The first series of Worlds 2026 went the distance. Cloud9 started strong, but they tailed off. Karmine Corp struggled early. They eventually found success and won the series 3-2. It was not a comfortable series. Both will need to improve for future series at Worlds.
Worlds 2026: Series Summary
Cloud9 should have led 2-0. After dominating game one, they led by 7k in game two. Two mistakes allowed KC to win. As the series continued, KC grew into the series. Yike and Caliste found their footing. They helped KC win the first series.
Worlds 2026: Player Ratings
Cloud9
Thanatos – 5.4
- Gnar (6), Camille (3), Olaf (7), Zaahen (6), K’Sante (5)
Thanatos had a middling series. He was never the point of focus. The Camille game, especially, was not a good showing. Granted, he was set behind, but he never recovered. He had a couple of good moments on Zaahen and K’Sante, but not enough to change the outcomes.
Blaber – 6.6
- Xin Zhao (8), Wukong (6), Jarvan IV (8), Sejuani (7), Lillia (4)
Blaber was excellent in the series. He understood his job throughout. Even when he was dying, he ensured he did what he needed to do in fights. The Lillia game, however, was disappointing. He never got a footing, and Yike finally got the better of him.
Loki – 6.4
- Locke (9), Akali (6), Annie (7), Sylas (6), Yone (4)
Similar to Blaber, Loki had an excellent four games. The fifth was disappointing. They needed him to be strong, but one mistake left him behind for the rest of the game. He almost turned game four around with an excellent stolen Supreme Display of Talent.
Tactical – 5.4
- Ezreal (7), Kalista (5), Jhin (6), Yunara (5), Ziggs (4)
- In the vital moments, Tactical did not shine. He had one or two good plays, but the rest failed. When C9 needed him to carry fights, he could not. He started the final fight in game four well, but then made a mistake on his Quicksilver Sash.
Vulcan – 6.6 (Total Apex Player of the Series)
- Karma (6), Renata Glasc (7), Alistar (9), Lulu (5), Shen (6)
Vulcan stayed consistent throughout. His Handshake on Canna gave C9 an advantage in game two. It should have won them the game. Vulcan was a significant part of C9’s success this series. He kept skill checking on Alistar, and KC barely reacted. Even as the loser, he was the best player on the Rift.
Karmine Corp
Canna – 5.0
- Rumble (4), Jayce (6), Kled (3), Renekton (6), Ambessa (6)
Canna did not find his way into the series. Even with a significant lead on Jayce, he did not take over the game. The Renekton and Ambessa were solid. He needs to improve moving forward if they want to win more series.
Yike – 5.0
- Lee Sin (4), Vi (7), Naafiri (2), Qiyana (5), Trundle (7)
Yike was disappointing. The Trundle game saved his rating. He was also good enough on Vi. However, the rest was disappointing. In almost every game, he died in the mid-game for no reason. It was at its worst in game three, as he died numerous times.
Kyeahoo – 5.4
- Syndra (5), Cassiopeia (5), Anivia (3), Orianna (7), Ahri (8)
Kyeahoo was decent in the first two games. The games crumbled around him. His Anivia was weak and cost KC game three. He saved the day as Ahri. Almost every pick was because of him. His charms were excellent. Minus the Anivia game, he had a strong series.
Caliste – 5.2
- Miss Fortune (3), Varus (4), Lucian (5), Xayah (7), Kai’Sa (7)
Caliste struggled to find his footing in the series. He did not convert the lead. Games four and five were different. We finally saw the Caliste from the Regular Season. He stepped forward and outplayed Tactical even though he died early as Kai’Sa.
Busio – 5.6
- Nautilus (3), Vel’Koz (6), Nami (5), Rakan (8), Rell (6)
Busio did not start the series well. He died numerous times as Nautilus. He grew into the series. If KC lost, he was rarely the reason. The Rakan was excellent, blocking for Caliste and setting up every fight.
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