asphyxia

Known as asphyxia in competition, Mert Akbas is a 25-year-old Dutch bot laner whose playing days took place in the Rift Legends scene before he left active play behind. He is now retired, and during his time competing he is best remembered as a marksman on the roster called my star.

What the Marksman Does

Playing bot lane as an ADC means relying on steady ranged damage to pull a team through the middle and late stages of a match. Early on, marksmen are among the most vulnerable champions on the map and need their support to keep them alive through laning. As the game goes on and their items come together, they become the main damage dealers who can tear through enemy frontlines. Doing the role well requires sharp positioning during fights, clean last-hitting when the pressure is high, and the patience to turn farm into a match-winning advantage.

asphyxia’s champion pool is notable for its range. Kayn, Jarvan IV, Kayle, and Vayne cover a wide spread of roles and playstyles, from jungle assassins and aggressive divers to late-game carries. Vayne, in particular, is a hyper-carry that bot laners tend to favor because she can win duels and take down tanks, and her ceiling rewards players who are willing to put in the mechanical work.

Looking Back on the Career

While competing in Rift Legends, asphyxia was part of the broader network of regional and community-run tournaments that offers players a path below the major leagues. Circuits like this are often where careers begin, and where a bot laner can earn a name through steady, high-level play.

With his retirement, his time in the scene now belongs to the larger story of competitive League of Legends, a reminder of how many players keep the grassroots levels of the pro scene alive through their commitment.

Stepping away from competition seldom means leaving the game entirely. Many former players move into coaching, creating content, or mentoring newer players, putting their hard-won experience to use in new ways. Whatever he decides to do next, asphyxia’s run as a versatile marksman is a part of Dutch competitive League of Legends history worth remembering.