{{Short description|Croatian professional League of Legends player}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}} {{Infobox video game player | ID = Perkz | name = Luka Perković | name_trans = | image = Perkz_2020.jpg | caption = Perkz with G2 Esports in 2020 | nickname = Uma Jan<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/perkz-caps-hint-at-another-position-switch-for-2020-lec-summer-split|title=Perkz, Caps to switch positions once again for 2020 LEC Summer Split|last=Esguerra|first=Tyler|date=6 May 2020|website=Dot Esports|quote=Welcome back, Uma Jan and Claps.}}</ref> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|9|30|df=yes}}<ref name="Newell" /> | birth_place = Zagreb, Croatia | nationality = Croatian | team = | role = Mid (2014–2018, 2020–2024) <br> AD Carry (2019–2020) <br> Top (2025) | league = LEC | games = ''League of Legends'' | career_role = | career_start = 2014 | career_end = 2025 | years1 = 2014 | team1 = GSI Gaming | years2 = 2015 | team2 = Gamers2 | years3 = 2015 | team3 = Millenium | years4 = 2015–2020 | team4 = G2 Esports{{efn|Known as Gamers2 in early 2015.}} | years5 = 2021 | team5 = Cloud9 | years6 = 2022–2023 | team6 = Team Vitality | years7 = 2024 | team7 = Team Heretics | years8 = 2025 | team8 = The Ruddy Sack | highlights = *MSI champion (2019) * 2× Rift Rivals champion (2018, 2019) *8× LEC champion **4× LEC 1st All-Pro Team *LCS champion **1× LCS 1st All-Pro Team }} '''Luka Perković''' (born 30 September 1998), better known as '''Perkz''' (previously stylized as '''PERKZ''' and before that as '''PerkZ'''), is a Croatian former professional ''League of Legends'' player.
From 2015 to 2020, Perkz was a member of G2 Esports, when the team became the first European organization to win the Mid-Season Invitational in 2019. He reached the World Championship final in 2019. He has won 8 LEC titles, tied-fourth only to former teammates Caps (15) and Mikyx (11), and BrokenBlade (9) —it also has to be noted that Perkz won 8 during a period of time when there were only 2 splits per year—. In November 2020, Perkz left G2 to join LCS organization Cloud9 for the 2021 season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=LEC superstar Perkz officially joins Cloud9 {{!}} ONE Esports|url=https://www.oneesports.gg/lol/lec-superstar-perkz-officially-joins-cloud9/|access-date=2021-10-20|website=www.oneesports.gg|language=en-US}}</ref> He is widely regarded as one of the best western players in ''League of Legends'' history.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-11-11 |title=World title or not, Caps and Perkz still the best Western duo in League of Legends |url=https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/28060433/world-title-not-caps-perkz-best-western-duo-league-legends |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Miter |first=Mateusz |date=2022-01-12 |title=Vitality's Labrov: 'If we don't win the trophy with this roster, that would be a disappointment' |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/vitality-labrov-if-we-dont-win-the-trophy |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Career==
===2014 season=== Perkz's first professional team was GSI Gaming, which he joined midway through the 2013 season. With the team, he competed at DreamHack Summer 2014, though they did not make it past the group stage.<ref>AB, DreamHack. [http://dreamhack.se/dhs14/ "Dreamhack DreamHack Summer 2014"].</ref> Perkz and GSI Gaming won EpicGear Cup 16, and placed second in EpicGear Cup 17 before the team disbanded later on in the year.
