How Did Keria Make Caitlyn Support Possible?
In the 2023 LCK Summer Split, T1’s support player Ryu “Keria” Min-seok surprised everyone by picking Caitlyn support during a match against Kwangdong Freecs. This unconventional pick raised eyebrows and led many to question how such a strategy could work in a professional setting, where even the smallest mistakes can lead to defeat.
However, Keria’s Caitlyn support not only worked but was instrumental in T1’s victory. This article will break down why Caitlyn support was viable for Keria and how he managed to make it work in the LCK.
The Viability of Caitlyn Support
Caitlyn is traditionally an AD Carry (ADC) known for her long range, strong laning phase, and ability to zone opponents with her traps. So, why would a support player like Keria pick her in a role that typically prioritizes crowd control, tankiness, and utility? The answer lies in Caitlyn’s ability to dominate the early game, which can be a critical factor in the bot lane.
One of the key reasons Caitlyn support was viable in this match was due to the specific team compositions. Caitlyn’s oppressive laning phase allows her to bully short-ranged champions like Zeri and Yuumi, who were the opposing bot lane duo in this match. With Hail of Blades as her keystone, Keria ensured that Caitlyn’s first three auto attacks would land quickly, maximizing her early-game damage potential. This keystone, combined with the additional sustain from Taste of Blood and the vision control provided by Zombie Ward, allowed Caitlyn to exert immense pressure on her opponents.
Keria also paired Caitlyn with Varus, another ADC with strong poke and crowd control. This combination created a lane that could relentlessly harass the enemy duo, forcing them to play defensively and miss out on farm. Caitlyn’s ability to place traps under rooted opponents further amplified the lane’s kill pressure, making it extremely difficult for Zeri and Yuumi to survive without support from their jungler.
How Keria Made It Work
Keria’s Caitlyn support wasn’t just about laning dominance; it was about understanding the intricacies of the champion and adapting her playstyle to fit the support role. He opted for Spectral Sickle as his starting item to maximize his gold income through poke. His first major purchase was Umbral Glaive, a lethality item that not only boosted his damage but also allowed him to control vision by quickly clearing enemy wards. This was crucial in maintaining T1’s dominance over the bot side of the map.
In addition to Umbral Glaive, Keria built items like Chempunk Chainsword to counter the healing from Kwangdong Freecs’ champions, and Rapid Firecannon to extend Caitlyn’s already impressive range, making it even harder for the enemy to approach. These item choices were essential in keeping up the pressure throughout the early and mid-game.
Despite the strength of Caitlyn support, it’s important to note that this pick is highly situational. It relies on specific matchups and team compositions to be effective. Keria’s success with Caitlyn was due in large part to his deep understanding of the matchup. He also had the benefit of playing with a coordinated team like T1, where his teammates could play around his pick and maximize its potential.
The Reality in Solo Queue
While Caitlyn support proved to be a powerful tool in Keria’s hands during a professional match, it’s important to temper expectations for solo queue. In solo queue, the lack of coordination and communication can make it difficult to pull off strategies that rely heavily on specific conditions. Caitlyn support is best picked in situations where the enemy bot lane is vulnerable to early poke and where your own ADC can capitalize on the pressure Caitlyn creates.
Moreover, Caitlyn’s effectiveness as a support diminishes as the game progresses. She lacks the utility and peel that more traditional supports offer, which can become a significant liability in team fights. If the game reaches the late stages, and the enemy team has champions that can easily dive or crowd control Caitlyn, she can quickly become a target and lose her impact.
A Perfect Storm of Factors
Keria’s decision to pick Caitlyn support in 2023 was a perfect example of how off-meta picks can thrive under the right conditions. While it’s not a strategy that’s easily replicated in solo queue. It worked in T1’s match against Kwangdong Freecs because of the specific team compositions and the coordinated play of a professional team. Caitlyn support, when executed correctly, can dominate the early game and set up a win condition that snowballs through the mid-game. However, it’s a risky pick that requires a deep understanding of the champion, strong laning mechanics, and a team that can play around its strengths.
In the hands of a player like Keria, who is known for his innovative approach to the support role, he made even Caitlyn support a viable and successful strategy. But for the average solo queue player, it’s important to recognize that this pick is not without its challenges and may not always yield the same results.
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