After a dominant winning streak in the LMS, the Flash Wolves are undergoing a major roster change. Kim “Moojin” Moo-jin, Huang “Maple” Yi-Tang and Hu “SwordArt” Shuo-Chieh are negotiating terms with other teams. Also, Yu “MMD” Li-Hong is retiring and becoming a full-time streamer.
【Flash Wolves personnel change】
We thank them for their contribution, and hope they will go smoothly in the future. pic.twitter.com/igeQdYFN1t— Flash Wolves (@flashwolves2013) November 11, 2018
The Flash Wolves would have another relatively successful year in the LMS. The team would win both the Spring and Summer Splits in the region. In fact, Flash Wolves has been the best team in the region by far, since 2016. They’ve won every LMS title since Spring 2016, and no one has really challenged them. The only problem they would encounter throughout their dominance of the LMS is their lackluster performances in international events.
Worlds and beyond
Besides their quarterfinals appearance at Worlds 2015, Flash Wolves would never make it past group stages. Additionally, at the Mid-Season Invitational, the team would play pretty well. However, they couldn’t find their way to any of the Finals either. Even at Rift Rivals, they would be the best team from their region, only to lose to South Korea and China. Still, Flash Wolves has been a staple of the international League of Legends scene, having qualified for every Worlds so far.
Talents like Maple, MooJin, and SwordArT shouldn’t have any problems finding teams either. They are still some of the best players in the world, and will probably find some lucrative opportunities in other regions. It is very unlikely that they stay in the LMS, as there aren’t many good teams left in the region. However, seeing as they are Chinese players, they will probably want to join an LPL team to keep synergy and communications at a high level.
Possible teams?
SwordArT will have a plethora of teams to choose from, as many still consider him a world-class support. He is undoubtedly a star who may find himself on a top-tier team come Spring 2019. It is expected that he will join a team that will pay him well, as will Maple. Although Maple hasn’t been playing as well as his past self, he is still a great midlaner who could contribute a lot to an LPL team. MooJin will probably head to South Korea, as there a few top teams that require a jungler, like SK Telecom T1.
The perennial World Champions would have a horrible 2018. even missing the World Championship for the first time in their history. Their jungle was a big problem for them, as Kang “Blank” Sun-gu would have a pretty lackluster year. MooJin could be a good piece to add around Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, who is still arguably the best player in the world.
On the other hand, Flash Wolves is now left with Lu “Betty” Yu-Hung, Su “Hanabi” Chia-Hsiang and Liu “ShiauC” Chia-Hao. Unfortunately, without the star power of SwordArT, Maple, and MooJin, their hopes have also left the region. Many fans say that with the end of an era in Flash Wolves, this also marks the end of LMS’ relevance internationally. None of the other teams are close to being as good as them, and if anything, they should merge with another region.
What are your thoughts on Maple, SwordArT, MooJin, and MMD leaving Flash Wolves? Let us know what you think in the comments below! If you want more League of Legends coverage, check us out here!
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