League of Legends global power rankings through Aug. 10

It's the final week of the League of Legends Global Power Rankings for the summer splits. Every week, we look at each team in the five major regions and rank them according to how they are performing.

We're starting with pre-playoffs for the North American/European League Championship Series, after Day 1 and 2 of League Championships Korea playoffs, after Day 1 for the League Pro League playoffs and pre-playoffs for the League Master Series. The +/- indicates the change since the previous ranking.

Nos. 1-10 -- World contenders

Nos. 11-20 -- Playoff contenders

Nos. 21-30 -- Middle of the pack

Nos. 31-40 -- Struggling

Nos. 41-50 -- Bottom of the barrel

World contenders

1. ROX Tigers

Record: 15-3 (30-10) | League: LCK | +/-: No Change

Oh look, the ROX Tigers won another regular-season title and are atop our Global Power Rankings. What a surprise! The Tigers won the LCK regular-season crown for the third time in four seasons, and they will now wait in the summer finals for whichever team can make its way through the postseason gauntlet to meet them in the climactic showdown. After losing the past three major tournament finals to SK Telecom T1, this is the season when the Tigers need to win if they truly want to be considered the undisputed best team in South Korea. And for top lane ace and two-time league MVP Song "Smeb" Kyung-ho, this is another opportunity to establish himself as the world's greatest if he can pick up his first big championship.

2. EDward Gaming

Record: 16-0 (32-5) | League: LPL | +/-: +2

This season China has proved to be extremely competitive, unless you're EDward Gaming, who have dominated the regular season and closed it out with an undefeated record of 16-0. Now with an automatic semifinal berth where it will meet the winner of Team WE and Vici Gaming, the team looks poised to make it to the finals with ease.

3. KT Rolster

Record: 13-5 (29-15) | League: LCK | +/-: +1

After a 3-0 round 1 victory over Samsung in the playoffs, KT's full head of steam coupled with SKT T1 showing weakness could spell a three-peat appearance in an LCK summer finals. Kim "Ssumday" Chan-ho continues to be one of the best players in the world, and he's the type of superstar player that can drag KT to Worlds if need be.

4. Team SoloMid

Record: 17-1 (35-6) | League: NA LCS | +/-: +3

TSM finished off its greatest regular-season of all time by sweeping first-place rival Immortals and ending the regular season 17-1. Now the real season begins for the organization that has made all seven NA LCS finals up to this point but has failed to win the title in the last two. For a majority of the teams in the world, just making the domestic finals would be a huge accomplishment. TSM, however, will need to win the NA LCS playoffs for this year to be considered a success at home.

5. SK Telecom T1

Record: 13-5 (28-13) | League: LCK | +/-: -3

While it's hard to bet against SKT T1 in the LCK playoffs, the three-peating champion of the league is going to have to do a bit of work if it wants to make it through straight hoists of the domestic trophy. SKT T1 faltered down the stretch and will need to beat KT Rolster to make it to the finals against the ROX Tigers.

6. Royal Never Give Up

Record: 13-3 (29-11) | League: LPL | +/-: +1

Royal Never Give Up may have placed second, but the team looks much more vulnerable than it did this time last split. But it's got the better side of the playoff bracket, as WE sits in EDward Gaming's side instead. This means Royal has the easiest chance to make it to the finals should it not falter to the winner of I May vs. Snake Esports.

7. J Team

Record: 10-4-0 | League: LMS | +/-: +3

J Team is ending the summer split as the best team in Taiwan and the first seed for the upcoming playoffs. J Team's teamfight finesse and standard laning continue to be its largest strengths, but that doesn't mean it hasn't seen any challenge. In a loss to ahq, it was pretty clear that J Team's elongated laning phase approach can easily fizzle with extreme pressure on mid.

