In the first split LCK playoffs, only two BO5 matches remain to conclude the event. On the last match day, T1 in the lower bracket went up against DK. Pre-match expectations were that T1, having prepared extensively, would comfortably beat DK and reach the lower bracket finals. After taking the first two games 2-0, everyone thought it was secured, but the top, mid, jungle, and ADC all faltered in the last three games, enabling DK to overturn the series 3-2 and eliminate T1.

Winning the first two games but then losing three straight has only happened twice in T1’s history. The last time was ten years ago during the S6 Summer Playoffs against KT, where they also lost after leading 2-0. This year, the same dramatic scenario repeated. Throughout the match, Oner and Peyz performed terribly; the jungler struggled with smite contests, and the ADC repeatedly lost lane in the bot lane matchups.

The decisive game was the most puzzling. Doran gave up teleport and ignite to focus on laning but ended up with no lane pressure at all. Despite having Kalista on the team, Oner lost two dragons in a row. Peyz failed to communicate properly with the jungler during dragon fights and also played poorly in lane. The Kalista-Rell duo was dominated by Neeko and Miss Fortune. By the 31-minute mark, Peyz and Oner’s total damage output was even lower than the enemy support’s.

After this BO5, Peyz’s reputation was completely ruined. The T1 management’s decisions are baffling—they let go of Daeggyeom and didn’t even keep Smash. During the transfer window, trying to save money, they signed Peyz on a three-year contract and traded Ssumday to DK. However, the kicked player ended up crushing his old team. If I remember correctly, Smash had expressed his wish to stay at T1 and compete for a starting spot during the transfer period.

Peyz started showing his true colors from the match against BFX, first being utterly outplayed by DaBora, and now getting thoroughly dominated by Ssumday. Perhaps the fans’ saying “you get what you pay for” rings true. After this loss, T1 also missed out on the global Pioneers Tournament. This international event is only in its second year, and T1 has failed to qualify for two years in a row. It seems that outside of the World Championship, T1 struggles in the league.

Interestingly, all Korean imports returning from the LPL to the LCK have been eliminated following Peyz’s exit. Kanavi failed to advance through the top 10 qualifier, Scout stopped at the play-in stage, Ucal was knocked out in the first round of playoffs, and Peyz fell in the semifinals. These four players were the main reasons their teams were eliminated. Scout performed slightly better with some impact in the latter half, but the other three were progressively worse.

During T1’s six consecutive regular-season wins, Peyz played quite well, and many praised his cost-effectiveness. However, in the playoffs, his nerves showed; in losing matches when he needed to step up, he either disappeared or got crushed. Ucal’s situation was similar, and Kanavi’s was even worse. After returning, Kanavi continued to struggle, dragging the “Galaxy Battleship” down, failing to qualify for the top 10. There’s not much else to say except to look forward to the second split.

When Peyz first joined JDG, he performed decently, but during last year’s Nirvana Cup, he was heavily beaten by a second-tier LCK team, exposing his true level. Surprisingly, T1 picked him among many ADCs, even those rejected by GEN and JDG. Fans are indeed fortunate this year, but T1’s league performances have been shaky for some time, with poor results in the spring and first split. The key will be the third split.

Conclusion:

Smash’s victory over T1 truly proved his value. Xu Ge’s form in the last match had already given countless chances, but the “Four Little Ones” refused to lose and led T1 to victory with him. In the next match, DK will face BFX, and if they win, DK will join GEN to compete in the global Pioneers Tournament.

So, what do you think about Peyz’s skill level?

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