The
LPL could become the first major league to introduce a new draft system for the upcoming season. According to
information shared by leaker Park on Weibo, the team has decided
to separate map side selection from draft (BP) priority. From now on, the choice of one element would directly influence the other. A team would be given the option to decide whether it prefers to choose the map side or the drafting order.
Should it select one, the remaining choice will automatically be granted to the opposing team. For example, if a team chooses the blue side, the team on the red side would have the option to start the draft second and thus keep last pick, as has been the case until now, or instead choose to pick first — which would be a true revolution in League of Legends.
This mechanism can be compared to a football penalty shootout, where one team decides whether to take the first or second kick, while the other chooses which side of the pitch the shootout will take place on.
Is the fearless draft behind this change?
As the Chinese league is set to resume on January 14, the competition will be played under the fearless draft format, a model that became widespread across leagues last year and is expected to remain in place. However, the possible introduction of this system appears to have led to unintended consequences in terms of preparation and drafting strategies.
The LPL reportedly concluded that teams were gaining an excessive advantage when granted both first pick and side selection. This assessment is notably supported by the higher win rate observed on blue side throughout the season. Strategic depth and in-game adaptations became more constrained, placing teams on red side at a relative disadvantage.
To address this issue, the league has therefore decided to separate these two elements in order to provide a more balanced competitive environment throughout a series. It remains unclear whether this system will be maintained for the entirety of the season, but it will at least be implemented during the first Split. According to rumors, the new format is expected to be applied from the opening matches of the competition on January 14, with Weibo Gaming facing Invictus Gaming and Top Esports taking on JD Gaming.
