LPL & LCK DFS Advice for 3/25/20: DraftKings Daily Fantasy League of Legends Breakdown

Welcome to RotoBaller's inaugural league of legends DFS column. We'll be ramping up our analysis for LoL DFS this week, bringing you the insight you need to succeed. Today begins a month long stretch of “Big 6" game slates for ESports DFS.

Wednesday through Sunday at 1AM ET, when most of the world is sleeping, I’ll be tuning into some of the best League of Legends the planet has to offer. Whether or not you feel like watching I bet you're feeling the itch to get your DFS sweat on. I'm here to help you out by breaking down these matchups and highlighting a few players to target from each one.

Today we'll be bringing on our top League of Legends advice, analysis, and picks, for all the LPL and LCK slates on Wednesday morning March 25th, 2020.

League of Legends DFS Basics

We’ll start with some general tips and tricks in case you haven't been bitten by the ESports bug.  Both of these leagues, the LPL and LCK, play in a best-of-3 scenario. LPL starting lineups for all the matches are released hours before lock, and are widely available on Twitter. LCK lineups, however, are not. I only listed players below who I believe will be playing Wednesday.

Once a match starts, anything can happen. Usually, the better teams are very consistent. Be sure to check the player pool carefully and try to craft a roster of players who have been playing recently or do not have listed backups. Players from teams that sweep the series will receive a 20-point games-not-played bonus.  If your team sweeps, the team slot receives a 15-point bonus.

Stacking in LoL DFS lineups is very important. 4-3 stacks are the order of the day with 3-3-1 becoming more popular as people try to differentiate their lineups in these suddenly large-field GPPs.

In league of legends DFS, it is very important to focus on players from winning teams. Think in terms of baseball, one side of the matchup is like a pitcher and the other side the batter. This means there is a very negative correlation between teams in the same match. Players score by accumulating kills, which costs the other side points in deaths. Just like earned runs bring down your pitcher’s score. 

Along with this another mistake I see beginners making is trusting average scoring.  Players' scoring potential is only realized in games that are won. If player X averages 50 DKP, that likely comes from scoring 70 in a 2-0 win and 30 in an 0-2 defeat. What this means is that someone who looks like a value at $4800 suddenly might not end up being such a great point-per-dollar play.

Finally you're going to want to do your best you fill your captain slot with an adc or mid-laner.  Depending on which teams and players you decide to stack that might not be feasible. The order of preference for your captain slot is generally adc, mid, jng, top, sup.  Some players in some positions may stand out above the others so consider stats like kill share before you make your final decision.  

Now onto the games!

1:00 am LCK Gen G vs Griffin: DFS Targets

More than one matchup tonight looks to be very one sided and this game is definitely one of those. Gen G are the top team in the LCK right now they come in with a 8-1 series record.  Griffin, in stark contrast to Gen G, are last with a 2-7 standing. I expect this series to be over quickly, making Gen G players among the safest on the slate.  They may lack upside due to the ease with which I expect them to win this matchup. During the extended coronavirus break, Griffin have made a few changes to their lineup.  They may stick with their starters from before break or begin to integrate some of these new players. Either way I don't foresee this making much of a difference here. As such I’ll pass on any Griffin players for Wednesday.

Ruler - ADC ($7,800)

The best player on the best team in the league seems like a no brainer right.  Ruler absorbs over 27% of the team's gold resources and rewards them with 30% of the team’s damage output. He is often the centerpiece of their game plan and his 65.6% kill share is an indicator of this. Normally in this situation I’d look to pair him with his support player, but Gen G has two supports who split time. Life and Kellen would both be nice complementary pieces here if we have word before lock who is starting.

Clid - JNG (7,200)

Clid was an MVP for rival T1 in last year's summer playoffs and he hasn't missed a beat by changing teams in the offseason. He brings a 72% kill share to the table and makes a good play as he sets up a lot of what Gen G are looking to do.

Bdd - MID (8,000)

Bdd has regained his form since coming over to Gen G last season.  With the highest kill share on the team he is a pivotal player for them, and a very safe fantasy option on Wednesday’s a.m. slate.

