Both T1 and Zeus Had an Ineffective Start at the LCK Cup 2025
One of the biggest dramas in the League of Legends scene at the end of 2024 is between T1 and Zeus. The high-profile transfer of the superstar born in 2004 has drawn attention from the global League of Legends community. After everything was settled, audiences awaited the performance of the key players involved. Coincidentally, both T1 and HLE lost their opening matches at the LCK Cup 2025.
In the match where both teams lost, the top laners became the focal point of attention. However, one fact remains: Doran performed better than Zeus, as he showed effectiveness during various stages of each match. Meanwhile, Zeus from HLE was completely lifeless, and in comparison, Kiin had a “relaxed” day facing off against the former T1 star.
Overall, both T1 and their former player had an unsteady start. However, the reality is that T1’s issues are much easier to resolve than those of Zeus and HLE.
T1 Could Even Have a Better Path Than Previous Seasons, But Zeus Faces Challenges
Indeed, if Doran plays a supportive role alongside Faker (or even Oner), T1 will have “unlocked” Keria and Gumayusi to freely execute their unpredictable champion picks. Even Faker would be comfortable with champions like Ahri, Azir, and Orianna without fearing that his combos would jeopardize the team’s advantage.
Additionally, with champions like Jax, Doran could be a potential game-changer. Specifically in 2024, Doran’s Jax has been better than Zeus’s Jax (85.7% win rate over 14 games compared to 42.9% over 7 games). Doran also excels with champions like Gnar and K’Sante and can create surprises with champions like Rumble and Twisted Fate.
For example, in the recent match against DRX, T1 empowered Doran to use champions that could both support and deal damage while funneling resources to Gumayusi. Admittedly, DRX was quite weak, but T1 at least gave Doran the chance to play to his strengths.
In contrast, Zeus is facing a tougher situation. He is accustomed to being the main damage dealer and receiving resources, with teammates paving the way for him, including Gumayusi. Now, he is almost certainly expected to play behind Viper, if not Zeka as well.
And it is almost certain that HLE will not change their playstyle overnight, especially since Zeka and Viper contributed significantly to HLE’s LCK championship last year. In that case, either Zeus will have to adapt, or he will realize that “stepping away from T1 and Faker is a storm.”