In the opening week of LCK Spring 2024, T1 recorded a 1 win – 1 loss record. In fact, this is a somewhat acceptable result, as their first opponent was Gen.G – a fierce rival that has been a major challenge since this team reformed with top-tier players from the Korean League of Legends scene. Although Gen.G has struggled internationally, when returning to the LCK, they are a force not to be underestimated. Furthermore, T1 has shown that they have not fully adapted to the new meta and the changes Riot introduced in 2024.
However, according to some audience opinions, the factor that caused T1 to lose was not just their unfamiliarity with the meta; in reality, T1 is playing with a somewhat extreme team playstyle. This is evident in T1’s previous matches and most recently in their match against Gen.G. Specifically, when T1 wins, all three of their lanes are victorious, and Oner completely controls the jungle. This was clearly illustrated when T1 overwhelmingly defeated LPL representatives at Worlds 2023 or previously demolished KT Rolster in LCK Spring 2023.
Even in the game where they defeated JD Gaming thanks to Faker’s excellent “Shurima Shuffle” with his teammates, fundamentally, they were not at a disadvantage against JDG. Oner still had enough ground to steal the Dragon. Meanwhile, JDG did not dare to push hard in the Mid Lane despite having many advantages at that time.
However, the tendency to play excessively as a team, leading to T1’s collapse through a domino effect, is not new. When Faker took a break due to injury, T1 immediately fell. In the matches against Gen.G, Faker also struggled against Chovy – the young player with high skill who knows his senior opponent well. Faker had no time to help other lanes or support Oner in jungle control, and T1 quickly crumbled.
Fundamentally, in a competitive roster in a team-oriented game like League of Legends, playing as a unified team is essential. At the same time, Faker is the leader of T1 and he makes crucial decisions. However, even after winning Worlds 2023, there is still no one in the T1 lineup capable of lifting the team whenever he is underperforming or being overwhelmed by opponents.
Both Oner, Zeus, Keria, and Gumayusi have made significant progress compared to before. But no one can be sure that if Faker were to get injured again, these players could achieve a better result than last year. Especially when, even if Faker is slightly pressured, losing some advantages in the laning phase, T1 can lose the entire match.
T1 has many strengths, but compared to other teams, their most prominent feature is their unity and ability to play as a solid block. However, whenever one of the links is broken, T1 becomes incredibly fragile and vulnerable.