Faker’s T1 has been on good form this past year, but always fell short in the Grand Finals. The team has finished 2nd in 4 consecutive finals, with their last triumph in Spring playoffs 2021 Can they end the streak for MSI 2022?
Main obstacles on T1’s road to championship
First we’ll have to look at T1’s main rival in the LCK and the ones who denied them 2 season splits trophy: Gen.G.
Many were skeptical about the team after their star ADC Ruler leaves for China’s JD Gaming. His replacement, rising star Peyz more than made up for the vacancy and hard carried Gen.G in the Spring playoffs finals. Despite previously losing 1-3 to T1 in the upper bracket finals, the team rebounded and trounced the favorites 3-1.
This was the 3rd consecutive LCK finals that Gen.G has faced T1, with the score going 2-1 in favor of Gen.G. It doesn’t look like T1 particularly struggles against Gen.G however, they seem to struggle against themselves and the pressure of Grand Finals generally, understandably so since they have always been the favorites, being LCK’s icon and Faker’s team.
Gen.G on the other hand seems to struggle internationally. The squad went into Worlds 2022 as heavy favorites to win it all, but ended up placing 3-4th. To be fair, they lost to eventual champions DRX. They will no doubt pose a threat to T1’s ambition at this year’s Mid-season Invitational, especially outside the Finals!
JD Gaming is the other notable challenger.
Like Gen.G, JDG were considered top contenders at Worlds 2022, but fell short of expectations. The Chinese #1 lost to T1 themselves and placed 3-4th. The roster decided to bolster its forces with the additions of superstars midlaner Knight and ADC Ruler, respectively considered the best laner in their roles in LPL and LCK.
As a result the team absolutely dominated the Chinese LPL, widely considered the main rivals of Korea’s prestigious LCK. Many have them as the favorites going into MSI 2023. It is always exciting to see how the best of Chinese teams measure up against the Korean juggernauts.
MSI 2023 begins on May 2nd and will be on Patch 13.8