Hotline League

00:00:00 Intro / Hotline DRINK? Travis and Mark reminisce on the past year/decade in esports/careers 00:08:08 Mark asking the big questions 00:11:19 hitstreak calls in to look back on his time at Riot, OWL, esports in general 00:23:08 Rawnblade offers his biggest disappointment and biggest hype moment of 2019. 00:37:45 ggotchu says they're surprised LoL has survived this long, thinks Riot will remain successful moving forward. 00:54:43 MozerellaMoose recalls the best HLL episode of the year 01:04:30 Thanks Alienware <3 01:07:00 101 damontetions wants to talk about the G2 victory at Worlds : ) 01:13:30 ethixz wants to know what Travis and Mark's "Mount Rushmore" (top 4) players of League would be. 01:24:43 Deadlypenguin thinks this year of competitive LoL has been one of the most fun to watch 01:33:56 Travis asks Mark for 1 disappointment and 1 exciting thing from LCS in 2019/ moving ahead / Outro

00:00:00 Intro / What happened in Vegas... 00:11:03 How HLL works 00:15:56 LeShmoltz, the self-proclaimed Prophet of HLL, predicts the most competitive split in LCS history with TSM overcoming TL. 00:28:50 danny0304 enjoyed the TFT portion of All Stars and said the casual vibe fit the event better. 00:40:24 supicasupica and TheGraphicTruth call in - Truth says the synergy b/w new TL mid/jg could make up for difference b/w Xmithie and Broxah. 00:52:40 Alienware break 01:02:17 proximategalaxy predicts TL will stay on top in Spring. 01:14:35 Eさん says All Stars in its current form shouldn't be held as it is; money would be better spent elsewhere. (Long tangent about season format) 01:29:17 Jade's take: LCS broadcasting format should absolutely change.  01:38:00 Travis takes a poll about potential format changes + discussion 01:46:48 Travis addresses Reddit thread on his inability to interview :) 02:05:11 Outro

00:00:00 Intro / Rumor recaps 00:05:40 What's Damonte doing next split? 00:12:57 Embrs says if NA wants to improve, people/orgs need to take responsibility for various shortcomings. 00:37:18 udysof , an Oceanic player, says an influx of minor region players will save NA soloQ's problems by adding high-quality players. 00:45:19 proximategalaxy says Sneaky is the hottest available player that hasn't been picked up yet. 00:56:30 TomShoe calls again to talk current state of LCS politics. 01:04:45 Damonte departs from HLL 01:09:37 DaniGrim thinks LCS teams are too willing to overspend on imports than invest in a decent scouting structure. (Kelby May hops in) 01:28:00 Insaya predicts FlyQuest will be a top 3 team this split. 01:43:13 BoogeyBear says Pobelter not playing in the LCS is a waste. 01:51:49 Chan calls to talk about Kkoma going to LPL. 01:58:27 Mark's Cat (Will D1 Thrill) wants to discuss DL and Bjerg not participating in All Stars.  02:08:47 Outro

00:00:00 Intro 00:12:00 Duncan thinks this will be C9's year. 00:25:00 Kaito's take: Kkoma's departure is the end of an era for SKT. 00:37:20 D0P3ST is optimistic that C9 and TSM could be contenders against TL. 00:53:41 IZK calls to discuss Svenskeren rumors. Doublelift explains why he doesn't participate in MVP voting. Kelby argues it was unwise for Bjerg not to explore his options. 01:05:25 Travis thanks the viewers for 100 episodes uwu 01:05:54 Will D1 Thrill calls to discuss DIG letting go of Vulcan and putting tons of money into Huni -- huge mistake?! 01:15:15 ThaGovna, a CLG fan, is not a fan of the Smoothie trade. Wants to discuss Ssumday/Ruin too. 01:24:45 Gravis Tafford thinks it's tragic for Goldenglue to go to GGS. 01:33:50 sry im bad's take: One of NA's biggest issues as a competitive region is that lacking opportunities for prospective pros to compete at the highest level prior to Leagues such as Academy LCS, or Collegiate. (What IS NA's problem?) 01:51:00 T Rob's hot take: 100T will wind up bottom 3 again this split. 01:58:16 Outro

00:00:00 Intro : Finals Talk 00:20:50 Jae's take: While G2 underperformed, chances are even if they played their best they would still have lost. 00:35:17 Kon thinks FPX disproved the "scaling comps meta" in Finals. 00:47:55 Alienware break 00:50:00 LEAKS LEAKS LEAKS! Rumors, offseason talk, etc. 01:48:00 Locodoco joins to talk TSM rumors and more. 02:04:45 MVMT break ~LIGHTNING ROUND CALLS!~ 02:07:16 cClaim says Zikz to 100T would be the most influential move of the offseason. 02:10:02: quickscope420 is relieved to hear C9 Licorice is staying. 02:13:44 D0P3ST wants to see the TSM squad back together (minus DLift) 02:17:22 Houck likes the lack of import rumors, wants NA to focus on NA talent. 02:20:20 ... But will anyone be able to overtake TL anyway?  02:21:30 Outro

