As is known, in recent days, T1 is facing numerous difficulties as DDoS attacks have hindered the team from practicing normally. In fact, according to information observed by fans and insiders from T1, the DDoS issue has been ongoing since December and is worsening. After the match against Hanwha Life Esports, it was discovered that T1 had been unable to rank for over a month. Additionally, LEC legend Rekkles revealed that the entire T1 headquarters was affected by DDoS, with the T1 LoL team being the hardest hit.
Nevertheless, in the lower bracket match against Dplus KIA, T1 can still see flickering hopes amidst overwhelming challenges. This could be the foundation for T1 to be confident about a favorable outcome against ShowMaker and his teammates.
DK Always Has Inconsistent Performance with Players Who “Trip Over Grass”
If we were to identify the biggest difference between DK and the other three teams in the top 4 of the LCK, it would be discipline during matches and composure against opponents. At DK, there always seems to be something unstable even when they are on a high. Perhaps, within the entire DK roster, the only player truly deserving of complete trust right now is ShowMaker. The other four players have all had moments of significant “tripping over grass” that are quite blameworthy.
Of course, the current BO5 DK is very different. However, there are still grounds for DK fans to fear a situation where Aiming or Lucid dives into the enemy lines like a god. What will Kingen do against Zeus at this time? And at that moment, no one knows what will happen if T1 exploits DK’s mistakes or if ShowMaker cannot compensate for the shortcomings of his teammates.
DK’s “Hex” Against T1
Since the semifinals of the 2021 World Championship, DK has not won any domestic or international titles. It can be said that the semifinal match that year was truly disastrous as a hard-fought victory against T1 left DK almost exposed. In the final, it goes without saying that everyone saw EDG simply banning and selecting nearly identical to T1, with only slight modifications, causing DK to lose the opportunity to become the second team in League of Legends history to successfully defend the World Championship title.
Furthermore, when T1 has its strongest lineup, DK has never won. Just recently, in the return match of the LCK Spring 2024 group stage, DK lost to T1 even though T1 was in a slump. If the information about the timing of T1 starting to be DDoS’d until the situation worsened is true (from December 2023 to around March 2024), then DK has lost to T1 even when the players were heavily affected by DDoS. Thus, it is even harder to believe DK will “break the hex” against T1 in the upcoming match.
The Best T1 is an Underestimated T1
Facing DK, T1 is somewhat rated as equals at this moment. However, in this season, T1 has probably never been doubted as much as now. Along with the ongoing DDoS incident, no one knows if the players’ mentality has been relieved and if their form has returned. Moreover, DK had a fair match against Gen.G, and many are genuinely worried for T1. Especially since their opponent, who recently defeated T1 0-3, HLE, has just been heavily beaten by Gen.G. Meanwhile, DK at least made Chovy and his teammates sweat to win.
But also right in the Summer 2023, an underestimated T1 created a miracle. With a team as resilient as T1, this is the time they can showcase the qualities that helped them rise to the top at the 2023 World Championship. And DK may become the “victim” for T1 to regain their form and hopes of continuing their journey in this Spring Split tournament.