The LEC 2023 season is finally starting after Rogue surprised everyone and swept G2 in the 2022 Summer Finals. Two new teams have joined or merged into the LEC and there is a brand new format that should shake things up. It will certainly make things interesting and will make doing Power Rankings a bit different. That being said, here are the LEC 2022 Winter Split Week 1 Power Rankings.
[Related: LEC Picks 2023 Winter Split Week 1]
Note: With the new structure of the LEC teams that are knocked out will be no longer included in the Power Rankings for obvious reasons. Once they do play again, their “Last Week” rank will be whatever rank they were in their last Power Rankings.
10. BDS
(Last Year: 10)
It is very odd to have to put BDS here because they have solid players on their team. The problem is that players like Adam and Sheo are still unproven. Nuc has shown flashes but has been fairly inconsistent. Then the bot lane is probably the best portion of the team, at least at the beginning of the season, but they are in the strongest positions in the LEC. BDS have potential but the LEC leveled up in a pretty big way this offseason.
9. SK Gaming
(Last Year: 8)
SK Gaming were supposed to be spending big but it felt like that puttered out pretty quickly. Irrelevant is still young and has potential but his time on Misfits what nothing to write home about. Sertuss is another player with potential but has yet to really put it all together. Then there is the first-time bot lane of Exakick and Doss. They could be really good but considering how stacked the ADC spot is, it could be rough for Exakick at the start. That puts everything on the shoulders of Markoon. He was very good on Excel last year and will have to be the main piece of this SK Gaming puzzle.
8. Heretics
(Last Year: 5)
There is no doubt that Heretics will be an interesting team. Jackspecktra finally gets his shot at starting in the LEC and will no doubt be looking to prove that other teams missed out. Mersa and Jankos, especially Jankos, will have to hold down the fort. Then there are Evi and Ruby. Ruby is still quite the mystery and many are scratching their heads as to why he was the choice. Evi is a known quantity and the thumbs-up master but will his age catch up with him not that he is finally in a top-four region?
7. Astralis
(Last Year: 9)
There are a lot of people sleeping on this team, possibly even this writer. Every player on this roster brings with them a chip on their shoulder. Finn has been kicked around after being one of the most consistent top laners in whatever league he is in. The same can be said about Kobbe at ADC respectively. Dajor showed that he can play at a high level but is still prone to some bonehead plays. Then JeongHoon was arguably the biggest surprise of 2022 for the LEC. The questions will surround the 18-year-old jungler out of Turkey. Can 113 hold his own or will Astralis quickly pivot to someone who is a little more known? This team has potential, especially if 113 can come out and just facilitate the rest of his squad.
6. MAD Lions
(Last Year: 4)
Losing Kaiser is probably going to be a much bigger blow than most think to this squad. Luckily, once Hylissang and Carzzy come together they should be able to do some damage. The duo of Elyoya and Nisqy will be overlooked yet again and they will continue to surprise everyone, as long as it’s not at international competition. Lastly, the biggest question mark and the reason why this team is ranked here is Chasy. Two years on DAMWON challengers and some time as a sub behind literal World Champions has to mean something right? If Mac strikes gold again with a seemingly out-of-nowhere talent then this MAD Lions team will be right in the thick of things.
5. Fnatic
(Last Year: 3)
The question has to be asked, did this bot lane actually get better? Rekkles is certainly a storied player but times have changed, especially at ADC. Will he bring something much different to the table than Upset did? Also, while Rhuckz did a standup job filling in at Worlds, that does not mean that things will be the same when he is playing more consistently as his bad habits will be easier to expose. Luckily, Humanoid, Razork and Wunder should be enough to keep this team afloat until there are more answers. Sure, each of them had a less-than-stellar 2022. But staying together and seeing how far they could go even in a bad year should inflate their ego enough to come out strong in 2023.
4. Excel
(Last Year: 6)
Anyone who argues that this team did not level up is out of their mind. Vetheo was amazing even when the rest of his team, outside of Neon, was subpar. Patrik had a great season and reminded everyone what he could do when given actual resources. Then the additions of Odoamne and Targamas are absolutely upgrades. The biggest question is Xerxe. He is very consistent and will be top tier at a few champions each split but his pool is constantly in question. With this new system will they be able to hide his weaknesses a bit or will be exposed as soon as they hit the Best of 3s? If Xerxe can regain the form that he had before heading to the LCS, then this Excel team is dangerous.
3. Vitality
(Last Year: 7)
It is time for Perkz to pop off. This Vitality team is, even more, fun and interesting than the 2022 version. The major difference this time? They have young talent with extremely high ceilings. Photon and more specifically Bo, could be major game-changers in positions that have a lot of uncertainty throughout the LEC. If they can find their rhythms quickly then Vitality should be challenging for a title. The main reason is because of Perkz, Neon and Kaiser. All three are near the top of their roles when they are at their best. There is not a team in the LEC with more potential than Vitality.
2. G2 Esports
(Last Year: 2)
Bringing back Mikyx was a great decision. Pairing him with Hans sama, even better. This bot lane may be a bit slow at the start, but once they get into teamfights, watch out. Add onto this the new young talent in Yike and things are already looking strong for G2. Caps was back and looked to be in top form in 2022 while BrokenBlade established himself as one of if not the best top laners in the West. G2, like most teams in the LEC, will need some time but they’re already looking strong to start 2023.
1. KOI
(Last Year: 1)
Losing Odoamne was tough for KOI and there is no way around that. Yet, they kept the most players together in the LEC and for good reason. The core of Malrang, Larssen, Comp and Trymbi were fantastic last season. They were the west’s only hope at Worlds and seeing them get even more time to gel should be a treat. The main focus for every team will be whether Szygenda is the Achilles Heel of this squad. If he can just play tank weakside and not die, then that should be more than enough for Larssen and Comp to carry them to victory.
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