8. Immortals

Record: 16-2 (33-9) | League: NA LCS | +/-: no change

In a world where TSM didn't exist, Immortals might be defending NA LCS champions and putting a stamp on a perfect season, Alas, that isn't the case, and Immortals defeated everyone this season without dropping a best-of-three except for TSM. While favored to make it to its first domestic finals, TSM is also likely to be awaiting them in Toronto.

9. G2 Esports

Record: 10-6-0 | League: EU LCS | +/-: +1

G2 Esports ended the regular season with a week of mixed results. The team tied with seventh place team Team Vitality but beat fifth place squad Fnatic, both of which have had their ups and downs in the last few weeks. While G2 is likely still the best in Europe, the team still has a lot to prove coming into the playoffs, where they'll have a shot in best-of-three and best-of-five series.

10. Splyce

Record: 9-6-3 | League: EU LCS | +/-: +1

Like its peer G2, Europe's second place team, Splyce, goes into the playoffs on a rough note. The team beat Origen but fell to Unicorns of Love. Come playoffs, Splyce will face the winner of Fnatic and H2K and will need to bring its A-game if it wants to make a run in its playoffs debut.

Playoff contenders

11. Samsung Galaxy

Record: 12-6 (24-16) | League: LCK | +/-: -6

Samsung won 2-0 versus the Afreeca Freecs in the wildcard stage of the playoffs, but a 0-3 versus KT Rolster put Samsung back in its place as the team too good to be lumped in with the middling pack of the league but not good enough to be considered a part of the elite class of South Korea.

12. Cloud9

Record: 12-6 (28-16) | League: NA LCS | +/-: +3

The team with the best chance to shake up the expected TSM vs. Immortals NA LCS Final comes in the form of former two-time champion of the league Cloud9. C9 shook off a stagnant middle of the season to finish strong, and the third-place team could be eyeing an explosive best-of-five semifinal with Immortals if it gets by Team Envy in the first round of the playoffs.

13. Team WE

Record: 10-6 (24-16) | League: LPL | +/-: -4

Team WE closed out the LPL with a surprise loss to Vici Gaming, which it will now face in the playoffs quarterfinals after Vici took down Game Talents. This could prove problematic for WE, but the team's previous victory over Royal shows that it may just be inconsistent. Its quarterfinal showdown means everything if WE wants to stay at the top.

14. Flash Wolves

Record: 10-2-1 | League: LMS | +/-: No Change

The pups clearly have been a top two team all split and have earned the second seed for the LMS playoffs. Flash Wolves still have the best macro in Taiwan, but clearly also still have trouble properly reading their opponent's strengths. Recent patch changes to tower gold are also a burden on the Wolves, as MMD and NL have not been fantastic laners thus far.

15. Vici Gaming

Record: 9-7 (20-17) | League: LPL | +/-: +7

Vici Gaming dominated Game Talents in the first round of the playoffs, moving itself up in the rankings. Vici looks like one of the strongest teams in LPL and will likely be able to challenge Team WE in the Bracket A semifinals. The winner of that set faces EDward Gaming, and it'll be a big match to watch.

16. Ahq e-Sports Club

Record: 8-0-2 | League: LMS | +/-: -3

Ahq seemingly floundered all split trying to find a proper identity this summer and while things looked grim, it pulled it together in the final weeks. Ahq was able to take games off of both Flash Wolves and J Team, with bot and mid-centric strategies tailored to the titans. A best of five may not treat ahq the same way, but it has a few weeks to practice and work its way up from the third seed.

17. Snake Esports

Record: 10-5 (21-14) | League: LPL | +/-: +4

Snake Esports' finish gives it an automatic quarterfinal berth where it will face I May, which won its match against Invictus Gaming. This gives Snake the advantageous side of the bracket, where it could make a decent run and even challenge Royal Never Give Up.

18. Counter Logic Gaming

Record: 10-8 (26-20) | League: NA LCS | +/-: -1

Although fourth in the league, it almost feels like CLG wouldn't want to be in any other spot going into the postseason. The back-to-back league champion has always played at its best when overlooked, and with all the talk surrounding TSM's dominant season and Immortals' attempt to dethrone them, CLG are going into the postseason as quiet as a mouse.

