5 classes we realized from this weekend’s motion

LCS 2026 Lock-In was again for one more action-packed week of North American League of Legends. It noticed C9 and LYON take to the rift, FlyQuest making an attempt to proceed its scorching begin, and a Shopify squad on the lookout for its first win.

With the video games being performed within the crowdless facet studio, it was a query of whether or not among the newer gamers might calm their nerves in a much less intense atmosphere. It’s secure to say these gamers didn’t skip a beat. Keep tuned as we stroll you thru 5 classes realized from LCS 2026 Week 2.

It’s secure to say that after two weeks of play, Cloud9 are the present frontrunners to signify the area at First Stand 2026. The workforce’s LCS 2026 outcomes are as follows: 4 video games, two sequence, 4 wins, flawless. And whereas at occasions they wanted to drag a rabbit out of the hat to win, they’ve seemed fairly clear.

APA and Blaber are working very nicely collectively. The NA mid laner has match like a glove into this C9 roster, a roster that’s trying to break its worldwide duck in 2026. C9’s means to keep up a gentle gold deficit and never let loseable video games get out of hand is the rationale they’re sitting on the high of the standings with a 4-0 sport file. Thanatos appears to be like miles forward as the very best high laner within the league, and the underside lane of Zven and Vulcan have been clutch when the workforce wants them most.

Regardless of Cloud9 beating two of the three groups tipped to win the Lock-In event, many nonetheless contemplate Staff Liquid to be the workforce to beat. In scrims, they reportedly dominate, a sentiment echoed on the published, social media, and workforce content material. On the Professionals podcast, this dialog got here up once more: regardless that Cloud9 is on the high proper now, the hole between them and the opposite high groups may be very shut.

TL bounced again strongly, caring for a struggling Shopify Insurrection. Yeon seemed like he had some extent to show after a lacklustre season kickoff in opposition to C9. Is it solely a matter of time earlier than TL takes the primary spot within the League?

This LCS weekend recap could also be headlined by LYON, who struggled to shut out a single sport in opposition to Cloud9, regardless of having each alternative to take action. The gameplay in the mean time hasn’t been fairly from LYON, regardless of having a supposed star-studded roster. Berserker has seemed strong so far, however the mixture of Impressed and Saint is simply not working in the mean time.

Saint has had some tough video games, and it’ll require him to show it round if LYON goes to compete for a championship this event. Dhokla has been struggling as nicely, with poor performances in each the C9 and DIG sequence in lane. Dhokla wasn’t recognized for his laning, however what he confirmed in Cut up 3 in 2025, and what he’s displaying now, is night time and day. 

Many had FlyQuest across the center of the desk, maybe nearer to the underside for the beginning of Lock-In, however this younger squad goes up in opposition to Cloud9 subsequent week within the 2-0 match, with the winner locking within the first seed for the playoffs. And whereas it wasn’t a 2-0 in opposition to DSG, that they had a really robust displaying.

Thrilling rookie, Gryffin, mixed with LS and Thinkcard, goes to be a menace in North America for a few years. His means to play distinctive picks that many aren’t even contemplating is a pleasure to look at. Many LOUD followers will learn about his Ambessa jungle, and that was the champion that helped FlyQuest take down DSG. Beating C9 could be a step too far for FlyQuest, however they’re wanting like a darkish horse heading into future splits. 

To place it bluntly, Shopify appears to be like like a large number proper now within the LCS. They lack aggression, successful lanes, and somebody to pull them over the road. It’s been cool to see Zinie be fearless in these video games, however on the identical time, he’s not getting the safety from his workforce when the performs don’t land the mark.

They’ve been dismantled twice in sport twos because the begin of the event, as evidenced by the place the workforce might be at proper now. They’ve rather a lot to work on, and it’ll be fascinating to see how they navigate this turbulent interval. They don’t have any lives remaining; in the event that they lose to Dignitas, they are going to be sitting on the sofa till Spring.