The LCK Cup has given League of Legends followers their first take a look at how Korean rosters are performing on this chaotic early meta. T1’s newest win has secured their place because the second-best performing aspect up to now, with a lot of that success attributable to their rookie Bot Laner Smash.
The rivalry between T1 and Gen.G is likely one of the extra engrossing in skilled League of Legends, with the latter typically having the higher hand in direct collection, regardless of T1’s successes on the worldwide stage.
Not so this time round, as T1 put in a stellar efficiency to expire 2-1 winners within the three-game collection. Match 1 and a pair of have been equally one-sided and completed in 32-minutes apiece, with the draft proving to be the main distinction maker earlier than a kill had been scored.
The ultimate sport was just a little extra even, shifting to 40-minutes, however the victory was not often doubtful, as T1 dominated teamfights and performed completely round goals to make it unimaginable for Gen.G to get a foothold.
With the collection win secured, it’s tough to not be drawn to the efficiency of T1’s ADC, who continues to impress regardless of his controversial inclusion.
Smash could have secured his spot for the season
Gumayusi has been a remarkably constant ADC for T1 over the previous few years, so it was little shock to see him rewarded with a brand new contract that carries him by to the tip of 2025.
That additionally had the knock-on impact of constructing his dropping from the staff all of the extra baffling when it first occurred on the LCK Cup.
Although it’s technically pre-season, it’s uncommon for groups to herald gamers who aren’t going to characteristic within the common season. So when Smash changed Guma, parts of the fan base have been fearful about his future, and, with the rookie’s performances up to now, it’s simple to see why.
Within the collection in opposition to Gen.G, Smash went 25/2/16 in an unbelievable show that set him aside because the standout participant amongst a few of the greatest to ever do it. At simply 18 years outdated, his prowess is genuinely spectacular, however it could be his suitability for the present meta that lastly sees him win out over Gumayusi within the T1 roster.
The present meta for ADCs is a convoluted one, and beforehand stalwart picks are usually not essentially gelling with broader staff comps. Smash’s means to show his hand impressively to picks like Zeri, might see him most well-liked to Guma with regards to worldwide tournaments.
That versatility at such a younger age is genuinely thrilling and, if he can bottle up this early momentum and use it to progress, the sky is the restrict. Regardless of that, there are many methods for Gumayusi to revive his undisputed spot, although the extra Smash continues to impress, the more durable it is going to be to do.