He locks it. The crowd goes mental. You know the pick. It’s Garen. In a professional game where everyone else is sweating over "perfect" meta picks like K'Sante or Renekton, Adam Maanane—better known simply as Adam—just decides to play a champion that literally runs at people with a big sword. It’s glorious. It’s also exactly why Adam is one of the most polarizing and fascinating figures in the League of Legends European Championship (LEC).
If you’ve been following the pro scene for a minute, you’ve likely seen the memes. The "GODS" acronym: Garen, Olaf, Darius, Sett. These aren't just picks for him; they’re a statement of intent. Most top laners are content to farm, scale, and wait for a teleport play. Adam? He wants to ruin your day. He wants to dive you at level three. He wants to make the opposing pro feel like they’re stuck in a chaotic Platinum-rank solo queue game instead of a million-dollar studio.
The Rise of the French Prodigy
Adam’s journey didn't start in the big leagues. He’s the poster child for the "ERL to LEC" pipeline. Back in 2021, he was the heart of a Karmine Corp roster that absolutely dominated the European Regional Leagues. When he joined Fnatic, the pressure was immense. Replacing a veteran like Bwipo isn't easy, especially when you’re a rookie who prefers Bruisers over tanks.
His debut season was a whirlwind. He made it to Worlds in his first-ever split. That's insane. But it wasn't all sunshine. The 2021 Fnatic Worlds run was plagued by internal drama, specifically surrounding Upset’s departure for personal reasons. Adam didn't hold back. He changed his in-game name to "Lonely Wife" as a jab, which sparked a massive controversy. It was immature, sure, but it showed who he is: someone who wears his heart on his sleeve and doesn't care about the corporate PR filter.
Why the "GODS" Pool Works
People call it a "cheese" strategy. They’re wrong. You can't cheese your way to multiple LEC playoffs and international appearances. The reason Adam’s champion pool works is because of pressure. Most pro players spend 10 hours a day practicing against the same five champions. They know the exact damage of a Jax counter-strike. They don't necessarily know the exact lethal threshold of a Darius with Ghost and Flash coming out of a bush at level two.
Adam forces teams to ban differently. If you’re playing against Team BDS, you have to decide: do we ban the meta-OP picks, or do we ban Adam’s Garen? If you leave it open, he might just take over the game. If you ban it, you’re letting through power picks for his teammates. It’s a draft advantage that starts before the game even begins. Honestly, it’s a masterclass in psychological warfare.
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The BDS Era and Tactical Evolution
After a rough stint on Team BDS’s academy roster following a disappointing spell on the main team, many thought Adam was washed. They were wrong. He climbed back. He didn't just return; he reinvented how BDS played. Under the guidance of coaches like GotoOne, BDS started playing "around" the chaos.
They stopped trying to make Adam play like a standard top laner. Instead of forcing him onto Malphite duty every game, they let him cook. This led to their incredible 2023 run where they nearly took down the best teams in Europe. It also led to the "Swiss Stage" at Worlds 2023, where Adam became a global fan favorite. Watching him solo-kill world-class players with Olaf was a highlight of the tournament.
Wait. Let’s be real for a second. Is he the "best" top laner in Europe? Probably not if you’re looking at pure mechanics on Jayce or Fiora. Players like Bin or 369 from the LPL would likely punish his aggression. But Adam isn't trying to be them. He’s the "anti-meta" specialist.
The Problem with Consistency
The flip side of the "GODS" coin is that when it doesn't work, it looks bad. Like, really bad. If Adam gets behind on Darius, he’s basically a walking gold bag. He doesn't provide the utility of an Ornn or the safe scaling of a Camille. There are games where he goes 0/5/0 and looks completely disconnected from the team.
This is the "Adam Experience." You get the highest highs and the lowest lows. Fans love it because it's entertaining. Analysts hate it because it's unpredictable. But in a league that often feels "solved" and repetitive, Adam is the variable that keeps things interesting. He’s the reason people tune into BDS games.
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Debunking the One-Trick Myth
There is a persistent narrative that Adam can only play his niche picks. This is factually incorrect. Throughout 2024 and into 2025, he has shown a willingness to pilot Rumble, Renekton, and even the occasional tank. His K'Sante isn't half bad either.
The difference is his playstyle. Regardless of the champion, Adam plays with a "forward-only" mentality. He’s looking for the flank. He’s looking for the isolation. He’s looking to break the enemy's spirit. He once said in an interview that he plays to make the enemy top laner miserable. Mission accomplished, honestly.
Dealing with Toxicity Allegations
We have to talk about the "BDS drama" that surfaced in early 2024. Reports came out that Adam was benched temporarily due to behavioral issues and "toxic" outbursts toward teammates and staff. It wasn't the first time his temper had been mentioned.
He apologized. He acknowledged his "intense" nature. It’s a classic story of a highly competitive player whose passion sometimes boils over into something destructive. Since then, he seems to have found a better balance, but that "edge" is still there. You need a bit of that ego to play Garen into a room full of people who think you're trolling.
How to Play Like Adam (Actionable Advice)
If you want to bring the "GODS" energy to your own ranked games, you can't just pick the champions. You have to adopt the mindset. It’s about lane dominance and psychological pressure.
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- Abuse Level Spikes: Adam is a king of the level 2 and level 6 all-in. If you’re playing Darius, you should be looking for that Ghost-Flash play the second you hit your spike. Don't let the enemy breathe.
- Force the Jungle: Adam’s goal is often to draw the enemy jungler to top lane. If you’re being ganked, you’re relieving pressure for your mid and bot. The trick is surviving those ganks or, even better, getting a 1v2 double kill.
- Ignore the Meta: If you are a god-tier Sett, play Sett. Don't play a champion you've played twice just because a tier list said it was S-tier. Mastery beats meta in most tiers of play.
- Vision is Secondary to Pressure: This is risky, but Adam often prioritizes positioning for a kill over deep warding. If you know where the enemy is because they’re running away from you, you don’t need as many wards. (But seriously, please ward).
The Future of the Top Lane Terror
What’s next for Adam? The LEC is more competitive than ever. With the rise of new talent and the resurgence of veteran orgs, BDS has to constantly evolve. Adam is no longer a "surprise." Everyone knows what’s coming. The challenge for him in the coming seasons is whether he can maintain his unique identity while gaining the discipline needed to win a title.
He’s already proven he belongs. He’s proven that "solo queue picks" can work on the big stage. Now, he just needs to prove he can do it consistently enough to hoist the trophy. Whether you love him for his boldness or hate him for his unconventionality, you can’t ignore him.
Next Steps for League Fans
To truly understand the impact Adam has on a game, you need to watch his Pro View. Pay attention to how he trades in the first three levels. He doesn't just click the enemy; he baits out abilities and punishes every single missed last hit.
Go into a practice tool with Darius or Olaf. Practice the "Ghost" engagement range. See how much damage you can actually tank before you have to back off. Most players play too safe. Adam plays on the razor's edge. Try to find that edge in your own games, but maybe warn your teammates first if you're going to lock in Garen. They'll thank you when you're spinning on the enemy ADC's head twenty minutes later.