asphyxia

Competing under the handle asphyxia, Mert Akbas is a 25-year-old bot laner from the Netherlands whose career unfolded on the Rift Legends circuit before he stepped away from active competition. Now retired, he is remembered as a marksman who suited up for the roster known as my star during his time in the scene.

The Marksman’s Craft

The bot lane, or ADC role, revolves around the sustained ranged damage that carries teams through the mid and late game. Marksmen begin matches as some of the most fragile champions on the map, dependent on their support to survive the laning phase, but they scale into the primary damage threats capable of shredding through enemy front lines once fully itemized. Mastery of the role means immaculate positioning in team fights, precise last-hitting under pressure, and the discipline to convert farm into game-ending power.

What stands out about asphyxia is the breadth reflected in his champion pool. Names like Kayn, Jarvan IV, Kayle, and Vayne span multiple roles and archetypes, from jungle assassins and diving fighters to scaling carries. Vayne in particular is a hyper-carry beloved by bot laners for her ability to duel and dismantle tanks, a champion whose skill ceiling rewards players willing to invest in mechanically demanding play.

A Career in Retrospect

Playing within Rift Legends, asphyxia was part of the wider ecosystem of regional and community-driven competition that gives players a stage below the major leagues. These circuits are where many careers take shape, and where a bot laner can build a reputation through consistent, high-skill performances.

Now that he has retired, his contributions become part of the collective history of the scene, a reminder of the many competitors whose dedication sustains the grassroots layers of professional League of Legends.

Retirement rarely means a complete departure from the game. Former players frequently transition into coaching, content creation, or mentorship roles, channeling hard-earned experience into new pursuits. Whatever path he chooses, asphyxia’s tenure as a versatile marksman remains a chapter worth acknowledging in the story of Dutch competitive League of Legends.