1:00 a.m. LPL Victory 5 vs OMG: DFS Targets

This is another very one-sided matchup.  V5 are still searching for their first series win. Come Wednesday morning, they will continue looking. OMG added some serious talent to their roster.  They surrounded their star mid-laner icon with Smlz and H4cker. They currently sit 5th in the LPL at 4-2.  I fully expect them to hold that slot and pick up their fifth win easily. This is another safe spot, but it may hold more upside than the LCK matchup taking place at the same time.  V5 likes to experiment; that's a polite way of saying they are getting desperate. They average nearly 20 deaths in their losses, and this will give OMG better upside than similarly priced options from Gen G.

icon - MID ($7,600)

After toiling for years on a sub par squad this year the popular mid-laner is going to get a good look at playoffs. He excels at assassin champions. Sitting at 66% kill share in a premium matchup makes him an excellent choice either at mid or captain if you can find the salary.

Smlz - ADC ($7,600)

Coming over from Suning in the offseason, Smlz has integrated into the lineup well.  He has shored up the bot lane for OMG which allows icons to worry about his own matchups more instead of spreading himself thin across the map.  A very good player in his own right, Smlz comes in a tick below icon at 65% kill-share but could be equally important in your lineups for Wednesday.

H4cker - JNG ($6,800)

This was another much needed upgrade for this OMG team.  They have had a revolving door in the jungle. This position works a lot like the point guard.  They look to start plays around the map trying to force 2 v 1 and 3 v 2 scenarios called ganks. This is why H4cker leads the team in kill share with 68.6%.  That sounds like a fantasy target if ever there was one.

3:00 a.m. LCK DWG vs KT Rolster: DFS Targets

Finally a series with the makings of some action.  KT started the season with 5 straight losses including a week 2 defeat to this very Damwon squad.  Since that poor opening they reeled off 4 straight wins albeit only one of those was against a team with a winning record. Damwon on the other hand have gone 1 and 1 every week so far adding one final loss to start week 5 to arrive at the same 4-5 record as KT.

This Damwon squad has been a bit of a disappointment this season after qualifying for the 2019 worlds championship and advancing to the knockout stage.  A lot was expected from these talented youngsters, but they have yet to meet those expectations.

Down to the actual game at hand, I lean to the Damwon side.  KT have been showing a better early game. The trouble is I don't think they will be far enough ahead to be able to hold that lead throughout the game. Damwon’s talent and continuity from last year should allow them to make that difference and win late.  Just like my aforementioned baseball parallel, this match makes for a good opportunity to hedge. I like both sides a bit.

Canyon - DWG - JNG ($6,000)

This young Damwon squad has terrific mid jungle synergy and that carries over to the fantasy realm as well. Canyon leads the team in KS% and sets up a lot of what they want to do on the map.

ShowMaker - DWG - MID ($7,200)

With a name like that how can you not make him the centerpiece of your fantasy roster on Wednesday.  All joking aside he is one of the stars on this young team and as such makes a good option for your rosters as well.

Nuguri - DWG - TOP ($7,000)

The first top-laner makes his appearance on the list. Top-lane players often live a boring isolated life being relegated to tank champions. Nuguri is one who can, and does often excel with a carry champion. This is evident in his stats he is actually first on the team in damage percentage and is third in kill share.  

Bono - KT - JNG ($5,400)

Bono is a big-time value play. If KT can take this series the jungler will be a big part of your lineup. Opening up a lot of salary for more expensive captain options Bono could end up paying off his salary even in a close 2-1 loss. He leads his team in KS % and will be needed to match Canyon’s aggression across the map.

Aiming - KT - ADC ($6,200)

KT puts a lot of eggs in the Aiming basket.  He claims a lot of the team's resources and does a good job of repaying his teammates' sacrifices. Over 77% kill share he actually leads all adcs in the LCK in that stat.

3:00 a.m. LPL Top ESports vs Jingdong Gaming: DFS Targets

These two teams are fairly close in the standings JDG are tied for 3rd at 5-2 with TES in 8th sitting at 4-3. That being said, JDG have looked much better going 12-5 in game score whereas TES have disappointed a bit sitting at 8-8 in games. It's been a tale of two junglers for these teams. After some off-season controversy, JDG added Kanavi to the squad and he has fit in seamlessly.

