TL;DR
- Defending world champions Invictus Gaming suffered a stunning 3-0 playoff sweep by LNG Esports
- Team struggled throughout summer with roster instability and strategic disconnect
- Questionable lineup decisions including benching All-Pro player TheShy in crucial game
- Despite early elimination, IG still has path to Worlds through LPL regional finals
- Regional finals begin September 7 with only three teams competing for final spots
The reigning World Championship titleholders from Invictus Gaming experienced a devastating early departure from the 2019 LPL Summer Playoffs that shocked the entire League of Legends community.
LNG Esports, previously operating under the Snake Esports banner, abruptly terminated Invictus’ postseason aspirations. Contrary to their underwhelming regular season performance, most analysts had projected Invictus as the series favorite. Team members expressed confidence about elevating their performance in best-of-five scenarios, yet they delivered an unexpected outcome for all the wrong reasons.
Invictus Gaming’s cruel summer in the LPL
The 2019 summer split presented continuous challenges for the defending champions. Following their LPL Spring championship victory, the organization delivered disappointing results at the Mid-Season Invitational , initiating a downward trajectory that persisted throughout the following months. Mid-lane superstar Song “Rookie” Eul-jin missed several critical weeks due to personal matters. During the Rift Rivals tournament, their performances were adequate but unremarkable. Throughout domestic league play, securing victories became increasingly difficult for the struggling squad.
Invictus concluded their regular season campaign with a 9-6 record, positioning them sixth in the standings just ahead of LNG Esports and Suning. The team clinched their playoff berth during the final week of regular competition, requiring victories in both concluding matches to secure one of the lower-seeded positions.
During the opening playoff round, LNG Esports comprehensively dismantled Invictus in a decisive 3-0 sweep. Throughout the series, the team displayed clear disorganization and lacked coherent strategic planning. In the initial match, management opted to start Lee “Duke” Ho-seong instead of Kang “TheShy” Seung-lok, despite TheShy earning recognition as the sole Invictus representative on the All-Pro team selection.
Invictus subsequently introduced TheShy and rookie jungle player Lu “Leyan” Jue. This experimental combination proved unsuccessful, prompting the return of Gao “Ning” Zhen-Ning for the third game.
The continuous roster adjustments failed to improve Invictus’ competitive position, resulting in premature tournament elimination. LNG Esports advanced to compete against Royal Never Give Up, with RNG claiming that series 3-1. RNG now progresses to the semifinal stage where they’ll encounter Top Esports.
The summer campaign continues for Invictus Gaming, as the organization maintains one final opportunity to qualify for the 2019 World Championship through the regional finals pathway. Only three squads will participate in the regional finals, with Invictus scheduled to face the third and fourth-place finishers from the LPL summer playoffs.
The LPL regional finals commence on September 7, providing a crucial second chance for teams that fell short in the main playoff bracket. This format often favors experienced rosters who can quickly adapt from previous failures, though it demands immediate psychological recovery from devastating losses. For comprehensive competitive preparation, consult our Complete Guide to tournament readiness strategies.
Action Checklist
- Analyze LNG Esports’ playoff strategies to identify exploitable patterns
- Review roster decision-making process and establish clear starting lineup criteria
- Study regional finals opponents’ recent performances and champion preferences
- Implement team coordination exercises to address strategic disconnect issues
- Develop mental resilience training to recover from playoff disappointment
No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » Invictus Gaming out of LPL playoffs after loss to LNG Esports Analyzing Invictus Gaming's shocking 2019 LPL playoff exit and their remaining path to Worlds qualification