Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok reminded fans why he remains one of League of Legends’ greatest players after leading T1 to victory in the match with a classic Anivia performance in their match against BNK FEARX.
The dominant showing on the Cryophoenix with the KDA of 10/3/8 quickly reignited a familiar discussion among fans. Whenever Faker locks in one of his older signature champions, many point to his years of experience and polished mechanics as proof that his mastery of classic picks remains unmatched. But the legendary T1 mid laner does not agree with that narrative.
“It seems that many fans feel that way, especially with older champions. However, personally, I don’t think there is a difference in mastery between older and newer champions, and I will frequently show good performances with new champions in the future,” he said in an interview with Inven.
The response reflects the confidence that has defined Faker throughout his career. While his iconic performances on legacy picks like Anivia, Ryze, Azir, and Orianna often spark nostalgia among longtime League fans, Faker made it clear he sees no meaningful gap between his understanding of classic champions and his ability to perform on newer releases.
Despite boasting a win rate of over 65 percent on multiple LoL champions, he has played in 26 or more matches, an impressive feat at the highest level. There are still newer picks where his numbers dip, such as Aurora, on whom he holds a 30 percent win rate across 10 games, according to stats site gol.gg.
That adaptability has been one of the defining reasons behind his longevity at the highest level of competition. Across multiple League eras, shifting metas, and countless roster changes, Faker has consistently evolved his champion pool to remain one of the world’s best mid laners.
If history has shown anything, it is that doubting Faker’s ability to master whatever champion the meta demands is usually a losing bet.
T1 will face Hanwha Life Esports in Road to MSI 2026, with a place in the grand finals on the line as both teams look to build momentum ahead of the international tournament in South Korea.
