Summoning Insight

LCS playoffs are looming, but first an MVP must be crowned and the decision is a difficult one: should it be Berserker or Prince? 100 Thieves are ramping up before playoffs, but their specific playstyle causes concerns when they have to play FlyQuest in the first round. Excel finally announce that they will swap Vetheo for Abbedagge, but it might be too late to save their Spring Split already. The surprising issues with KOI are dissected, while Fnatic and G2 close the LEC conversation. Finally, T1's historic dominance with their current roster, which has gone 50-4 in bo3's since the start of 2022, is put in context. Is this version of T1 the best LoL team of all-time? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The LEC ramps back up with the start of the Spring Split, but fnatic somehow looks even worse than before! Thorin and MonteCristo discuss the cascading series of decisions about fnatic's roster that led them to this moment and the little hope the team should have moving forward in 2023. KT Rolster has dramatically improved over the past couple of weeks by adding more pick compositions and stellar performances from Bdd. Over in the LPL, LNG have proved they should be considered among the world's best while questions begin to arise for Top Esports due to their recent losses. The upcoming LCK and LPL playoffs are previewed with an overview of which teams our hosts want to see attending MSI in May. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New information on the Danny situation with EG emerges and Thorin and Monte add their final thoughts to the situation until Riot makes further announcements. The LCS continues with C9 and FlyQuest convincingly leading the league, while 100 Thieves struggles to find an identity. Dplus KIA rises through the ranks in Korea as KT has a bounce-back week, but T1 continues to dominate the world meta and the eye-test. Over in LPL, EDG and LNG appear to be shocking upstarts among the super teams of JDG, TOP, and WBG. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Summoning Insight kicks off with discussing the complex issue surrounding Danny's treatment on EG and the possible unethical actions of team management in handling him as a player. The news of Upset to Vitality breaks as the show is happening, so Monte and Thorin discuss if this is finally the roster move that sends Vitality to the top. They recap G2's dominant victory in the LEC Winter Split and then discuss the recent results from the best teams in the LPL and LCK, including JDG, TOP, T1, and GenG. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The LEC playoffs begin with G2's victory victory over KOI, which Monte argues was more one-sided than many believe. Vitality's elimination receives further scrutiny, with discussion focusing on whether or not the bot lane of Neon and Kaiser needs to be changed before the LEC Spring Split. A quick chat about the LPL's best teams such as JDG and TOP moves into conversation about the issues with Dplus KIA and the big match between T1 and GenG. Monte and Thorin finish the show with a conversation on LCS, particularly focusing on Team Liquid and their struggles with their Korean-speaking roster before moving onto Discord questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The first weekend of the LEC Winter Split groups is complete, with G2 moving on to the playoff bracket and Vitality unexpectedly upset by KOI. The European LoL discussion focuses around each of the remaining teams and the overall strength of the region alongside the options that Excel have as they await their next shot in the Spring split. The conversation turns to Asia as Thorin and Monte highlight the strengths and weaknesses of some of the world's best teams: T1, GenG, JDG, Top, and Weibo. How did KT pull off the upset against GenG this week and will Dplus return to their early split dominance? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chris "PapaSmithy" Smith, President of FlyQuest, joins the show to discuss his new role with the team, the process of building the LCS roster, the organization's plans for content, and the team's hot start to the Spring Split. Monte and Thorin dive into the drama with the LCS's segment on TSM vs 100 Thieves, the production's responsibility for the tone of the segment, DoubleLift and Leena's inappropriate responses to LeTigress, and more. They also chat about the current state of the LCK and whether too many control wards are being purchased by professional players. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week the show starts with the LEC: Excel's surprisingly poor performance, Vitality's status as the number one team after two weeks, SK's surge up the standings, and Fnatic's fall. The first week of the LCS is complete with FlyQuest a clear frontrunner thanks to Prince and Vicla's supreme performance. Can Evil Geniuses, CLG, or 100 Thieves hope to catch up? The discussion shifts to the new aspects of the LCS production and if they've been successful in their attempt to woo new viewers. Finally, the show concludes with analyzing the match between T1 and Dplus KIA, the two best teams in the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin as they rank discuss the start of the LEC and LCK regular seasons, the dominating debut of G2, Vitality living up to the early hype, how T1 and Dplus should vie for the title in Korea, the announced changes to the upcoming LCS broadcast, how most teams are playing through bot lane, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin as they rank teams from 1-10 