Since starting their undefeated streak in LCK Spring 2022, T1 has been the team receiving the most praise from the League of Legends community. From all corners, compliments and evaluations have lifted T1 to the skies, from fans, players, coaches, to experts.
Notably, leading up to the finals against Gen.G Esports, almost all predictions favored T1 for the win. The same goes for the upcoming MSI 2022. Doinb asserted that T1 is currently extremely strong while LS stated that Western League of Legends has no chance against Faker and his teammates.
From the case of FPX and DK in the past
Looking back, T1 finds itself in a situation quite similar to FunPlus Phoenix and especially DWG KIA during the 2021 season. Remember, with a strong performance in both Spring and Summer, DK was predicted to be the first team to achieve a Grand Slam title in a single season (2 domestic titles, MSI, and Worlds). But the results were evident; DK ended up empty-handed despite reaching two finals, and T1 remains the only team to have defended the Worlds championship to date.
As for FPX, their situation was even worse. FPX also reached two domestic finals and lost both, despite being rated equally or even higher than their opponents. At Worlds 2021, FPX was in a group that could be considered “easier” with only DK as a worthy opponent. The outcome: FPX lost all four matches in the group stage and left Iceland in disgrace.
At that time, both DK and FPX received countless well-wishes and high evaluations from experts. Everyone thought FPX (or RNG) would be the team to challenge the strength of LCK. Then, as DK defeated each opponent with a perfect record, even beating Faker’s T1 in the semifinals, people envisioned a team, after SKT T1 in 2016, that could defend the Worlds championship. In the end, the results were clear to all.
The failures of FPX and DK, aside from skill and form, cannot overlook the attitude. The confidence among the DK and FPX players in the face of all those compliments was overwhelming. Perhaps no one forgets that Doinb once claimed they would not lose any matches in the second round. ShowMaker confidently predicted a win for DK against EDward Gaming, as many in the League of Legends community felt the same.
Additionally, there was the pressure that FPX and DK players had to face. Perhaps the DK players themselves understood how exhausted they were after the grueling semifinal against T1. As for FPX, they faced the pressure to bring honor to Chinese League of Legends at Worlds 2021, even though the LPL Summer 2021 champions were EDG at that time.
Until now with T1
T1 is preparing to enter their first international tournament after the most perfect championship in League of Legends history. The pressure on the team is immense. They must maintain the “huge” performance established throughout the Spring season while also carrying the responsibility of reaffirming LCK’s dominance in League of Legends after a season of struggle against LPL. Furthermore, there is the pressure of achieving the first international title for newcomers Oner, Zeus, Gumayusi, and Keria.
As mentioned earlier, the entire League of Legends community believes that T1 will sweep through every tournament they participate in. The praise and high evaluations from the League of Legends community also add pressure on T1 members at MSI 2022, and further on at Summer 2022, Worlds 2022, and if possible, the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou at the end of the year.
The difference lies in Faker
However, there is one key difference that may prevent T1 from following the “downfall” of DK and FPX in the past. That difference comes from none other than Faker – the legend, the cornerstone of T1 today.
It is a fact that in the lineup of DK and FPX last year, no player has had as much experience as Faker and no one, including Doinb – Faker’s peer, has more titles than him. And it is certain: no one from the star-studded roster of FPX and DK has faced as much failure and criticism as Faker. Even to this day, the image of Faker bowing his head at Worlds 2017 is often used by anti-fans to “mock” the “Chairman”.
But precisely because he has experienced every emotional ups and downs, Faker is the one who understands best how to keep his teammates grounded as well as how to ensure that newcomers like Zeus always keep a cool head. Even in this Spring 2022 season, Gumayusi – a “boastful specialist” of T1 has significantly limited his overly confident statements.
Not to mention, Faker’s teammates also admit that the team is genuinely very cohesive and communicates regularly. The proof is that in his first season in the main lineup, Zeus did not feel overwhelmed at all. Keria confidently took over calling the team instead of Faker. T1’s coaches assist the team with analytical expertise, but Faker, alongside his expertise, is the stabilizing force behind the team.
Doinb, Khan, and ShowMaker are known for being very confident players. Meanwhile, BeryL, Canyon (DK) or Crisp, Lwx, Tian (FPX) are too gentle, and Nuguri is distant. In the past, DK and FPX had plenty of players who boosted the team’s spirit, but none were able to rein in strong personalities or help their teammates overcome pressure. And this is why it can be believed that T1 will not follow in the “downfall” of DK and FPX. The reason is simply, it is Faker.