Faker’s Fans “Choose” Ryze Again
Even the most optimistic fans in the APAC region could not have imagined that CFO could pull T1, the reigning champions, into the MSI after defeating HLE 3-0 in the semifinals. However, CFO has done the impossible. Alongside their impressive performance, the T1 roster has faced significant challenges, especially in the second, third, and crucial stages of the fourth match. Notably, a recurring theme among Faker’s fans is their insistence on him playing Ryze.
According to comments surrounding T1’s recent match, many fans urged Faker to stick with Ryze, despite it being a champion associated with him. One comment noted: “Faker needs to realize that Ryze is not suitable for him anymore. He is still very skilled, but let’s leave the nostalgia behind.” Another fan expressed a stronger sentiment: “It’s better if Faker avoids this champion. Even in the current meta, Ryze isn’t performing well, and during team fights, his ultimate is often ineffective except to initiate or create barriers. If the team is losing, it’s always a bad choice.”
For those who missed the match, Faker’s Ryze suffered a devastating defeat from the start of the laning phase. HongQ’s Aurora never fell behind, while Ryze’s KDA in Faker’s hands ended up as 1/7/1.
Faker’s Performance: Not Great, But Still Shining
In reality, the match against CFO cannot be viewed as a test of Faker’s individual skills. Even in the fourth game where he used Sylas, despite facing numerous challenges, there was at least one moment where Faker made it difficult for his opponents by securing a solo kill on HongQ. Although Faker still managed to display a solid performance to help T1 secure the overall victory, it was clear that the pressure on “The Unkillable” had created significant challenges.
T1’s journey at MSI 2025 has just begun, but the signs of adversity have already appeared. Despite this, their match against BLG will be crucial in assessing Faker’s determination and the team’s overall performance in this year’s tournament.
