Draft Analysis: 2021 Worlds T1 vs DWG KIA (DK) (Game 5)
This series was often called the real “Worlds” Finals because T1 and DWG KIA or DK were the strongest teams in 2021. The match went all the way to Game 5, and in this article, we’ll discuss the draft choices for both sides.
Banning Phase 1
Banning Phase 1
In the first banning phase, T1 removed Leblanc. Showmaker had been using Leblanc very effectively in Games 1, 2, and 4, making it a smart move by T1 to ban her out. T1 also banned Jarvan and Ryze. Both of these champions are very strong and well-known by the mid-laners and junglers on both teams. T1 didn’t want to face these champions, as they can be game-changers.
DWG KIA, on the other hand, banned Yuumi, a champion that many players dislike and don’t want to face. Yuumi had been banned in every game of this series. Lee Sin was also banned by DWG KIA because it was very effective for T1 in Game 2, helping them win. Twisted Fate was another consistent ban, as both teams wanted to avoid his powerful global presence. Twisted Fate can make it hard for ADCs to farm safely because of his ability to teleport and gank from anywhere.
Picking Phase 1
T1 started their draft by picking Aphelios against DK. This choice shows that T1 is relying on Gumayusi to carry the team in the late game. Aphelios is a strong late-game champion, which means T1 already has a good chance to scale up and be powerful in the later stages of the match.
DWG KIA responded with Ziggs and Graves. Graves is a solid pick for the top lane and has been strong throughout 2021, offering good late-game scaling and durability. The choice of Ziggs was unexpected, as it was the first time DWG KIA picked him in this series. This left fans curious about how Ghost would play Ziggs.
T1 then picked Kennen and Xin Zhao. While some people thought this might not work well together, it’s actually a strong combination on paper. Kennen’s Slicing Maelstrom and Xin Zhao’s Crescent Guard will act as protection for Gumayusi, allowing him to deal damage safely. This first phase of the draft is looking promising for T1, giving them a clear plan and a solid late-game setup. However, they still need to address their early to mid-game damage to help Gumayusi take down enemies.
DWG KIA finished the first phase with Rakan. Although Rakan can engage, DWG KIA already has ways to stop the enemy’s engage. This choice adds more uncertainty to their draft strategy. Ziggs wants to poke from a distance, while Rakan and Graves are geared for engaging fights. The full strategy of DWG KIA’s draft isn’t clear yet, so it will be interesting to see how they complete their lineup in the second phase.
Banning Phase 2
DWG KIA kicked off the second banning phase with a Lulu ban. This move aimed to prevent T1 from giving Gumayusi strong support. Lulu could have provided excellent protection and utility for Gumayusi, so banning her was a smart choice by DWG KIA to limit T1’s options.
T1 responded to DK by banning Kassadin and Qiyana. The Qiyana ban was a strategic move because she could have been a strong engager to work with Graves and Rakan. Kassadin was banned with Faker in mind. This ban suggests that Faker might be planning to pick a control mage, which would fit well with T1’s draft.
DWG KIA concluded their bans with Thresh. This ban is a repeat from Game 1, as Thresh could have complemented Kennen and Xin Zhao by giving Gumayusi an escape route and disrupting DWG KIA’s engages. Thresh’s crowd control and playmaking abilities could have been a significant asset for T1, so removing him was another smart decision by DWG KIA.
Picking Phase 2
DWG KIA began the second picking phase with a Talon pick. While Qiyana could have filled a similar role, Talon offers a way to quickly eliminate squishy targets. Although Talon’s ultimate isn’t as impactful as Qiyana’s, his ability to go unseen and find targets makes him a strong choice for this game.
T1 responded to DK with Azir and Zilean. This combination emphasizes protecting their backline, focusing on keeping Gumayusi safe and enabling Faker to deal damage. Azir and Aphelios provide two solid damage sources, while Zilean’s ultimate offers a chance to revive Gumayusi if needed, adding extra security to T1’s draft.
DWG KIA rounded out their picks with Zoe, a champion Showmaker is known to favor but hadn’t used in the series until now. Zoe’s unpredictability and high-risk, high-reward nature make her a volatile pick, which could either be a game-changer or a potential liability depending on her performance.
Overall Draft Analysis for T1
T1’s draft for this game is solid, even though they lack a traditional frontline tank. Instead, their strategy revolves around using skills and ultimates to protect and enable their key damage dealers, Azir and Aphelios. By adding Zilean, T1 ensures that their backline stays safe with the ability to revive Aphelios if needed.
Their draft focuses on a “front-to-back” composition, which means they want to fight with their damage dealers in the backline while using their abilities to keep enemies away. They also have several ways to engage or disengage from fights, thanks to Kennen, Azir, and Xin Zhao. This flexibility allows T1 to jump into battles and retreat as necessary, giving them a dynamic and adaptable team composition.
Overall Draft Analysis for DK
DK’s draft initially seemed confusing due to its unusual picks in the first phase. However, the last two picks helped complete their strategy and made their concept effective. DK’s draft focuses on “picking” opponents off one by one, using their range and crowd control.
With Ziggs and Zoe, DK can catch out squishy targets and start fights from a distance. Ziggs’ bombs and Zoe’s Sleepy Trouble Bubble are key to initiating engagements. Rakan adds further engagement potential, making it difficult for T1 to close in.
Although DK’s draft may appear inconsistent, it has a clear goal: to keep T1 at bay with their range and pick off key targets. This strategy creates a high-risk, high-reward scenario, relying on DK’s ability to execute their plan effectively.
Who won the draft?
When analyzing the drafts from Worlds 2021, many favored T1’s composition because it was straightforward and easy to execute. T1’s draft focused on protecting their backline with strong disengage tools and the potential for powerful teamfights. However, their strategy had a crucial weakness: it relied heavily on engaging in teamfights.
Damwon Kia (DK), on the other hand, designed their draft around avoiding direct confrontations with T1. Instead of engaging in fights, DK’s strategy was to wait for opportunities to pick off key targets. Their range and crowd control made it possible to catch out and eliminate opponents before a fight even began. With Showmaker’s Sleepy Trouble Bubble, Ziggs’ Mega Inferno Bomb, and Graves’ Collateral Damage, DK could turn skirmishes into 4v5 situations.
This draft strategy turned out to be highly effective. Despite being considered weaker on paper, DK’s approach exploited T1’s weaknesses. By avoiding direct fights and focusing on pick-offs, DK made their draft work in a way that surprised many.
This series highlighted a crucial lesson: drafting is a significant part of competitive games. Just as in rock-paper-scissors, DK draft was designed to counter T1 approach. While T1’s draft was strong in direct confrontations, DK’s draft was tailored to exploit their vulnerabilities. This strategic advantage played a key role in DK’s victory and T1’s elimination.
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