The troublesome champion for T1 and the current professional League of Legends scene
Since the playoffs of major tournaments began, the maximum number of games a team must play has increased (5 games), leading to many more unusual picks and bans. Of course, not every “unusual” choice proves effective. However, there is one champion that has been heavily utilized as matches extend to around game 4 or 5, causing T1 and Gen.G to “suffer.” This champion boasts an impressive win rate, and that champion is Ziggs.
Ziggs is a very strong champion in the LCK 2025 playoffs.
Specifically, in the LCK, since the playoffs, Ziggs has been played in 4 games, achieving a 100% win rate, all in the Marksman position. Notably, in the games where Ziggs appeared, this champion was picked in crucial matches (DK – FOX and HLE – T1) or deciding matches (Gen.G – KT and T1 – DK). In these games, Ziggs won, setting the stage for the team that had him or helping the team retain the match.
This champion is extremely annoying, as he laning just well enough not to fall too far behind, even equalizing the lane, and especially strong in poking before team fights, defending, or taking towers. In all the matches that Ziggs won, there is a common formula: Ziggs does not lose lane much – continuously pushes minions and towers – pokes before team fights and uses Mega Inferno Bomb to support from a distance or secure kills.
Ziggs has a 100% win rate in the LCK playoffs and all in the Marksman position.
Even when a team has a significant advantage, if they cannot take towers, the later it goes, the easier it is for Ziggs to exploit. So far, superstars like Ruler and Gumayusi have also failed to counter this champion.
T1 has a countermeasure, but no one knows if they will use it
In reality, Ziggs is a champion that Gumayusi plays at a competent level, compared to more comfortable champions like Jhin, Varus, or Lucian. In fact, Ziggs fits T1’s playstyle as Gumayusi can hold his own in the weak side without falling too far behind. Alternatively, T1 could ban this champion, but doing so would sacrifice one ban that could impact the outcome of the match. Aiming from DK is currently the player who uses Ziggs the most in the playoffs, and an early pick could eliminate a very strong option for DK.
Aiming from DK is the one who uses this champion the most.
Using Ziggs early could both secure a win and “cleanse” a champion, or sacrificing a ban each game to eliminate this very strong champion currently, T1 has options, but whether they use them remains to be seen.