16 reasons to get hyped about Worlds

1. ROX Tigers’ top laner Kyung-ho “Smeb” Song is arguably the best player in the world. After years of living in Faker’s shadow, he finally has the opportunity to claim his own international crown.

2. G2 Esports’ dynamic bot lane duo of Jesper “Zven” Svenningsen and Alfonso “Mithy” Aguirre Rodriguez. The pair led a surprising run to last year’s Worlds semifinals with Origen, and are now on an even more capable team looking for redemption after a disappointing MSI.

3. Counter Logic Gaming support Zaqueri “Aphromoo” Black, one of the most legendary players in North American history, who was one of the most crucial parts of CLG’s miracle MSI run earlier this season. It was a rough Summer Split for CLG, but it’s a team that has surprised in international events before.

4. Albus Nox Luna support Kirill "Likkrit" Malofeev, a playmaker and Brand specialist who gives the Russian team a chance to upset the apple cart.

5. Flash Wolves’ star-studded roster going at it for one more international tournament. This is a team that has made a habit of beating Korean squads, including two wins over SKT at MSI.

6. SKT’s search for history. Already the only team to win two Worlds titles, SKT could become the first to win back-to-back Worlds and the first to complete an international treble, winning MSI, IEM and Worlds.

Plus, you get to watch mid laner Sang-hyeok “Faker” Lee, the best player in League history, once again.

7. I May’s roaming-oriented style and the problems that can cause in an already loaded Group B.

8. The recent play of Cloud9 top laner Eon-yeong “Impact” Jung, who essentially carried his team to Worlds and now has to face his former team SKT in the group stage.

Top die.

9. EDward Gaming’s quest to continue its undefeated season (in series, at least) and earn redemption for China after a bitterly disappointing 2015 Worlds.

10. ahq e-Sports Club mid laner Shu-Wei “Westdoor” Liu’s Fizz.

11. H2K AD Carry Konstantinos “Forg1ven” Tzortziou, a polarizing figure within the community but without a doubt one of the most gifted players in the world, getting his first shot at Worlds.

12. INTZ e-Sports’ hopes to represent Brazil’s growing League scene on the international stage. And Gabriel "Revolta" Henud’s Baron steals.

13. Team SoloMid’s quest to become the first North American team ever to make a Worlds final and to show improvement for a region that struggled a lot last Worlds.

14. Royal Never Give Up’s hyper-aggressive bottom lane and the group stage games between them and TSM.

15. Samsung Galaxy jungler Chan-yong “Ambition” Kang’s willingness to play champions like Skarner on little practice.

16. Splyce’s late-game decision-making and team-fighting, and the enthusiasm of head coach Jakob “YamatoCannon” Mebdi.