Invictus Gaming parts ways with Breathe, Soboro, and Nia after disappointing LPL playoffs

Invictus Gaming, one of the most decorated names in Chinese League of Legends history, is cleaning house. The organization confirmed the departures of top laner Breathe, along with Soboro and Nia, following a playoff run that ended well short of expectations.

The exits come on the heels of IG’s 9th-12th place finish in the LPL 2026 Split 2 playoffs, a result that punctuated a frustrating stretch for an org that once sat at the very top of the competitive scene.

A swift and painful exit

IG’s playoff run didn’t just end early. It ended emphatically. The team was swept 0-3 by ThunderTalk Gaming, leaving no ambiguity about where things stood.

Breathe’s time with the roster was notably brief. The top laner joined IG on March 29, 2026, arriving from Weibo Gaming. That means his entire tenure with the organization spanned roughly three months before the announcement of his departure.

Soboro’s stint was slightly longer in calendar terms but similarly short in competitive output. He was signed in December 2025 from the BNK FearX academy system, alongside Renard, as part of IG’s roster buildout heading into the 2026 season.

An organization searching for its identity

Founded in August 2011, IG has been a fixture of the Chinese League of Legends scene for nearly 15 years. The organization’s 2018 World Championship victory remains one of the defining moments in LPL history.

A 9th-12th place finish in the LPL isn’t catastrophic in isolation. The league features some of the deepest talent pools in global esports, and simply making playoffs is an achievement for many rosters. But for an organization with IG’s pedigree and ambitions, it represents a clear gap between where they are and where they believe they should be.

What this means for the competitive landscape

Breathe is the most intriguing name of the three. His move from Weibo Gaming to IG earlier this year indicated he was still viewed as a viable starting-caliber top laner in one of the world’s most competitive leagues.

The December 2025 signings of Soboro and Renard from BNK FearX’s academy suggested IG was leaning toward development. The rapid reversal after one split indicates that approach didn’t deliver fast enough for the organization’s timeline.

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