NA LCS Final Preview: The Great Player, 'Bjergsen'


▲ Bjergsen Montage (Source: LoL Badboy's Youtube)


◈ Achievements

Winner of 2012 Eclypsia Christmas Cup
Winner of 2012 NorthCon eSport Arena
Winner of 2012 Cdiscount Cup 5
Runner-up of 2014 NA LCS Spring
Winner of 2014 NA LCS Summer
Winner of 2015 NA LCS Spring
Runner-up of 2015 NA LCS Summer
Winner of IEM Season 11 World Championship
Runner-up of 2016 NA LCS Spring
Winner of 2016 NA LCS Summer


◈ Bjergsen, The Best Mid NA

 

Bjergsen is undeniably one of the best mid laner in the world. After he joined TSM as the mid laner, TSM never failed to make the finals of NA LCS. He had always been NA's choice for the mid laner in the All-stars, and he was as dominant as he had been since his LCS debut. 

As always, Bjergsen spearheaded his team's way to the NA LCS Finals with a record of 16-3 and KDA of 5.70. By improving his weakness in teamfights and roaming and cementing his strength in laning, Bjergsen looks stronger than ever. Will he be able to get his fourth crown as the champion of NA LCS?


◈ From being a bully victim to the top of mid in the world

 

Bjergsen painfully recounted his past of being a bully victim in 'Legends Rising': "I would come back bleeding some days. I remember one time two guys had a spoon, and they cut the thing between your mouth and your tongue." For him, gaming was the only solace. However, as he started to realize how good he was, it also gave him power to be the rising star of Europe.

Bjergsen's pro debut with Copenhagen Wolves was spectacular, scoring a Pentakill against against All authority. Before then, Copenhagen Wolves was stuck in the lowest rank as Bjergsen couldn't play in matches for being too young. When Bjergsen was finally allowed to play from Week 3, the team did well enough to end the season on fifth place and qualify for the playoffs.

On November 2nd, 2013; Andy "Reginald" Dinh announced his retirement to become a coach, TSM calls in Bjergsen from Europe to fill in the mid laner. Since then, TSM became the dominant force in NA region, and it's not an exaggeration to say that it started from Bjergsen. For those 4 years, Bjergsen helped the team to reach the finals of a split 7 times, and even when the team was going through slump, he was always a player that the team could count on.


◈ The long and winding road to winning the World Championship

 

Although Bjergsen is rightfully one of the strongest mid laner in the world, he still has one last conquest remaining - The World Championship. Bjergsen participated in the Worlds 3 times, but the best that he could do was going as far as quarterfinals back in Season 4. He even suffered through a humiliating 1-5 record in Season 5.

Of course, none would come close to be as unfortunate as his third attempt in Season 6. Taking place in Los Angeles, USA, Worlds 2016 was filled with home fans of TSM. Also, Hauntzer, Svenskeren, Doublelift, Biofrost and Bjergsen - All were notable names for being among the best in the world in their role at the time.

However, high expectations soon turned into disappointment. In Week 1, Doublelift showed a shaky performance, putting the entire team in danger. In Week 2, Bjergsen lost his voice due to illness - he was unable to do shotcallings because of it. Just like that, TSM's best chance at winning the Worlds - along with the home fans' expectations - faded away.

However, Bjgersen is far from given up. He led his team to the finals again in the 2017 Spring Split, and his performance during the semifinals against FlyQuest proved why he deserves to be called the 'Best Mid NA'.

His quest towards winning the Worlds is still ongoing, and it will begin anew when he defeats Cloud9 in the finals. For a player that is as great as Bjergsen, he deserves to have the crown as the champion of the World Championship at least once. The moment that Bjergsen holds the cup will be a momentous night for all fans of LoL in North America.


◈ Bjergsen's Choice 1: Syndra, the Dark Sovereign

 

For Bjergsen, who excels in the laning phase, Syndra is a fine choice. Dark Sphere and Force of will are good abilities to harass the enemy mid laner in the laning phase. Also, Unleashed Power cast with 7 spheres will often be strong enough to kill an enemy DPS or support instantly.

In the semifinals match against FlyQuest, Bjergsen showed an exemplary performance with Syndra. By taking the initiative and small advantages from the enemy mid laner, Bjergsen's Syndra was often able to join a skirmish faster than his opponents. Even in teamfights, Scatter the Weak and Unleashed Power were strong enough to down an enemy instantly, allowing the team to win the teamfight through outnumbering the enemy.


※ Item Build and Skill Order

 

As it is with most AP-based mid laners, Syndra rushes Morellonomicon. However, Bjergsen mixes in Haunting Guise and builds it up towards Liandry's Torment. Liandry's Torment not only helps to deal more damage with +80 Ability Power and +15 Magic Penetration, but also helps with survivability with +300 Health.

Skills are mastered in R-Q-W-E order, as it is with most Syndra players.


※ Masteries and Runes

 

As for Runes, he used 3x Ability Power for Quints, 9x Magic Penetration for Marks, 9x Health per Level for Seals and the mixture of 6x Cooldowns per Level and 3x Ability Power per Level for Glyphs. Notice how he doesn't use MR Glyphs - it shows how aggressive and confident he is in laning.


◈ Bjergsen's Choice 2: Vladimir, the Crimson Reaper

Bjergsen picked Vladimir 6 times during the split, which is only one short from being the most picked champion. Vladimir is not a champion that can overwhelm the enemy mid laner, but he is a safe choice against any mid laner due to its high sustainability. Also, Vladimir really scales well in the late game and contributes a lot during teamfights.


※ Item Build and Skill Order

 

Bjergsen's Vladimir often starts with a Dark Seal, aiming to have even better sustain. The first core item is usually Hextech Protobelt-01, as all of its effects - such as +300 Health, +60 Ability Power and +10% Cooldown Reduction - goes very well with Vladimir. Afterwards, he usually moves on to Zhonya's Hourglass and Abyssal Scepter to improve defensive stats as well as offensive stats.

Skills are mastered in R-Q-E-W order, as it is with most Vladimir players.


※ Masteries and Runes

 

As for Runes, he used 3x Ability Power for Quints, 9x Magic Penetration for Marks, 9x Health per Level for Seals and the mixture of 9x Ability Power for Glyphs, which results in 25.6 Ability Powers just from the runes. Considering how Doran's Ring gives you +15 Ability Powers, it's just as good as having a Doran's Ring without buying it.

Notably, he picked Stormraider's Surge for his Keystone Mastery. Since Vladimir's skill ranges are pretty short, having increased Movement Speed from the mastery does wonders for Vladimir. Although some Vladimirs go with Windspeaker's Blessing, it wouldn't be necessary for Vladimir as his sustainability is as good as it is.

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