KT Rolster will miss the LCK playoffs for the first time since 2015 after being swept by Damwon Gaming on the final night of the regular season. It’s also the organization’s first appearance in LCK relegation.
Rebuilding the roster around star top laner Song “Smeb” Kyung-ho and jungler Go “Score” Dong-bin, KT Rolster failed to replicate their 2018 Summer Split success, finishing with a 4-14 record and only 13 game wins across the 2019 Spring Split.
Their series tonight against Damwon was a reflection of their unfortunate year so far. Game one slowly fell out of the veteran’s grasp, while Damwon’s carries put on a show in game two to extinguish any hopes of avoiding relegation.
Smeb got an early lead on Damwon’s Jang “Nuguri” Ha-gwon in game one, but KT were unable to capitalize on it as their early game advantage slipped away. KT’s bot laner, Byun “Gango” Se-hoon, was constantly caught out in late game teamfights before being able to dish off any damage as Lucian, which gave Sin “Nuclear” Jeong-hyeon’s Ashe free rein over KT.
KT were ahead by as much as 4,500 gold and 10 kills before the wheels fell off, with Damwon closing the game out at 43 minutes with a 11,000 gold advantage.
Heo “ShowMaker” Su put on a show in game two with his Akali pick decimating KT Rolster. While he tried to be a bit too flashy in a level six fight with Gwak “Bdd” Bo-seong, he cleaned up house in the mid game alongside Nuguri’s Kayle in a brilliant teamfight that meant the end for KT.
But Nuguri took the MVP honors home in game two with his 4/1/6 domination of Smeb.
For Damwon Gaming, they’re running the royal road that Griffin did just last year. Despite being a bunch of fresh faces from Challengers Korea, they snuck their way into the playoffs in fifth place and now must run the gauntlet to take home the title.
The future of KT Rolster is now uncertain, however. With relegation ahead, there’s a chance the organization won’t play in the 2019 Summer Split. APK Prince and ES Sharks have been leading the charge from Challengers Korea, and if the last two promotions are anything to go by, some LCK mainstays will fall.
Damwon Gaming will face Sandbox in the first round of the gauntlet on April 3. KT Rolster will play in the Summer Promotion tournament after the gauntlet.
