LCS Draft Analysis: Cloud9 vs Dignitas Game 3 Deep Dive
Detailed breakdown of the draft choices and strategies in the LCS matchup between Cloud9 and Dignitas during Game 3, highlighting key synergies and advantages.
Compositions
Cloud9 took the blue side in this crucial LCS Game 3 against Dignitas and assembled a composition that prioritizes early game aggression combined with solid teamfight execution. Tactical on Kalista in the bot lane is a bold choice that rewards precise orb walking and allows the team to secure vision and objectives quickly through her passive and rend ability. Paired with Vulcan on Renata Glasc, this bot lane duo excels at setting up engages and providing utility in chaotic fights. Blaber on Vi in the jungle brings the reliable engage and lockdown that Cloud9 is known for, enabling ganks across the map. Loki's selection of Cassiopeia in mid lane provides a strong scaling threat with poison based damage and ultimate control that can turn teamfights. Finally, Thanatos on Rumble in the top lane adds consistent magic damage and a powerful ultimate for zoning and damage in the mid game.
On the red side, Dignitas chose a draft centered around poke damage and heavy crowd control tools. FBI piloting Jhin offers excellent long range poke and the ability to set up picks with his fourth shot and ultimate. eXyu on Skarner provides excellent jungle pressure and the ability to lock down targets for extended periods, which is vital against mobile carries. Palafox on Anivia creates a strong mid lane presence with her ability to zone areas and provide sustained damage. IgNar's Rell complements the engage pattern with her own crowd control abilities that can pull enemies into bad positions. Denathor on Jayce rounds out the draft with split push potential and ranged poke that can pressure turrets from a distance.
Key Picks
The Kalista pick for Cloud9 is notable because it forces Dignitas to respect the bot lane early and opens up dragon control strategies. Cassiopeia stands as a high impact pick that scales better than many alternatives and punishes the immobile nature of some Dignitas champions. Vi remains a strong meta pick for its versatility in both ganking and teamfighting. For Dignitas, Skarner is a standout for its objective securing capabilities and gank setup. Jhin and Jayce together create a dual poke threat that can whittle down opponents before engages happen. The Rell and Anivia combination allows for layered crowd control that can catch overextended players.
Draft Edge
Cloud9 holds a clear draft edge in this game due to the excellent synergy across their roster. The combination of Vi, Renata Glasc, and Cassiopeia creates multiple ways to initiate fights while having the damage to follow through. Dignitas' draft has strong individual champion strengths but lacks the same level of team coordination in their engage patterns. The blue side advantage allowed Cloud9 to secure priority on key champions like Cassiopeia and Vi. Dignitas may struggle to find answers to the Kalista pressure without overcommitting resources.
Prediction
Cloud9 is expected to win Game 3 and take a commanding lead in the series. Their draft is better suited for the current patch meta and allows them to play to their strengths in aggressive plays. Blaber and Tactical are poised to make big impacts with their champion selections. Dignitas will need to rely on precise execution of their poke and lockdown strategies to stay in the game, but the overall draft favors Cloud9's composition and execution potential.