Los Ratones, the League of Legends team spearheaded by streamer and former pro Caedrel, has been making waves following their performance at the Red Bull: League of its Own event. While T1’s players were experimenting with off-roles during the tournament, Los Ratones showcased impressive teamwork and solid scrim results, sparking excitement among fans of the team and its streamer lineup.
To explore their chances of succeeding in the LEC, I spoke with Thebausffs, one of the team’s standout players. Confident in his abilities, Thebausffs boldly claimed he’s already on par with most LEC top laners and expressed optimism about his team’s potential. To add more perspective, I turned to Caps, G2’s iconic mid-laner and one of Europe’s most accomplished players, to hear his thoughts on how Los Ratones might fare against tier 1 competition in Europe.
Caps Sees Potential in Los Ratones
My interview with Caps took place shortly after G2 faced T1 at the Red Bull event. The match was fresh in his mind, and Caps admitted that he’d drawn inspiration from Thebausffs when experimenting with the top lane during the show match.
“I’ve watched quite a lot of Los Ratones, and I think they’re a lot of fun to watch,” Caps said. “It’s the off-season, so there aren’t as many games happening, and I think their scrims and tournaments have been entertaining. I’ve always been a big fan of Baus. His gameplay is unique and fun.”
Caps revealed he had considered replicating Thebausffs’ unconventional top lane Kayn strategy, known for its proxy farming, but ultimately opted for Trundle, which suited a similar playstyle. “The game ended up being a lot of 1v2s and 1v3s,” he added with a smile.
Are They Ready for the LEC?
While Caps praised Los Ratones’ creativity and individual talent, he expressed caution when discussing their readiness for the LEC.
“They still have a long way to go,” Caps admitted. “Thinking about a top-three finish in the LEC feels overly optimistic. They’ve got some strong players, and Thebausffs has shown promising signs, but it all depends on how much time and effort they’re willing to put in to improve. It’s not just about talent—it’s about consistency and dedication.”
Caps questioned whether Thebausffs, known for his entertaining and unconventional playstyle, would fully commit to professional play. “At the end of the day, Baus is an entertainer at heart. If he focuses on optimizing his play for winning rather than just for fun, they could aim higher. Realistically, I could see them breaking into the top six, but they’d need to step up significantly to compete with the best.”
Caps also highlighted other factors, such as how Velja and Thebausffs would adapt to the professional scene and whether the team could close the gap between their current level and the LEC standard. “They’ve got potential,” Caps concluded, “but turning that potential into results is another story.”
The Road Ahead
While Caps’ analysis offers a tempered outlook, his respect for Los Ratones’ creativity and talent is evident. Whether the team can transform their off-season hype into competitive success will depend on their dedication and ability to adapt to the challenges of the LEC.
For now, Los Ratones remain an exciting wildcard in the League of Legends community, leaving fans eager to see how far they can go.
