PSG Talon

Professional League of Legends team

  • Hsieh Chia-hsin
  • Kim Do-hoon
Championships6× PCSPartnersSteelSeries, TwitchParent groupPSG Esports, Talon Esports

PSG Talon is a professional League of Legends team formed from a partnership between PSG Esports and Talon Esports. It is based in Taipei and competes in the Pacific Championship Series (PCS). Founded in 2020,[a] PSG Talon is the most successful team in the PCS, having won six of the league's eight titles and having qualified for the World Championship thrice, in 2020, 2021, and 2023.

History

Founding

Riot Games announced on 19 December 2019 that Hong Kong organisation Talon Esports would be one of ten teams participating in the newly created Pacific Championship Series.[1][2][3] Talon Esports' first player was announced on 1 January, with top laner Su "Hanabi" Chia-hsiang joining from Flash Wolves.[4] During the next few days the rest of the roster was announced: South Korean players Kim "River" Dong-woo[5] and Kim "Candy" Seung-ju[6] joined as the team's jungler and mid laner respectively, whilst the bot lane duo of Wong "Unified" Chun-kit[5] and Ling "Kaiwing" Kai-wing was acquired from Hong Kong Attitude.[6]

2020 season

Talon Esports finished third in the spring regular season, qualifying for the first round of playoffs in the winners' bracket.[7] After sweeping Nova Esports in the first round, Talon Esports went on to reverse sweep ahq eSports Club in the second.[8] This qualified them for the semifinals match in the winners' bracket, which they lost to Machi Esports in another close series. This forced Talon Esports to play in the semifinal match in the losers' bracket for another chance at qualifying for the finals, which they did after narrowly defeating ahq once again. Talon Esports managed to win their rematch with Machi Esports in the finals, winning their first title in their inaugural split.[9][10]

Talon Esports announced on 18 June 2020 that its League of Legends team had partnered with PSG Esports and would henceforth compete as PSG Talon.[11][12] Mid laner Park "Tank" Dan-won was brought in as a substitute for the summer split, but was later promoted to the starting position after the departure of Candy on 9 July 2020.[13]

In a repeat of the spring split, PSG Talon finished third in the summer regular season, swept Nova Esports in the first round of the winners' bracket, and defeated ahq eSports Club in the second. PSG Talon managed to defeat Machi Esports in a close semifinals rematch, qualifying the team for the summer finals and the 2020 World Championship.[14] PSG Talon later faced Machi Esports once again in a rematch of the spring finals; however, this time Machi Esports swept PSG Talon, forcing PSG Talon to start in the play-in stage of Worlds as the PCS' second seed.[15]

During the 2020 Worlds Group Draw Show, it was revealed that River and Tank would be unable to attend the play-in stage due to delayed visas, and that Hsiao "Kongyue" Jen-tso and Chen "Uniboy" Chang-chu would be loaned from ahq eSports Club to replace them.[16] The organisation confirmed this in an official announcement the next day, and further stated that Unified would also be unable to participate in the first half of the play-in stage for the same reason. Chen "Dee" Chun-dee was loaned from Machi Esports to replace Unified.[17]

Despite starting the play-in stage with three emergency substitutes, PSG Talon won both their games on the first day of competition, including an upset victory over group favourites LGD Gaming.[18] PSG Talon later topped their group after winning a tiebreaker match against the Unicorns of Love, qualifying the team for the tournament's main event.[19] PSG Talon was placed in Group B for the main event, along with South Korea's DAMWON Gaming, China's JD Gaming, and Europe's Rogue. PSG Talon finished third in their group with a 2–4 win–loss record, ending their Worlds run.[20]

PSG Talon announced the departure of Tank on 31 October 2021[21] and the signing of Huang "Maple" Yi-tang as his replacement on 10 December.[22]

2021 season

PSG Talon finished first in the spring regular season, losing only a single game to second-place Beyond Gaming. The team's regular season placement earned them a playoff bye to the second round of the winners' bracket, where they swept J Team. In the semifinals of the winners' bracket, PSG Talon swept Beyond Gaming and qualified for their third consecutive PCS finals. There, PSG Talon swept Beyond Gaming again, winning their second PCS title and qualifying for the 2021 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI 2021).[23]