Timestamps: 00:00:00 Intro 00:11:50 Fionn calls in to talk Worlds journalism coverage. 00:25:15 Framing questions in a respectful way 00:31:58 Darwking continues the conversation, specifically about the SKT press conference/loser interviews. 00:42:55 Hai chimes in on loser interviews from a pro player perspective. 00:59:15 Howme's take: Faker deserves the Dade Award?  01:07:50 Stl_Slayer_24 thought the SKT series was pretty bad overall. 01:13:05 Travis realizes he's a dumba$$ with boomer hearing :^) 01:24:55 Tomderbolt wonders if teams should focus on long-term chemistry rather than "best" players 01:40:30 Duke of Thought's take: FPX has a good chance of taking the series over G2 despite their fiesta perfomances against IG. 01:54:05 GDNerd's take: 3-1s are a better indicator of a good bo5 than 3-2s. 02:10:25 Outro

00:00:00 Intro // Inero's Academy updates // Tournament Realm discussion 00:25:15 How HLL works 00:28:27 Fez predicts SKT will 3-0 G2 00:41:42 Liberi says this is probably the hardest Semis to predict in worlds history, justifying the current pooling system. 00:51:51 Alienware ad break! Giveaway?! 00:56:43 Tom Shoe wants to talk about the Dade award, Monte/Thorin 01:07:48 DanTheEsportsMan's hot take: Invictus Gaming will beat FPX because of top diff and TheShy will beat Gimgoon just as badly as he did Sword. 01:21:39 Serdec's hot take: if G2 performs how they have so far and win Worlds, then Perkz should be this year's Worlds MVP and in consideration for the best player in the world. 01:37:34 xspiritusx says G2 clearly demonstrates that team synergy is the primary problem with NA teams. 02:02:10 Outro

00:00:00 Intro 00:05:33 How HLL works 00:10:20 Mobot predicts NA/LCS will only continue to get worse... Raz and MarkZ talk about possible factors in this. (LONG topic!) 00:40:50 Pre Never Stops predicts Korea is going to have a strong showing in Quarters and beyond. 00:52:50 Sneak Peek at Travis's LPL documentary! Love, Alienware 00:59:53 Darwking predicts all of Group B and D will be eliminated during Quarters. 01:13:30 TheOGCush thinks everyone's overreacting TL's loss in groups. 01:26:40 Ham's hot(?) take: FNC is going to beat FPX because of home field advantage. 01:33:42 MVMT ad break~ 01:35:45 Kairowe talks about disappointment in the way NA pro players aren't trained to think critically; rely on decent mechanics then fail. 01:51:00 Outro

00:00:00 Intro  00:09:30 How HLL works 00:11:30 droland asks Kelsey how PapaSmithy is integrating with 100T 00:16:18 Noveris's take: FNC exposed themselves this week; they're looking average at best 00:34:22 Alienware <3 00:37:40 Harrytheman298's hot take: SKT and FPX are so overrated! 01:00:20 LucasNguyen's take: Fnatic, Cloud9 and Splyce will bounce back in the second half of the group stage while Liquid also makes it out of group over Damwon. 01:15:20 TomShoe's take: IG and Damwon were highly overrated in Group D; IG hasn't been "peak" form since MSI. 01:27:30 Wrist Nubs says this Worlds has been the worst he's ever seen from a broadcast standpoint due to blatant EU bias from NA and EU casters alike. 01:40:43 Pre's take: Bjerg having partial ownership will not change the dynamic of TSM. However, could set a bad precedent for future teams. 01:54:38 Outro

00:00:00 Intro // Meet FlyQuest Invert! & MarkZ's spicy tweet 00:16:55 Can Clutch get out of Group C? 00:20:30 Amazing's tweet - NA's competitive scene / talent pool / solo q issues 00:30:50 MarkZ's monstrosity of a spreadsheet - "Group B is the easiest group of all time, it's a joke that it even exists" 00:51:15 How HLL (usually) works 00:52:00 We <3 Alienware 00:56:40 labuda's take: NA might not get any teams out of groups at all 01:07:10 Mario Sunshine's take: China has potential to boom this year at worlds 01:23:10 Ricardo says Rekkles is the most flexible adc on Group C, may tip the scales in FNC's favor. 01:31:00 Sakowitz says DWG will get extremely crushed by TL in groups. 01:42:12 TheKingLoler's take: Koreans are overrated. 01:55:10 MVMT break <3 01:57:12 OP_TSM_FAN goes back to MarkZ's tweet - set play; Doublelift's comments on team styles; etc. 02:03:50 Luctus StellA's take: GRF will not make it out of groups, because C9 always knocks out an LCK/LPL team from groups 02:11:10 Outro