===2015 season=== At the start of 2015, Perkz joined Gamers2. He participated at International Invitational Tournament 4 with the team, and later the EU CS Spring Qualifier r as along with beansu, Obvious, Kobbe and kaSing. Gamers2 were beaten by Team Nevo in the final of their qualifier bracket. Perkz then left the team, joining Millenium soon after.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Luka "PerkZ" Perković » LoL Esports Player Profile |url=https://www.esports.net/wiki/players/perkz/ |access-date=2022-03-04 |website=Esports.net |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Gundacker |first=Kai |date=2020-09-24 |title=Esport Legends - Perkz |url=https://www.esports.com/en/esport-legends-perkz-130047 |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=eSports.com |language=en}}</ref>
With Millenium, Perkz and the roster finished 2nd at Gamers Assembly 2015 behind only Origen. Not long after, Perkz officially left the team.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
In May 2015, it was announced that Perkz would be rejoining Gamers2, who had retained their Challenger Series spot for the EUCS Summer Season. In October, Gamers2 rebranded themselves to G2 Esports.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
===2016 season=== G2 started strong in their first year as a part of the EU LCS. They finished the split in first place with a record of 15–3. In the playoffs, Perkz and G2 defeated established franchises Fnatic<ref>{{Cite web |title=LoL Esports |url=https://lolesports.com/article/g2-esports-vs-fnatic-a-look-back-at-the-biggest-rivalry-in-european-league-of-legends/blta1020b43f885039d |access-date=2022-03-04 |website=lolesports.com}}</ref> and Origen,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Volk |first=Pete |date=2016-04-17 |title=G2 vs. Origen results (spoilers!) |url=https://www.riftherald.com/2016/4/17/11446926/g2-vs-origen-eu-lcs-finals-results |access-date=2022-03-04 |website=The Rift Herald |language=en-US}}</ref> 3–1 both times, to win the season and secure an invitation to 2016 Mid–Season Invitational.<ref>Sport1.de,. [https://www.sport1.de/esports/league-of-legends/2016/04/league-of-legends-msi-2016-g2-esports-im-portrait "League of Legends MSI 2016: G2 Esports im Portrait"].</ref>
Going into MSI, G2 Esports was not expected to win, with Korean representatives, SK Telecom T1 favored ahead of them, but were still expected to perform well.<ref name=":2">[https://www.thescoreesports.com/lol/news/7605 "PerkZ on G2's lack of MSI prep: 'We decided...taking that vacation would be maybe better for us'"].</ref> However, the team lost their first four games of the round robin and ultimately finished in fifth place out of six teams,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-05-09 |title=SK Telecom lose four games in a row in crazy MSI group stage |url=http://www.dailydot.com/esports/skt-lose-four-msi-group-stage/ |access-date=2022-03-04 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509052356/http://www.dailydot.com/esports/skt-lose-four-msi-group-stage/ |archive-date=9 May 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MSI Day Two Recap: A panic in the Shanghai Oriental Center |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/msi-day-recap-panic-shanghai-oriental-center/story?id=38932237 |access-date=2022-03-04 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref> and were eliminated from the tournament.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Volk |first=Pete |date=2016-05-05 |title=MSI Day 2 results |url=https://www.riftherald.com/2016/5/5/11595212/msi-2016-day-2-results-and-statistics |access-date=2022-03-04 |website=The Rift Herald |language=en-US}}</ref> This placement meant that Europe would forfeit their Pool 1 seed at the World Championship.<ref>{{Cite web |title=League of Legends - Garena |url=https://lol.garena.com/news/articles/3185 |access-date=2022-03-04 |website=lol.garena.com}}</ref> In a statement published partway through the second day of play, G2 stated that their players had taken vacation time after a "rigorous Spring Split”.<ref name=":2" /> AD carry Emperor later stated that there had been an internal conflict within the team one day prior to the start of the event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jacobs |first=Jamie |date=2016-05-09 |title=G2 Crash and Burn at MSI 2016 |url=https://esportsedition.com/league-of-legends/g2-crash-burn-at-msi-2016/ |access-date=2022-03-04 |website=Esports Edition |language=en-US}}</ref>
