EDward Gaming vs Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN: LPL Draft Edge

TL;DR: In LPL 2026, Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN enter against EDward Gaming with the clearer draft edge because Gnar has delivered a 73.3% WR over 15G in their hands. EDward Gaming can still reshape the series through targeted bans and an early-tempo Ezreal, Karma, and Naafiri core.

EDward Gaming Draft Profile

EDward Gaming receive heavy respect on Orianna, banned in 34.7% of their 75 games, followed by Jayce at 29.3% and Nocturne at 25.3%. Their own bans point toward denying solo-lane pressure and reliable engage: Rumble leads at 26.7%, while Orianna, Naafiri, Poppy, and Jayce all sit between 21.3% and 22.7%.

Their comfort picks have not always converted. Jarvan IV is their most-picked champion at 18.7% but owns only a 14.3% WR over 14G; Rell follows with a 25% WR over 12G. That makes EDward Gaming more likely to seek a flex-friendly, scaling answer through K'Sante (45.5% WR over 11G) or an early bot-side setup around Ezreal, despite his 11.1% WR over 9G. The higher-upside route is the local Ambessa, Ezreal, Karma trio: 100% WR over 5G with +1377 GD@15.

Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN Draft Profile

Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN have more proven priority options. Opponents ban Varus in 47.6% of their 82 games, then Vi in 30.5%, while Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN themselves remove Orianna in 46.3%. Their next major bans are Jarvan IV at 29.3%, plus Nocturne at 23.2%.

The core is unusually efficient: Vi posts a 66.7% WR over 15G, Gnar reaches a 73.3% WR over 15G, and both are picked in 18.3% of games. Ahri and Azir each have a 63.6% WR over 11G, giving the team reliable mid-lane scaling behind its engage. Lulu is a frequent 18.3% pick but has a more modest 40% WR over 15G, so it should be a complementary pick rather than the draft’s centerpiece.

State of the Meta — LPL 2026

Orianna defines the available pool with 84.3% presence and a 69.3% ban rate, explaining why both teams repeatedly ban her. Jarvan IV has 63.1% presence, while Rumble reaches 61.8% and 56.4% WR. For B1, Gnar is especially attractive at 100% WR over 3G; Orianna remains the safer volume choice at 66.7% WR over 24G.

The patch trend favors EDward Gaming’s possible pivot: K'Sante climbed from 46.7% to 88.9% WR this patch across 18G. Yet Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN can pair their proven Vi with a meta jungle champion rather than force a narrow composition.

Synergies That Decide Drafts

Local LPL data favors EDward Gaming’s early combinations. Bard, Ezreal, Naafiri own 100% WR over 7G and +1121 GD@15, while Ambessa, Ezreal, Naafiri have 100% WR over 4G with +2227 GD@15. Those are early snowball tools, not slow scaling bets.

Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN should value Corki, Gnar, Nami, a local 100% WR over 5G trio with +381 GD@15. The global ALL_TIER1 trend is less direct: Lulu, Rek'Sai have 100% WR over 5G but -409 GD@15, signaling a late-oriented option rather than a local priority.

Who Wins the Draft: EDward Gaming or Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN?

Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN have more dependable draft options through Gnar, Vi, Ahri, and Azir. EDward Gaming should likely must-ban Gnar and Vi, with Orianna as the third denial; Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN should likely must-ban Jarvan IV, Rumble, and Naafiri. EDward Gaming’s likely B1 is K'Sante, while Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN should favor Gnar if available.

In one likely scenario, EDward Gaming ban Gnar, Vi, and Orianna, then build K'Sante with Ezreal, Karma, and Naafiri for early pressure. In another, Ninjas in Pyjamas.CN ban Jarvan IV, Rumble, and Naafiri, secure Gnar, then add Azir and Vi for engage plus scaling.

FAQ

*Data: draftlol draft & meta model — LPL 2026 stats, snapshot 2026-08-28 06:00 UTC.*