10 best LoL MSI performances of all time: From pentakills to Baron steals

As we method the tenth version of Riot Video games’ Mid-Season Invitational (MSI), we’ve determined to spherical up our favorite LoL MSI performances. Whereas this 12 months’s Fearless Draft adoption will shake up the match expertise, earlier video games have additionally given us some exhilarating performs. Be it an impenetrable defence or a cutthroat assault, followers have lots to relive in the event that they haven’t caught up with the pentakills of yesteryear.

Listed here are our prime ten LoL esports moments from MSI, proper from its inaugural occasion in 2015 to its newest version. These embody outplays that gave groups a major leg up towards their opponents in essential conditions, usually securing the sport itself. And with that, let’s get proper to it.

Whereas MSI may not be the largest League of Legends esports event of the year, each iteration was filled with unforgettable performs and wild upsets. It was a tall process to select favourites from so many moments, however these ten stood out from the remaining. Listed here are our picks for the ten finest MSI LoL performances of all time.

TSM secured a powerful win towards Flash Wolves again in 2017 due to a mixture of teamwork and sheer pluck. As Ahri, Bjergsen snuck behind the Elder Dragon and claimed the buff for himself in entrance of the enemy staff, delivering a psychological setback and securing a strong enhancement. Whereas it wasn’t the one spectacular play of the sport, this outplay is definitely amongst our favourites. 

Right here’s how Bjergsen stole the Elder Dragon in considered one of MSI 2017’s most iconic plays.

When the going bought robust on the prime lane, Koro1 backed down. As the highest laner of Edward Gaming, he began feeling the stress as MaRin and Bengie from SKT rained hits on him. With moments to spare, Koro1 retreated solely to stare down SKT’s Wolf close to the tower. Due to a well-placed stun and dodge, he manages to remain alive and even knocks Wolf out within the course of. The commentators go wild, and it’s an intense second that followers gained’t overlook from MSI 2015’s SKT vs EDG match. 

Dive into MSI 2015 with this unforgettable SKT vs. EDG showdown on YouTube.

MSI 2023 was filled with jaw-dropping surprises, and Chovy’s quadrakill is not any totally different. By sneaking into the backline throughout an enemy staff offensive, Chovy helped Peyz put 4 opponents into the bottom within the backside lane. Caps’ well-timed stopwatch transfer merely delayed the inevitable as Chovy earned his Ace shortly afterwards. 

Expertise G2 vs. GEN’s explosive MSI 2023 match another time proper right here.

After a hasty retreat from the enemy base, seeing RNG’s Looper on the backline put your complete CLG staff on alert. Due to some fast considering, Stixxay managed to show issues round with a spectacular Ace, pulling down 4 opponents and persevering with the push ahead. It was a magical second, particularly since Royal By no means Give Up had been undefeated on the time. Counter Logic Gaming ended up beating RNG shortly afterward, cementing their place in LoL esports historical past.

Catch the important thing play from RNG vs. CLG in YouTube’s MSI 2016 recap.

Stealing the Baron buff proved to be a worthwhile gambit for MAD Lions regardless of three gamers shortly falling to DWG KIA’s staff of enraged champions. You possibly can’t assist however be impressed once you see Carzzy slide into the fray and slay the Baron earlier than DK can cease him. MAD ended up profitable the sport however finally misplaced 3-2 to DK. 

Rewatch the clutch second from the RNG vs. FNC match at MSI 2018 right here.

Pentakills are at all times a showstopper at LoL tournaments, and Rekkles’ defensive one stood out from a number of others in earlier MSI matches. Fnatic’s Rekkles despatched the enemy staff on a fast retreat from the blue base, however he wasn’t finished but. He proceeded to knock out each single RNG participant, giving FNC a major leg up within the match. It may not have been sufficient to win the sport, however for a second, issues swung in FNC’s favour. 

Watch the unforgettable RNG vs. FNC moment from MSI 2018 right here.

Talking of pentakills, Caps’ exhilarating pentakill from 2019 tops the earlier one as a result of this one occurred proper contained in the enemy’s base. For the ultimate kill, Caps went all the best way to the steps of the enemy fountain and claimed his prey. Naturally, G2 had loads of time to wash up the bottom and safe victory. 

This G2 vs. SKT highlight is one for the books – don’t miss it.

Touchdown at spot 3 is an immaculate outplay from GEN’s Peyz, surviving a nasty teamfight towards Bilibili Gaming by intelligent dodges proper from the jaws of dying. The commentators might hardly imagine their eyes because the battle swung again in Gen.G’s favour. GEN went on to win the match, securing a 3-2 victory towards BLG at MSI 2024 final 12 months. 

Watch how Peyz pulled off the clutch outplay in BLG vs. GEN at MSI 2024.

The MAD Lions had been a hair’s breadth away from defeat on this extremely shut match towards PNG in MSI 2021. With below 20% of the blue Nexus’ well being left, Elyoya, Humanoid, and Armut managed to slay three PNG gamers, giving them simply sufficient respiration room to return on the offensive. MAD gained the match shortly after, and this hair-raising second stays considered one of MSI’s finest performances. 

Right here’s the must-watch LoL esports clip from MAD vs. PNG at MSI 2021.

That is it. Whereas it was tough to slender down the most effective performances of all time, there’s just one second that would effortlessly take the highest spot. Low on well being, GEN Chovy beats a hasty retreat with T1’s Zeus proper behind him. Simply as Chovy reaches the steps of the fountain, Zeus stuns him and proceeds to land what ought to have been the ultimate blow. 

As a substitute, he’s greeted by a wonderfully timed stopwatch freeze that protects Chovy from dying. Whereas that’s a worthy feat in itself, the commentators didn’t catch on to 1 essential reality: Chovy didn’t have a stopwatch moments in the past. To flee dying, Chovy managed to open the shop menu, buy the merchandise, and activate it earlier than Zeus struck him. It’s a second in MSI historical past that gamers will always remember. 

LoL MSI, generally known as the Mid-Season Invitational, is Riot Video games’ second annual competitors. This 12 months, 10 groups will compete for a large $2,000,000 LoL MSI prize pool. The occasion will happen from June 27 to July 12, 2025, on the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, Canada. 

Along with the hefty money prize, LoL MSI 2025 can be a chance for groups to bag a slot in Worlds 25, Riot Video games’ largest World Championship occasion of the 12 months. With the qualifiers coming to a detailed, it’s solely a matter of time earlier than these proficient groups from 5 areas face off in a heated battle for glory on the closing LoL MSI location in Canada.

Over LoL MSI’s wealthy historical past of thrilling matches, numerous outplays modified the course of the match and decided its victors. Our prime ten moments have a good time the easiest of these League of Legends methods, that includes a mix of teamwork and luck that left commentators and audiences in awe. 

Anticipate extra such moments to shock you throughout LoL MSI 2025. The Fearless Draft setup will be certain that much more champion synergies and counters present up. Keep tuned to Esports Insider for all the most recent information on the LoL MSI schedule and different developments.