PSG Talon announced on 25 April 2021 that Unified would not participate in the 2021 Mid-Season Invitational due to recurring cases of pneumothorax. Beyond Gaming's owner, Xue "Dinter" Hong-wei, personally reached out to PSG Talon prior to the announcement and offered to loan out his team's bot laner, Chiu "Doggo" Tzu-chuan, for the duration of the tournament. This temporary transfer was subsequently approved by Riot Games.[24]

For the group stage of MSI 2021, PSG Talon was placed in Group B, along with Europe's MAD Lions, Brazil's paiN Gaming, and Turkey's Istanbul Wildcats. PSG Talon finished second in their group with a 4–2 win–loss record, only losing to first-place MAD Lions, and qualified for the "rumble" stage of the tournament. PSG Talon finished third out of six teams in the rumble stage, advancing to the knockout stage.[25] In the semifinals, China's Royal Never Give Up eliminated PSG Talon from the tournament after a four-game series.[26]

Repeating their successes in the spring split, PSG Talon placed first in the summer regular season, finishing undefeated, and swept J Team in the second round of the winners' bracket. However, PSG Talon's winning streak was ended by Beyond Gaming which, after a close series, knocked PSG Talon down to the semifinals of the losers' bracket.[27] After sweeping J Team once again, PSG Talon qualified for the 2021 World Championship and their fourth consecutive PCS finals, where they defeated Beyond Gaming after another close series.[28][29]

PSG Talon's first-place finish in the summer split qualified them for the main event of the 2021 World Championship. The team was placed in Group C, along with China's Royal Never Give Up, South Korea's Hanwha Life Esports, and Europe's Fnatic.[30] PSG Talon finished third in their group and failed to qualify for the knockout stage.[31]

River left PSG Talon in November to play for LCS team Dignitas,[32] while Maple left the following month to play for LPL team Anyone's Legend.[33] They were replaced by Lee "Juhan" Ju-han and Park "Bay" Jun-byeong, respectively. Both were acquired from South Korean team Nongshim RedForce Challengers.[34] PSG Talon also signed top laner Huang "Azhi" Shang-chih and mid laner Jason "Pretender" Ng Cheuk-lun as substitute players,[34] although the latter was loaned out to Frank Esports shortly after joining the team.[35]

2022 season

PSG Talon finished first in the spring regular season, qualifying them for the second round of the winners' bracket of playoffs. After sweeping newcomers Deep Cross Gaming, PSG Talon advanced to the winners' bracket semifinals, where they lost to CTBC Flying Oyster, which consisted of several ex-Machi and ex-J Team players.[36] PSG Talon managed to defeat J Team after a close series in the losers' bracket semifinals and advanced to their fifth consecutive PCS finals.[36] Avoiding the mistakes of their last series against CTBC Flying Oyster, PSG Talon narrowly won the last game to claim their fourth PCS title and qualify for the 2022 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI 2022).[36][37]

For the group stage of MSI 2022, PSG Talon was again placed in Group B, along with China's Royal Never Give Up, Brazil's Red Canids, and Turkey's Istanbul Wildcats. PSG Talon finished second in their group with a 3–3 win–loss record and advance to the rumble stage.[38] There, PSG Talon finished fifth out of six teams and were eliminated from the tournament.[39]

Following their disappointing showing at MSI 2022, PSG Talon announced on 1 June 2022 that Juhan and Bay had parted ways with the team.[40] They were replaced by South Korean players Jeong "Burry" Seung-hwan and Kim "Gori" Tae-woo, respectively.[39] Gori had previously played for South Korea's Nongshim RedForce and China's FunPlus Phoenix, and is most well-known for his time in the former. Analysts noted that Burry was an unknown rookie at the time of his signing, having only played in South Korea's semi-professional scene.[39]

PSG Talon once again finished first in the summer regular season and qualified for the second round of the winners' bracket of playoffs. After narrowly losing to CTBC Flying Oyster in the second round of the winners' bracket,[41] PSG Talon dropped to the second round of the losers' bracket, where they swept J Team. After a convincing victory over Deep Cross Gaming in the third round, PSG Talon was narrowly eliminated from the summer playoffs by Beyond Gaming in the losers' bracket semifinals. This marked the first time PSG Talon missed a PCS finals and, consequently, a World Championship.[42]

2023 season

Prior to the 2023 season, PSG Talon dropped its entire roster from the 2022 summer split and signed a new, all-Taiwanese roster with players from rival top teams.[43] Jungler Huang "Husha" Tzu-wei and bot laner Tsou "Wako" Wei-yang were signed from Beyond Gaming, while mid laner Chen "ubao" Chang-chu (formerly "Uniboy") and support Lin "Woody" Yu-en were signed from J Team and Deep Cross Gaming, respectively. Substitute top laner Huang "Azhi" Shang-chih was also promoted to the starting roster. The team also moved its headquarters from Hong Kong to Taipei, Taiwan.

