What G2 needs to do to recover for 2022

After acquisitioning Martin ‘Rekkles’ Larssen, G2 Esports appeared to be the strongest team in the LEC by a wide margin. Domestic success was seemingly a given, with their sights clearly set on international dominance to follow up their 2019 and 2020 Worlds runs. The 2021 LEC season was one of the few times where a single team held the supposed ‘best in their role.’

The reality could not have been further from this goal. Even with a squad of five veteran players, G2 never once reached a domestic finals let along international competition. After an exhausting year of disappointments, the European organization has decided to go into a radically new direction.

Offloading Rekkles, Mikyx, Wunder, as well as coaches Grabbz and Duffman, the team has an entirely new attitude centered around their two remaining players, Jankos and Caps. While many have been quick to criticize the team, here is what G2 can do to make the most of its new squad.

Don’t be afraid to play around the ‘rookies’

None of G2 Esports’ new players are rookies in the pure sense of the word. Broken Blade had a fairly successful stint in both the TCL and LCS before joining the LEC and Targamas and Flakked are both ERL veterans. Though they may not have experience on the biggest stage in Europe, these are players that have played, and won plenty of games. Players such as Broken Blade have proven themselves to be incredible carry threats even on lacking rosters.

Though G2 are retaining their mid/jungle duo, these two players are known quantities. Likely opponents will look to target the new and seemingly ‘vulnerable’ top and bot sides of the team, particularly bottom lane. Using Caps and Jankos to push ahead the other lanes could be a great way to throw opponents off and build confidence in these ‘rookies’ already filling in massive shoes.

Bring back the G2 aggression

G2 was notorious back in 2020 and 2019 for being the ‘meta-setters.’ The team was not afraid to try out new picks on a regular basis even on the biggest stage in LoL Esports, as Caps bravely locked-in Pyke in the World Finals. Most importantly, G2 were never discouraged, at least visibly, whenever these unique picks did not pan out to expectations.

While in 2021 the team did still attempt these risky picks, it mostly came through toplane. Wunder had far from his best year, and these unorthodox picks directed toward him, without the help of Perkz, didn’t feel the same and G2 played far better when going with a more standardized draft.

In game and draft, G2 will need to re-capture this aggressive attitude that originally landed them four consecutive LEC titles. Not only taking the risks to both define the meta and defy it, G2 needs to distribute this aggressive and risky playstyle across all of its roles instead of focusing it on a single lane. With a new roster this will undoubtedly be difficult, but whenever G2 are confident, regardless of result, they appear unstoppable.

Tough out the roster

The eight-time LEC Champions are taking a gamble on ERL talent and a toplaner who many still question. Keeping Rekkles was certainly an option for G2, and traditionally better received toplaners, such as Alphari or Bwipo, were on the table. Instead, G2 have opted for its current roster and should plan on sticking to it.

Likely this roster will be tested. Teams such as Vitality, MAD Lions, and Rogue are either retaining their core or building new ‘superteams’ that are expected to have far more synergy and initial success. As this new iteration of the G2 roster finds its rhythm and identity, it is important to keep this lineup intact.

Subbing out players at the first sign of distress is a common pitfall of countless teams, particularly in the LCS. It not only prevents a core squad from synergizing but sets a poor precedent as players feel only one short step away from the bench. G2 bravely picked out a roster that no one expected, now they have to stick with it.

Make playoffs

The LEC is undergoing a massive transformation. Countless star players such as Inspired, Hans Sama, and Bwipo are all expected to cross over to the LCS. Meanwhile players like Nisqy, Rekkles, and many more are going teamless into the start of the season. The league is incredibly volatile right now and a playoffs spot is simply not guaranteed to anyone.

For the betterment of the squad getting Bo5 experience, and really any stage experiment, will drastically help the team grow and get ahead. While G2’s CEO, Ocelote, has always had high expectations for the team, the bar as of right now is simply to make playoffs and go from there. G2 will have to walk before it can run.

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Image Credits: LEC / Riot Games