In less than 24 hours, T1 will enter an extremely important match against Hanwha Life Esports in the final of the lower bracket of the 2024 LCK Spring playoffs. This will be an extremely important match for both teams, deciding the success or failure of T1 and HLE in this year's Spring. Whichever team advances will not only have a spot at MSI 2024 but will also have the opportunity to compete for the championship with Gen.G – the reigning LCK champion. However, as the new king of Worlds 2023, T1 is under more pressure. Especially when in the most recent confrontation, T1 lost 0-3 to HLE.
T1 did not have favorable results against HLE in the recent match
In a recent statement, Faker brought good news to T1 fans. Specifically, according to Faker, T1 is now able to somewhat return to normal training after the DDoS sabotage a while ago. Of course, no one can be sure that T1 will win, but at least, the players have fair preparation against all opponents. However, T1 actually has an important winning formula that the whole team should take advantage of.
Faker revealed that T1 was able to somewhat return to normal training
Specifically, that is in the Bottom Lane position when they own one of the most comprehensive bot pairs in League of Legends today. In the past and in the present, Gumayusi – Keria have truly proven what outstanding Bot Lane players they are. Gumayusi can completely “carry the team” if given resources or shine even when the team faces difficulties – something Peyz has not shown too much. Meanwhile, Keria is always famous as a Support with a diverse champion pool and a gameplay full of mutations.
T1 has a very strong bot pair, Gumayusi – Keria, but they often give resources to the upper wing
However, for a long time, T1 seems to have “forgotten” that they need to put adequate resources into the Bottom Lane, especially when the Bottom Lane is the current meta. Not to mention, players like Viper or Peyz can completely make up for the loss left by Kiin or Doran if the T1 laning phase focuses on Zeus. Meanwhile, a Gunner who doesn't have much damage will have a hard time being effective enough in combat, especially when facing Gumayusi are top tier Gunners like Peyz or Viper.
Gumayusi often loses compared to Peyz or Viper
Not to mention, Gumayusi itself will be very vulnerable to exploitation and cause Keria's operations to be restricted as well. In the losses of T1, Gen.G or HLE all followed the same formula: so that Top Lane doesn't lose too much + completely “camp” Bottom Lane and put resources and kills on “blue” Viper/Peyz ” early. Then the Mid Lane took advantage of the skill advantage as well as the favorable lanes to put pressure on Faker. It can be seen that T1 did not thoroughly win the Top Lane, the Bottom Lane lost heavily, causing Faker, Keria, and Oner to not be able to perform the familiar make plays or macros.
Perhaps it's time for T1 to utilize Gumayusi more
Changes from the meta or past results show that T1 may have understood its problem. However, whether the king of Worlds can execute the winning formula in the best way or not, perhaps the audience can only know through the upcoming match against HLE. This is also a “survival” match for both teams this Spring and perhaps no one wants to see T1 have to watch MSI 2024 at home, especially after they have just dominated the world League of Legends.