After some time in the amateur League of Legends IBS (Iron Bronze Silver) community, I’ve seen a number of same names pop up over and over again. Since IBS is where many new players to “comp”—competitive—enter the scene, I thought it would be useful to give a quick overview of some of the more common destinations for the new LOL traveler. Welcome to Runeterra, welcome to IBS!
Note: The content of this post will be updated as feedback comes in. If you’d like to be given a capsule and have been on the IBS scene for at least one split, fill this out and I’ll do my best to get it in! If there’s any edits or adds to be made to the current capsules, please do tell!
TD
The reigning kings of IBS, TD stands for whatever is up to your personal interpretation. The easiest association for TD is to call them "team diff," as they have won more titles than any other org. TD even placed three of their teams into the first ever IBS Amateur Worlds last year—out of a total of eight teams in the tourney. In just a year and a half—since June 2021—TD has made themselves the “it” destination for players who want to win a title. If you want some championship rings and trophies, book your stay at TD island right now! You may have to max out your CS to get there, but the accommodations will be worth it.
Emphasizing a competitive but chill environment, owner Toxin has made TD a place for players to grow and improve while also earning a title along the way. Your friends may side-eye you for flaunting your post-title tan, but you’re gonna feel amazing after a trip to Team Diff!
Region: Noxus
Owner: Toxin
Server size: 300+
Championships: Runeterra S1 and S2, ZGG, BOL, EDL, OCL, 2022 IBS Amateur Worlds
IBS teams: 4
Past team names: TD Frost, TD Shadow, TD Syndicate, TD Supernova, TD Serenity
Past IBS Leagues: Runeterra Academy, EDL, BOL, ZGG, OCL
Other ELO teams: Academy, Gold, Plat, Diamond, Masters+
Co-owners, admins, etc: RabidSwampDonkey
Revolution Esports
Now heading into their seventh split in IBS, REV is a much respected name on the scene. Since summer 2020, REV has placed many teams into the playoffs across IBS, gold, and plat leagues. They’ve proven themselves to be well-coached, competitive, and a boon to the amateur comp community. REV owner Tex believes that “everyone of every skill level deserves the opportunity to be on a team and [to] experience the thrill of sport.”
Despite being named “revolution,” REV is actually quite the opposite as they are closer to being the gold—petricite?—standard of amateur orgs with their emphasis on growth, companionship, and cooperation. “Success is only achievable through leaning on others.” Always a magnet for top talent, Revolution Esports are perpetual threats to take a title and to also have a holistic comp experience.
Region: Demacia
Owner: Tex
Server size: 250+
Championships: None, but a few finals appearances
Past team names: Revolution Anarchy, Revolution Frontline, Revolution Uprising, Revolution X
IBS teams: 2-3
Past IBS Leagues: ZGG, BOL, EDL, Coalition, Aegis
Other ELO teams: Gold, Plat
Co-owners, admins, etc: MysticAzzy, Shenghai, Scruffo, Ardvarks
Big Duck Entourage / CB Entourage
[Edit: Right before publication, BDE announced a merger with CB Gaming, with Swagmoneyboi now heading their IBS division.]
After taking last split off, BDE is back on the amateur scene. With long-standing reservations at the trophy podium, it’s hard to remember a time when a BDE team wasn’t in the thick of championship contention. This multiple title-winning powerhouse org is looking to reclaim their place at the top of the IBS mountain. With eight finished splits under their belt, Big Duck Entourage teams have never missed missed the playoffs—not even once!—and their rosters are consistently great.
Owner Swagmoneyboi welcomes rogues of all types and has the expertise to turn them into an efficient band of intimidating and ruthless Rift killers. Rumors are that BDE is going to push the envelope this next upcoming split by playing some weird comps. If you’re interested in creative off-meta picks, BDE’s player ad said that they were “open to playing pretty much anything.” So just make sure to bring competitive passion and your big….energy…to BDE. If you got what it takes, BDE is full of opportunity and treasures. “Duck up!”
Region: Bilgewater
Owner: Swagmoneyboi
Org size: 200+
Championships: EDL, ZGG, Runeterra, and one more finals appearance.
IBS teams: 3
Past team names: Sky, Umbra, Druid, Reborn, Lucid
Past IBS Leagues: All of them
Other teams: Gold
Co-owners, admins, etc: Boowi, Revan Storm, DT
rawr
Stylized always as “rawr,” this dangerous undercity of an org prides itself on an “anything goes” attitude. Headed by the IBS Chem-Baron, Doki, rawr has won four “CH1Pz” in various leagues and there’s no denying that success can thrive in any atmosphere.
