As the esports community eagerly anticipates the upcoming League of Legends World Championship 2022, many teams and organizations are gearing up for the preliminary tournaments that lead to this grand event. Among these preparatory competitions, the Academy Split Challenge (ASCII) stands out as an essential stepping stone towards the Worlds stage. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the significance of ASCI and what fans can expect from this tournament before the World Championship.
**What is Academy Split Challenge (ASCII)?
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Firstly, let’s define the Academy Split Challenge. It is a regional league competition organized by Riot Games for Academy teams within the League of Legends ecosystem. These academy teams are affiliated with the professional organizations that compete in the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS) and European Masters. The purpose of ASCII is to provide these developing squads with valuable competitive experience against one another, shaping them into formidable contenders for the major league competitions.
**Importance of ASCII before Worlds 2022**
ASCII serves as an excellent warm-up for teams gearing up for the World Championship. In the lead-up to this global event, the stakes are high, and teams need all the practice they can get to hone their skills and synergies. Participation in ASCII offers Academy teams a unique opportunity to test themselves against other competitive academy squads, ultimately preparing them for the challenges that await at Worlds.
Moreover, ASCII acts as a bridge between the regional leagues and the international stage. The top-performing academy teams from each region will earn their spots in the Academy League playoffs. Here, they will face off against one another to determine which team will represent their respective regions at the Worlds Academy tournament – an essential precursor to the main event itself.
**Example of Past Successes in ASCII**
One shining example of a successful academy team that rose through the ranks via ASCII is Cloud9 Academy. In 2018, this squad, then known as Golden Guardians Academy, dominated the North American Academy League, securing the first seed and winning the regional finals. Their victory earned them a place in the Academy League playoffs, where they defeated Team Liquid Academy to qualify for the Worlds Academy tournament. Eventually, Cloud9 Academy finished third overall at the Worlds Academy event – an impressive achievement that underscores the importance of ASCII as a crucial stepping stone towards success on the international stage.
**Summary**
In summary, the New academy tournament, Academy Split Challenge (ASCII), is an essential competition in the League of Legends esports ecosystem. It provides Academy teams with valuable competitive experience before the World Championship and serves as a bridge between regional leagues and the international stage. Teams like Cloud9 Academy have proven that success at ASCII can lead to great accomplishments at the global event, making it an exciting time for fans and teams alike as we gear up for another thrilling season of League of Legends esports.