Gen.G Could Hold the Key to T1’s “Fate” in the Playoffs

Gen.G Could Be the One to Bring the 2025 World Championship Ticket to T1

After a tense Round 3-5 group stage, most of the LCK talents have made it to the playoffs. Having already won the 2025 MSI, along with Riot and LCK’s new formats, Gen.G has become the first team to secure a spot at the World Championship in China. But that’s not all; they may also have the power to decide whether their main rival T1 can make it to the 2025 World Championship early.

Gen.G is currently in Round 2 of the playoffs, and with no regional qualifiers this year, the lowest seed they can achieve will be the 4th seed from the LCK region. However, this only happens if Gen.G loses to T1/KT or if teams are promoted from Play-in. This scenario seems quite unrealistic considering Gen.G’s current form.

If T1 beats the teams from Play-in and advances to Round 2, the likelihood of Gen.G choosing T1 is very low (as in previous years, Gen.G has always “avoided” T1). And the remaining opponent is almost certain to not defeat Gen.G. Thus, if T1 wins and makes it to Round 2, along with Gen.G winning Round 2, T1 and HLE will occupy the next two spots for the World Championship. The race will then revolve around three factors: domestic titles, which teams are seeded 1, 2, and 3, and which team will be the 4th seed among the remaining three playoff teams.

Indeed, as shown in the image, Gen.G cannot fall lower than the 4th seed. But if they reach Round 3, they cannot be lower than the 2nd seed. Thus, even if T1 makes it to Round 2 and is pushed down to the losers’ bracket, T1’s seed position will only be lower than Gen.G or HLE. This is because T1 ranked higher than KT in the group stage, and in Round 2, if Gen.G does not choose, T1 will face HLE again.

But T1’s Greater Goal Must Be Titles

However, even if Gen.G does not decide T1’s World Championship spot early, Faker and his teammates will certainly still aim to reach China, and even to win the domestic championship. Therefore, the playoff battle will remain fierce for any team, including the mighty Gen.G or the unpredictable T1.