369 Under Fire: TES Mid Laner's Questionable Picks Spark Controversy in LPL
The shocking defeat of Top Esports (TES) at the hands of a surprisingly dominant T1 has sent shockwaves through the League of Legends community, with many fans left scratching their heads over the team's questionable hero picks. At the center of the controversy is 369, TES's embattled top laner, whose unorthodox champion selections have sparked widespread criticism.

20 October 2024
According to fans and analysts, 369's hero pool appears to be a far cry from the standard picks and bans seen in professional play. His recent games have featured a slew of untested champions, including a Kayn that left Korean superstar TheShy stunned and confused. "I don't understand why he would buy a Wit's End," TheShy was heard saying in a post-game stream. This was not an isolated incident, as many fans and analysts took to social media to express their disappointment with 369's performance.
Chen Yuzi, a popular esports personality, labeled 369's Kayn pick as "one of the worst decisions in LPL history." Meanwhile, fans on social media have been quick to mock 369's supposed lack of practice, pointing to his abysmal record on European servers, where he has reportedly played a grand total of five games on his signature champion, Sylas, and lost four of them.
The criticism didn't stop there. Even more baffling to fans has been 369's continued reliance on what many consider to be "low-tier" champions, such as Nasus and Jax. "This guy hasn't improved at all," wrote one frustrated fan. "He's still playing the same champions he's always played, and he's still losing with them."
TheShy, a popular League of Legends streamer and personality, was left stunned after watching 369's gameplay against T1 in a recent match. TheShy, known for his expertise in the game, was baffled by 369's decision-making, particularly his choice of champion picks. "Ah? Ah? Ah? Ah!" TheShy exclaimed in shock as he watched 369 play a lackluster game on Kennen, a champion that TheShy deems difficult to play. His surprise turned to bewilderment when 369 purchased a Wisdom's End, a item that left TheShy scratching his head. "I don't know why he bought Wisdom's End," TheShy said, clearly perplexed.
LOL动图菌, a popular Chinese League of Legends commentator, also weighed in on 369's performance, saying, "He's still playing drunk Lee Sin and Syndra, he's beyond saving." Chen Yuzi joked that 369's performance was a nightmare for the LPL, the top-tier Chinese professional league.
Despite the criticism, some fans have come to 369's defense, pointing out that he has shown flashes of brilliance in the past. However, his recent performances have raised concerns about his ability to compete at the highest level.
The debate over 369's hero picks has sparked a wider conversation about the state of TES's team strategy and coaching. With the team's spot in the World Championship semifinals now secure, fans will be watching with bated breath to see whether 369 and his teammates can finally put their doubts to rest and make a deep run in the tournament.
As TES celebrates its impressive victory over T1, advances to the Worlds semifinals, and cements its position as a top contender in the LPL, questions are being raised about the team's mid laner, 369. While 369 has shown flashes of brilliance, his recent performances have been marred by unorthodox champion picks, unimpressive mechanics, and a seemingly lax attitude towards practice.
Fans and analysts alike have expressed concern over 369's champion pool, which appears to be stuck in the past. His insistence on playing champions like Darius and Yasuo has been particularly baffling, given their lack of viability in the current meta. Moreover, his performance on more mainstream picks like Azir and Sylas has been underwhelming, leading some to wonder if he's truly put in the effort to master these champions.
Critics have pointed to 369's match history, which reveals a worrying trend of poor performances on conventional mid lane picks. His recent games in the LPL have seen him experiment with a range of unorthodox picks, including AD Kayn and Vladimir. These picks, while occasionally yielding surprise victories, have largely been seen as unwise and lacking in overall strategy.
Some have even gone so far as to suggest that 369's playstyle is holding back the rest of the TES roster, which boasts talented players like top laner Baiye and jungler xiye. With TES set to face off against top teams in the coming weeks, the pressure will be on 369 to step up his gameplay and prove himself as a reliable force in the mid lane.
As the team prepares to take on the best of the LPL, the question on every fan's mind will be: Can 369 overcome his demons and deliver the performances TES needs to succeed? Or will his unorthodox picks and subpar mechanics prove to be a liability for a team that is otherwise bursting with potential?
