Davide Xu is a freelance writer at Esports Insider focused on League of Legends esports. He covers everything inside and outside the Rift—especially when it comes to European and Asian competitive scenes. With a finance background and a multicultural lens, he loves talking about business as much as macro.
Olivia Richman is a seasoned esports journalist who has worked with Inven Global, Esports Illustrated, Esports.gg, and more. As an editor and writer at Esports Insider, she loves telling unique esports stories, especially within the FGC. When not working and gaming, Olivia loves collecting Kirby plush, eating sushi, and driving her cars at the track.
Rasmus “Caps” Winther is rumored to be the next player inducted into the League of Legends Hall of Legends (HoL), following Faker and Uzi.
If the rumors are accurate, few could argue against his selection. Caps is the greatest Western player in League history, having won MSI, reached two Worlds finals, and collected more European titles than anyone else.
But who should be next? Which players are worthy of potential induction into the history of LoL Esports? I’ve compiled a list of names that I believe should be part of the discussion, for different reasons: some of them for their accolades, some of them for their contribution to the growth of the scene, and some purely because they redefined how the game was played.
Following Faker, Uzi, and potentially Caps, it would be easy to assume Riot wants to rotate the Hall of Legends between Korea, China, and the West. While the inductee has come from a different region every year so far, there are no clear plans for an official regional rotation.
There would therefore be no obligation to select a North American player after Caps or avoid returning immediately to the LPL or LCK. Every eligible player can be compared on the overall strength of their career.
Accolades and historical achievements should naturally carry considerable weight. Winning Worlds, maintaining a high level across multiple seasons, and dominating a role are all parts of building a legendary career.
However, the Hall should also consider what each player left behind. Uzi, who hasn’t won Worlds throughout his career, was still chosen as the second inductee given his influence among Eastern viewers. The same can apply to players who might follow in the coming years.
When it comes to top laners, the first name that comes to mind for me is Kang “TheShy” Seung-lok . While he does not have the most consistent career, few players have influenced their role as much as he did.
At his peak, TheShy was an unstoppable force in the top lane. His hyper-aggressive playstyle allowed him to pressure opponents from the start of the game, pushing for every small advantage available.
Back in 2018, it was this strength that allowed him to overpower all his opponents at Worlds, becoming the first LPL team to win a world championship.
TheShy proved that top lane was more than just absorbing pressure, playing tanks and enabling the rest of the map. With strong enough mechanical prowess and understanding of the lane fundamentals, you could carry as a top laner.
That influence remains visible to this day. Many younger top laners grew up watching him and attempt plays that other professionals would have considered too dangerous and volatile. While that become a double-edged sword, the upside is still worth the try.
After taking another competitive break, TheShy returned to Invictus Gaming fo…