T1’s Issue Extends Beyond Player Performance
The highly anticipated Road to MSI 2026 match concluded with a victory for HLE. This win surprised both analysts and many fans, as HLE was not favored over T1 before the game started. However, the “Orange Team” secured a decisive and convincing win, exposing a critical flaw in T1: they are overly dependent on their bot lane duo.
This is most evident from the pick and ban phase even before the match began. T1 consistently “sacrifices” other lanes to ensure their bot lane gets the strongest champions. In games 1 and 2, they locked in a duo almost guaranteed to win lane: Ezreal – Karma and Sivir – Rakan. Then, in games 3 and 4, their picks ranged from even to winning matchups against Gumayusi – Delight. They also assigned Doran weaker side-lane champions to funnel resources more effectively to Peyz.
Yet the reality is: although Peyz is very talented and performed commendably even in this loss compared to his teammates, he is not yet an AD who can single-handedly turn the tide of a game. What Peyz lacks compared to veteran stars like Gumayusi or Ruler is the necessary game-changing impact. Notably, across all four games, Peyz only won lane once — in game 2 versus Gumayusi — which is a significant concern.
Looking at Gumayusi, both in this match and throughout his career, the 2025 World Championship Finals MVP is not afraid to dive forward, even if it means dying, to create opportunities for teammates to secure the win. His laning ability is unquestionable. In the recent victory, regardless of champion picks, Gumayusi consistently held even or better lanes. Only in game 2 did he fall behind, despite Sivir being a champion built to dominate lane.
However, an AD who excels only at securing kills and farming minions has never been the kind of AD that can single-handedly change a game’s outcome, let alone “carry the team.” When Peyz also “hits a wall” and teammates make mistakes, it’s no surprise that T1 lost control of the game.
T1 Needs More Backup Strategies
It’s not only about improving Peyz’s experience and composure; T1 as a team must develop more alternative strategies. For these alternatives to be effective, T1’s star players also need to regain their peak form, especially with only one remaining chance to qualify for this year’s MSI.