T1 Faces Dplus KIA in Crucial LCK Cup Super Week BO5

Why It Matters

A win keeps T1 on pace for the LCK Cup playoffs and strengthens its World Championship prospects, while also testing its new roster dynamics.

Key Takeaways

• T1 leads Baron Group 4‑0, eyes tie at 14‑14.
• Dplus KIA second matchup, crucial BO5 for group standings.
• T1’s “circus‑style” macro exposes instability despite wins.
• New rookie “Peyz” seeks synergy in first 2026 BO5.
• LCK Cup final to be held in Hong Kong.

Pulse Analysis

The LCK Cup’s Super Week has become a pivotal juncture for the Baron Group, where T1’s flawless 4‑0 record places the team on the brink of a points deadlock with the Elder Group. With the gap narrowed to 12‑14 after RedForce’s recent win, a victory over Dplus KIA would not only level the standings at 14‑14 but also shift momentum toward Gen.G, the group’s final contender. This high‑stakes BO5 underscores how tightly contested the Korean league has become, raising the competitive bar for all participants.

T1’s recent performances reveal a paradoxical blend of dominance and fragility. While the squad has secured series wins against Hanwha Life Esports, DRX, and BNK FearX, each series exposed moments of “circus‑style” macro—high‑risk decision‑making that can swing gold leads dramatically. Such volatility, coupled with a 13,000‑gold deficit turnaround against kt Rolster, signals that T1’s aggressive playbook demands disciplined execution. The addition of rookie Peyz intensifies this dynamic, as he must quickly sync with veterans to stabilize the team’s macro approach and mitigate costly errors.

Beyond the immediate group implications, the BO5 serves as a rehearsal for the upcoming LCK Cup final in Hong Kong, offering T1 valuable international‑stage experience. Success here could bolster the franchise’s brand equity, attract sponsorships, and solidify its reputation as a World Championship contender. Conversely, a loss may expose roster gaps that rivals could exploit in the global arena. For stakeholders, the match is a litmus test of T1’s ability to translate domestic dominance into sustainable, world‑class performance.

T1 Faces Dplus KIA in Crucial LCK Cup Super Week BO5

Hongje “Koer” Kim · Jan 30, 2026

On the 31st at CHZZK LoL Park in Jongno, the Super Week match between T1 and Dplus KIA will take place.

At present, T1—alongside Gen.G—has gone a perfect 4–0 within the Baron Group, contributing a significant number of points to its group. Now, with Dplus KIA designated as the second matchup in the order, T1 is heading into a Super Week (best‑of‑five) series against DK. Meanwhile, after Nongshim RedForce defeated kt Rolster 3–2 yesterday, the points gap between the Baron Group and the Elder Group has narrowed to 12–14. With Gen.G waiting at the very end, a T1 win today has become all the more urgent.

In many respects—team atmosphere and overall strength included—T1 is widely expected to have the edge, but it’s not something that can be guaranteed. Against Hanwha Life Esports, DRX, and BNK FearX, T1 won all three series 2–1, yet those matches clearly exposed weaknesses and moments of instability. And while T1 did beat kt Rolster 2–0, it was far from straightforward: they overturned a game in which the gold deficit ballooned to as much as 13,000, underscoring how difficult it was.

Of course, for quite some time now, this kind of tightrope‑walking—often called “circus‑style” macro, the sort of approach that leaves fans with frayed nerves—has effectively become a signature T1 look. They’re also the team that best fits the phrase, “It’s not over until it’s over.” Still, winning like this every time is not something T1 itself would want.

From that perspective, even for a battle‑tested T1 that has been through just about everything, this best‑of‑five against DK—its first BO5 of 2026—represents valuable experience and strong fuel for growth. It’s also an especially important BO5 for “Peyz,” newly added this year, as he works to build synergy with the existing roster. That matters even more for T1, a team that always sets its sights on winning the World Championship. And this year’s LCK Cup final will be held overseas in Hong Kong, bringing with it the additional benefit of gaining experience on a major international stage.

The question now is whether T1 can defeat DK, pull the group points level at 14–14, and then hand things over to Gen.G. Attention is squarely on what comes next, with T1 vs. Dplus KIA scheduled for 5 p.m. on the 31st.

This article was translated from the original that appeared on INVEN.