On the debut episode of the Sheep Esports podcast, GIANTX LEC coach Nicolas “Nico” Perez delivered a sobering assessment of the League of Legends European Championship (LEC). A veteran of Europe’s regional leagues, Perez expressed concern over what he describes as a regression in the macro understanding and laning fundamentals of today’s LEC players. Despite coaching at the highest competitive level in Europe, Perez revealed he often finds himself reteaching foundational concepts he once introduced in France’s Division 2 circuit.

“Relearning Division 2 Concepts in the LEC” – A Disturbing Trend

Having coached within the European Regional Leagues (ERLs) since 2020, Perez has developed a benchmark for tracking player development over time. Drawing from his experience coaching FC Nantes in Division 2, he sees troubling signs in how professional growth is progressing – or rather, regressing – at the LEC level.

“I’ve had moments at GIANTX where I was explaining the exact same things I taught in Division 2 with FC Nantes years ago,” said Perez. “Especially on the map aspect, macro in general, and laning phase.”

Outdated Knowledge in a Rapidly Evolving Game

Perez emphasized that the issue isn’t limited to rookies. Even players returning from stints in the LEC arrive with habits and thought processes that no longer align with today’s metagame.

“Some players that I coached before they went to the LEC, the moment I get them back, they’re still using ideas from two and a half years ago that are no longer relevant because the game has evolved,” he explained.

This perspective underscores how quickly fundamental game concepts can become obsolete. With patches altering champion viability, objective dynamics, wave management, and vision control, relying on outdated heuristics can hinder both individual and team performance.

Macro Missteps at the Top: Insights from BrokenBlade

For Perez, this knowledge gap at the highest level is not merely troubling – it’s unacceptable. He pointed to recent comments by G2 Esports’ Sergen “BrokenBlade” Çelik as an example:

“I hear BrokenBlade say in an interview, ‘We realized that we didn’t know how to play the map,’” Perez said. “But if you’ve been playing internationally for the last three or four years, you’re supposed to be the ones who know how to play the map and have macro knowledge.”

That admission illustrates why European squads may struggle to match the precision and structure of leagues like the LCK and LPL, particularly in mid-game setups, objective trading, and vision coordination.

What Fundamental Gaps Look Like in Practice

According to Perez, the most noticeable breakdowns in play stem from poor execution of laning mechanics, inefficient macro decisions, and subpar information management. Some common issues include:

Laning Phase Mistakes

  • Improper wave states before key objectives, such as failing to stack or slow-push side lanes before Dragon or Herald fights.
  • Suboptimal trading patterns that ignore jungle positioning and support roam timings.
  • Inefficient recall timings that de-synchronize team spikes and fail to match enemy resets.

Mid-Game Macro Weaknesses

  • Unclear lane assignment rules after outer towers fall – determining who holds mid, who moves to side lanes, and when to rotate.
  • Unbalanced objective trades without proper vision investment or cross-map punishment.
  • Sloppy setup around Baron and Herald – missing critical windows for river control and vision layering.

Vision and Information Misuse

  • Burning control wards for fleeting vision rather than anchoring key jungles and choke points.
  • Lack of proactive pressure linked to vision – hovering near enemy towers without lane push or tower dive setup.

Why This Trend Hurts European League of Legends

Perez’s criticism touches on issues with broader implications for the LEC and Europe’s competitive standing:

  • ERL-to-LEC Progression Concerns: The European pipeline is one of the region’s greatest assets. If LEC players regress in fundamentals after promotion, the LEC loses its refinement advantage derived from the ERLs.
  • Patch Knowledge Decay: Given Riot’s regular patch cadence, execution around wave management, resets, and fights must adapt accordingly. Failure to “reset” foundational understanding introduces lost tempo and misalignment with the metagame.
  • International Gaps Explained: Struggles with macro clarity offer a clear explanation for Europe’s recent performance dip versus LCK and LPL opponents in global tournaments.

Perez’s Background with GIANTX and ERL Development

Nico Perez joined GIANTX as part of the 2024 coaching staff alongside head coach André “Guilhoto” Guilhoto. His development-first philosophy emphasizes system-driven play and core structural understanding. He previously coached in France’s top regional leagues, including the LFL with GameWard, where he publicly advocated for stronger fundamentals—even amongst veteran squads.

His emphasis on foundational concepts has carried into the LEC, where he mentors a roster including rookie talent like mid laner Jackies.

Learn more about Perez’s coaching journey via these Sheep Esports interviews:

Historical interview: BLIX.GG Interview on Rebuilding Fundamentals

How the LEC Can Rebuild Its Fundamentals

To remain competitive, Perez suggests a disciplined return to basics—not just for rookies but across entire rosters. His recommendations include:

  • Dedicated Fundamentals Practice: Allocate specific scrim blocks for structures like lane resets, pre-objective routines, and vision timing rather than focusing only on comps and matchups.
  • Formal ERL Integration: Institutionalize scouting and knowledge sharing from leading ERL coaching staffs, emphasizing process beyond just player promotion.
  • Standardized VOD Review: Implement consistent review templates around critical windows such as 90 seconds before major objectives and post-tower lane assignments.
  • Patch Concept Refresh: Schedule concept audits with each patch cycle to prevent reliance on outdated ideas and foster adaptation to new patch demands.

As the LEC looks to reclaim its place among the world’s elite, Perez’s message is clear: talent alone is not enough. Without a structural foundation built on current and efficient play, even Europe’s best risk falling behind.

Source: Sheep Esports podcast — via Sheep Esports