Top storylines of SLE Season 7
Ahlefeldt, Slim Odds with a massive upgrade
Since the first time I saw Ahlefeld on the SLE stage facing Eternal Blizzard in SLE season 3 play-ins, where he had a spectacular debut on Poppy securing his team a huge upset versus then massively favorited EB squad, I have been a fan of his. To build on his legacy, he made his name with massive AP Shyvanna performances, scoring single-game and single-season kill records. Even when Primordials were expected to go winless in SLE Season 4, they rallied around their star player and secured a playoff position. All of this made me rank him as the 12th best SLE player of all time during the pre-season 6 offseason stream - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFN7GeI9xJQ
Now Ahlefeld is back and with a team that I believe is a perfect fit for him - Slim Odds, a team that always had talent and flashes of brilliance securing back-to-back playoff appearances, but they always lacked the reliable star power to take them to the next level, and now they have it. This feels like a match made in heaven. Can Ahlefeld be the key for Slim Odds?
Kaptenen returning home
Another all-time SLE player, 2x SLE regular season winner, 1x all-SLE toplaner, and member of the best SLE squad ever assembled - season 3 Good Chi, Kaptenen is a player that makes your eyes pop. The Brazilian Gigachad of toplane has returned to his original squad - Vitagen, but not in his regular role. Kaptenen is returning to SLE in midlane, which is not a fully new position for him, since not that long ago he did shine in pre-season 5 showmatches, where his Akali performance, made SLE mod team, not allow Good Chi to field this player back then.
Kaptenens champ pool is a bit better fit for mid, with masteries on champions like Jayce, Akali, and Irelia, I am excited to see if he can play the control mages and marksmen that the current LoL midlane is known for.
Jonathan Issac on a quest to break the BIG 2
For the longest time, there were only 2 names that were brought up when talking about the greatest jungler in SLE history - Dutchh and JL. There were moments when players like Rengo, Obsidian, Maybe, or Robbery had their good runs, but they never truly broke in the discussion. That cannot be said about Jonathan Issac. A player with style and finesse, JI has been making his name in SLE since season 4, and after securing his maiden SLE title in season 6 with the Vitagen Diamond squad, his name has made it to the BIG 3, but can he break the deadlock?
Additionally, there is a bit of a chip on JI's shoulders - he was robbed of the all-SLE playoff jungler and MVP titles, somewhat controversially to many, and returning with a stacked Eternal Blizzard squad, JIs eyes are not only on that regular season MVP title to match his rivals but also to be the first one between the BIG 3, to win 2nd SLE title.
"Fuck the big 3, it's just big me" - Jonathan Issac probably.
The GOAT Duo
What can be said about Sovonix that has not already been said? To some a polarizing figure to others, a leader to unite behind, but to all - an undeniable powerhouse of skill in League of Legends Sovonix brings not only the highest mastery of a single champion in SLE history with his Azir but also a record of excellent performances on almost every champ he picks.
But this is not all - this time Sovonix comes in a package with another name that is mentioned as the best in his role in SLE history - JL. How do I even describe this? It is like LeBron James would team up with Steph Curry! Sovonix and JL are on the same team, what a time to follow SLE. Is this even a discussion that this is the best mid/jungle duo on paper that we have ever had? Both league MVPs, both SLE champions, and if we can take anyway away from the last tournament that we saw these 2 play side by side - ICT(Italian esports Cup), they will bring nightmares to opposing teams.
Linus with strongside ADC
One of the best-known figures in SLE, the admin, the contentman, the big carry toplaner LINUS, has always been a threatening figure to face. His champ pool is full of unordinary champs that are picked with one goal in their mind - dominate lane, generate leads, and take over the game. First making his name on Illaoi, then being the Garen player of SLE and dominating games on Darius in season 6, Linus is the gatekeeper of the Chad toplaners club, and every team he has played for has one strict feature - they play for top, while the ADC is often left to find resources on his own. Ripper, Chiwischi, and Fero, all had to play for themselves and eventually failed to be the difference makers for their teams' success.
This time the story is different. Linus is paired up with one of the most resource-demanding ADCs in SLE history, the Vayne master himself, lategame guarantee - Beuttner. The previous setups with Linus being the main force in the team, did not work out. Similarly in Beuttners career, being the only carry of his team with more laid-back sololaners(KayzMaze and Usejin) could not secure him the SLE title. Will stacking strongside players in multiple roles be the answer?
Can any of the new teams upset the SLE aristocracy?
Let's be real - SLE is dominated, season after season, by the usual suspects: there are what I would call the King tier - Good Chi and Vitagen(together have won the last 5 SLE titles, and the Lord tier - Eternal Blizzard and the Sanctuary, contending for the title, securing regular season titles, but being a bit short from the ultimate glory. Reval Lynx looked to change it, but could not handle the pressure of SLE playoffs after a stellar regular season. Dolly 5 came close, but while hands had the skill, the mental game was lacking. Other than that it's hard to name a single serious contender for to break the lock on the SLE contendership.
This season we have many new steams with rookies and veterans filling the rosters with the aim set at the top of the league, but if the power rankings hold any truth, it will be an uphill battle for all of the outsiders, as the top 7 teams are all from the SLE core 4.
Smaller storylines and things I am excited about:
1. Losmurdoreto returning to toplane. An incredibly exciting 1x1 player that will for sure bring out a lot of carry picks and duel everyone he faces. Los, will not only 1v1 you in the game, but will also follow up with chapters of trash talk in the Shitpost channel.
2. Jomiie vs the world. The ADC pool is stacked this season, can the veteran Jomiie hold his own in his return?
3. Flay2Day and Obsidian returning with a new team - 2 well-known veterans that usually are paired up with other well-known SLE names, now are bringing a team of rookies around them.
4. Sanixx and Loco botlane will bring some of the most exciting 2x2 action, both of these players are the flashiest players in their role, so having both of them on one team will bring the action.
5. Oppression and LordLighty have been quite disappointing in SLE so far. Can joining the most successful org in SLE history change their legacy?
6. Voidwrap with the core of Zver, Sam, and TBMZ has everything to prove in the upcoming season, as the recent memories about their ability have left me wanting much more.
7. Panda coming back from the army. Let's hope he gets to play his famous Amumu.
8. A&G was looking scary at the start of season 6, but has plateaued since then. Now they are not even the best team in Sanctuary. Are they destined to be the new Snek Pack?\
9. Mini and TheWap botlane is a huge upgrade for BLE, if these 2 guys play up to their ability, BLE can crack that top 8.
10. Ghost and Greed botlane - some of the most exciting players of season 4, Ghost is an incredibly aggressive player, known for champs like Draven, and Greed perfectly matches his botlane style being the setup for Ghost's execution.
Savage Mikus.
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