The recent unexpected victory of Dplus KIA at the League of Legends Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 has sparked intense discussions within the gaming community. Many fans are asking why T1, a team filled with star players like Faker, Oner, Gumayusi, Keria, and Doran, struggled to dominate the tournament.
T1's Unique Competitive Traits
This occurrence is not new in the competitive history of T1. The team has shown a distinct pattern where their performance dramatically improves when they enter the World Championship compared to other international tournaments. In recent seasons, T1 has not always been a dominant force in local competitions or events like the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) and EWC. However, the atmosphere shifts significantly as they step onto the grand stage of the World Championship.
Consistent World Championship Success
Since the 2022 Worlds edition, T1 has impressively reached the finals each time, clinching consecutive championships in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Their remarkable ability to adapt within the high-pressure knockout rounds showcases their strong mental resilience when stakes are at their peak.
The Impact of the Fearless Draft Format
A key differentiator in the EWC 2026 was the introduction of the Fearless Draft format, which prohibited teams from re-selecting champions they had already used in previous games of a match series. This rule effectively diminished T1's tactical advantage, as they have long been known for their strategic draft designs aimed at exploiting opponents' weaknesses. Conversely, Dplus KIA demonstrated greater effectiveness in maintaining game consistency, even as they frequently altered their champion compositions.
Dplus KIA's Rise
Dplus KIA's success is a testament to their hard work following a fluctuating phase in the LCK. With ShowMaker leading as the primary offensive force, and the mature gameplay of Lucid in the jungler position, their team coordination has become exceptionally robust. This collective maturity supports the community theory that the biggest counters to Faker are fellow South Korean players like ShowMaker or Chovy. These players do not engage in direct mechanical duels with Faker; rather, they limit his macro gameplay through map vision control and minion wave management.
After T1's elimination from the EWC 2026, Faker displayed commendable sportsmanship, refusing to blame the new tournament format or the strategies of opposing teams. In a media interview, the legendary player highlighted internal weaknesses within his own team, stating, “This was a disappointing match to lose. We did not perform as well as we prepared for. There was no major issue with our in-game communication, but our split-second decision-making was very poor.”
The culture of honest internal evaluation has always been a key reason T1 can bounce back from setbacks. The loss in Riyadh is not viewed as the end, but rather as fuel for T1 to transform into a formidable contender again when the World stage opens up.
Source: https://www.esports.id/read/mengapa-t1-tak-selalu-berjaya-di-ewc-tetapi-nyaris-selalu-mengancam-di-worlds-19056