00:00:00 Intro // Twitchcon recap 00:14:09 How HLL works 00:19:20 Kenedy predicts FNC will be the only EU team to make it to semis 00:31:50 -zForceX-'s take: Griffin releasing their head coach was the best decision they could've taken ahead of Worlds 00:41:08 Alienware ad break - extra special fun (LPL teaser) edition :) 00:48:26 Rhikko's take: G2 is overrated and SKT will win Worlds. 01:04:56 Pippiopi observes that veteran league players that have missed worlds more than once in a row since their peak of their career have ended careers moving forward. 01:16:45 Dandar thinks Sneaky had a way better season than people are giving him credit for. 01:28:26 MVMT ad break~ 01:31:56 WicksWicky believes Thorin is an undervalued voice in the League community and his absence is detrimental. 01:42:10 Outro

00:00:00 Intro // New Sponsor!!! 00:15:00 How HLL works 00:16:59 Kyle's take: TL is the most underrated team in NA history and they should be heavily favored in their group. 00:30:15 Praedor's take: EU will be strongest region at Worlds this year and has good chance to get 3 teams out of groups. 00:42:00 yungyeeter thinks there's a high chance that no EU teams get out of groups this year. 00:53:30 Alienware ad break! 00:56:00 smokintheQOOSH says Worlds should consider a format change because "group of death" can lead to bad teams making it further in the tourney than good teams. 01:10:40 Raz hops in with Groups predictions! - All LPL teams will make it out 01:19:52 howellv3 predicts CG will be the only NA team to get out of groups (feat. OVILEE!) 01:29:50 Dakjamkin says SKT1 is the strongest team in the world over G2, and they and RNG will make it out of Group C.  01:36:00 MVMT ad break! 01:39:23 Fragwhatfrag's hot take: DWG will win Worlds. 01:47:32 Outro // Look for Travis/MarkZ at Twitchcon!

00:00:00 Intro 00:10:00 How HLL works // A cautionary tale 00:17:15 boomcan90 (not Travis) says G2 has some of the most mechanically skilled players in the West, but TL will outperform them. 00:29:44 jzeeee wants to talk about G2 Wunder getting fined for streaming WoW Classic content from a Riot broadcast 00:40:11 Josh believes the 3rd seeds from both NA and EU are in danger of being knocked out in play-ins 00:48:40 Ad Break 00:54:13 caseyclarke calls in about international developmental leagues, compared to NA's Academy 01:05:44 LeShmoltz thinks Riot should allow any franchised team to offer equity to certain players, with regulation 01:24:15 Break 01:25:45 FlimFlam wants to talk about how CLG did this season 01:37:31 OP_TSM_FAN says Clutch Gaming will make it out of play-ins and take at least 2 games off other teams in groups 01:41:48 Benoit believes the west will disappoint at Worlds because of the differences in scrim partners, compared to KR/CN 01:48:46 Heisendinger predicts that the top team of each of the top 4 regions will be in the top 4 at Worlds! 01:55:18 smokintheQOOSH's take: if TL fails at worlds, the media/community flame will prompt Steve to make big roster moves. 02:03:00 Outro

00:00:00 Intro // Travis's spicy G2 tweet 00:20:40 How HLL works  00:24:10 labudamike's take: The gap between EU and NA is bigger than the gap between EU and KR 00:35:50 Break 00:38:00 Raz believes that this is the first Worlds where its hard to predict the winner  00:52:05 BarBarJonks thinks that CodySun is the second best adc in NA and the only other NA adc that is Worlds caliber  01:03:00 Juffy's take: TSM getting rid of Bjergsen would be the worst possible decision if TSM intends on winning anything in the next few years  01:25:06 Break 01:27:12 Skips35's prediction CG will get eliminated in play-ins and Huni will sign with Griffin after Worlds  01:35:49 (volume warning) kon believes that TSM losing gauntlet will help the LCS moving forward 01:49:35 hiesendinger's take: The hype surrounding every team will build narratives that will help sell the game in a way we wont ever have again it will be Riot's last chance to seriously monetize LoL  01:59:07 Dr Manhattan's prediction for the Dade award  02:07:05 Outro

00:00:00 Intro  00:06:55 How HLL works  00:10:44 thadman's take: Clutch Gaming has a limited champ pool that's easily banned out, but they're the best team to go as 3rd seed to Worlds. 00:18:53 Seasonz thinks TSM will win the gauntlet and make it to Worlds, but Bjergsen will still leave TSM 00:36:31 Break (Alienware Intel Gamer Days)  00:40:25 SpacePope20K's Hot Take: 100T bringing on PapaSmithy is more beneficial to PapaSmithy than 100T 01:05:31 Manuel believes that G2's win over Fnatic made them too cocky and that will hinder their chances at Worlds  01:13:11 Break (MVMT computer glasses/watches/ jewelry) 01:16:22 Pepega Boy's take: This will be the worst year so far for all the western teams (1 team from the west will make it out of groups)  01:27:02 Outro