Playmaker: Rekkles announces his role swap to Support, Fnatic drop Rekkles, searching for new ADC for Summer Split

From King to Kingmaker perhaps?

Former top ADC Martin “Rekkles” Larsson has announced his decision to role swap ahead of the LEC Summer Split 2023. “Rekkles” has announced his decision to role swap to the Support role. Before the start of the Winter Split 2023 when he was announced to be re-joining Fnatic, there were already reports that he had received offers from multiple organizations for the Support role. So, this move does not come as a complete surprise, and it is likely there was a great deal of pre-meditation from “Rekkles” prior to making the move. In the wake of his announcement (released on his personal twitter in the form of a video), Fnatic also announced their search for a new ADC, and have benched “Rekkles” in the meantime.

Revamp Incoming

Fnatic’s official announcement, detailing their decision to bench “Rekkles,” states that they desire to ‘support [his decision] however possible.’ However, they also stated that ‘[they’ve] come to mutual decision to not move forward with [Rekkles] on the starting line-up for the next split.’

The reasoning behind leaving behind “Rekkles” comes on the heels of their official statement for their desire to ‘explore potential options and work hard to build the most competitive roster for the future.’ The future for “Rekkles” is currently unknown, he has not been announced to join their Academy team, neither has there been any further updates from other rosters on whether he will be a consideration.

A pretty good ADC

In his video, "Rekkles" admits that he feels he is 'treading water.' That his efforts feel futile to continue as an ADC with little to no success these days. He also reflected on how he personally looked at himself as a strong ADC and that he could be a great Support as well.

Forever Legend of the Game

“Rekkles” began his league career on in May 2012, on the European roster Playing Ducks. His performance was so impressive in his debut, that he quickly rose through the ranks of the European Challengers ladder, and before long, Fnatic came knocking. In November 2012, he would join Fnatic for the first time. In their debut season with him, Fnatic won DreamHack Winter 2012 and placed 2nd at the IEM Season 7 Cologne. Shortly after, “Rekkles” left Fnatic for the first time to join PrideFC in May 2013. He stayed with them for a month before going on loan to Copenhagen Wolves. Under their banner, within the 3 months he was with them, he won 5 EUW Challenger Series. After placing second at the DreamHack Bucharest 2013, Fnatic came calling again.

On Again, Off Again Relationship

Now rejuvenated, “Rekkles” led Fnatic to a series of pivotal placements and wins. They placed second at the EU LCS 2014 Spring before winning the Spring Playoffs. They placed 3rd-4th at the All-Star 2014 Paris, falling to SK Telecom T1 K (“Faker’s” team).

Fnatic would then have a repeat performance in the Summer Split of 2014, again finishing 2nd. This time, they ended 2nd in the Playoffs as well, losing to powerhouse Alliance. After falling out in disappointing fashion at Worlds 2014, “Rekkles’s” left Fnatic for the second time, to join the ranks of Alliance (rebranded as Elements in 2014)

Under the Elements banner, the roster fell flat, and the project failed within the year. Before long, “Rekkles” was back with Fnatic and with them they won 1st in the EU LCS 2015 Summer and 1st in the Summer Playoffs. Right after that, Fnatic had one of the best runs, placing 3rd-4th at Worlds 2015. The following year was less stellar for Fnatic, but “Rekkles” still managed to place 3rd at the EU LCS 2016 Spring Playoffs.

Long String of Accolades

“Rekkles” continued with Fnatic, and managed to place 3rd at the EU LCS 2017 Spring Playoffs, 3rd in the EU LCS 2017 Summer Playoffs, 5th-8th at Worlds 2017, 1st in the EU LCS 2018 Spring and Spring Playoffs, 3rd-4th at MSI, 2nd at Worlds 2018, 3rd at LEC 2019 Spring and Spring Playoffs, 2nd in the LEC 2019 Summer and Summer Playoffs, 5th-8th at Worlds 2019, 2nd at LEC 2020 Spring and Spring Playoffs, 2nd in the LEC 2020 Summer Playoffs and 5th-8th at Worlds 2020 once again. His move to G2, marked by massive criticism, was still not a completely unsuccessful one, going 1st in the LEC 2021 Spring and 3rd in Spring Playoffs, 2nd and LEC 2021 Summer.

Taking that Experience

“Rekkles” has had a long illustrious career as one of EU’s best AD Carries for the large part of his decade-long career. Taking that experience, and shifting it to the Support Role, may end up rejuvenating his career once more, and allow the former star to achieve his great heights once more.

Credit: 2018 MSI // LoL Esports