The clash between Nongshim RedForce (NS) and DWG KIA (DK) in the LCK Summer 2024 delivered a spectacle of strategy and tactical execution, highlighting key decisions in champion selection and individual plays that defined each phase of the game.
First Game
Champion Selection
Pick and Ban Phase
DWG KIA showed solid planning from the pick phase, prioritizing champions like Rumble for their jungle, a perennial pick due to his dominance in the current meta. This forced Nongshim to adapt their strategy, opting for a balanced approach of map control and team fight power.
Game Development
Early Game
The first game started at a fast pace, with DK securing early advantages in the top lane thanks to Kingen’s pressure with Renekton against Sylvie’s Jax. This pressure translated into a significant lead for DK, allowing them to control the early game tempo.
Mid Game
NS, aware of the need to stabilize the game, focused their efforts on enabling ShowMaker in the mid lane with his Azir, a champion known for his ability to control team fights. Meanwhile, DK continued their aggressive playstyle, capitalizing on small advantages and securing key objectives like the dragons.
Key Moments
A turning point came when DK executed a coordinated play in the bottom lane, using Kell’s Leona to secure multiple kills and capture the Rift Herald. This play not only provided them with a significant gold lead but also allowed them to dictate the mid-game pace.
Game End
Closing and Conclusion
As the game progressed, DK’s accumulated advantage became overwhelming. With Kingen amassing an impressive KDA and dominating team fights with his Rumble, DK secured absolute dominance over NS, closing the game with a masterful performance in the final team fights and securing victory in the first match.
Second Game
Champion Selection
Pick and Ban Phase
In the second game, NS adjusted their strategy in the pick and ban phase, selecting champions that offered greater mobility and surprise potential. DK, on the other hand, maintained their focus on lane dominance and objective control, selecting champions like Rumble and Leona to keep the pressure on.
Game Development
Early Game
The second game saw increased aggression from NS, aiming to establish early control on the map. Sylvie, with his Xin Zhao, executed several effective ganks that gave them an early advantage in the bottom lane, where the duo of Aphelios and Thresh began to shine.
Mid Game
DK responded with efficient rotations and vision control, allowing Kingen in the top lane to accumulate resources and become an unstoppable threat with his Rumble. Coordination in team fights was key, with DK securing dragons and controlling the game’s tempo.
Key Moments
The decisive moment occurred in a fight around the Dragon area, where DK, with superior vision and positioning, eliminated several key members of NS, securing the Dragon Soul and solidifying their lead.
Game End
Closing and Conclusion
Despite NS’s efforts to regain control, DK’s late-game advantage was insurmountable. With Kingen leading the charges and ShowMaker controlling team fights, DK closed the second game with flawless execution, securing a convincing victory in the series.
Final Analysis
DK’s performance reflected not only superior individual mechanics but also solid strategic planning from the early stages of the game. NS, while showing flashes of resilience and strategy, was outmatched by DK’s cohesion and adaptability in this crucial LCK Summer 2024 matchup.
In summary, the NS vs DK matchup was not only a display of skill and strategy in the LCK but also a reminder of the level of competitiveness and excellence that characterizes the professional League of Legends scene. DK’s dominance in this encounter underscores their status as one of the teams to beat this season, while NS faces the challenge of adjusting their strategy for future matchups.
