The year 2024 was a remarkable one for the esports sector, particularly for League of Legends. The game witnessed one of its most competitive stages in history, with notable growth in leagues such as the LEC, thanks in part to the arrival of teams like Movistar Koi, Karmine Corp, and Giants. The World Championship, the most prestigious tournament in the League of Legends calendar, reached new heights, with T1, the largest team on the planet, claiming the title against Bilibili Gaming in a thrilling final that pitted South Korea against China.
As we enter 2025, the landscape of competitive League of Legends continues to evolve. The introduction of a new international event in winter, featuring the champions of each major region, including China, South Korea, Europe, Americas, and Asia-Pacific, promises to shake things up. However, one of the most significant changes that has generated excitement since the start of the new season is the ‘Fearless Draft’. This new dynamic was on full display in the recent LCK Cup match between T1 and Hanwha Life, and it’s an innovation that is set to revolutionize the LEC Qualifiers.
What is the ‘Fearless Draft’ and how it influences the games
The ‘Fearless Draft’ is a new approach to drafting in competitive League of Legends games. Unlike the traditional format, where teams ban five champions and pick five, this new system changes the way teams approach the draft. In the first game of a series, the traditional format applies, but in subsequent games, teams are no longer allowed to choose champions that have already been played in previous maps. This means that if a team picks a champion like Draven in the first map, they will not be able to choose that champion again for the rest of the series.
This change has significant implications for the game, as it encourages teams to adapt and experiment with different strategies and compositions. With more champions available for selection, the ‘Fearless Draft’ promises to bring a new level of variability and excitement to competitive League of Legends. As seen in the T1 vs Hanwha Life match, this format can lead to some unconventional yet fascinating draft picks, keeping viewers engaged and invested in the game.
T1 vs Hanwha Life, ‘Fearless Draft’ in its maximum splendor
The recent LCK Cup match between T1 and Hanwha Life provided a perfect example of the ‘Fearless Draft’ in action. The best-of-five series featured some of the most talented players in the world, including Zeus, Viper, and Zekka from Hanwha Life, and the legendary Faker from T1. As the series progressed, the draft picks became increasingly unpredictable, with teams forced to think creatively and adapt to the changing circumstances.
In the third and fifth maps, the ‘Fearless Draft’ really came into its own, with teams unable to play over 30 champions due to the bans and picks from previous maps. The resulting compositions were unlike anything seen before, with unusual champions and strategies on display. The fifth map, in particular, showcased the ‘Fearless Draft’ at its best, with Hanwha Life emerging victorious 3-2 against T1. The draft picks from both teams were a testament to the innovative and dynamic nature of the ‘Fearless Draft’, with champions like Olaf, Taliyah, and Renata making appearances alongside more traditional picks like Akali and Draven.