T1 is Expected to Benefit Most from LCK’s Implementation of Fearless Draft
In 2025, the LCK organizers and Riot Games in Korea will introduce the LCK Cup, featuring the experimental format of Fearless Draft. This initiative aims to broaden the tactical options available to teams. Prior to this, when information surfaced, there was already speculation that T1 would be the team most likely to benefit from the new draft system.
Recently, T1’s roster has gained significant fame. According to Faker, the current T1 roster features four players who are well-versed in diverse strategies. Even Doran, who previously played for Hanwha Life Esports or Gen.G, had to adapt to the play styles of Chovy – Ruler/Peyz or later Zeka – Viper. As for the bot lane, there’s nothing to criticize.
However, T1 May Face Challenges
It should be noted that T1’s success with the Fearless Draft will largely depend on Faker’s performance. As everyone knows, T1’s mid-lane has traditionally excelled in making plays, and other members will need to adapt to support Faker’s playstyle. Moreover, Faker’s champion pool over the past two years has not been overly diverse. At the 2024 World Championship, he played six champions, with Sylas being the most frequently picked. In contrast, at the 2023 World Championship, his champion pool was limited to just five.
Notably, during the recent season, opponents only needed to focus on Faker’s champion pool to potentially cause T1 significant trouble, even leading to losses. Therefore, if the Fearless Draft is implemented, Faker’s champions could be effectively countered, which might lead to a complete shift in the game’s dynamics.
In this context, T1 will need to carefully consider how to expand Faker’s champion pool or adjust their strategy to counter his opponents. The shift in playstyle towards a different meta could also involve Keria, Oner, and others stepping up to take on the role of playmakers, alleviating the burden on Faker.
Nevertheless, the Fearless Draft is primarily experimental, and the overall impact of the LCK Cup on T1’s performance might not be too significant. Hence, this could be an opportunity for this roster to gain more experience before stepping into the official competitions afterward.