PSG Talon had a strong start to the spring split, and the team's performance improved even further after they signed Yu "Junjia" Chun-chia, a former jungler of the LPL's Edward Gaming.[44] PSG Talon once again finished first in the spring regular season, qualifying them for the second round of the winners' bracket of playoffs. After narrowly defeating Impunity Esports and CTBC Flying Oyster in the winners' bracket second round and semifinals, respectively, PSG Talon advanced to their sixth PCS finals. There, they faced off against Frank Esports, which included former PSG Talon players Pretender and Kaiwing. PSG Talon swept Frank Esports to claim their fifth PCS title, as well as a spot in the play-in stage of the 2023 Mid-Season Invitational (MSI 2023).

PSG Talon was drawn into group B for the play-in stage of MSI 2023, along with European team G2 Esports, Brazilian team LOUD, and Japanese team DetonatioN FocusMe.[45] PSG Talon swept DetonatioN FocusMe in the first round but were themselves swept by G2 in the second round – a qualifying match for the main event. After sweeping LOUD in the lower bracket, PSG Talon qualified for a last chance qualifying match against North American team Golden Guardians, which they lost. PSG Talon finished ninth overall and were eliminated from the tournament.[46]

PSG Talon did not change their roster going into the summer split; the team once again finished first in the summer regular season and qualified for the second round of the winners' bracket of playoffs. After sweeping Deep Cross Gaming in the winners' bracket second round and narrowly defeating Beyond Gaming in the semifinals, PSG Talon qualified for their seventh PCS finals. PSG Talon once again defeated CTBC Flying Oyster in a close match to claim their sixth PCS title and qualify for their third appearance at the World Championship.[47]

For the play-in stage of the 2023 World Championship, PSG Talon was placed in bracket A and pitted against Latin American team Rainbow7. After sweeping Rainbow7,[48] PSG Talon advanced to the second round of the bracket, where they swept Brazilian team LOUD in a repeat of MSI 2023.[49] PSG Talon consequently advanced to the main event qualifiers as the first seed from bracket A. Despite a strong start to their match against Europe's Team BDS, PSG Talon was ultimately reverse swept by the Europeans in what was only the third reverse sweep in Worlds history.[50]

Current roster

PSG Talon roster
Players Coaches
Role Handle Name Nationality
Top Azhi Huang Shang-chih Taiwan
Jungle JunJia Yu Chun-chia Taiwan
Mid Maple Huang Yi-tang Taiwan
Bot Wako Tsou Wei-yang Taiwan
Support Woody Lin Yu-en Taiwan
Jungle Husha Substitute player Huang Tzu-wei Taiwan
Mid HongSuo Substitute player Guo Bei-yi Taiwan
Head coach

Cheng "CorGi" Pin-lun

Assistant coach(es)
  • Lee "Maru" Sang-hoon
  • Chung "Zero" Chen-hua
Legend:
  • (I) Inactive
  • (S) Suspended
  • Substitute player Substitute
  • Injured Injury / Illness
  

Roster updated 6 June 2023.

Tournament results

Placement Event Final result (W–L)
3rd 2020 PCS Spring Split 13–5
1st 2020 PCS Spring Playoffs 3–2 (against Machi Esports)
3rd 2020 PCS Summer Split 14–4
2nd 2020 PCS Summer Playoffs 0–3 (against Machi Esports)
9th–12th 2020 World Championship 2–4 (main event group stage)
1st 2021 PCS Spring Split 17–1
1st 2021 PCS Spring Playoffs 3–0 (against Beyond Gaming)
3rd–4th 2021 Mid-Season Invitational 1–3 (against Royal Never Give Up)
1st 2021 PCS Summer Split 18–0
1st 2021 PCS Summer Playoffs 3–2 (against Beyond Gaming)
9th–12th 2021 World Championship 3–3 (main event group stage)
1st 2022 PCS Spring Split 16–2
1st 2022 PCS Spring Playoffs 3–2 (against CTBC Flying Oyster)
5th–6th 2022 Mid-Season Invitational 3–7 (main event group stage)
1st 2022 PCS Summer Split 14–4
3rd 2022 PCS Summer Playoffs 2–3 (against Beyond Gaming)
1st 2023 PCS Spring Split 15–3
1st 2023 PCS Spring Playoffs 3–0 (against Frank Esports)
9th 2023 Mid-Season Invitational 0–3 (against Golden Guardians)
1st 2023 PCS Summer Split 16–2
1st 2023 PCS Summer Playoffs 3–2 (against CTBC Flying Oyster)
17th–18th 2023 World Championship 2–3 (against Team BDS)

Notes

  1. ^ Talon Esports' original League of Legends team was founded in 2019.

