Fnatic is Back!

Wire

Fnatic is Back!

After an underwhelming performance at ESL One Genting 2017, where Fnatic finished last in their group, we saw long-time leader Chai ‘Mushi’ Yee Fung part ways with the team, leaving behind Chong ‘Ohaiyo’ Xin Khoo and Kim ‘Febby’ Yong-min. However, Fnatic is back once again to shake up the SEA professional scene with a brand new squad, compromising of three additional players who are now under contract with the Fnatic organisation.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkWxQ2PINfM]

First off, Fnatic welcomes back Djardel ‘DJ’ Jicko B. Mampusti, a former teammate of Ohaiyo during Fnatic’s run in TI6 last year, which saw them finish 4th. DJ, as you might remember, is known for his insanely accurate reading of the game, matched only with his prowess in the support role. Although DJ did leave Fnatic after TI6 to return back home to The Philippines to play for team Execration, he is now back once again to don the Fnatic colours.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsJsEAP4ns0]

The next player to be part of Fnatic’s revamped lineup is none other than Korean star, Kim ‘QO’ Seon-yeop, who was also former teammates with Febby back in MVP Phoenix. Although mostly playing for South Korean teams, QO did have a brief stint with North American squad WanteD, which competed during the qualifiers for the upcoming Kiev Majors. We can now see QO and Febby teaming up once again, which made for a deadly combination back when MVP Phoenix at its peak.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iU1_JFSknK0]

The last addition to round up Fnatic’s lineup is Galvin ‘Meracle’ Kang Jian Weng, the talented young star from Singapore. Meracle is also a former teammate of Ohaiyo during their days back in team Titan. Known for his exceptional plays in the mid-lane as well as a safe-lane carry, Meracle is still considered as one of the great SEA stars, provided he is given an opportunity and a platform to perform. Having bounced around plenty of different teams in SEA as well as China, Meracle will solidify Fnatic, who will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming months.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Is9i-sk9Ms]

On paper, Fnatic’s latest lineup comes with a lot of talent and promise. From the stable and energetic support duo of both Febby and DJ, to Ohaiyo’s dependable and consistent performances in the offlane paired with QO and Meracle’s flexibility in both the mid-lane and safe-lane carry, Fnatic is looking to take on the SEA region by storm. However, only time will tell as to how great this team can perform as they will be up against another juggernaut from SEA, mainly Mineski.GGnetwork. One complication would be to who takes up the role of drafting and captain of the team; this could lead to DJ or Febby taking up that role as supports are generally favoured as the go-to drafter and captain as it would take up burden off the main core’s shoulders.