===2019 season=== In 2019 Caps was traded from Fnatic to G2, resulting in two mid lane players on the same team.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-11-20 |title=Sources: Caps to join G2 Esports, shifting PerkZ to AD carry |url=https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/25331685/caps-join-g2-esports-shifting-perkz-ad-carry |access-date=2022-03-04 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mickunas |first=Aaron |date=2018-11-29 |title=G2 Esports confirms the acquisition of Caps and Mikyx, as well as Perkz' move to bot lane |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/g2-esports-confirms-the-acquisition-of-caps-and-mikyx-as-well-as-perkz-move-to-bot-lane |access-date=2022-03-04 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}}</ref> Perkz swapped to the AD Carry position, replacing his teammate Hjarnan.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Heath|first=Jerome|date=2019-01-06|title=The biggest League of Legends roster swaps of the offseason|url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/the-biggest-league-of-legends-roster-swaps-of-the-offseason|access-date=2021-07-15|website=Dot Esports|language=en-US}}</ref> G2's 2019 season was very successful, with the team winning the Mid-Season Invitational,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-05-19 |title=G2 Esports Win MSI 2019 with Fastest MSI Finals Ever |url=https://www.hotspawn.com/league-of-legends/news/g2-esports-win-msi-2019-with-fastest-msi-finals-ever |access-date=2022-03-04 |website=Hotspawn |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Andrew Amos |date=2019-05-19 |title=G2 smash Team Liquid to become the MSI 2019 champions |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/g2-are-the-msi-2019-champions-smashing-team-liquid |access-date=2022-03-04 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}}</ref> and making it to the 2019 League of Legends World Championship finals, where Perkz and the rest of G2 were defeated by FunPlus Phoenix.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Network |first=Esportz |date=2019-11-12 |title=How did FPX beat G2 to win Worlds 2019? |url=https://esportsnewsnow.com/how-did-fpx-beat-g2-to-win-worlds-2019-2dbcc7462e86 |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Esguerra |first=Tyler |date=2019-11-08 |title=FunPlus Phoenix's Doinb says that G2 only defeated SKT because of luck |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/funplus-phoenixs-doinb-says-that-g2-only-defeated-skt-because-of-luck |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}}</ref>
===2020 season=== For the 2020 season, Perkz moved back to the mid lane, swapping positions with Caps.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-01-16|title=G2's Perkz and Caps swap positions|url=https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/28497433/g2-perkz-caps-swap-positions|access-date=2021-07-15|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}</ref> After the spring split had ended, Perkz swapped back to the bot lane.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oneesports.gg/lol/g2s-perkz-and-caps-will-once-again-swap-roles-for-lec-summer-split/|title=G2's Perkz and Caps will once again swap roles for LEC Summer Split|publisher=One Sports|author=Kristine Tuting|date=8 May 2020 |access-date=29 December 2020}}</ref>
In the middle of the LEC 2020 Summer Split, Perkz had to take a break because of stress.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1276962724833042437|user=Perkz|title=I’m so happy we won today with good performance! I’ve been having a bit hard time dealing with stress so I will b…|date=27 June 2020}}</ref> Perkz came back after a short break, and G2 Esports managed to once again win the LEC, and qualify for Worlds 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-07 |title=G2 win LEC Summer 2020 finals with 3-0 victory over Fnatic - Esports News UK |url=https://esports-news.co.uk/2020/09/07/g2-beat-fnatic-lec-summer-2020-finals/ |access-date=2022-03-05 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Lupasco |first=Cristian |date=2020-09-06 |title=G2 Esports win eighth LEC title after sweeping Fnatic in 2020 Summer Finals |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/g2-esports-win-eighth-lec-title-after-sweeping-fnatic-in-2020-summer-finals |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}}</ref>
At the 2020 League of Legends World Championship, G2 Esports were eliminated in the semifinals by the eventual champions, Damwon Gaming.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lupasco |first=Cristian |date=2020-10-24 |title=DAMWON Gaming defeat G2 Esports to secure first World Championship finals appearance |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/damwon-gaming-defeat-g2-esports-to-secure-first-world-championship-finals-appearance |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}}</ref> This marked the third strait year G2 has finished fourth or better at Worlds.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-24|title=LoL: Worlds 2020 {{!}} G2 Esports vs Damwon Gaming Semifinal Recap|url=https://estnn.com/lol-worlds-2020-g2-esports-vs-damwon-gaming-semifinal-recap/|access-date=2021-07-15|website=Esports News Network {{!}} ESTNN|language=en-US}}</ref> Following the loss, Perkz and G2 decided to part ways in November 2020.<ref name="Newell">{{cite news |last1=Newell |first1=Adam |title=Perkz officially departs from G2 Esports |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/perkz-officially-departs-from-g2-esports |access-date=May 11, 2021 |work=Dot Esports |date=November 17, 2020}}</ref>