TES on the other hand, spent big bucks to bring in Karsa from rival RNG and that has not been going as well. This is another matchup where you can make a reasonable case for the underdog. I’ll stick with JDG. Their objective control has been much better. Their team has also gelled much faster than TES. This series should be very competitive and is an attractive upside spot for either team.

Kanavi - JDG - JNG ($7,600)

The new kid on the block has been a very good addition to the team.  He leads them in kill share at 77%. That's a crazy number for a rookie. He has been everywhere for this team and I expect him to continue that on Wednesday morning. 

Loken - JDG - ADC ($8,200) and LvMao - JDG - SUP ($5,800)

While it is a common tactic to stack your adc together with your support I thought i'd reinforce that point a bit more.  They are both sitting at 72% KS and are a strength of this team right now. JDG’s strength in bot vs TES shortcomings are another reason I like the former to win on Wednesday. 

Knight - TES - MID ($7,000)

If Top ESports wants to win this matchup and start moving up the ladder to playoffs their hopes begin and end with Knight.  Widely acknowledged as one of the best mids in the league and one of the best mids to never play on an international stage.  He's going to need to step up here vs Yagao. It's a matchup he has dominated in the past winning. Sweeping the season series in 2019.

Karsa - TES - JNG ($6,400)

Another player regarded as one of the best in the world at his postino Karsa has yet to show that status this spring.  If he can rekindle that form he along with knight will be the main reason for TES winning this matchup.

5:00 a.m. LCK HLE vs DRX: DFS Targets

Another matchup of teams on the opposite end of the spectrum. Dragon X sit second in the LCK at 7-2, whereas Hanawa Life are currently sitting in 7th at 3-6.  Pretty self explanatory here. Unless DRX pulls an Invictus rolling over and playing dead I look for them to cruise to victory.  They're a more aggressive team than their lck counterpart Gen G so i would rate them a bit more on upside but a bit less safe.

Pyosik - JNG ($7,400)

Another rookie jungler that's having a stand out season.  He’s second on the team in KS% only a few points behind another rookie… 

Keria - SUP ($6,000) and Deft - ADC ($8,000)

Keria the other rookie has mixed well with the veteran Deft you'd think they had been together for years.  This bot lane combo makes for an attractive pair on the fantasy rift Wednesday morning. Deft at 75% ks and Keria with a team leading 77% are at the center of everything DRX wants to do.

5:00 a.m. LPL FPX vs BLG: DFS Targets 

In our climatic anti-climactic clash of the morning, reigning world champions Fun Plus Phoenix battle a disappointing 13th place Billibilli gaming squad that I would expect to improve as the season progresses. They have played the most difficult schedule in the LPL so far, so any improvements they're looking to make will likely have to wait until next week. Fun Plus should take this easily. Billibilli being one of the slower teams in the LPL, as well as FPX being one of the most expensive teams on the slate, could make this a nice fade spot.

Doinb - MID ($8,400)

Expensive tho he may be, Doinb is always an option. He's the engine that drives FPX success. He leads the team with 76.7% KS his movements around the map as well as his leadership are what make this team so formidable.  

Tian - JNG ($7,800)

One of Doinb's favorite partners in crime, Tian joins FPX mid for his adventures all around the map. With a nice 69% kill share Tian is a top choice for your jungle or captain spot.

Crisp - SUP ($6,400)

Not often you would roster a support without his adc, but I could see leaving LWX on the bench. Crisp is often out of lane roaming the map with Doinb and Tian. They make a lovely little ball of death reigning fire on anyone foolish enough to get caught out by the trio.

I'm very excited for all these big slates coming up.  I'm sad it took a global pandemic to get everyone to pay attention to LoL ESports, but hopefully once everything returns to normal these larger contests will continue and we'll have made some new fans out of you. Check back throughout the week as we'll publish more ESports League of Legends advice, analysis, and picks at RotoBaller. 

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