Given the incredibly high level of competition in the LCK, it seems that T1 might just not be able to qualify for MSI this year, with HLE, DK, and GEN seemingly dominating the region.
Following several weeks of matches in the Spring Regular Season, we have seen some incredible developments, and given the Fearless Draft changes that have further elevated the competitive experience for both players and fans, League of Legends Esports is looking to become quite the powerhouse.
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2025 LCK Rounds 1-2 Format
With Fearless Draft still in play, pro players will need to constantly adapt to an ever-shifting meta and draft their way to victory. Thankfully, there will be no best-of-one (Bo1) matches for this split so all of the teams will be able to give it their all.
Format
- 10 teams participate
- Double Round Robin
- All matches are best of three (Bo3)
- Top six teams qualify for Road to MSI
- Based on this rounds' results teams will be seeded into Rounds 3-5
- Top five teams will start in the Legend Group
- Bottom five teams will start in the Rise Group
KT vs HLE Game 1
KT vs HLE Bans
| KT | HLE |
Poppy  |
 Vi |
Yone  |
 Xin Zhao |
Jayce  |
 Neeko |
Kalista  |
 Varus |
Alistar  |
 Rakan |
KT vs HLE Picks
| KT | HLE |
PerfecT  |
 Zeus |
Cuzz  |
 Peanut |
Bdd  |
 Zeka |
deokdam  |
 Viper |
Peter  |
 Delight |
Winner: HLE
KT looked poised to take down HLE, and despite the second best team in the region getting a substantial gold lead, the underdogs were able to stabilize the game state and stop the ever increasing snowball. However, a messy fight around the Infernal Drake secured the soul for HLE, and further pushed the team to a winning position.
Over time, HLE continued finding great angles for fights as KT struggled to directly engage into the Kennen and Taliyah, thus resulting in HLE going 1-0 after a disjointed Elder Drake fight.
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KT vs HLE Game 2
KT vs HLE Bans
| KT | HLE |
| Yone |
Vi |
Rumble  |
 Azir |
Sejuani  |
Xin Zhao |
| Kalista |
 Miss Fortune |
| Alistar |
Rakan |
KT vs HLE Picks
| KT | HLE |
PerfecT  |
Zeus |
Cuzz  |
 Peanut |
Bdd  |
 Zeka |
deokdam  |
Viper |
Peter  |
 Delight |
Winner: KT
KT came back guns blazing as they managed to get the upper hand in the early game skirmishes as well secured themselves a quick Cloud Soul, making HLE's life quite miserable in team fights. A fantastic fight around Baron gave KT a significant advantage in the second game, further diminishing the chance of a comeback on the side of HLE.
Finally, KT were able to secure all of the neutral objectives and after killing the Elder Drake, the underdogs equalized the series 1-1.
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HLE vs KT Game 3
HLE vs KT Bans
| HLE | KT |
Lillia  |
Vi |
| Rumble |
Xin Zhao |
Viego  |
Yone |
Renata  |
Miss Fortune |
| Alistar |
 Xayah |
HLE vs KT Picks
| HLE | KT |
Zeus  |
 PerfecT |
| Peanut |
 Cuzz |
| Zeka |
 Bdd |
Viper  |
deokdam |
Delight  |
Peter |
Winner: KT
A huge start for KT as messy skirmish in their jungle led to deokdam's Kalista getting accelerated. Despite KT leading in kills, HLE were always able to maintain a gold lead either because of better laning or rotations. A phenomenal fight for KT secured them the Infernal Soul further pushing their advantage over HLE.
Somehow, HLE found the the miracle fight with Viper and Zeka but KT held down the Nexus and to a very shocking twist, KT got the Elder Drake further pushing the series to its very limit in terms of excitement and stress. A nail-biting final fight around the Elder Drake secured them the much-deserved 2-1 win in this series.
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