19. I May

Record:21-16 (21-16) | League: LPL | +/-: -3

I May moves on in the League Pro League playoffs after eliminating lower-seeded Invictus Gaming in two games. I May will face Snake Esports next, with the winner advancing to face Royal Never Give Up. While neither team is particularly favored, I May's victory over Invictus may keep them on top.

20. Giants Gaming

Record: 8-3-7 | League: EU LCS | +/-: +3

Giants Gaming took a tie with now-relegated Schalke 04 last week before beating ROCCAT. Giants has looked extremely improved this split and finishing in third is not an easy feat for a team that fought for its LCS spot in the last promotion tournament. Its playoff match versus Unicorns of Love will be a sight to see, but if Giants plays up to expectations, it could be the victor.

Middle of the pack

21. Afreeca Freecs

Record: 8-10 (20-23) | League: LCK | +/-: -9

Afreeca is a team that drags SK Telecom T1 down to its level when it plays, but it still has issues closing out matches against the teams the true contenders easily put away, like in its wildcard match loss against Samsung. Although it's been a remarkable year for the former amateur team known as Rebels Anarchy, the club will need to upgrade its play and consistency if it wants to move from a dark horse to a league favorite.

22. H2K Gaming

Record: 7-6-5 | League: EU LCS | +/-: +6

Since Freeze's injury and the return of FORG1VEN, H2K has looked improved. The team beat Unicorns of Love, Origen, and Fnatic (in a tiebreaker) last week, ending in fourth place in the regular season standings. The team's matchup versus Fnatic will put both teams at odds as the loser takes fifth-six, something neither has done in the playoffs in their time in the LCS.

23. Longzhu Gaming

Record: 7-11 (16-25) | League: LCK | +/-: +7

It was a good ending of the year for Longzhu. It got out of relegations after an awful start to the season, and its roster has seemingly stabilized after an entire year of rearranges and swaps. Although the team won't be going to Worlds like it hoped at the beginning of the split, at least the fans can take solace in the fact they aren't rooting for CJ Entus.

24. LGD Gaming

Record: 7-9 (18-20) | League: LPL | +/-: +13

LGD Gaming ended the regular season with a loss to Royal Never Give Up but a win over OMG. If LGD had been been in group A, it would've easily qualified for the playoffs, but due to the strength of group B, the team will fight for its spot in the promotion tournament.

25. Fnatic

Record: 7-6-5 | League: EU LCS | +/-: -7

Out of all the playoff teams, Fnatic look like it has the most to worry about. Its coach, Deilor, recently stepped down, saying there were issues he was not able to fix, while the team tied with ROCCAT and lost to G2 Esports last week. The writing's on the wall: this may be the first time Fnatic does not make it to the semifinals of the European playoffs.

26. Team Liquid

Record: 9-9 (22-21) | League: NA LCS | +/-: -7

It's been a rough season for Team Liquid. Its Academy team failed to qualify for the NA LCS next split, and the main squad sputtered to an unexpected fifth-place position after looking like a possible third-place contender for a majority of the split. Next up for Liquid is a date with CLG in the quarterfinals.

27. Unicorns of Love

Record: 6-5-7 | League: EU LCS | +/-: +2

The final playoff team from Europe had confusing results last week. First, it lost at the hands of H2K Gaming, but quickly bounced back to beat Europe's second best, Splyce. Unicorns are not consistent in their results, but neither are their playoff opponent, Giants, so there's a chance the team could advance further into the playoffs and face G2 Esports in the semifinals.

28. Hong Kong Esports

Record: 5-4-5 | League: LMS | +/-: -2

The final playoff seed goes to Hong Kong eSports, but frankly this team is still a mess. While the talent ceiling shows up every week to make great comebacks and grab early leads, actual teamplay remains to be seen. The recent patch is certainly a buff to HKE's above-average laners, but it only goes so far.

