The League of Legends 2024 World Championship kicks off in Berlin on the 25th of September. A total of 20 teams will compete to succeed T1 at the top of the Riot Games MOBA world hierarchy. On this occasion, Sheep Esports brings you a daily feature on one of the teams taking part. This September 7th, the third episode of our series focuses on Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Gaming (SHG), PCS second seed.

First nationally, second regionally

This year, SHG had a close to perfect mirrored season. Indeed, the Japanese team went first in spring and summer in the LJL, and second in spring and summer in the PCS playoffs. On top of it, the Hawks became kingslayers by destroying LoL's Japanese Emperor, DetonatioN FocusMe, two times in the Japan's league final (3-0 twice).

As a reminder, the last time DFM were not crowned champions in the LJL was in Summer 2020, and they haven't placed second or lower in either split since 2017. SHG will need solid shoulders to replace such an historic team at Worlds, but this year, they've repeatedly proven that they have what it takes. Nationally, the Hawks didn't lose a single match this year and only had a draw in both spring and summer, as the LJL's regular season is played in BO2.

But as the Japan, Pacific and Oceanic leagues merged this year, the top three Japanese teams had to go through PCS Playoffs. And once again, SHG delivered by reaching two times the Grand Final. If the Japanese team already created surprise and excitement by destroying DFM in BO5, the step was too high to cross against PSG Talon (0-3 in Spring and 1-3 in Summer). Still, the Hawks qualified for Worlds as the region's second seed after a convincing 3-1 win against Frank Esports.

Thumbs on top

Even though PSG Talon seems to be one step ahead, SHG should not be underestimated, as they are truly their runner-up both in gameplay and results. The team plays a very standard style of League of Legends, rarely relying on surprising their opponents with drafts or unconventional strategies. Instead, they aim to outclass their rivals through raw skill and a solid — though somewhat repetitive — playstyle.

Western audience is especially familiar with one of SHG's player: Shunsuke "Evi" Murase. The toplaner is a legend in LJL, as he won it 12 times , he was also part of the first Japanese team that reached the main stage at Worlds (in 2021, with DFM), and finally as the first Japanese player to compete in the LoL EMEA Championship (LEC), with Team Heretics in 2023.

If Evi is really dedicated to play for his team more than in a selfish way, he will always chose Kennen when he has the chance to. Indeed, the Japanese team seems to have built its strengths on this toplane pick. As Evi is good at finding flanks and always watch out to TP on the back of his enemies, to hit them with his signature thumbs up at the end of the game.

Mid diff

Overall, the Hawks rely more on their mid/jungle synergy to win games. Especially in early, SHG tend to play around the midlane where Kim "Dasher" Deok-beom is their go to in terms of taking a lead before the 20 minutes mark. If the midlane is locked, the Japanese play often very slow in early and base their gameplans on objectives in mid game, with a pretty strong teamfights science and Evi's Kennen threat to disturb ennemies via flanks.

Most of the times, the Hawks' botlane is playing weakside, as they are very reliable at locking off the laning phase, with their experienced support, in the person of Oh "Vsta" Hyo-seong, roaming a lot. The Korean already played in LCK with none other than the legend himself Kim "Deft" Hyuk-kyu, the duo even went to Worlds quarter-finals together, as part of HLE's team, in 2021.

You'll find below the 5-man roster of Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Gaming: