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 Round 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
NS vs DK Game 1
NS vs DK Bans
| NS | DK |
Ambessa  |
 Vi |
Jayce  |
 Gwen |
Galio  |
 Azir |
Kalista  |
 Varus |
Braum  |
 Elise |
NS vs DK Picks
| NS | DK |
Kingen  |
 Siwoo |
GIDEON  |
 Lucid |
Calix  |
 ShowMaker |
Jiwoo  |
 Aiming |
Lehends  |
 BeryL |
Winner: DK
A great start for NS as Calix' Yone was able to get some crucial kills in the early game, making it very difficult for DK to contest objectives. However, a few clutch plays from ShowMaker's Ryze were able to stabilize the match and give DK some much needed breathing room. An incredibly scrappy mid-game that was marked with some nerve-wrecking plays, making it all the more entertaining for fans and analysts.
Finally, a fight around Elder drake secured DK the very crucial game-ending fight, and ultimately kicking off the series 1-0.
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NS vs DK Game 2
NS vs DK Bans
| NS | DK |
Lillia  |
Vi |
Naafiri  |
Azir |
Sion  |
Gwen |
Skarner  |
 Sylas |
Noctune  |
 Ezreal |
NS vs DK Picks
| NS | DK |
| Kingen |
 Siwoo |
GIDEON  |
 Lucid |
Calix  |
 ShowMaker |
| Jiwoo |
Aiming |
| Lehends |
 BeryL |
Winner: NS
A rather unfortunate start for DK as Lucid loses his life during a level 1 skirmish which provided the upper edge to GIDEON's Poppy. A bloody fight on bot lane went in the favor of NS, as DK once again started their game two shenanigans. Some clutch plays on the side of Lucid's Wukong was able to stabilize the game state, allowing for DK to slowly claw their back into the series.
A very back-and-forth game with both teams giving away kills for free. A great Baron for NS allowed the team to push deep into DK's base, but somehow ShowMaker, Siwoo and BeryL were able to defend their Nexus. Despite some clutch charms by ShowMaker, NS was able to equalize the series and go 1-1.
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DK vs NS Game 3
DK vs NS Bans
| DK | NS |
| Nocturne |
Vi |
| Azir |
Braum |
Renekton  |
Naafiri |
Rell  |
 Corki |
Leona  |
 Rakan |
DK vs NS Picks
| DK | NS |
| Siwoo |
Kingen |
| Lucid |
GIDEON |
ShowMaker  |
Calix |
| Aiming |
 Jiwoo |
BeryL  |
 Lehends |
Winner: NS
Despite the obvious draft difference favoring DK, NS somehow found some great picks onto the enemy team, and slowly established a good gold and objective lead.
As the game went on, NS continued snowballing their advantages with GIDEON's Lillia dominating Lucid's Skarner time and time again. After NS claimed the Baron, they stormed down DK's base and got their much-deserved win in this Bo3 series by going 2-1 in the end.
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