Invictus Gaming vs Top Esports Game 4 Draft Analysis: Jhin and Naafiri Challenge TES’s Engage
A breakdown of the Game 4 draft between Invictus Gaming and Top Esports, from IG’s pick-and-punish tools to TES’s engage, scaling, and carry potential.
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Compositions
Invictus Gaming draft a composition built to control space and punish opponents who step out of position. JiaQi’s Jhin and Rookie’s Taliyah offer long-range follow-up, while Wei’s Naafiri can threaten a fast dive onto an exposed target. Meiko’s Alistar supplies reliable engage and peel, and TheShy’s K'Sante adds a durable frontline that can disrupt TES’s formation.
Top Esports have a more conventional front-to-back setup, with Tian’s Maokai as the primary engage and frontline, supported by Zhuo’s Milio. JackeyLove’s Lucian gives TES a potent early-game carry, while Creme’s Aurora adds area control and burst. 369’s Aatrox brings sustained fighting power and another threat in extended skirmishes.
The contrast is clear: IG want to control approaches and chain crowd control, while TES want to start fights on their terms and let their carries deal sustained damage. Both teams have tools to contest objectives, but the way they reach the fight matters. Taliyah’s terrain control and Jhin’s long-range initiation can make TES’s approach awkward; Maokai and Milio can, in turn, help TES push through that setup.
Key Picks
Naafiri is IG’s biggest access tool. Wei needs to find a route onto Lucian or Aurora rather than spend his threat on TES’s frontline. Taliyah can help close off escape paths, and Jhin can follow the resulting catch from a safe distance. If IG’s first wave of control lands, Naafiri can turn a pick into a quick numbers advantage.
For TES, Maokai’s engage is the draft’s central trigger. Tian can force IG to respond, creating space for Lucian and Aurora to attack. Milio’s protection is especially valuable when TES need to keep JackeyLove alive through Alistar’s engage or Naafiri’s dive. Aatrox can then occupy the frontline and threaten a prolonged fight.
The lane matchups also shape the timing. Lucian and Milio can pressure Jhin and Alistar early, but IG’s duo has strong ways to punish a careless advance. Mid lane is a contest between Aurora’s burst and Taliyah’s ability to influence the map. Whoever gains first move can help determine which team controls the river and objective setup.
Draft Edge
IG have the more direct pick composition, with several abilities that can combine to lock down a target. Their challenge is converting that control into a full fight: Jhin and Taliyah do not offer the same sustained damage as Lucian in a straightforward front-to-back battle. If Naafiri cannot reach a priority target, TES’s frontline can absorb the opening and give their carries time.
TES have a sturdy, coordinated engage structure and stronger tools to protect a carry once a fight begins. However, their approach is more readable, and a poorly timed Maokai engage could leave Lucian exposed to IG’s layered control. TES must avoid walking into Taliyah’s setup without vision or a clear target.
The draft edge is slight for IG in pick potential, but favors TES in a clean, extended teamfight. The deciding factor is likely to be whether IG can create a numbers advantage before TES establish their front-to-back formation.
Prediction
Top Esports have a narrow draft advantage if they reach objectives together and let Maokai start fights on favorable terms. IG have a credible upset route through vision control, Taliyah’s terrain, and a decisive Naafiri pick on Lucian or Aurora.
The key question is whether IG can disrupt TES before the carries settle into position. If they can, their layered engage should create openings for Jhin to finish targets. If not, TES’s protection and sustained damage give them the more dependable teamfight plan. Prediction: Top Esports, narrowly, provided they avoid being caught during setup.