While rawr isn’t the place for everyone, those who find beauty in fierce competitiveness and condoned lawlessness will love it. If you are looking for glittery sights and postcard worthy vistas, look elsewhere. What rawr offers is strength through grit, toughness through adversity, and titles through might. There may be danger around every corner but recklessness can lead to ingenuity as well. rawr!
Region: Zaun
Owner: Doki
Server size: 700+
Championships: Four, in Chosen, Aonia, RTGC Silver, and AE:DL
IBS teams: 1
Past team names: rawr, always just rawr!
Past IBS Leagues: OCL, ZGG, MetaShift
Other ELO teams: Academy, Gold, Plat, Diamond
Co-owners, admins, etc: GoatBM, Natz, Casino
Goon Squad Gaming
Ruled by two independent heads-of-state, GSG has been consistently successful, with a recent Zero Gravity Gaing championship under their belt and an appearance in IBS Amateur Worlds last season. Featuring teams that often revolve around solo lane carries, GSG has veteran-laden rosters that are a threat to take any league they enter.
Many familiar names can be found dotted on the GSG rosters, and each team seems to have its own character and achievements, with an intra-org rivalry that works out well for both their competitive spriits.
Region: Freljord
Owner: ThatDeckerGuy
Server size: ???
Championships: ZGG, and many playoff appearances, with IBS Amateur Worlds
IBS teams: 2
Past team names: GSG Iota, GSG Psi
Past IBS Leagues: BOL, ZGG
Other ELO teams: ???
Co-owners, admins, etc: ???
Snack Bears
SNC has been called a “one-tricky novelty org,” before—by the great LeperKoopa no less—and that was a true badge of honor. After a small taste of success last split, these ursa minors are trying to get bigger. While still focused on creating a nice—very nice—environment, SNC is attempting to level up across the board and move past its boutique-y org reputation.
Could that lead to more consistency across rosters and incomparable success on the Rift? Probably not! But hey, if you still got fur on those fresh cheeks, SNC is a place to find like-minded teammates looking for some competitive fun. Look cafe cutie cute or get bewildered with wonder, every day is a rainbow day!
Region: Bandle City
Owner: Juicefox
Server size: 100+
Championships: None, two playoff showings
IBS teams: 2
Past team names: Sunset Ravens, Sun Guardians, Super Best Friends Club
Past IBS Leagues: Runeterra Academy, EDL, BOL, ZGG
Other ELO teams: Academy, Gold
Co-owners, admins, etc: SNC Grimmjow, SNC Moonbyul, SNC Outlaw
Subatomic Gaming
A relatively new org to the IBS scene—they’ll be heading into their third split—SG already has the cleverest logo in the game, and are two for two in playoff appearances. Featuring a plethora of veteran talent and a deep roster of coaches, SG has quickly made an impact behind owner Vesuvius’ growing experience and expertise.
With many familiar faces from IBS-land enmeshed in Subatomic, SG has some of the best and most decorated players around. They’ll be looking for their first title and with this level of talent, one should be right around the corner. Care to go into the dark and find out?
Region: The Void
Owner: Vesuvius
Server size: 100+
Championships: none
IBS teams: 5
Past team names: SG Antimatter and SG Photon (Knights of Oblivion)
Past IBS Leagues: Aegis Squire League, BOL
Other ELO teams: Gold
Co-owners, admins, etc: Narwhal, Pandorum
Team Shadow Frost
Previously known as Gamma Gaming, TSF is now re-branded and re-focused, after more than a dozen splits under their previous name. Fresh off a MetaShift title in their last split, these champs are led by a number of IBS veterans so it’s no surprise they’ve had many recent successful playoff runs, including semifinal showings in most of the major leagues. Advertising themselves as a kind, caring, and loving organization determined to win, TSF is experiencing a rebirth, having risen from adversity and looking to prevail!
