The League of Legends World Championships 2024 is drawing to its inevitable conclusion and, with every little thing on the road, it’s all to play for. Right here’s every little thing that you must know concerning the upcoming semi-final stage.
Set to happen over the weekend of October 26-27, the rivals from the LCS, LEC and minor areas are actually firmly within the rearview mirror for an additional 12 months. The groups from the extra minor leagues have additionally fallen away, leaving solely groups from China and Korea standing on this penultimate spherical.
On the very least, we additionally know that one workforce from both area will characteristic within the remaining. The semis see LPL sides Weibo Gaming and Bilibili Gaming go face to face in a rematch of the Summer time 2024 break up, whereas Gen.G tries to beat the seemingly divine proper of T1 to safe their place within the finals.
With so many dynamics at play, that is our full breakdown of what to anticipate come sport day.
Worlds 2024 semi-final breakdown
Weibo Gaming vs BLG
Colin Younger-Wolff/Riot Video games
There are such a lot of fascinating dynamics within the Weibo/BLG contest that it’s quick turning into one of many extra spectacular rivalries in skilled LoL. Within the home league, BLG have nailed themselves down as a dominant pressure after spectacular performances within the Spring and Summer time LPL break up.
Their extra conventional rivals, JD Gaming, didn’t qualify after shedding out to Weibo within the Regional Finals, leaving the latter as BLG’s regional compatriots right here. Weibo had a troublesome time in opposition to BLG within the common season, shedding 0-3 within the Summer time 2024 Grand Ultimate that noticed the latter qualify for Worlds.
That mentioned, there are some compelling arguments for Weibo’s potential to win. They famously beat BLG within the 2023 semi-final, in a spectacular best-of-five that noticed them come out forward 3-2 earlier than they might finally get cleanly swept by T1 within the remaining.
Their spectacular 3-1 win over LNG within the quarters has performed little to stall their momentum after they squeaked by means of the Swiss Stage by taking out Fnatic after which DPlus Kia within the 2-2 decider.
BLG’s line-up has been remarkably constant at Worlds thus far and Bin’s flip within the high lane could have gone beneath the radar, however it has been vital to his workforce’s success. His use of Rumble in opposition to G2 was a spotlight, as he demonstrated spectacular prowess on a champ that others have struggled to get essentially the most out of.
XUN, Knight, and Elk proceed to hit spotlight play after spotlight play and their workforce combat prowess provides them a ton of efficiency. Points with organising these fights might be a potential disadvantage for a workforce that in any other case appears in nice form to progress.
Weibo is in a remarkably related state of affairs, with massively spectacular people who frighten all comers once they come collectively cohesively for workforce fights. The bot lane combo of Gentle and Crisp have been among the many finest within the match thus far and their near-telepathic potential to line up foes ought to stand them in nice stead, no matter lane swaps.
BLG heads into the match as favorites, however don’t be shocked if Weibo is ready to upset the apple cart and head into the ultimate as soon as once more.
Gen.G vs T1
Colin Younger-Wolff/Riot Video games
After T1 barely managed to make it to Worlds on the final time of asking, you’d be forgiven for considering they might battle on the match correct. A loss to High Esports within the Swiss Stage opener furthered that faculty of considering, however they’ve spent each match since categorically shutting down the doubters.
Shutouts in opposition to PaiN Gaming, Bilibili, and G2 noticed them progress to the quarter-finals, the place they took their revenge on High Esports in a spectacular 3-0 finest of 5. That match served as a window into the T1 of outdated and a reminder that their present roster has the potential to blow away glorious groups.
Faker has continued to be Faker, with out hitting his personal ridiculously lofty requirements. That mentioned, his use of staple champions like Ahri has served because the bedrock for his workforce to construct on, whereas spotlight picks like Sylas proceed to excite spectators.
Gumayusi has arguably been T1’s participant of the match thus far, providing spectacular openers and loopy carry harm in workforce fights. His potential to dip into the champ pool and be efficient on picks like Caitlyn (the place he solely shut down MF), simply provides them additional instruments of their already broad arsenal.
Gen.G was unbelievable within the common season, topping out the Spring desk with a 17-1 file within the LCK, earlier than happening to beat T1 within the playoffs. They repeated that common rating within the Summer time earlier than shedding the ultimate to HLE, all after that they had certified for Worlds by successful MSI 2024.
So far as run-ups to Worlds go, Gen.G did about in addition to it’s potential to do they usually had little hassle carrying that momentum by means of to Swiss Stage. They waltzed by means of with a 3-0 file, beating HLE, High Esports, and fellow semi-finalists Weibo alongside the best way.
The primary potential chinks of their armor appeared within the quarter-final, the place NA champs FlyQuest managed to steal away two video games in an eventual 3-2 loss. This surprisingly shut affair has lowered the sense of invulnerability that surrounds Gen.G and T1 will odor blood within the water.
Nevertheless the semi does find yourself taking part in out, and followers are in for a no-holds-barred slugfest that shall be gained and misplaced in a couple of defining fights. Each groups are so remarkably efficient at claiming targets and undermining bases that the slightest slip-up will possible spell the tip of the match for certainly one of these sides.
Weibo Gaming vs BLG is all set for October 26 at 2.00 PM CEST, whereas Gen.G vs T1 will get underway at 3.00 PM CEST on October 27.
