Preface: The S15 season has fully wrapped up, and it's believed that the vast majority of players have been paying attention to the recent Demacia Cup. This LPL region entertainment event encountered many problems. On opening day, a team was forfeited by the organizers because of network fluctuations, and there were multiple interruptions later on. After the first round, the groupings became a hot topic among players, with the final outcome surprising many fans. IG ended up in the "chosen ones" group, where teams performed averagely, while Group B gathered many strong teams. According to leaks, the draw had to be done three times before the groups were set. Additionally, the LPL region featured a battle dubbed husband versus rival.

IG had to draw three times to land in the chosen group.

Most players are quite familiar with the Demacia Cup. As an entertainment competition in the LPL region, the prestige of the Cup has risen over recent years, with many teams fielding their main rosters. This season was no exception; for example, the recently restructured WBG team sent out their full starting lineup, aiming clearly to win the championship. With the first round completed, all teams for the second round have been decided. The draw for groupings became a major discussion point since several strong teams had now joined. Without the first round's casual nature, the second round promises to be very challenging.

Once the groups were finalized, they became the center of online debate. Group A includes IG, EDG, NIP, WE, and LGD. Group B comprises BLG, JDG, WBG, LNG, and OMG. Essentially, the stronger teams are all packed into Group B, while Group A, except for IG, lacks much competitive strength. Moreover, insiders revealed the draw process took three attempts: the first was voided due to a request for live broadcast, the second was redone because Group A ended up with three repeats, and the third produced the current grouping. Industry insiders also noted IG had very good luck throughout these three draws.

Indeed, IG’s grouping seems unusually prominent. Barring surprises, they’re likely the strongest team in their group. However, this season IG has undergone roster changes with several key players departing, so it’s uncertain how well the team has gelled. After the schedule was announced, many fans started paying closer attention to the match arrangements. The Christmas showdown particularly drew interest, with the organizers smartly setting up intriguing matchups like IG versus NIP—teams with a strong bond this year, though both have made adjustments, so the rivalry's intensity has somewhat cooled.

The most crucial matchup is probably between WBG and BLG, spotlighting Elk versus Viper. The husband versus rival duel remains highly anticipated. WBG is fielding its full starting lineup, while BLG’s mid-laner Knight is absent, making WBG the favorite to win, though Viper might still shine with outstanding plays to dominate the bot lane. Honestly, judging by current competition levels, Viper is arguably the strongest AD carry in the LPL this season. HLE signing Xiao Lü Bu doesn’t mean they've given up on Viper; rather, he chose to leave voluntarily.

Farewell Thoughts

No one expected the final result after three rounds of draws to turn out this way; it seems the organizers understand how to create a good show. IG indeed got lucky, facing relatively weaker teams, so as long as they perform normally, advancing to the next round should be easy. Now, the most anticipated event is the Christmas showdown—who will emerge as the strongest?

Dear viewers, what are your thoughts on this matter?