29. MVP

Record: 7-11 (18-23) | League: LCK | +/-: -5

MVP were in line for a postseason spot for a good portion of the season; however, when it came down to the nitty gritty, it was the experience of the Freecs that won out over the possibly more talented yet inexperienced MVP starting lineup. For what it's worth, MVP had a good showing in its inaugural split, and an offseason of possibly bolstering its lineup with a few new pieces could be what it takes to become a contender come 2017.

30. Apex Gaming

Record: 8-10 (20-26) | League: NA LCS | +/-: +2

It was simply a little too late for Apex Gaming. If we were picking playoff teams on purely an eye-test, Apex or Phoenix1 would be going to the playoffs and Team Envy would be sitting at home enjoying the offseason. But, when Apex needed to beat Envy a few weeks back to secure itself in a playoff spot, the Lions of APX couldn't get it done. With changes expected in the offseason, we'll see how the team shapes up come spring of next year.

Struggling

31. Phoenix1

Record: 5-13 (14-31) | League: NA LCS | +/-: No Change

Phoenix1 has surely come a long way since being a laughingstock early in the season. Once a team that disheartened people who watched them play in the league, P1's second half of the split has brought new fans, optimism, and expectations. The team's 3-0 sweep over Echo Fox has re-qualified them for the spring 2017 split, and the team won't be looking to just stave off relegations any longer: P1 are aiming for the postseason come the new year.

32. Game Talents

Record: 7-9 (16-21) | League: LPL| +/-: +5

Game Talents fell harshly to Vici Gaming in three decisive victories even though it had a one-game advantage due to seeding. Vici will move on but Game Talents is out after a mediocre season in group A.

33. Invictus Gaming

Record: 5-11 (16-25) | League: LPL | +/-: +11

Invictus Gaming got thrashed by I May in the first round of the LPL playoffs and was knocked out. The team looked extremely mediocre this season and barely qualified for the playoffs. IG will need to fix itself if it wants to do better next spring.

34. Jin Air Green Wings

Record: 7-11 (19-26) | League: LCK | +/-: -7

The Green Wings narrowly avoided disaster by beating ESC Ever in its last game to stay safe from relegations. Once a team that was in the top five of our rankings, the Green Wings had one of the worst mid-to-late season runs in recent memory. Still, due to making the playoffs last split, Jin Air could still make it to the World Championships if the team can somehow pull off the miracle of all miracles.

35. ESC Ever

Record: 6-12 (16-29) | League: LCK | +/-: -10

It wasn't a terrible first split for the once-hyped rookies from ESC Ever, but the team did stumble in the end and will play in the relegation matches to keep its place in the major leagues. Luckily, Ever should be able to keep its spot in the league if it can play well on the day of relegations.

36. Midnight Sun Esports

Record: 3-5-6 | League: LMS | +/-: -3

MSE looked to be working its way up to the fourth-best team in the LMS, but those hopes were dashed once the squad lost 0-2 to seventh-place team eXtreme Gamers. At the very least, MSE managed to redeem itself with a win over Machi.

37. Team EnVyUs

Record: 8-10 (17-25) | League: NA LCS | +/-: -2

Yes, Team Envy are a playoff team, and it did win the matches it needed to, but its play was relatively uninspiring. Cloud9 are going to be heavy favorites in the quarterfinals against the wounded Envy, and it'll take a spirited turnaround in only two weeks of practice for the sixth-place team in the league to return to its early season glory.

38. Newbee

Record: 5-11 (13-26) | League: LPL | +/-: No Change

Newbee disappointed again this season, taking fifth in group A and failing to qualify for the playoffs. It ended the season off with a loss to Invictus Gaming and will move on to the promotion tournament to fight for its spot.

