Faker Placed in Iron Lobbies During EUW Practice
The Current State of League of Legends World Championship
The 2024 League of Legends World Championship is happening in Europe, bringing together the top teams from around the world. This annual event is the pinnacle of competitive play for the game, with teams traveling internationally to vie for the title of the best.
Preparation and Practice for Pro Players
To prepare for the championship, players undergo extensive training, adapting to new time zones and grinding solo queue games to keep their skills sharp. Even the best players need continuous practice to stay competitive.
Faker’s Matchmaking Mixup in EUW
Among these elite players is T1’s mid laner, Faker, a Hall of Legends inductee. While practicing in Europe West (EUW) servers, Faker experienced a peculiar matchmaking issue. Despite his legendary status, he found himself placed in games with Iron Two players, one of the lowest ranks in League of Legends.
The Impact of Matchmaking on Faker’s Practice
Faker, known for his exceptional skill, easily dominated these lower-ranked games, amassing a high number of kills. Typically, a player’s matchmaking rating (MMR) should place them in games with similarly skilled opponents. However, because Faker was using an account provided by Riot Games for the EUW servers, it appears the MMR had not yet adjusted, resulting in these mismatched games.
Implications for Future Matches
This matchmaking anomaly raises questions about how practice conditions could affect performance in high-stakes tournaments. As Worlds continues, fans and analysts alike will be watching to see if such issues have any impact on the outcomes of the matches.
In summary, Faker’s unexpected placement in lower-ranked games during his EUW practice sessions highlights the complexities and potential flaws in the matchmaking system, even for professional players. As the World Championship progresses, ensuring fair and balanced practice conditions remains crucial for maintaining competitive integrity.
