Background
In a surprising turn of events during the 2016 World Championship, Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok picked Tryndamere midlane against Kim "Reapered" Han-bit’s Corki. This choice raised questions among the League of Legends community, and we aim to provide a comprehensive answer to the why behind this decision.
**Reason 1: Countering Corki’s Mobility and Poke**
Faker chose Tryndamere as a counterpick against Corki due to his ability to deal with Corki’s mobility and poke. Tryndamere’s Passive – "Battle Fury," grants him permanent attack speed and movement speed after attacking an enemy champion, making it difficult for Corki to keep him at bay with his long-range abilities. Additionally, Tryndamere’s teleportation ability via his ultimate – "The El’Dritch Barrier" – can help Faker secure kills on other lanes or objectives.
**Reason 2: Early Game Impact and Scaling**
Tryndamere offers significant early game impact and scaling, which is crucial for securing a lead against Corki. With the right runes and masteries, Tryndamere can solo kill most champions in the early game. Moreover, Tryndamere’s high damage output in the late game makes him an ideal pick for team fights.
**Reason 3: Counter-picking Psychologically**
Lastly, Faker might have picked Tryndamere as a psychological counterpick against Reapered. By choosing a champion that is not typically picked midlane against Corki, Faker could potentially throw off his opponent and gain an advantage in lane.
Summary
Faker’s unconventional pick of Tryndamere midlane against Corki showcased his deep understanding of the game and adaptability. By countering Corki’s mobility, dealing with his poke, capitalizing on early game impact, and scaling effectively, Faker demonstrated why he is considered one of the greatest League of Legends players of all time.