LoL: Vex, Anivia... An Innovative Week in the LEC

Two unconventional picks made their debut on the LEC’s Summoner’s Rift over the weekend. Unsurprisingly, one came from Alex “Myrwn” Villarejo. The Movistar KOI player has made a habit of bringing out unorthodox champions in the toplane throughout the 2024 season, with picks like Nidalee, Lulu, and Zeri. On Sunday, in MKOI’s opening match against GIANTX in the second round of the Winter Split playoffs’ lower bracket, Myrwn did it again, this time piloting the first-ever competitive Vex top.

The matchup against Ambessa unfolded smoothly, as Myrwn built an 881-gold lead over Eren “Lot” Yıldız by the 15-minute mark—the largest individual advantage at that point in the game (played without lane swaps). The Spanish squad remained in control throughout, securing victory in 35 minutes and 40 seconds. Myrwn closed out the match with a 1/1/9 scoreline, dealing 24,000 damage—nearly matching his two carries. In Game 2, he reverted to a more conventional pick with Poppy, and MKOI claimed another win to advance to the next round.

The following day, it was Rasmus “Caps” Winther’s turn to innovate. While Myrwn’s Vex pick in Game 1 wasn't the result of the Fearless Draft mode, the same could not be said for the G2 Esports midlaner’s choice. This was Game 4 of the upper bracket final against Karmine Corp when the most accomplished European player in history locked in Anivia for the midlane. Though not an uncommon pick in solo queue, the champion had never been played in any position since the start of the LEC era.

The last Anivia appearance in the regional league dates back to the EU LCS era, on March 23, 2018, when South Korean midlaner Jin “Blanc” Seong-min played her. In fact, Caps had picked the champion twice after that date, at MSI 2022, splitting one win and one loss. Since the beginning of the 2025 season, Anivia has also surfaced six times in competitive play, including three appearances in the LCK Cup. She has been played on both solo lanes, notably by Hanwha Life Esports toplaner Choi “Zeus” Woo-je.

In any case, the pick proved highly effective on Monday. Caps’ synergy with Serge “BrokenBlade” Çelik’s Cho’Gath wreaked havoc on KC, who were swept aside in just 26 minutes, winning the series with a 3-1 record. Like his toplaner, Caps remained deathless throughout the game, finishing with a KDA of 7 (2/0/5). Both unconventional picks this week therefore translated into victories. However, the LEC is still waiting for its first BO5 to go the full distance—perhaps an extended series would unveil even more surprises.