[All] [Latest] Why is Faker a legend? A comprehensive summary of his debut, playing style, career, and tournament results!

Why has Faker been able to remain at the top of the world for over a decade? A comprehensive look at his debut, playing style, achievements, persistence, and iconic status in esports history.

 

 

table of contents 1. Who is Faker? 2. Debut and Growth: From Rising Star to King 3. Playstyle: Founder of the pressure mid style 4. Achievements and Records: Incomparable Areas 5. The secret to perseverance: Why it never fades 6. Impact: Symbolism beyond the sport 7. Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

 

1. Who is Faker?

 

Faker (Lee Sang-hyuk) is a professional gamer from South Korea and a one-club player who has been with T1 since his debut in 2013. He is more than just a strong player; he is someone who has changed the history, competitive nature, and playing philosophy of League of Legends (LoL) itself. His skills, track record, fame, iconic status, influence, and persistence are all among the highest, and it is almost impossible to avoid his name when talking about LoL. He is not just a player, but a person who has shaped the competitive scene itself.

 

 

 

 

2. Debut and Growth: It wasn't a newcomer, it was a "shock"

Faker emerged as a rookie mid for SK Telecom T1 K in 2013, overwhelming the world's top players and demonstrating a level of excellence that was on a whole other level. The concept of "two-on-one dribbling," in which a player relentlessly pressures the opponent in lane, survives even when the jungler is called in, and even takes the kill in return, was a concept that didn't exist in the pro scene at the time. Before Faker, the mid position was considered a relatively stable position where players developed and merged, but with his arrival, the modern play model of "the mid takes control of the game and destroys it" was born. At the center of this transformation was none other than Faker.

 

 

 

 

3. Playstyle: Founder of the pressure mid style

 

The elements that define Faker's gameplay are initiative, champion range, risk management, and teamfight decision-making. He treats lane phase not simply as a place to exchange CS, but as a phase where he forces the enemy jungle to move and controls the game tempo of the entire enemy team. He is extremely accurate in determining the moments to take risks and the moments to maximize efficiency with minimal risk, and his teamfight positioning in particular is so precise that it has been described as "a position that very few players can be in." Furthermore, even as the meta shifts and champion evaluations fluctuate, he has always been able to master new champions at a high level. He is a player who does not simply adapt to the meta, but rather creates it.

 

 

 

 

4. Achievements and Records: No comparisons exist

Tournament	Grades	remarks
World Championship	6 wins	Including the most wins in history and three consecutive victories
MSI	Two wins	Dominance in international competitions
LCK	10 wins	LCK history = Faker's history
Asian Games (eSports)	gold medal	Proven as a national representative

 

Furthermore, he is the only player to have won every MVP award at an international tournament, and is the world's highest earner in total prize money. Even as the era, meta, and team composition change, he remains **"the player whose name always comes up when talking about championships."**

 

 

 

 

5. The secret to his continuity: Why he remains a “perfect athlete”

 

It's generally said that a professional gamer's prime lasts two to four years, but Faker remains at a world-class level more than ten years after his debut. In an interview, he said, "My physical strength hasn't deteriorated much. I can maintain my judgment and concentration through training." In other words, in addition to natural talent, he has the training habits and self-management skills that enable him to make continuous efforts. He has built a "sustainable growth system" in everything from the amount of practice, game analysis, mental care, physical condition management, and even the formation of his role within the team.

 

 

 

 

6. Impact: Symbolism that extends beyond the game

 

Faker has now gone beyond being just a "strong player" and is a cultural icon. Riot Games selected him as the first inductee into the Hall of Legends, and he is depicted as the "final boss to be overcome" in the music video for the World title. Overseas media has also introduced him as one of the "four greatest figures representing Korea," alongside BTS, Son Heung-min, Kim Yuna, and Bong Joon-ho. He is an absolute reference point that has established an era for the game LoL.

 

 

 

 

7. Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Q1. Is it still the strongest in the world?
A1. Yes. His recent season final MVP award and international championship wins clearly show that he is still at the top level.

 

 

Q2. What do you plan to do after retirement?
A2. I am already a part-owner of T1 and have committed to being involved in team management and administration in the future.

 

 

Q3. Why have you been able to stay at the top for so long?

A3. It's not just physical strength, but also judgment, concentration, analytical ability, and thorough lifestyle management. The biggest reason is that genius is combined with continuous effort.

 

 

Q4. What makes you fundamentally different from other players?
A4. It's not just technical ability, but the ability to create "a structure that dominates the entire game." Faker has influenced playstyle, meta, and tactical thinking, becoming the "standard itself."

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