Region: Noxus
Owner: Royal, Arcflash
Org size: 130
Championships: one, 2022 MetaShift Fall Champions
IBS teams: 3
Past team names: Gamma Gaming
Past IBS Leagues: Metashift, ZGG, BOL, Aegis Squire League, Risen
Other teams: Academy, Gold, Plat
Co-owners, admins, etc: none
Eden
Proving that even from the detritus of former teams can emerge something beautiful, EDN is entering its third split as an inclusive, successful org that is run by two great friends: indiebee and Torilyn. With a few past playoff runs and an experienced IBS coach in Major, EDN is community and family focused, which sounds like a wonderful place to experience the pleasures of comp play. “All are welcome in the garden!”
Region: Ixtal
Owner: indiebee, Torilyn
Org size: 130+
Championships: none
IBS teams: 1
Past team names: Eden's Blazing Stars (EDNB), Eden's Cherryblossoms (EDNC), EDN Serpents (EDNS)
Past IBS Leagues: Blue Otter League, Runeterra Academy
Other teams: Academy, Gold
Co-owners, admins, etc: Major
Glacial Global
While often missing by the end of a split, Glacial does consistently make an appearance in the more prominent IBS leagues, usually having one or two teams in competition. Just getting on the field/Rift can be a valuable experience for a new comp player, so Glacial is as good a place to start as any. Recently, GG made a complete last-to-first run in the ZGG gauntlet, upsetting their way into the playoffs with three consecutive wins.
There is not a lot known about what lies inside the mystery of Glacial, but they are consistently recruiting and organizing, with a recent in-house tournament that had quite a number of IBS invitees. Take the ride out to Glacial, dip your feet into the icy comp waters and see how you like it!
Region: Shadow Isles
Owner: Master Soul
Server size: ???
Championships: ???
IBS teams: 2
Past team names: Glacial Knights, Glacial Omen, Glacial Storm
Past IBS Leagues: BOL, ZGG
Other ELO teams: ???
Co-owners, admins, etc: Sander, Cocoa
Abyssal Haven GOAT
Now entering their sophomore split, AHG is newish as an org but already has the experience to quickly vault themselves into title contention. With owner Coconut ceding most of his IBS rule to Downfall, AHG will have one of the best IBS players from the last few splits coaching its team.
That jump-start will have AHG looking to get into playoff position despite no public knowledge of their roster, play style, or reputation. If you’re looking to get aboard an org that could quickly rise to power, look no further than Abyssal Haven!
Region: Shurima
Owner: Coconut
Server size: 50+
Championships: none
IBS teams: 1
Past team names: AH Tyranny, AH Solar Flare
Past IBS Leagues: EDL, ZGG
Other ELO teams: Gold
Co-owners, admins, etc: Downfall
And some shorter capsules of additional (newer) orgs:
Tenebrous Esports
Boasting a very larger server—500+ people—TE emerged quickly onto the IBS scene recently. Unfortunately, our reporting doesn’t reveal much about them except that their IBS teams are assembled and ready to return to comp play next season. We’d love to know more about these Rift ninjas.
Conduit Esports
More known in the higher ELO community, this will be CE’s first split in IBS. With a pedigree of success in gold leagues—they’ve made the playoffs every season and had some deep postseason runs—Old Man Genetics and his crew (Black Eyed Peas, Skwigg, JJH) will be looking to make their mark on the IBS scene right away. Priding themselves on creating a family atmosphere that is welcoming and laid back, Conduit seems like a good place to hang out and to have a good time too.
Iconic
Pretty new to the IBS scene, Iconic is a laid-back and easygoing org that has had success at the gold and plat level—featuring a near Cinderella run in EGL last split—and is now transitioning to field an IBS team, one which will feature venerable IBS stalwart, LeperKoopa. With a lot of coaches on hand for their IBS teams, Iconic is out for some silliness and competitive and should be an fun addition to the community.
Contingent Esports
Home to a huge server—1500+ for TFT—CES is a more recent entrant onto the IBS scene, having competed in one split earlier this year. Already home to many higher ELO teams, CES is focused on developing players, with a solid track record of having their IBS players from just a few months ago pushing into gold and plat leagues. If you’re looking to accelerate your individual growth as part of a large and supportive community, get an invite from owner beardsandcats and take those Hexgates over to Contingent see what kinds of innovations lie in store for you!
Team Ambition
Part of the big three of higher ELO orgs—along with TD and CB— TE is now dipping its toes into IBS for the first time behind team owner Protts. Since I am unfamiliar with the gold scene, we can only assume the water is fresher there, the air purer, and everything just incredible, which means the buffet service at TE would be nothing short of extraordinary!
Missing capsules for: Hyperion Galaxy, Feed the Dream, Zenigma