2023 LCS Summer Split Preview: FlyQuest

After falling short during the Spring Split, FlyQuest is back with a strengthened squad to try their hand at an LCS trophy.

FlyQuest’s LCS history is filled with mid-table finishes, with the exception of 2020 when they made back-to-back Finals. The organization found it hard since then to get back to that level where they could represent LCS at international events or challenge for the title. Or at least they did before this year when they brought in Christopher “PapaSmithy” Smith along with a completely new ownership and started on one of the most ambitious projects in the league.

Signing two former LCS champions Jeong “Impact” Eon-young and Mingyi “Spica” Lu would already be a massive offseason, but set their sights high and also signed Lee “VicLa” Dae-kwang and Lee “Prince” Chae-hwan from LCK. During 2022, VicLa was Rookie of the Year in LCK while Prince got selected for 2nd and 3rd All-Pro teams of the region.

But despite the massive amount of talent in the roster, FlyQuest couldn’t find success in the 2023 LCS Spring. After starting the season with an 8-1 record using a substitute support since Bill “Eyla” Nguyen had visa issues, FlyQuest lost first place to Cloud9 in the second half of the regular season and was eliminated by Golden Guardians during the Lower Bracket Finals after subbing out Eyla due to team underperforming.

FlyQuest LCS Roster for the 2023 Summer

• Top lane: Jeong “Impact” Eon-young
• Jungle: Mingyi “Spica” Lu
• Mid lane: Lee “VicLa” Dae-kwang
• AD Carry: Lee “Prince” Chae-hwan
• Support:  Philippe “Vulcan” Laflamme

A couple weeks ago, @PapaSmithy and @Swaguhsaurus sat down to reflect upon the #LCS 2023 Spring Split.

Discover our new direction for summer!#ShowcaseGreatness pic.twitter.com/DPWoEQ9aJd

— FlyQuest (@FlyQuest) May 23, 2023

Since the uncertainty around the support position, and probably the underwhelming performance of Eyla, was the main problem for the squad in Spring, it wasn’t surprising to see FlyQuest pick up Vulcan after he left Evil Geniuses. Considered by many the best support player in the league, Vulcan can take FlyQuest to a whole another level if he and Prince can find a good partnership. The young ADC was already a top two bot laner if not the outright best last split, and with a more experienced support he can really shine.

The top side of FlyQuest also struggled at times. Spica had some games where he did not look like his usual self. Of course, it was probably an adjustment period for him as well, even more so since he had to play with a full Koreak-speaking roster for some part of the split. But he is still one of the best junglers in the LCS and a former MVP, and he showed in the past that he can contribute to championship winning teams. 

The last but maybe the biggest question mark for FlyQuest has to be VicLa. When his transfer was announced, a lot of fans expected him to instantly become the best mid in the region. Even with some head-scratching plays that made people question his level, he had a lot of promising moments during Spring that should give confidence to FlyQuest fans.

With the addition of Vulcan, this roster seems to fill one of their biggest weak points and the talent on FlyQuest is undeniable. They are once again coming into a split as the championship favorites, which would make another failure hurt more. Thankfully, they have one of the best veteran presences any LCS team can ask for in the top lane, Impact. The former World champion managed to win LCS on every team he has been on since Team Liquid and he will look to continue his streak during the 2023 LCS Summer Split.

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