Superstar HLE Faces Challenges Despite Strong Lineup
In the recent match between HLE and T1, it was evident that while T1 showcased an impeccable performance with five players, HLE struggled significantly. The team, often referred to as “the Orange House,” has faced several challenges, including individual mistakes and collective missteps. Notably, all five players of HLE are recognized as stars with significant potential, yet their performance has not lived up to expectations. Among the players, one name has drawn considerable attention for not being in top form: Viper.
However, recent statistics reveal an unfortunate truth: Viper is the only player from HLE actively competing in top-tier matches in both the LPL and LCK regions, yet he has never qualified for the MSI — an international tournament reserved for the top teams from each region.
Specifically, throughout his career, Viper has played for Griffin, EDG, and HLE — three teams that have all reached the top 1 or 2 positions at various times. In fact, EDG even won the World Championship with Viper on board, yet he has yet to participate in any MSI tournaments. Looking back, in last year’s Griffin roster, along with Sword and Viper, all four members had previously attended MSI at least once, while Chovy and Lehends went on to win the championship last year.
The Struggles of HLE’s Superstar
In recent years, especially after EDG’s World Championship win in 2021, Viper has consistently been regarded as one of the most outstanding players in League of Legends. Furthermore, in his role as a carry, many HLE fans affectionately refer to him as “the number 1.”
However, reality has shown that Viper is a great player but often falls short of carrying the team, especially when positioned too far from his teammates. Instances where Viper has “carried the team” are few, as most victories for HLE have come with him as a supporting player rather than a leading force. To be precise, when it comes to critical moments, Viper has often been the one relying on his teammates more than they have relied on him.
No one should fully judge a player’s worth based solely on trophies or individual accolades, but if we speak of the top level, at the very least, Viper should have participated in the highest-tier tournaments organized by Riot. Otherwise, the pressure on HLE’s superstar will always be a burden that leads to significant debate.
