Has really stepped down no?
I feel like top 4 at champs last year would sweep this tournament
Roster Changes
Meta is not solidified, still a variety of comps being played on every map.
Riot deciding to push a very influential patch towards the end of the off//season.
Towards the end of the season these things get ironed out.
Teams start to default towards a standard comp, protocols expanded and understandings get developed.