The LoL preseason, the time when the League of Legends (LoL) community prepares for the next competitive season, is always a tumultuous time. From massive balancing updates to the game to surprising roster changes, there's a lot of goings-on during this time. As a LoL fan, it might be hard to keep track of everything at once. This article aims to get you up to speed on the most important preseason roster changes so far.
1. Nisqy and Licorice out of Cloud9, Fudge promoted to main roster
Since its inception, Cloud9 has been a mainstay in The Worlds stage, until Team SoloMid beat them this year. This marked the first time Cloud9 failed to qualify for Worlds in the organization's history. This meant that Cloud9 has to take drastic measures if it wants to recapture its former glory.
As part of these measures, Cloud9 released long-time players Yasin “Nisqy” Dinçer and Eric “Licorice” Ritchie. Cloud9 also promoted academy player Ibrahim “Fudge” Allami to the main roster to replace Licorice in the top lane.
Over the past few weeks, Cloud9 has been in negotiations with a lot of free agents. One of these free agents is G2 Esports' Luka “Perkz” Perković, who is rumored to be joining Cloud9 through a $5 million buyout. While these rumors remain unproven, Perkz's addition to Cloud9's roster may just be the missing piece they need to get back to the Worlds stage.
2. SwordArt leaves Suning, rumored to join TSM with Huni
Falling just short of winning the Worlds championship may lead to players reconsidering their current positions in the competitive scene. The LoL preseason is the perfect time to act on these pensive thoughts, just as how Hu “SwordArt” Shuo-Chieh is using this period to make changes in his career. The Worlds runner-up has just left Suning Gaming, opening him up to offers from other teams.
Meanwhile, SwordArt and Team Liquid's Heo “Huni” Seung-hoon are rumored to be joining Team SoloMid, replacing Biofrost and Broken Blade, respectively. None of the involved teams have made any official announcements regarding this. But their mention in the Jacob Wolf Free Agency Show more than confirms this rumor.
3. Nuguri and BeryL moves from DAMWON Gaming to free agency
Becoming world champions could have been enough reason for some players to remain with their teams. However, newly-minted champions Jang “Nuguri” Ha-gwon and Cho “BeryL” Geon-hee seem to think otherwise.
DAMWON Gaming announced on Twitter that two are entering the free agency. While this does mean that the two players are likely to join other teams during the LoL preseason, they may still choose the option to re-sign with DAMWON Gaming.
https://twitter.com/DamwonGaming/status/1328492713851777024
4. Rekkles entering free agency, Nisqy may join to replace Nemesis in Fnatic
Fnatic's Quarterfinals exit in Worlds 2020 has been the par for the course for the team in the past few years. Some small changes to refine their roster may help them get back to the top, and finally, claim the second championship that has eluded them. However, it seems like Rekkles is more interested in seeking opportunities elsewhere, as he enters free agency. As Perkz is likely to jump to Cloud9 during the LoL preseason, G2 Esports may just become Rekkles' new home by the start of the next split.
Meanwhile, Cloud9 may have removed Nisqy from the main roster, but that does not mean he's got nowhere else to turn. He might replace Nemesis in the midlane for Fnatic if rumors are true, but none of this has been confirmed yet. Nisqy returning to the LEC might rejuvenate him, and help Fnatic have better chances for the gold.
Sources: @FNATIC are expected to complete an one-year contract extension with support @FNCHylissang, marking his return to the team after an impressive #Worlds2020 performance.
Now the big elephant in the room for Fnatic: re-signing Rekkles, who will become a free agent Monday.
— Jacob Wolf (@JacobWolf) November 15, 2020
5. Santorin, Alphari flies to LCS for Team Liquid, Jensen remains with the team
Team Liquid could have done better in Worlds 2020, so some changes are definitely in order. With that being said, Team Liquid's not afraid to make big changes to their roster in pursuit of the gold.
With Jung “Impact” Eon-yeong reportedly signing with Evil Geniuses for the next season, the top position in Team Liquid is left open. That's where Lucas “Santorin” Larsen will be swooping in, flying off FlyQuest. Meanwhile, Mads “Broxah” Brock-Pedersen has already left Team Liquid's jungle for CounterLogic Gaming's. Barney “Alphari” Morris will then be the new king of the jungle, entering LCS for the first time.
These two additions to Team Liquid are actually really great additions for Team Liquid. Alphari and Santorin have been receiving praises for their respective roles, despite their previous teams' weak tournament finishes. Alphari and Santorin are already great players, who could reach their full potential with Team Liquid.
Meanwhile, Team Liquid sought to retain midlaner Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen, happy with his performance over the past year. Agreeing to a three-year contract, Jensen should help mold the new players into what Team Liquid needs them to become.
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