T1 Benefits from the Format of Worlds 2024
A few days ago, Riot Games announced some changes to the competition format of the upcoming Worlds 2024. Accordingly, the 3rd and 4th seed teams from LPL (LNG, WBG) along with the 3rd and 4th seeds from LCK (2 out of 4 teams T1, DK, KT, FOX) will be placed in Pool 3 during the Swiss round draw. Meanwhile, the 4 teams that advance from the Play-In stage will be placed in Pool 4.
For T1, the new format allows them to feel more secure in avoiding extremely strong teams from Pool 1 in the upcoming Swiss round. With Riot implementing the new seeding rule, TES will certainly have to face one of the two representatives from LCK. This is an opponent that T1 has previously defeated at EWC 2024, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Faker and his teammates are favored in this match (if it happens).
LPL Representatives Have a High Chance of Meeting T1 Due to the New Format
It’s worth noting that in the LCK Summer 2024, T1 consistently achieved favorable results against DK. Therefore, in the upcoming clash, many fans believe that T1 will continue to defeat DK to secure the 3rd seed. This is indeed not good news for the LPL as this means that the 2nd seed team from this region (TES) has a very high chance of facing T1 right in the first match of the Swiss round.
The reason is that Riot has another rule when drawing lots that teams from the same region will not face each other in the first round. Combined with the fact that the 3rd and 4th seeds from LCK are in Pool 3 (which already has 2 LPL teams), TES – which is in Pool 2 – has a 50% chance of facing T1. Additionally, one of the two 3rd and 4th seed teams from LPL will have to face Gen.G. This is considered a very difficult start for the LPL representatives in the Swiss round of Worlds 2024.
Remember that at MSI 2024, Gen.G consistently defeated TES and BLG (twice) to win the championship. Following that at EWC 2024, T1 also defeated those teams to secure this major title. This shows that Gen.G and T1 indeed have tremendous power and are ready to defeat the strongest representatives of LPL on the international stage. Therefore, upon learning about the new format of Worlds 2024, the media and LPL fans can’t help but worry that their “darling” teams will soon face heavy defeats.
The past 2024 season has been an extremely challenging time for the LPL region as the viewership numbers have severely declined. This is due to LPL representatives continuously failing on the international stage, and audience trust has significantly dropped. Therefore, facing the risk of encountering strong teams like T1 or Gen.G early on, it’s quite understandable for the LPL to show a “pessimistic” outlook. However, if they can overcome these significant challenges, it would be a very good sign for the revival of the LPL region.