The “Unlucky” Champions of MSI 2025
With the Fearless Draft mechanism, combined with the fact that there haven’t been many adjustments compared to the version used in domestic leagues, one noticeable characteristic is that the champion pool frequently selected at MSI 2025 is almost identical to those previously used in domestic tournaments. However, even T1 – a team whose five players have used 7 to 8 different champions across their 8 matches – are quite hesitant about this pair of champions, namely Twisted Fate and Kalista.
Currently, these are the only two champions at MSI 2025 that have been picked in 5 or more matches but have a win rate of exactly 0%. In fact, Twisted Fate is the most banned champion. Meanwhile, Kalista has only been used once by T1 and, of course, they lost that match.
Notably, during the Rounds 1-2 of the 2025 Regular Seasons or Roads to MSI of LCK, Kalista was always among the top champions banned and had a win rate of 50% or higher. Twisted Fate also appeared in many matches, with both Faker and Chovy achieving victories with this champion. However, currently, both players have not touched the “Card God” again.
The Reason Behind This Paradox at MSI 2025
In fact, both Kalista and TF are strong champions. But at MSI 2025, teams understand that they have a chance to surprise the big teams if they ban the champions that their superstar opponents are comfortable with. Therefore, Twisted Fate has been almost universally banned. For T1, in all 8 of their matches, the opponents have banned TF.
Both TF and Kalista require setting up beautifully executed team fights or creating early pressure so these champions can farm items and control the map comfortably. However, achieving this is nearly impossible, even for teams like Gen.G or T1. With strong diving champions, TF’s ultimate is practically useless. Meanwhile, Kalista’s burst damage, without items, can only support the team in objective fights. Teams have much better options than these two champions.
Currently, the number of matches left in MSI 2025 is limited, and it seems that TF and Kalista will not be able to improve their statistics before the tournament in Vancouver concludes.