The world of competitive League of Legends is buzzing with exciting developments! From dominant winning streaks to strategic draft challenges, the scene is as dynamic as ever. Let's dive into the latest updates.
CTBC Flying Oyster: A Dynasty in the Making?
CTBC Flying Oyster (CFO) is currently on a tear in the League of Legends Championship Pacific (LCP). They've achieved an astounding 20-series winning streak, dating back to February! This impressive run has secured them the first seed for the Season Finals Playoffs after a decisive 2-0 victory over GAM Esports.
Their last domestic loss was against Team Secret Whales, but since then, CFO has been virtually unstoppable. With just one more best-of-three series to play, they are close to claiming the LCP Summer Split trophy and representing their region at Worlds 2025 as the top seed. This would make them the first team to represent their region at all three Riot-operated international tournaments, a testament to their consistent performance.
What makes CFO even more remarkable is their successful implementation of a six-player roster, with strategic rotations in the top lane between Shen "Driver" Tsung-Hua and Hsu "Rest" Shih-Chieh.
International Success
CFO's success extends beyond domestic play. They've made a splash on the international stage, defeating teams like GAM, MGN Vikings Esports, and TALON to secure a spot at First Stand, Riot Games' new international event held in Seoul. There, they impressed by advancing from the group stage, even taking down formidable opponents like Top Esports, Team Liquid, and Karmine Corp. Their journey ended in the semifinals against KC, but they undoubtedly gained fans with their strong performances.
T1 and Faker: Facing Draft Challenges
Meanwhile, in the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK), T1 secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Nongshim RedForce. However, the win wasn't entirely satisfying for the legendary Faker. He expressed regret about dropping a game, emphasizing the importance of game difference in the standings.
Faker highlighted the challenges T1 faced in the draft during Game 2. The team experimented with unconventional picks, giving up meta champions like Pantheon and Taliyah for Ahri. While Faker acknowledged the risk, he explained that the team needed a proactive pick for their composition. He also pointed out that T1's early game faltered, making it difficult to recover despite drafting a lineup designed for early control.
Lessons Learned
After the loss in Game 2, Faker focused on improving his own play and the team discussed how to better leverage their macro advantages and refine their draft decisions. Despite some early mistakes in Game 3, T1 managed to secure the win, keeping them in the race for second place in the LCK standings.
The upcoming series against Hanwha Life Esports is crucial for T1, and the outcome could significantly impact their position in the league. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting rivalry!