The history of League of Legends esports is largely defined by the dominance of SKT, led by their star player, Faker. However, in recent years, SKT has faced numerous challenges that have led to their decline. One significant moment was their loss to Samsung Galaxy in the 2017 World Championships. Since then, SKT has struggled, and their struggles reached a breaking point when they substituted their entire bench in a crucial series against MVP.
Many now wonder if the SKT dynasty has come to an end. How did a once seemingly indestructible team crumble in just a few months?
The Formation of Dynasties
The formation of dynasties is a common phenomenon in sports. Examples include the early dominance of the New York Yankees in baseball, Bill Russell’s unparalleled success in the NBA, and the dominance of certain teams in the NFL and AFL merger. These early dynasties were often built around star players who were at the peak of their game.
The Democratization of Talent
In the early days of a sport like League of Legends, there tends to be a limited talent pool. This was evident when Faker burst onto the scene with unmatched mechanical skill. However, as the popularity of the game grew, more talented players emerged, leading to a democratization of talent. This made it harder for one team, such as SKT, to dominate by hoarding the best players.
A Changing Game
As the skill level of players increased, teams began utilizing them in new and creative ways. It was no longer enough to solely focus on getting a single carry fed. Support players became integral to making plays, and targeting weaker players on the opposing team became just as important. SKT faced challenges in this area as they lacked depth in their lineup, particularly in the lane phase.
In order to regain their dominance, SKT recognized the need for a full-scale rebuild. It will be a difficult task, but if they can find players who can complement Faker’s skills, they may once again rise to the top.
SKT, League of Legends esports, Faker, dominance, Samsung Galaxy, struggles, dynasty, talent, democratization, changing game, rebuild