LNG Icon: “I actually don’t think League of Legends is as mechanically demanding as most people think”

With the LPL’s fourth seed, LNG Esports, going 3-0 on Day 2 of Play-Ins, they have locked themselves a place to at least advance from Group A. They have looked up and down at times, but overall have had a good three games so far to help the team adapt to the Worlds meta.

Congratulations on defeating RED Canids and going 3-0 to secure a spot to progress towards the Main Event! How do you feel about your own and LNG’s performances as a whole so far?

Icon: Since we are still in the Play-Ins stage, I feel like our opponents might not be as competitive just yet and we still have a lot of things on our team that we’re not able to showcase as well. I just wish for us to make it to Groups in the Main Event.

Speaking of showcasing things, you pulled out the Zed in the mid lane today which was surprising since I think most people expected Zed in the jungle. Talk to me a little bit about the Zed pick in mid here and why did he pick it mid this game?

Icon: I think that he’s a fun champion to play, and… yeah. That’s about it.

My body is ready. #Worlds2021 pic.twitter.com/xGM9dR3imD

— Joe Fenny (@HeyMunchables) October 6, 2021

I’d like to get your thoughts on the Worlds 2021 meta because the current meta is quite different from the one in summer. Tell us a bit about the mid lane meta at the moment and what do you think about it.

Icon: There’s a lot of champions you can play in the mid lane right now and all those champions can be flexed to different roles as well, so you will see a lot of strange or unfamiliar picks coming out. On the other hand, there will be a lot of strange counter-picks coming out in response to that.

Do you think then due to the high importance placed on mid and jungle picks right now, will mid-jungle synergy be the most important aspect for this patch?

Icon: I think in every patch, mid-jungle is always very important and in this current environment there are a lot of very aggressive champions available, so in the current meta it’s easier to get kills and leads, but it’s also a lot easier to fall behind.

THE FIRST KILL AT #WORLDS2021! pic.twitter.com/ENUFpm7mSy

— LoL Esports (@lolesports) October 5, 2021

That’s fair. Coming into Worlds, a lot of people are talking about how strong the LPL teams are but also, there has been talk of how the LCK looks weaker this year. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think some might be underrating the LCK teams?

Icon: I do think the LPL is overall stronger.

Assuming LNG do make it out of Play-Ins, they can only be seeded into Group D. Are there any teams or players you would like to face there?

Icon: I don’t think there is one I’d like to face right now.

Before we end, there is the narrative in the LPL where you remain one of the oldest players in the region. As one of the older players in LoL at the moment, what do you think about this and how long do you plan to continue playing?

Icon: I actually don’t think League of Legends is as mechanically demanding as most people think and I think that everyone that has made it to Worlds is more or less at a similar level. As for how long I will continue to play, I don’t know currently.

What are yours and LNG’s goals this Worlds? How far do you think you can go?

Icon: Judging by my group…I don’t know (laughs)!

Thank you for your comments, Icon, and good luck going forward!

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Image Credit: Riot Games / LPL