The LPL has a new champion on the rise, and the team has very little to do with previous iterations of the best Chinese squads. The LPL top teams were typically known for being mechanically aggressive, lane-focused, and explosive around the teamfight. But in 2025, the region’s top representative, Anyone’s Legend (AL), is something else entirely.
AL has been consistently one of the top teams this season, led by a team of hungry veteran players and probably the best coach in the world in the past two years. Macro-oriented, versatile, and shockingly composed under pressure, AL wins games with smart moves and maximizing the players’ innate characteristics.
It might not be the flashiest team China has ever sent to MSI, but it might be one of the smartest — and that could be the formula the LPL needs to get back to international glory.
Redefining the concept of Roster Building
AL’s rise this season is the perfect example of what teams should look to achieve in their roster building: balance. It’s not about putting together the best individuals out there; it’s about striking a good equilibrium between the players and having the right pieces of the puzzle to fit and connect them well.
If you look at AL’s roster on paper, there is no standout “superstar” like other LPL top teams (BLG, IG, JDG, or Top Esports, to make a few examples). There are just many great and solid players that are capable of adjusting to one another based on what the team needs in any given moment, starting off with their jungle-mid duo, Tarzan-Shanks.
In particular, the Korean jungle player is finally getting the recognition he deserves after the debacle from Worlds 2023 on LNG. Tarzan has been the core player of this AL roster, capable of dictating the pace of the game and often finding the correct plays to lead the team to victory. Paired with a reliable mid laner like Shanks, the two have done an incredible job at increasing AL’s consistency in the matches.
Anyone’s Legend – the most LCK-like Chinese team
If there’s a mastermind behind AL’s transformation, however, it’s definitely head coach Wong “Tabe” Pak Kan. The former world finalist has long been known for his ability to raise the team’s ceilings — and he has done that with AL once again. None of AL’s players were considered top-tier entering the 2025 season. Now, nearly every member looks like they belong at the highest level.
This is thanks to AL’s approach as a team, focusing on taking lower-risk action and maximizing macro-focused plays to get advantages on the map. The team has a clear understanding of what each player should do in each team composition they create, utilizing the game’s theory and looking to execute as close to perfection as possible.
This is the kind of approach that can thrive in international settings, especially under Fearless Draft rules, where depth in champion pools and consistent performances matter more than explosive pop-off games. It also allows AL to pivot between different styles: all laners, can become the carry or the utility player, adjusting based on the scenario.
What I think Tabe is great at is optimizing the players’ strengths. Flandre, Hope, and Kael have all stepped up their gameplay this season. They might not have the same peak firepower as other top players in their roles, but they know when it’s the right time to put those skills to use.
Are we expecting too much?
The Fearless Draft format at MSI could be an indirect buff for a team like AL. With a deep champion pool, a clear grasp of macro fundamentals, and a flexible identity, they’re built to thrive in tournaments where adaptability is crucial.
Still, there is a bit of skepticism around LPL teams heading into the tournament, especially considering the poor results from Top Esports at First Stand. That said, I still believe it was more the team underperforming heavily rather than the LPL struggling as a whole. And with AL and BLG at MSI this time around, we should expect more from the Chinese region.
A top-four finish is probably the least you can expect from the region’s first seed. And with the discipline and guidance from Tabe, AL might be among the teams to quickly adapt to the new MSI Patch 25.13. While they might not have the flashiest gameplay, don’t be surprised if they make it all the way to the final.
