SwordArt – The Super Warrior of VKE: Who is He?
On the morning of December 10th, MGN Vikings Esports made a “bombshell” announcement with the signing of SwordArt – a 1996-born support player and a longtime teammate of SofM. He is considered a legendary support player who has made a significant impact in the League of Legends scene. Despite his past struggles, SwordArt’s fame from his time with Suning does not need any further introduction. His joining VKE is seen as a potential turning point, especially in relation to SofM, as both players have a rich history together from their time at LPL.
Speaking of SwordArt, many will remember his performance during the 2020 World Championship alongside SN. However, more than that, the 1996-born player is recognized as one of the legends in League of Legends, hailing from Central China. Interestingly, “SwordArt” debuted before the legendary “Faker” when he officially turned professional in 2012.
He dedicated a significant portion of his career to Flash Wolves, a legendary team in the PCS region. Among long-time League of Legends fans, SwordArt’s name is not far from their memories. However, the peak of this player’s career seemed to peak in 2020. Although he has had a long career, SwordArt did not remain a standout player in the current roster. Moreover, after a mediocre season with SN, he also seemingly lost his competitive edge.
Nevertheless, he left SN with a “no” contract from Team SoloMid. The team was reportedly set to offer up to 6 million USD (approximately 152 billion VND) for SwordArt at the end of 2020 – a figure that was unprecedented for a support player, especially considering his achievement at the 2020 World Championship.
However, this “golden age” did not last long. SwordArt left TSM just after one season. He returned to Weibo Gaming (formerly SN) but was unable to find success and has been “lost” ever since late 2022.
What Can VCS Fans Expect from SwordArt?
Initially, VCS fans need to be aware that SwordArt will compete for the main position at VKE. After all, his age is advancing. And VKE certainly does not consider the 2025 season as a “trial ground”. Therefore, the potential contribution of this former star from SN on the training roster will likely be higher.
Moreover, the current VKE roster is quite seasoned. If SwordArt truly participates in the competitive role, there’s a chance for SiuLoong to be slightly demoted. This could be a challenge and an undue pressure for this young team.
However, SwordArt’s role will depend on the arrangement by SofM and the coaching staff, as well as his own determination. It can only be said that the 2025 season will be highly anticipated, and VKE is unlikely to disappoint its fans.