References

  1. ^ "Talon Esports Secures League of Legends Spot in the Pacific Championship Series". New Wave Esports. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2020.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ Tuting, Kristine (19 December 2019). "Here are the teams for the League of Legends Pacific Championship Series (PCS) 2020". ONE Esports. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  3. ^ Chen, Ethan (22 December 2019). "League of Legends Pacific Championship Series teams revealed for 2020". Daily Esports. Archived from the original on 6 November 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  4. ^ Zijdenbos, Arend (2 January 2020). "Hanabi joins the Talon Esports League of Legends team". Daily Esports. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  5. ^ a b Zijdenbos, Arend (6 January 2020). "Talon Esports complete 2020 League of Legends roster". Daily Esports. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  6. ^ a b Zijdenbos, Arend (4 January 2020). "Talon Esports reveal two new players for 2020 roster". Daily Esports. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  7. ^ Tan, Amanda (9 April 2020). "PCS 2020 Spring Playoffs: Everything You Need To Know". ONE Esports. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  8. ^ Tan, Amanda (15 April 2020). "Talon reverse sweep ahq for a spot in the PCS Spring semifinals". ONE Esports via Yahoo! News Singapore. Archived from the original on 22 June 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  9. ^ O'Dwyer, Samuel (3 May 2020). "Talon defeat Machi to claim PCS Spring Split title". Dot Esports. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  10. ^ "Talon Esports Upsets Machi to Win Inaugural PCS Spring Split 2020". Esports by Inquirer.net. 3 May 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  11. ^ Ashton, Graham (18 June 2020). "PSG Enters League of Legends Pacific Championship Series With Talon Esports". The Esports Observer. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  12. ^ Esguerra, Tyler (18 June 2020). "Paris-Saint Germain re-enters League of Legends by partnering with PCS' Talon Esports". Dot Esports. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  13. ^ @PSG_Talon (9 July 2020). "Some sad news today to update everyone... Today we are announcing the departure of Candy. Thank you Candy for your passion and dedication to our team. We will always be grateful of your contribution and wish you the best back home! @lolesportspcs #PCSLOL #BLEEDCRIMSON" (Tweet). Retrieved 15 September 2020 – via Twitter.
  14. ^ @lolesports (28 August 2020). "Congratulations to @PSG_Talon on qualifying for the 2020 World Championship! #Worlds2020" (Tweet). Retrieved 15 September 2020 – via Twitter.
  15. ^ O'Dwyer, Samuel (30 August 2020). "Machi Esports defeat PSG Talon in PCS Summer Split final". Dot Esports. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  16. ^ Geracie, Nick; Kolev, Radoslav (25 September 2020). "River & Tank ineligible for PSG Talon in Worlds 2020 play-in; Unified eligible 9/27". InvenGlobal. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  17. ^ @PSG_Talon (16 September 2020). "Official Club Statement regarding #Worlds2020 roster. Thank you for all the support #PCSWIN #PCSLOL" (Tweet). Retrieved 16 September 2020 – via Twitter.
  18. ^ O'Dwyer, Samuel (25 September 2020). "PSG Talon upset LGD Gaming in Worlds 2020 play-in stage". Dot Esports. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  19. ^ Esguerra, Tyler (27 September 2020). "PSG Talon qualify for Worlds group stage with impressive comeback win over Unicorns of Love". Dot Esports. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  20. ^ Rand, Emily (11 October 2020). "Group stages complete, quarterfinals set: LoL worlds Group D recap". ESPN. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  21. ^ Chouadria, Adel (31 October 2020). "PCS: Tank leaves PSG Talon, becomes free agent". Millenium US. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  22. ^ O'Dwyer, Samuel (10 December 2020). "PSG Talon signs Maple as starting mid laner for 2021". Dot Esports. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  23. ^ O'Dwyer, Samuel (18 April 2021). "PSG Talon crowned champions of PCS Spring Split 2021". Dot Esports. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  24. ^ O'Dwyer, Samuel (25 April 2021). "PSG Talon to attend MSI without their starting AD carry". Dot Esports. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  25. ^ Esguerra, Tyler (18 May 2021). "PSG Talon lock in MSI 2021 knockout stage spot with win over Pentanet.GG". Dot Esports. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  26. ^ Kay, Meg (21 May 2021). "Royal Never Give Up beat PSG Talon to qualify for MSI 2021 finals". Dot Esports. Retrieved 21 May 2021.
