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Biodata
| Feature | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | LPL |
| Alias(es) | LPL region |
| Type | Neutral Character (AI) |
| Affiliation | Professional League of Legends scene represented by clubs including EDG, RNG, WE, and IG 134 |
| Occupation/Role | Domestic league and regional representative in international competition 134 |
| Status | Active; its clubs continue to compete internationally while adopting increasingly demanding training standards 348 349 |
| First Appearance | Chapter 15 15 |
Competitive History
| Event | Result | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Mid-Season Invitational | EDG defeated SKT 3–0 130 | Returned the MSI trophy to the LPL and ended SKT's BO5 unbeaten run dating to the second half of 2015. |
| 2017 Rift Rivals | LPL defeated LCK 3–2 143 | EDG's AP Malphite top lane defeated KT in the deciding match, securing the LPL's status as the tournament's first region. |
| 2017 World Championship | EDG swept SKT 3–0 189 | Delivered the LPL's first S Championship and set a World Championship finals speed record with a 15:56 game. |
| All-Star 5v5 competition | LPL defeated LCK 3–0 314 | The final two games ended 43–3 and 56–2, respectively. |
| Mid-Season Invitational | IG won the final; Chu Ran received his third MSI FMVP in three appearances 348 | Reinforced the LPL's international dominance and intensified pressure on rival regions. |
Background
The LPL is portrayed as a professional scene with limited starting positions and fierce competition for them; only a small number of players can become LPL starters 15. Before its international breakthrough, commentators describe the region as having endured years in which it had flashes of promise but was more often defined by a prolonged “darkness” against the LCK 130.
EDG's rise with Chu Ran became a turning point. Its 2017 MSI victory over SKT was framed as reclaiming what the LPL had lost, while the subsequent Rift Rivals and World Championship wins established the region as an international force 130 143 189.
The LPL's success also expanded its commercial reach. After EDG's championship, capital flowed into the league, two additional slots were introduced, and the promotion-and-relegation system was abolished in favor of purchasable league places 196.
International Competition
LCK Rivalry
The LCK is the LPL's defining international rival. Their matches are treated as contests for regional prestige, particularly after EDG repeatedly defeated SKT and other Korean representatives 130 137 143.
- EDG shut out SKT 11–0 at Rift Rivals, giving the LPL its first victory over the LCK in that event 137.
- The LPL won the 2017 Rift Rivals final over the LCK 3–2, with EDG defeating KT in the deciding game 143.
- The LPL later defeated the LCK 3–0 in the All-Star 5v5 final 314.
- Repeated LPL victories led Korean viewers and players to describe Chu Ran as an obstacle comparable to the one the LPL had faced during earlier LCK dominance 360.
LMS Rivalry
The LMS competed alongside the LPL and LCK in Rift Rivals Asia. The event's group stage and regional finals emphasized collective regional strength rather than the results of a single club 134.
Teams and Figures
- EDG — The LPL's principal representative during its initial international resurgence; won MSI, Rift Rivals, and the S Championship with Chu Ran on the roster 130 143 189.
- IG — An LPL club that later signed Chu Ran as both player and owner; its World Championship final against EDG guaranteed another S Championship for the LPL 291 315.
- RNG — A major LPL club and frequent EDG rival; lost 0–3 to EDG in the Summer Split final 265.
- WE — One of the LPL's prominent clubs and a participant in the 2017 Rift Rivals lineup 134.
- Chu Ran / Easy — A central figure in the LPL's rise. His international results, public presence, and later ownership of IG make him one of the league's most influential players 305 315 348.
- Faker and SKT — The most prominent LCK opposition to the LPL; their defeats to EDG and Chu Ran symbolize the shift in regional power 130 189 314.
Culture and Impact
The LPL's fan culture is highly active on livestreams, forums, and Weibo. Player interviews, rivalry posts, roster decisions, and tournament results routinely spark large-scale debates among supporters and anti-fans 57 58 227.
Chu Ran's success reshaped expectations within the league. Following IG's Spring Split victory, numerous clubs adopted the team's intensive training methods to remain competitive 336. After another MSI title, players publicly reported longer training hours, while fans broadly endorsed stronger internal competition as necessary for the LPL's continued growth 348.
The LPL's international championships also revived public interest in the game. Following EDG's second World Championship, internet cafés filled up, server queues grew, and returning players treated the victories as a source of regional pride 305.