Gumayusi’s choice of Ziggs was actually predictable
In the opening match of the crucial game against DK, T1 opted for Ziggs for Gumayusi. This may seem like a surprising choice but is understandable, as Ziggs is a strong champion in the ADC position. Notably, before the T1 – DK match, Ziggs had a 100% win rate with Aiming of DK being the most frequent user of this champion. However, T1 could not secure a victory with Ziggs, as DK brought out effective counter picks that somewhat diminished T1’s strategic effectiveness.
T1 picks Ziggs for Gumayusi right from game 1.
However, according to Gumayusi, this choice of Ziggs by T1 was not solely aimed at winning but also importantly to “ban” a strong champion currently in Aiming’s champion pool. Specifically, the T1 ADC admitted: “I don’t fully agree with Ziggs, but this champion is strong. When T1 faces Ziggs, it’s not good, so the choice was made quite quickly.”
In fact, T1’s early removal of Ziggs also contributed to DK’s difficulties in subsequent games. After losing in games 2 and 3, in previous matches, Aiming would start using Ziggs. But this time, the DK ADC did not have a good enough option.
Gumayusi admits he doesn’t like this choice but T1 needs to pick it for an advantage or to “ban” a champion.
But it also shows that Gumayusi and T1 have not countered Ziggs yet
While T1 has “banned” Aiming’s champion and thus improved their draft phase, it also indicates that T1 needs more time to counter this currently “overpowered” champion. In the confrontation with Gen.G, if T1 continues to “experiment”, the chances of failure are very high, as Gen.G is clearly a much stronger opponent than DK.
T1 still has no way to win against Ziggs.
But if they can effectively utilize Ziggs in their choices, T1 will definitely have a strong option right now. Ziggs is a troublesome champion, and even Ruler of Gen.G has previously lost to KT using this champion.