Since its origins as R3D, SK Gaming has been an elite competitive Vainglory organization housing an incredible amount of talent. So much talent, in fact, that in some ways SK has been forced to mix and match, looking for those magical combinations from three teams worth of players. After trial and error across regional European play and the Vainglory International Premier League, there’s a chance SK has just hit upon a massive winning combination.
The new SK Prometheus team features longtime star jetpacks and big-time playmaker WalDeMar alongside perhaps Vainglory’s youngest, brightest rising star: L3oN. Joining as substitutes are Prometheus veteran Raph29, Bayu and Redwolf as emergency sub.
L3oN seems to have natural game chemistry with jetpacks and WalDeMar, and if that starting threesome can construct some comps around L3oN, they can be a serious threat.
The new SK Prometheus roster has all outstanding mechanical players and an air of mystery. Unlike most professional teams where there is a locked roam, jungle and laner, when these players come together it is difficult to tell who will play which role. They are able to swap positions on the fly mid-draft, diversifying their team compositions to cover more comfort picks. It also helps that jetpacks, who is a well-known jungler, typically plays jungle as a “second support,” which means his playstyle naturally translates to the roam role when L3oN will jungle.
At elite levels of play, you cannot win with a single superstar. It takes all three playing with excellence. SK Prometheus’ new roster does have a lot of star power, but these are three players who should be able to dance to the same tune and put up big results.
Let’s look closer at the individual players …
JETPACKS (JUNGLE/ROAM)
This natural jungler has played in every competitive tournament since the dawn of Vainglory’s eSports days. He has a very deep hero pool — one he can now use in various roles to best effect through the draft. Will he bust out a full-tank or Sorrowblade Krul, or will we see some of his other favorite picks in the wake of the Breaking Point changes?
L3ON (JUNGLE/ROAM)
You may not yet know his name, but this is one of the highest-skilled players in the world. Yes, he’s making a name 1v3’ing people in EU server Ranked play, but it will be his ability to synergize with two other well-known star players that will determine just how high he can rise in prominence. He is a mechanical genius who can carry games by himself, but SK is hoping with this new combination, he won’t have to.
WALDEMAR aka BestCelesteEU (Laner/Jungler)
This player may seem quiet and humble, but but don’t try to pick on him. He’s scary-good and known for big plays in big games. Numerous times in the past WalDeMar introduced new innovative metas into the competitive scene, and he’s sure to save some tricks for the second VGL Winter Qualifier. Expect his game experience to really impact how Prometheus can out-strategize their opponents.
SK PROMETHEUS, #1 SEED IN THE RINGO BRACKET
SK Prometheus enters the second qualifier with a new roster and a higher seed, but with the same goal. SK again has the strength to win the title and secure their seat at the Winter Live Championships, but they’ll have to fight their way through a bracket region featuring (2) SNOW Avalanche, (3) AngryPandas Black and (4) RebelJaguar, with a possible epic semifinals showdown with European and Qualifier 1 champs Team Secret.
But perhaps Prometheus’ toughest challenge will be to build the synergy and chemistry that comes with thousands of hours of play. We know we’ll see clutch plays and highlight-reel moments, but the difference between wins and loses will be the quality of their communication and rotations. Then, we’ll know just how good SK Prometheus can really be.