League of Legends Strategies: Banana Split

Split pushes are not uncommon during competitive competitions by any means - but one formation in particular displayed at the European LCS was a stand-out factor in both map control and advantage capitalization. The formation in question being: three champions mid and one champ in each side lane.

This particular formation came about most notably in a game between EG and AAA. EG were already ahead on kills by the time they executed this formation and it was very clear that it was initiated to make sure they remained on top at all times. All too often we see teams get an advantage and get complacent in their confidence thus losing sight of the game’s longevity. EG played this game smart and precise, making sure to catch Twisted Fate early on a few times in order to negate his map presence effectiveness and replace it with their own.

Another important factor to note is who they sent to the side lanes. We see them sending Zed and Malphite respectively. Zed’s ability to eat up minion waves and assassinate isolated enemy champions coupled with his ability to escape tricky situations made him an ideal choice. Alternatively, Malphite’s harass with slows and tanky nature allows him to push a lane well and push it for longer when pressured. Having these two champions pushing at once on either sides of the map is very dangerous for any team, not to mention a team that is losing. Zed’s farm was a whole two thousand gold ahead of his counterpart (Twisted Fate) on the other team because of these pushes and his exposure to creeps because of it.

A dominant display of map awareness and champion application from EG. Their commitment to map control allowed them to pick up a much deserved victory. The most impressive part of the move in its entirety was the finish in which all lanes got to the base turrets of AAA at the same time which allowed the side lanes to fold into mid lane and rejoin the 3 mid champs to take a kill and withdraw with an advantage stamped clearly into the map.