in LEC, LCK, and LCS for the Spring Split in 2023. They also discuss the LEC talent announcement, the changing start time of the LCS, channel updates for Last Free Nation, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin with guest Christian "IWillDominate" Rivera, as they rank every team that has won the League of Legends World Championship from 2012-2022, why Fnatic doesn't count as a Worlds winner, which teams were patch dependent, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin as they discuss Riot's changes to the Worlds and MSI formats, why the Swiss system mirroring the CS:GO Major presents new problems, how Riot is being dishonest about their format reasoning, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin as they discuss the confirmed and rumored roster moves around the League of Legends world, the massive shake-up of players in the LCK, what Viper and Ruler changing leagues means, the huge number of free agents in the LPL, the ceiling of JDG's alleged new lineup, giving away our Big D Energy trophies for Worlds performances/Esporstbet wagers, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin with guest Peter Dun, former head coach of Evil Geniuses, as they discuss the thrilling end of Worlds 2022, the matchup between T1 and DRX, what the win means for Deft's legacy, the differences in coaching between North America and Europe, the problems with mentality among LCS pros, how LCS team owners and management interact with coaches, the possible roster moves in LEC, the strange trade situation with Elyoya, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin with guest Wolf Schröder, LCK caster, as they discuss the conclusion of the Worlds semi-finals, the incredible upset of DRX over Gen.G, how T1 defeated JDG, the possible pick/ban meta between DRX and T1 in the finals, Zeka as the leader of the MVP race at Worlds, why Faker deserves this week's Big Dick Energy Trophy, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin with guest Wolf Schröder, LCK caster, and Jakob "YamatoCannon" Mebdi, head coach of Fnatic, as they discuss the wild quarterfinals at Worlds, the struggles of Fnatic during the play-ins and groups, the stylistic match-ups between T1 vs JDG and Gen.G vs DRX, the epic inhibitor respawn in EDG vs DRX, the reasons why this meta is so spectacular, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin with guest Laure Valée, host and interviewer on LEC, as they discuss the end of the group stage of Worlds 2022, predictions for the upcoming quarterfinals, what it means to the LEC to have Rogue in the bracket stage, the bug at the end of the TES vs GAM game, the implications of moving the LCS to weekdays, whether JDG or Gen.G are the Worlds favorites, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin with guest Christopher "SeeEl" Lee, assistant coach of Rogue, as they discuss the first round-robin of Worlds 2022 groups, Rogue's dominant 3-0 start, the likelihood of the fabled 0-18 for NA LCS teams, the launch of the new brand Last Free Nation, Carlos' punishment by Riot, which teams remain favorites for Worlds, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin as they discuss the Worlds 2022 Play-Ins stage, RNG and DRX's current form and potential in groups, the elimination of MAD Lions at the hands of Evil Geniuses, predictions for the Group Stage of the Worlds Main Event, who are the favorites for the title, how DAMWON Kia and T1 may be bolstered by the emerging meta, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin with guest Cake, top pastry of Rogue, as they discuss the LEC and LCS finals, the Worlds group draw, Danny's substitution on EG, Rogue finally overcoming their status as the razor cake, Cloud9 inexplicably powering up for the playoffs, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin with guest Alexander "Carter" Cartwright, head coach of Misfits, as they discuss the formation of the current Misfits roster, the LEC playoffs and G2 and Fnatic as presumptive finalists, Team Liquid's failure to make Worlds, the LPL finals between Top Esports and JDG, DRX and DAMWON KIA making it through the Korean gauntlet, the sale of Misfits, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin with guest Jensen Goh, former LCS coach and current coach of Maryville University, as they discuss the most fraudulent team in the LPL playoffs, the intense series between JDG and Top Esports, the LCK finals between Gen.G and T1, Cloud9's massive upset against EG, G2 rising above the rest of the LEC, XL's disappointing performance against Fnatic, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin with guest Parth Naidu, former GM and coach of TSM, as they discuss the first round of LCS playoffs, the surprising drafts in the DAMWON KIA vs T1 series, the slugfest of CLG vs C9, the grassroots issues with the NA scene, the future challenges that the LCS faces with declining viewership, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin with guest Maurice "Amazing" Stückenschneider, jungler for Mouz, as they discuss upcoming LEC/LCS/LCK playoffs, whether G2 is the favorite to win in Europe once more, 100Thieves vs Evil Geniuses for best team in North America, why this is Gen.G's time to finally win an LCK title, and more.