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T1 and KT Rolster faced off on the biggest stage of League of Legends once again, a clash that has defined over a decade of Korean esports. Fans remembered Faker’s legendary Zed Pentakill against KT in 2013, and now the story had come full circle with a new generation of stars carrying the torch. For Bdd, it was a personal battle against the player who inspired him to switch from support to mid-lane twelve years ago. For T1, it was a chance to defend their dynasty and prove that they were the best League of Legends team the world has ever seen.

The rivalry went beyond competition. Known as the “Telecom War,” T1 and KT have represented major South Korean telecommunications companies for over a decade, competing across multiple esports titles. While T1 established a global legacy in League of Legends, KT often remained the challenger, struggling to surpass its rival. Out of more than seventy official LoL matches between them, T1 has won over fifty.

KT’s mid-laner Bdd once played support during the 2013 Summer Playoff and was inspired by Faker’s performance to switch roles and pursue mid-lane dominance. Twelve years later, he stood across from the man who had sparked that fire. On T1’s side, change defined the season. Top-laner Zeus left the roster and Doran stepped in. Many doubted if he could fill the shoes of a two-time world champion, but he faced the pressure head-on. “I know some people doubted me, but I always had faith I was the best top-laner in the world,” he said before Worlds. Meanwhile, Gumayusi fought his own battles. After being temporarily benched in favor of rookie Smash, fans and critics questioned his form. He returned stronger both mentally and mechanically. “Taking a break helps me the most. I try to get my mind back on track by working out or reading,” he said before the final.

The series opened explosively. KT secured an early 6-1 lead and dominated objectives. T1’s Doran found a key opening behind KT, leaving PerfecT as the only survivor and sealing Game 1. Game 2 saw KT regain control with Bdd’s precise engages and Cuzz’s jungle dominance, tying the series 1-1. In Game 3, KT focused on durable frontlines and team-fight control, while T1 struggled with Viktor and Viego. KT grabbed first blood on Faker, stole a Dragon, and Cuzz’s Dr. Mundo scored four key kills, swinging momentum. KT aced T1 at Baron, secured the objective, and took a 2-1 lead.

Facing elimination in Game 4, T1’s veterans rose to the occasion. Gumayusi delivered clutch outplays with 31.3k damage, backed by Faker’s 26.7k damage, Oner’s stealing objectives from KT, and forcing a deciding Game 5. In the final match, T1 controlled the tempo, secured key Dragon Souls, and held their composure. KT fought back, but T1’s teamwork prevailed. With a 3-2 victory, T1 lifted their third consecutive Summoner’s Cup, becoming the first team in history to win a Worlds three-peat.

Gumayusi was named Finals MVP, completing his journey from bench to glory. Faker, now a four-time world champion, reflected on passion rather than titles. “As a pro player, I’ve never pushed myself purely for achievements. I just find competition and victory fun, that is what motivates me,” he said. Doran, once doubted, became part of T1’s new chapter. “Rather than feeling pressure, I converted it into strong will and motivation,” he added. For Oner and Keria, the backbone of T1’s synergy, the victory represented years of growth and persistence. Their teamwork and consistency built something greater than dominance: legacy.

For KT, it was heartbreak. For T1, it was history. For fans worldwide, it was a reminder that some stories do not end; they evolve. From 2013 to 2025, Faker and T1 stood tall, not just as champions, but as the living kings of a legacy that refuses to fade.

_{by Calvin Ochoco & George Cheng}