MSI 2024: Hail of Blades Poppy Support against T1, why did it work?

The LoL community was abuzz with admiration for Milkyx’s stellar performance with Poppy during yesterday’s series against T1 in the 2024 MSI Bracket Stage. The match between G2 and T1 showcased an intense showdown, with T1 ultimately emerging victorious after a hard-fought five-game series.

G2 Mikyx Poppy Support against T1

However, much of the community’s praise was directed towards G2, particularly for their innovative strategies featuring unconventional picks like Poppy Support and the rare appearance of Yasuo in the professional scene.

Milkyx’s Poppy, in particular, garnered widespread acclaim as the champion proved to be a proactive force for G2 throughout the series. With expert precision, Milkyx consistently executed the champion’s abilities to pin T1 members against walls, setting the stage for decisive team fights.

Image via Riot Games

While initially met with skepticism from viewers, Milkyx’s mastery swiftly dispelled any doubts surrounding the pick. In a pivotal moment during game 5, Milkyx boldly utilized the “Hail of Blades” rune to disrupt T1’s formation and neutralize the threat posed by their low-health carries.

In a post-match interview, Milkyx revealed the rationale behind his strategic choices, citing the effectiveness of Poppy against vulnerable targets like T1’s low-health carries, Gumayusi and Keria.

By using Poppy’s high base damage and precise combos, Milkyx effectively pressured T1’s duo, creating opportunities for G2 to gain an advantage. The decision to focus on suppressing T1’s carries ultimately paid dividends for G2, allowing them to maintain control of the match until the final moments.

In terms of rune and itemization, Milkyx opted for a damage-focused build, prioritizing armor penetration, vision control with Zombie Ward, and swift roams with Relentless Hunter. Additionally, he used runes from the Inspiration tree to enhance Poppy’s mobility and cooldown reduction, further augmenting her effectiveness in skirmishes.

Overall, G2 Mikyx demonstrated significant Support potential akin to champions like Camille, making her an ideal choice for players seeking to engage enemy carries while remaining resilient to damage.