===2021 season=== On November 20, 2020 Cloud9 announced Perkz as their new midlaner, replacing Nisqy.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20210105203051/https://www.cloud9.gg/latest/cloud9-announces-perkz-for-the-lcs-roster/ Perkz joins C9]</ref> On Cloud9, Perkz reached the lock-in finals,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-02-02 |title=Team Liquid win a five-game thriller to take the LCS Lock In tournament {{!}} ONE Esports |url=https://www.oneesports.gg/league-of-legends/team-liquid-win-a-five-game-thriller-to-take-the-lcs-lock-in-tournament/ |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=www.oneesports.gg |language=en-US}}</ref> and led Cloud9 to a first place finish in the regular season, as well as first place in the 2021 LCS MidSeason Showdown.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McIntyre |first1=Isaac |title=Perkz delivers on LCS promise, leads Cloud9 to Spring title: final placements & recap |url=https://www.dexerto.com/league-of-legends/lcs-2021-midseason-showdown-schedule-stream-scores-1534129/ |website=dexerto.com |access-date=10 August 2021}}</ref> Perkz was awarded Player of the Series for his performance in the finals against Team Liquid.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Ethan |date=2021-04-12 |title=Cloud9 win 2021 LCS Mid-Season Showdown over Team Liquid, secure ticket to Mid-Season Invitational |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/c9-win-2021-lcs-mid-season-showdown |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}}</ref> Perkz is now the second player to have ever won both a LEC and a LCS championship title, along with his teammate Jesper "Zven" Svenningsen.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Esguerra |first1=Tyler |title=Only 2 mid laners have won the LEC title over the past 8 splits: Caps and Perkz |url=https://dotesports.com/league-of-legends/news/only-2-mid-laners-have-won-the-lec-title-over-the-past-8-splits-caps-and-perkz |website=dotesports.com |access-date=10 August 2021}}</ref>
At the 2021 League of Legends World Championship Perkz and C9 reached the quarterfinals, where they lost to Gen.G.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gen.G eliminate Cloud9, will face EDG in Worlds 2021 semifinals |url=https://legacy.upcomer.com/gen-g-eliminate-cloud9-will-face-edg-in-worlds-2021-semifinals/ |access-date=2022-03-05 |website=Upcomer |language=en}}</ref>
== Seasons overview == {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;" |- style="background:#f0f6ff;" ! rowspan=3 | Year ! rowspan=3 | Team ! colspan=5 | Domestic ! Regional ! colspan=3 | International |- ! rowspan=2 | League ! colspan=4 | Split ! rowspan=2 | Rift Rivals ! rowspan=2 | First Stand ! rowspan=2 | Mid-Season Invitational ! rowspan=2 | World Championship |- ! Winter ! Spring ! Summer ! Season Finals |- ! 2015 | Gamers2 | EU CS | rowspan="8" {{N/A}} | — | 3rd | rowspan="8" {{N/A}} | rowspan="2" {{N/A}} | rowspan="10" {{N/A}} | colspan="2"| — |- ! 2016 | rowspan="5"| G2 Esports | EU LCS | {{won|style=font-weight:bold|place=1st}} | {{won|style=font-weight:bold|place=1st}} | 5th | 13th–16th |- ! 2017 | EU LCS | {{won|style=font-weight:bold|place=1st}} | {{won|style=font-weight:bold|place=1st}} | 2nd | 2nd | 9th–11th |- ! 2018 | EU LCS | 2nd | 6th | {{won|style=font-weight:bold|place=1st}} | ''Did not qualify'' | 3rd–4th |- ! 2019 | LEC | {{won|style=font-weight:bold|place=1st}} | {{won|style=font-weight:bold|place=1st}} | {{won|style=font-weight:bold|place=1st}} | {{won|style=font-weight:bold|place=1st}} | 2nd |- ! 2020 | LEC | {{won|style=font-weight:bold|place=1st}} | {{won|style=font-weight:bold|place=1st}} | rowspan="6" {{N/A}} | ''None held''{{efn|Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rand |first1=Emily |title=Riot cancels Mid-Season Invitational, announces changes to worlds |url=https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/29086714/riot-cancels-mid-season-invitational-announces-changes-worlds |access-date=March 7, 2023 |work=ESPN |date=April 23, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307180633/https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/29086714/riot-cancels-mid-season-invitational-announces-changes-worlds |url-status=live }}</ref>}} | 3rd–4th |- ! 2021 | Cloud9 | LCS | {{won|style=font-weight:bold|place=1st}} | 3rd | 5th | 5th–8th |- ! 2022 | rowspan="2" | Team Vitality | LEC | 5th | 7th | colspan="2" rowspan="2"| ''Did not qualify'' |- ! 2023 | LEC | 5th | 3rd | 10th | ''Did not qualify'' |- ! 2024 | Team Heretics | LEC | 7th | — | — | — | colspan="2"| — |- ! 2025 | The Ruddy Sack | NLC | 5th | — | — | {{N/A}} | colspan="3"| — |}
== Awards and honors == ;International * One-time Mid-Season Invitational champion – 2019
;Regional * Two-time Rift Rivals champion – 2018, 2019
;LEC * Eight-time LEC champion – Spring 2016, Summer 2016, Spring 2017, Summer 2017, Spring 2019, Summer 2019, Spring 2020, Summer 2020 * Four-time LEC 1st All-Pro Team – Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Summer 2019, Spring 2020 * Three-time LEC 2nd All-Pro Team – Summer 2016, Spring 2018, Summer 2018 * One-time LEC 3rd All-Pro Team – Summer 2017 * Rookie of the Split – Spring 2016
;LCS * One-time LCS champion – Spring 2021 * One-time LCS 1st All-Pro Team – Spring 2021
;Tournaments * EpicGear Cup 16 – 2014
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
{{Cloud9}}
Category:Croatian expatriate sportspeople in Germany Category:G2 Esports players Category:League of Legends AD Carry players Category:League of Legends mid lane players Category:Millenium (esports) players Category:Living people Category:Cloud9 (esports) players Category:1998 births Category:Sportspeople from Zagreb Category:Team Vitality players