*my points of comparison are Lock-in / the start of the regular season vs the end of Masters/current LCQ. Since LCQ is ongoing that can obviously change stuff for the LCQ teams.
image here (not virus link i promise)
some notes on why i placed certain teams in certain tiers:
- Vitality isn't included because it's not fair to them after what happened.
- PRX in "clear improvement" post-Something (they were rocky pre-Something).
- LOUD in "got worse" after crashing out in Masters, but if you exclude that they're in "remained mostly the same." same with NAVI
- RRQ and BBL weren't expected to do very well but they almost snatched a playoff spot in their respective leagues, so they have potential.
- EDG + KangKang went much further than anyone expected, so "clear improvement."
- BLG and ASE weren't included in the list I used. BLG go in "clear improvement" after qualifying for Champs, ASE remained mostly the same (not very good)
- I AM NOT COMPARING TEAMS AGAINST EACH OTHER, JUST HOW THEY PERFORMED. FNATIC IS IN THE MIDDLE TIER BECAUSE THEY REMAINED THE SAME (GOOD)
i welcome thoughts and opinions. i may edit the list today and provide a new link after i see people's comments. i obviously couldn't watch every match in every league so some more input is appreciated. might also make a list after Champs just to see how much each team changed post-lockin
EDITS FOR THE LATER LIST:
- EDG to most improved (owen has convinced me)
- Liquid to "clear improvement" (i didn't realize they were really bad in lock in, but I expected them to be top 3 emea anyway. dolphin has enlightened me there)