In just a few hours, the highly anticipated tournament MSI 2022 will officially kick off. Busan, South Korea, will be the venue where top teams from around the world gather to compete. Before the tournament begins, all eyes seem to be focused on T1 and RNG. These two teams are currently considered to be the most dominant compared to the rest, with impressive records in their domestic leagues and a roster of superstar players.
Among the names that could determine the outcome of the match, with a meta centered around AD carries, the clash between GALA and Gumayusi is sure to be noteworthy. The winner of this match could very well be the one who brings home the victory for their team if T1 and RNG face off against each other. Notably, there are many traits from these two young stars that remind us of their legendary predecessors, Bang and Uzi.
Regarding Playstyle
First of all, GALA is an ADC who can adapt to various strategic setups and is extremely stable. The RNG marksman always shines in the mid and late game. However, unlike Uzi in the past, GALA can both leverage resources when “cared for” and can also play defensively if the strategy requires it. The team’s resources will then be allocated to Xiaohu or Bin – players who often choose to take on the “carry” role.
One of GALA’s main strengths is his very low mistake rate, ability to analyze the game, and good mental state, allowing him to consistently maintain a high level of play. This is something we often see in Bang during his time with T1. Like GALA, Bang was a name that sparked much debate. But it cannot be denied: SKT T1 dominated in the 2015 and 2016 seasons, and Bang deserved recognition for that.
As for Gumayusi, he is known for his extensive roaming potential and incredibly strong laning phase. The entire team can rely on his “explosive” performance in matches, similar to how RNG relied on Uzi’s team-carrying abilities.
It’s not hard to see that T1 always prioritizes picking champions for the 2002-born player that have strong laning capabilities and excellent team-carry potential from mid-game onward. And while Keria is a roaming Support, it’s quite rare to see him stray too far from Gumayusi. This shows that Gumayusi is indeed a crucial pillar in T1’s playstyle.
On Their Personalities
Both young marksmen display clear differences, particularly with Gumayusi. He is someone who loves to showcase his individual skills with plays that leave viewers in awe. Off the stage, the T1 marksman always exudes a lively personality and somewhat extroverted character.
In many interviews, the 2002-born player does not hesitate to express his confidence and ability to “trash talk” regardless of who the opponent is. He also boldly claims that his bot lane synergy with Keria is the strongest in the world.
On the other hand, the RNG marksman is quite reserved and somewhat gentle. Although he is often viewed as shy, during matches, he always brings a sense of reassurance to the coaching staff and fans.
As mentioned earlier, GALA rarely makes personal mistakes, so the chances of him creating high-risk plays are almost zero. Unlike his predecessor Uzi, the “King of Second Place” was not hesitant to create plays to gain an advantage for his team.
Overall, both are strong and exciting players to watch at this year’s MSI. One is flamboyant, always confident, and unafraid of anyone yet completely reliable. The other is quiet, gentle, but incredibly dependable. It is very likely that GALA and Gumayusi will determine the MSI championship for their teams while also proving they are deserving heirs to the legendary rivalry of Bang and Uzi from yesteryear.