900) – After reaching 25+ DraftKings points just twice in the first 5 weeks of the season, Xmithie has now done so in two of his last three games, and was a force in Saturday’s game against Immortals, just without reaching that points threshold. He has the look of an improved player and a fantasy threat.
Team Liquid vs. Team SoloMid
| Team Liquid | Team SoloMid | |||||||||||
 | Record | 6-7 |  | Record | 8-5 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | +145 | Vegas Sprd | -177 | |||||||||
| Avg. KP | 74.5 | Avg. KP | 61.8 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 0.79 | Team Pace | 0.96 | |||||||||
| Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Lourlo | Dardoch | FeniX | Matt | Piglet | Players | Hauntzer | Svenskeren | Bjergsen | YellOwStaR | Doublelift | |
| Opp. Season | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 9 | Opp. Season | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
Liquid and TSM are coming off much needed wins on Saturday after both teams went 0-2 last weekend. SoloMid are now unlikely to find a way to crack the top two and earn a bye, but Liquid have a lot to play for in all of their remaining games, as it is still possible for Echo Fox to overtake them for the 6th and final playoff spot. These two teams are very close to each other in most statistical categories, with of course the slight edge to TSM.
While Liquid’s win over Impulse had the look of a team back in form, I do still have doubts about them. TSM on the hand absolutely crushed Echo Fox, who over the past two weeks had been looking like they might steal someone’s playoff spot and be a threat thereafter. I’m simply not sold that Team Liquid is ready to once again perform at a high level on a consistent basis, especially not at the level required to beat a stacked TSM team.
Team Liquid
Elite Plays
None.
Secondary Plays
Dardoch (DK: $5,500) – Still one of the better punts on any slate when Liquid is an underdog. The books say Liquid is a threat, and that means Dardoch has to be one of the top punts of day on DraftKings.
Piglet (AD: $7,800, DK: $6,700) – An 80.3% KP is one of the highest in North America and it’s not a surprise that the most experienced and accomplished player on Team Liquid has been relied on to be the driving force of the success that they have had. Piglet makes an acceptable one off, and a great contrarian tournament play.
Team SoloMid
Elite Plays
Bjergsen (AD: $8,100, DK: $7,500), Doublelift (AD: $8,400, DK: $7,600) – The expense difference on AlphaDraft doesn’t make this duo any less elite. Bjerg and Double are two of North America’s best and longest standing studs and both had strong games against Liquid in their previous encounter. Both have immense upside in a potential bloodbath.
Hauntzer (DK: $6,700) – If you can’t quite reach Impact, or don’t trust his or Billyboss’ floors, Hauntzer is a solid cash game option against Lourlo on DraftKings. Lourlo is one of the worst early game lane opponents with his -9.7 CSD@10 and is unlikely to threaten Hauntzer.
Secondary Plays
None.
Renegades vs. Dignitas
| Renegades | Dignitas | |||||||||||
 | Record | 1-12 |  | Record | 4-9 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | +178 | Vegas Sprd | -220 | |||||||||
| Avg. KP | 70.4 | Avg. KP | 64.3 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 0.77 | Team Pace | 0.76 | |||||||||
| Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | RF Legendary | Crumbzz | Alex Ich | Hakuho | Freeze | Players | BillyBoss | Kirei | Shiphtur | KiWiKiD | Apollo | |
| Opp. Season | 4 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 4 | Opp. Season | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
Welcome to the pricing discrepancy special of the day. More on that in a second, but let’s first look at these teams. Dignitas were beat handily by Cloud9 on Saturday, while Renegades suffered one of their ugliest losses yet against NRG. Dignitas, however, are a legitimate professional League of Legends team and as mentioned above, did just beat TSM last week. In all likelihood, Renegades are headed for relegation and a subsequent roster blowup. Dignitas have their issues, but remain a significant favorite against a team like Renegades.
Renegades
Elite Plays
None.
Secondary Plays
Seraph (AD: $6,900, DK: $5,600) – If more expensive top lane options aren’t appealing to you, which would be understandable, then Seraph is something of an acceptable punt. Prior to Saturday’s game, Renegades had shown some strides in their play in the previous week, and the upgrade to Seraph for this weekend doesn’t hurt.
