Riot Games’ late Worlds points changes to affect TSM and Cloud9

Riot Games implemented significant mid-season adjustments to the championship points structure that have created dramatic implications for North America’s top League of Legends teams. The timing of these changes has become particularly controversial, arriving after teams had already built their seasonal strategies around the original point distribution.

The 2019 spring split concluded without the traditional third-place match, resulting in both semifinal losers receiving identical 40-point allocations. However, Riot reversed course for the summer playoffs by restoring the consolation series, which now offers teams the opportunity to compete for either 70 or 40 championship points based on their performance in the third-place decider.

Another critical modification affected the second-place position. Previously worth 90 points, Riot elevated this placement to 100 points specifically to increase the competitive significance of the summer split. This strategic weighting creates a clear advantage for teams peaking later in the competitive season.

Team SoloMid’s second-place finish in the spring split earned them 70 championship points heading into the summer playoffs. Despite this strong foundation, their failure to secure a semifinals bye means they must immediately deliver in their quarterfinal match to maintain control over their Worlds destiny.

If TSM suffers an early elimination, they face a minimum total of 90 championship points. Their optimal scenario following a quarterfinal loss requires Team Liquid to win the championship while Cloud9 loses their opening series and ultimately places fourth. This complex dependency on other teams’ performances highlights their vulnerable position.

The reinstated third-place match now presents additional complications. Any playoff team starting from the minimum 20 points can potentially tie TSM’s total by securing third place and earning 70 points. Since summer points carry greater weight in tiebreakers, TSM would lose any such scenario against opponents with equivalent point totals.

Common strategic mistake: Teams often underestimate how tiebreaker rules can negate strong regular season performances. Always factor in worst-case tie scenarios when planning playoff strategies.

Cloud9 enters the summer playoffs with 40 points from their spring performance, plus a guaranteed minimum of 80 total points due to their playoffs bye advantage. The revised second-place rules work significantly in their favor—a single series victory immediately grants them 100 points and secures their Worlds qualification.

Even if TSM manages to reach third place, they would only tie Cloud9 with 140 points each. The critical tiebreaker rule favoring summer split performance means Cloud9 would prevail in this scenario, providing them with substantial insurance against elimination.

Advanced optimization: Teams with playoff byes should strategically analyze which quarterfinal matchups create the most favorable semifinal opponents. Understanding class selection strategies in competitive gaming can provide insights into matchup preparation.

In a potential finals showdown between Cloud9 and TSM where TSM emerges victorious, Cloud9 would need Team Liquid to lose the consolation series to clinch the second Worlds seed. This creates a fascinating strategic dynamic where Cloud9’s fate could depend on their rival’s performance against another team.

Should neither organization reach the championship match, Cloud9 must secure third place to avoid being forced into the gauntlet by TSM’s qualification.

Practical tip: Teams should prepare contingency plans for all possible playoff outcomes, including scenarios where they depend on other teams’ performances. This level of strategic planning separates championship-caliber organizations from the competition.

Time investment: Developing comprehensive scenario analysis typically requires 10-15 hours of coaching staff preparation during playoff weeks.

Given Cloud9 and TSM’s status as two of North America’s most popular and historically successful organizations, the community response to these late revisions has been overwhelmingly negative. Many fans and analysts question the competitive integrity of implementing such impactful changes after teams have already competed under one set of rules.

Some community members have openly accused Riot of manipulating the system to favor specific teams’ Worlds qualification chances. The timing raises legitimate questions about whether the changes were competitively motivated rather than purely structural improvements.

As the summer split playoffs progress, the esports community watches closely to determine whether these controversial adjustments will ultimately decide which teams represent North America at the World Championship.

For teams looking to improve their competitive approach, our Complete Guide offers valuable insights into developing championship-level strategies across different gaming titles.

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