39. OMG

Record: 4-12 (13-26) | League: LPL | +/-: No Change

OMG has had one of its worst seasons yet and will now move to the promotion tournament. The team will need to keep its head up if it wants to return to the League Pro League.

40. CJ Entus

Record: 3-15 (12-32) | League: LCK | +/-: No Change

This was an organization that once defined success and popularity. While the team still has a rabid, never-say-die fanbase, the glory is long gone, and the unthinkable might happen: if CJ Entus loses its next best-of-five, it will be relegated from the LCK and dropped into the minor league.

Bottom of the barrel

41. Vitality

Record: 3-9-6 | League: EU LCS | +/-: No Change

Team Vitality barely dodged relegation after tying with Schalke 04 and then beating them in a tiebreaker. With Schalke now gone from the League, it's arguable that Vitality isn't far behind and it's interesting to think how this team would've fared in the promotion tournament. They'll need to make some changes in the off-season if they want to compete next split.

42. Origen

Record: 2-8-8 | League: EU LCS | +/-: -8

Oh, Origen, how terribly this split went for you. The team that once was second in the league last year has fallen hard due to reported mismanagement, poor player relations with FORG1VEN, and the departure of Zven and Mithy to G2 Esports. Origen will need to completely overhaul next split if it wants to be a title contender again.

43. Machi E-sports

Record: 2-5-7 | League: LMS | +/-: -4

Machi has looked fairly lost all split, switching out players constantly in an attempt to cobble together a successful roster. Machi still manages to get some early leads, but generally squandered them as team synergy is at an all-time low.

44. Team ROCCAT

Record: 2-6-10 | League: EU LCS | +/-: +1

Down but never defeated: the Team ROCCAT story. Welcome back to the LCS, ROCCAT. This team has had chances to build European super teams before but those fell through during the offseason period. Now that they'll have almost half a year to rebuild for the next LCS season.

45. eXtreme Gamers

Record: 2-2-10 | League: LMS | +/-: +3

XGamers was able to pull off a miracle 2-0 series over MSE and looks like a different team with ex-TPA jungler Pony. Rather than just the SuwaKo show, everybody pitched in, with Nexus and Suki notably performing well this week.

46. Echo Fox

Record: 1-17 (8-34) | League: NA LCS | +/-: +4

Echo Fox did go 1-17 in the regular season, yet, we will still see them next season due to wiping the floor with NRG Esports in the last chance qualifier best-of-five series in the promotional tournament. Rick Fox stuck with his team through a troubled first year, and he'll have a chance in the offseason to possibly upgrade his club before starting his sophomore campaign in four months.

47. Saint Gaming

Record: 1-15 (9-30) | League: LPL | +/-: -1

Saint has the worst time coming into the LPL promotion tournament. The team is one of the worst teams to ever play in the LPL and that comes with a chance of getting eliminated when it enters the promotion tournament.

48. Team Mist

Record: 0-3-11 | League: LMS | +/-: +1

Team Mist managed to separate itself from "Cougar status" after winning an additional two games these last few weeks. Mist is definitely a bottom tier team, but proved its talent ceiling could keep it from being a total joke.

49. FC Schalke 04 (Relegated, replaced by Misfits)

Record: 3-9-6 | League: EU LCS | +/-: -2

It may have taken eighth in the regular season, but FC Schalke 04 is now relegated from the League Championship Series after a loss to Misfits. It was recently reported by Esports Career that the team dropped its manager Maelk but the team confirmed that it will continue to field a team in the Challenger Series. Better luck next time, Schalke.

50. NRG Esports (Relegated, replaced by Cloud9 Challenger)

Record: 4-14 (14-29) | League: NA LCS | +/-: -8

Goodbye, NRG Esports. Hello, New Sponsor That Will Buy Cloud9 Challenger's Spot in the LCS. Cloud9 Challenger did well to bullrush its way through NRG and into the LCS next split. For NRG, this is the end of the line in the major leagues, as the once promising club will be moving down to the minors next split after making the playoffs in its initial season.