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin as they discuss the shocking amount of upsets in the LEC, Vitality's sudden snap into form, the dragon and herald's changes affecting the meta, Gen.G's current status as a potential Worlds winner, who could be contenders in the LCS playoffs, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin with guest Niship "Dhokla" Doshi, top laner for CLG, as they discuss Dhokla rejoining the LCS for the Summer Split, CLG's ambitions to qualify for Worlds this year, ranking the top laners in LCS, why EG continues to be the best NA team, what has gone wrong for Team Liquid, the new LCK player contract rules and restrictions, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin with guest Norman "Kaiser" Kaiser, support player for MAD Lions, as they discuss the Summer split shifts to the MAD Lions roster, what Nisqy brings to the team, why G2 and Fnatic seem to be faltering, what aspects make Rogue and Excel strong in this meta, the results of the TSM investigation and Reginald's probation, if the LCS is dying, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin with guest Jesper "Zven" Svenningsen, support player for Cloud9, as they discuss the latest iteration of the C9 roster, Zven's approach to role-swapping to support, Evil Geniuses as the best team in the LCS, the end of T1's historic 24 match win-streak in LCK, the factors that make Gen.G a top team in the world, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin with guest Nelson Sng, coach of Excel, as they discuss Excel's Korean bootcamp and first place standing in LEC, G2's performance at MSI and the Summer Split so far, the causes of the remake between Excel and Vitality, the top things that LEC and other Western teams can learn from LPL, the degree to which MAD Lions has improved, the current state of the LCS, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin with guest Andre Guilhoto, head coach of Team Liquid, as they discuss the new Monte & Wolf LCK show, the durability patch's effect on the meta, Team Liquid's Korean bootcamp, the expectations for NA teams on the international stage, Monte's enjoyment of children's card games, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin as they discuss the Playoffs of MSI, the latest on the TSM investigation, updates on the Peter Zhang scandal, the grand final between RNG and T1, Xiaohu's legacy as a player, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin with guest Dan "Aux" Harrison, LPL color caster, as they discuss the Rumble Stage of MSI, RNG and T1's finish in the top 2, G2's world-beating form straight into their loss streak, playoffs predictions, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join MonteCristo and Thorin with guest artificial ping, as they discuss the real problems with network latency at MSI, Riot's ruling to replay RNG's matches, possible positive changes to the MSI format, the dominance of T1/RNG/G2 in the Group Stage, predictions for the next tournament phase, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Robert "Dagda" Price, LPL color caster and analyst, joins the show to discuss the LPL and LCS finals, the rise of NA players jojopyun and Danny, the chances of G2 and T1 and MSI, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Barento "Raz" Mohammed, LCS analyst, joins the show to preview the final weekend of the LCS playoffs, discuss C9's playoff collapse, discuss the final three teams in the LPL playoffs, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dylan Falco, head coach of G2, joins the show to discuss G2's victory over Rogue in the LEC finals, how this iteration of G2's roster was formed, the strength of the field at MSI, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

James "Mac" MacCormack, head coach of MAD Lions, joins the show to discuss the second round of the LEC playoffs, the LCK grand finals, coaching best practices in esports, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

**AUDIO FIXED WHEN AMAZING JOINS** Maurice "Amazing" Stückenschneide, LoL analyst, joins the show to discuss the first round of the LEC playoffs, the LCK semifinals, the favorites for the European title, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrei "Odoamne" Pascu, top laner for Rogue, joins the show to discuss the upcoming LEC playoffs, TSM coach Peter Zhang's scandalous departure, T1's perfect 18-0 split, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kim "Olleh" Joo-sung, support for Golden Guardians, joins the show to discuss the LCS playoff race, Olleh's extensive global experience playing LoL, T1's historic win-streak, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mohamed "Revenge" Kaddoura, top laner for Immortals, joins the show to discuss the upcoming LEC playoffs, Immortals' off-season moves, Revenge's Korean bootcamp, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alex "Nymaera" Hapgood, LEC/NLC/LJL caster, joins the show to discuss T1's dominance in the LCK, Fnatic as the best team in the LEC, the current status of Malrang and Rogue, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Erlend "nukeduck" Våtevik Holm, mid laner for Excel, joins the show to discuss LS' release as head coach from Cloud9, Excel's addition of Mikyx, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Peter Dun, head coach of Evil Geniuses, joins the show to discuss EG's method of roster construction, Jojopyun's promising start, MAD Lions' roster changes, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jakob "YamatoCannon" Mebdi, head coach of Fnatic, joins the show to discuss the TSM investigation, the start of the LEC spring split, Fnatic's hot start to 2022, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Catch the latest episode of Summoning Insight: the premier League of Legends esports podcast. Tuesdays on Spotify video Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.