TL;DR
- Dardoch enters free agency after seven LCS team stints and coaching role
- European transition offers cultural compatibility but unprecedented NA-to-EU move
- Behavioral issues remain primary obstacle despite undeniable mechanical skill
- Limited opportunities demand immediate professional transformation
- LEC represents highest potential for career revival and star development

Joshua “Dardoch” Hartnett stands as one of North American League of Legends’ most polarizing competitive figures, consistently moving between organizations while accumulating an extensive resume of brief tenures across LCS lineups plagued by collaboration difficulties.
Following his most recent competitive appearance with Dignitas, the jungler revealed his current free agent status while evaluating potential opportunities across all competitive regions worldwide.

Hartnett’s competitive path includes representation of seven distinct LCS franchises as a jungle specialist, featuring multiple engagements with both Immortals and Team Liquid organizations. His latest professional capacity involved serving as assistant coach for Immortals’ primary competitive squad. The player’s competitive tenure with Dignitas concluded abruptly following an undisclosed occurrence during the 2021 Summer Split competitive period.
Where will Dardoch play in 2022?
Previous indications suggested Hartnett didn’t perceive his latest unsuccessful team engagement as career-defining. Should he pursue competitive opportunities abroad in European territories through LEC participation or REL infrastructure, he would emerge among the initial North American competitors to undertake this directional shift. While abundant memes circulate regarding NA organizations’ tendency to recruit European talent, minimal examples exist of the opposite movement. If Dardoch’s LEC ambitions achieve realization, this would establish the premier significant instance of an EU organization acquiring a North American competitive player.
Concurrently, European ranked ladder and professional competitive environments maintain reputations for increased acceptance of the type of competitive communication styles Hartnett demonstrates. There exists genuine possibility that European competitive culture might provide precisely the type of atmosphere capable of transforming Dardoch into the elite performer many previously anticipated. The jungler’s capacity for all-star level carry performances failed to develop fully due to off-stage controversies and interpersonal conflicts.
The primary challenge facing Hartnett involves behavioral adaptation within team environments. Professional organizations increasingly prioritize roster cohesion and collaborative dynamics, areas where historical patterns indicate consistent challenges. The transition from North American to European competitive culture requires significant adjustment in communication approaches and team interaction methodologies.
Successful integration demands developing emotional intelligence alongside mechanical expertise. Teams considering acquisition must evaluate whether Hartnett’s undeniable skill justifies potential organizational disruption and integration resources required.
Supporters of the contentious jungle specialist must anticipate that geographical relocation might resolve Hartnett’s professional difficulties. Given substantial historical controversies, subsequent opportunities become progressively difficult to secure and maintain.
The European competitive landscape offers distinctive advantages for players demonstrating strong individual mechanics but struggling with team dynamics. LEC organizations frequently emphasize player development and cultural fit, potentially providing the structured environment Hartnett requires for professional maturation. However, the unprecedented nature of this potential transition introduces additional uncertainty regarding adaptation timelines and performance consistency.
Action Checklist
- Evaluate European team cultural compatibility through research and preliminary discussions
- Develop communication improvement plan with professional coaching support
- Establish behavioral benchmarks for team integration success measurement
- Create performance demonstration content for potential organization review
No reproduction without permission:Games Guides Website » Dardoch looking to compete overseas in 2022 in LEC or REL Analyzing Dardoch's 2022 career options and the potential impact of a European transition