Dignitas
Elite Plays
Everyone (AD only) – I mentioned a pricing discrepancy above and this is it. Dignitas players haven’t received any kind of pricing bump on AlphaDraft and will be heavily owned on Sunday. If playing cash games on AlphaDraft, I would limit myself to two Dignitas players to avoid being too heavy on one team.
Shiphtur (DK: $7,700) – If I am paying for any Dignitas players on DraftKings, it will be Shiphtur and his season line of 37/24/53, which is significantly better than any of his teammates. He is also the only player on Dignitas with a KP higher than 70%.
Secondary Plays
Apollo (DK: $7,800) – Apollo put up a 35 in these teams first game and isn’t as expensive as he could be, staying under $8,000. He’s the only Dignitas member aside from Shiphtur who I can put my trust in.
Immortals vs. Echo Fox
| Immortals | Echo Fox | |||||||||||
 | Record | 12-1 |  | Record | 5-7 | |||||||
| Vegas Sprd | -667 | Vegas Sprd | +462 | |||||||||
| Avg. KP | 68.3 | Avg. KP | 74.1 | |||||||||
| Team Pace | 1.17 | Team Pace | 0.71 | |||||||||
| Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | Matchup – Opponent DvP Ranks | |||||||||||
| DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | DvP Rks | Top | Jng | Mid | Supp | ADC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Players | Huni | Reignover | Pobelter | Adrian | WildTurtle | Players | kfo | Hard | Froggen | BIG | KEITH | |
| Opp. Season | 5 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 5 | Opp. Season | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
This game has lost some of its luster after popular pick Echo Fox were put in their place by TSM and Immortals undefeated run was ended, but there’s still plenty of intrigue here. Echo Fox have improved their season average GD@15, but are still at -653. Immortals are way, way out in front with over 3,000. So, can Echo Fox make this a game? Recent results seemed to suggest that the answer was yes coming into the week, however I’m no longer convinced.
In Echo Fox’s game against TSM, they simply never got anything going. TSM farmed into an early lead even despite giving up First Blood to Hard. From there, it was all SoloMid as their gold lead steadily increased for the remainder of the game. Echo Fox players were upwards of 50% owned in DraftKings contests, which I suspect has fantasy players questioning how they arrived at the conclusion that a team this poor was worth so heavily investing in. I don’t think they’ve taken any kind of sudden drop off, but it’s a reminder that they aren’t at the level of North America’s top LCS teams.
Immortals also lost on Sunday and all of a sudden the talk is that they are mortal. They were never particularly immortal and looked beatable on a number of occasions, but some seem to be thinking that a downturn may be coming for the team. I’m not buying it. They are still the top team in the region until proven otherwise, and they in an excellent spot against Rick Fox’s boys.
Immortals
Elite Plays
Reignover (AD: $7,100, DK: $8,000) – The loss to CLG gave Reignover his(and Huni’s) first loss in a regular season LCS game in more than a year. I wouldn’t expect Reignover and Immortals to waste any time beginning a new streak, though. Expect the best jungler in the LCS to pick on Froggen, if possible.
WildTurtle (AD: $8,500, DK: $8,200) – Pay no mind to the 8.8 points Turtle put up against Fox in their first game way back in Week Three. Echo Fox still wasn’t full strength and fell in just 19 minutes to Immortals. Turtle is a near lock for 20+ points, and a 40 point outburst is in the cards against Echo Fox, who know how extend games.
Secondary Plays
Huni (AD: $7,900, DK: $7,300) – If you’re seeking upside and are willing to pay up in the top position, then Huni is one of the few players who can find a way to put in a performance that can pay these tags. Huni’s KP is as low as it comes, so steer clear in cash. His ability to snowball against a team such as Echo Fox has to be noted though, especially after we saw him throw down a Penta Kill last week.
Echo Fox
Elite Plays
None.
Secondary Plays
Froggen (AD: $7,800, DK: $5,900) – Echo Fox players’ ownership levels are going to drop like a rock for this game, and that’s fair, but Froggen has earned the right to be considered for your rosters every time his team hits the Summoner’s Rift. Contrarian one off option for larger field tournaments, not a cash game play.
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