  27. ^ Kelly, Michael (27 August 2021). "Beyond Gaming spoil PSG Talon's perfect split, become first team from PCS to qualify for Worlds 2021". Dot Esports. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  28. ^ O'Dwyer, Samuel (29 August 2021). "PSG Talon secure Worlds group stage seed, defend their PCS title in thrilling victory over Beyond Gaming". Dot Esports. Retrieved 30 August 2021.
  29. ^ Ray, Nick (29 August 2021). "PSG Talon earn second consecutive PCS title against Beyond Gaming". Upcomer. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  30. ^ Esguerra, Tyler (22 September 2021). "Riot completes group draw for Worlds 2021". Dot Esports. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  31. ^ Ray, Nick (17 October 2021). "Fnatic, PSG Talon eliminated from Worlds 2021". Upcomer. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  32. ^ Termini, Michael (16 November 2021). "Dignitas To Sign River and Blue for 2022 LCS Roster". The Game Haus. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  33. ^ Biazzi, Leonardo (6 December 2021). "PSG Talon parts ways with Maple". Dot Esports. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
  34. ^ a b O'Dwyer, Samuel (9 December 2021). "PSG Talon introduces roster heading into 2022 PCS season". Dot Esports. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  35. ^ "Announcement! We have signed an agreement with Frankesports [sic] to loan our mid-laner, Kanna, to Frank Esports. ..." PSG Talon. 9 February 2022 – via Facebook.
  36. ^ a b c Bernardo, Anna (18 April 2022). "PSG Talon outlast CFO 3-2 to win the League of Legends PCS Spring Split 2022". Yahoo News Singapore. Retrieved 19 April 2022.
  37. ^ Garcia, Ethan (17 April 2022). "PSG Talon return to MSI after 2022 PCS Spring Split playoffs victory". Dot Esports. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  38. ^ Younger, Warren (14 May 2022). "RNG, PSG Talon advance to Rumble stage at MSI 2022". Upcomer. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  39. ^ a b c Biazzi, Leonardo (13 June 2022). "PSG Talon signs Burry as new jungler". Dot Esports. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  40. ^ Matthiesen, Tom (2 June 2022). "PSG Talon remove jungler Juhan and mid laner Bay from roster". InvenGlobal. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  41. ^ Su, Sheng-yen (3 September 2022). "《LOL》PCS世界賽名單出爐 ... BYG斷腿打擊狂針對Gori 險被讓2追3". ETtoday (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  42. ^ Cebrián, Joan (3 September 2022). "El PSG Talon cae eliminado en la PCS y no irá a Worlds". Esportmaniacos (in Spanish). Retrieved 5 September 2022.
  43. ^ Fisher, Carver (20 November 2022). "PSG Talon dropped entire roster after missing Worlds 2022". Dexerto.
  44. ^ Xu, Davide (16 February 2023). "Former World Champion joins the PCS for the 2023 season". Dot Esports. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  45. ^ Sacco, Dom (1 May 2023). "PSG and Talon Esports extend partnership ahead of MSI 2023". Esports News UK. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  46. ^ Sacco, Dom (8 May 2023). "Wako on PSG's exit from MSI 2023 – and enjoying British food". Esports News UK. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  47. ^ "LoL league seeks revival starting with Taipei finals". Taipei Times. 11 September 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  48. ^ "LOUD, PSG Talon win openers in LOL worlds play-in round". Field Level Media. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 15 October 2023 – via Malaysia Sun.
  49. ^ "PSG Talon, Whales reach Round 2 of LOL Worlds play-in". Field Level Media. 13 October 2023 – via Malaysia Sun.
  50. ^ Fisher, Carver (15 October 2023). "Team BDS pull off miraculous reverse sweep against PSG Talon to stay at Worlds 2023". Dexerto. Retrieved 15 October 2023.

External links

  • PSG Talon on Twitter
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