In an unforeseen twist during the Worlds 2023 quarterfinals, the titan of the LCK, Gen.G, suffered a staggering loss in the second game of their Best of 5 series against Bilibili Gaming (BLG), raising eyebrows across the esports community.
Unraveling Gen.G’s Draft Disaster
Gen.G’s draft strategy left fans and analysts baffled, deviating from the calculated and strategic playstyle that crowned them the LCK champions. Their approach faced criticism, with many calling it one of the weakest drafts in the tournament’s history.
wtf pic.twitter.com/ndEb32aK7D
— Ashley Kang (@AshleyKang) November 3, 2023
BLG’s Masterclass Performance
Contrasting sharply with their opponent, BLG displayed a high-caliber performance, showcasing their versatility and strategic depth. They brought out a formidable lineup featuring Jarvan IV and Rumble, along with the highly contested picks Orianna and Xayah, setting the stage for a dominant showing.
BIN DOING BIN THINGS THIS SERIES 👊 pic.twitter.com/JCoWxXoxae
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) November 3, 2023
A Catastrophic Early Game
Within the first four minutes, Xayah secured a double kill, propelling BLG to an early lead with a gold advantage that soared to 3000 before the six-minute mark – a staggering difference seldom seen at this level of play.
2V3 DOUBLE FOR ELK! #Worlds2023 pic.twitter.com/ZQvaAjBfB3
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) November 3, 2023
The Looming Shadow of MSI
Haunted by the ghosts of their previous 3-0 defeat to BLG at MSI, Gen.G’s gameplay shrunk in comparison. With a 13,000 gold gap by the 23-minute mark, the match seemed less a competition and more a historical low for Gen.G.
TRIPLE KILL FOR ELK! #Worlds2023 pic.twitter.com/RSN5yNyVbT
— LoL Esports (@lolesports) November 3, 2023
Implications for the Worlds 2023 Championship
Should BLG continue their victorious streak, the stage could be set for an all-LPL final in Worlds 2023, with Weibo Gaming already securing their semifinal berth.
Disastrous Result
Whether Gen.G can stage a comeback remains to be seen. The implications of their performance extend beyond this match, potentially signaling a shift in the competitive landscape of League of Legends esports.