T1 is expected to be the team with the most advantages if LCK adopts Fearless Draft
In 2025, the LCK organizing committee and Riot Korea will launch the LCK Cup, where the Fearless Draft format will be tested. This mode aims to expand the champion pool of the players. Previously, when this information emerged, there were claims that T1 would be the team to benefit the most from this mode.
This is because T1’s champion pool is widely known. Except for Faker, who has a relatively fixed position, the current T1 lineup has all four other players capable of playing various champions. Even Doran, during his time with Hanwha Life Esports or previously with Gen.G, had to expand his champion pool to fit the playstyle of Chovy – Ruler/Peyz or later Zeka – Viper. As for the bot lane, there’s nothing to discuss.
But in reality, T1 may face difficulties
The issue for T1 if Fearless Draft is applied will relate to Faker’s champion pool. Everyone knows that T1’s Mid Lane has long been accustomed to a playmaking style, and other members will pick bans accordingly. However, Faker’s champion pool has not been particularly diverse for at least the past two years. At Worlds 2024, Faker played 6 champions, with Sylas being the most played. Looking back at Worlds 2023, this number dropped to just 5 champions.
On several occasions during the last season, opponents only needed to target Faker’s champion pool to cause issues within T1’s setup, even leading to defeats. Therefore, when Fearless Draft is implemented, the likelihood of Faker being banned out from key champions is entirely possible.
In this context, T1 will need to consider expanding Faker’s champion pool or that of his teammates. Shifting the playstyle to a different axis is also a factor that can be calculated, or allowing Keria, Oner, etc., to take on the role of playmakers, sharing the burden of their senior teammate.
However, Fearless Draft is merely experimental, and generally, the LCK Cup will not significantly impact T1’s journey. Therefore, this could be an opportunity for the team to experiment more before entering the official tournaments thereafter.