Deft Beat Faker

League of Legends fans could not have asked for a better setup – two stars on opposite teams who started their careers in the same year and even went to the same high school, battling for the biggest prize in League nearly a decade later.

But Worlds grand finals went beyond the storyline. The series had plenty of incredible moments and might be the most exciting and emotional best-of-five in Worlds Finals history.

And this wasn’t a duel at dawn. It was a fistfight in the pouring rain.

It was the payoff at the end of a long road for fans – and damn does it feel good to be a League fan right now. So let’s enjoy the vibes and take a look at a truly exceptional Worlds final.

Edited by: Jason Durante
Thumbnail by: Bennett Grainger

Music used under license from Associated Production Music LLC (”APM”).

[kaiyencastus]

Props to Deft pulling the near impossible, Worlds 2022 was the first series I actually watched all the way through and couldn’t ask for anything better

[ade]

DRX completed the ultimate cinderella story. Absolutely insane how this team leveled up throughout Worlds to take down the then reigning World Champions, the LCK number 1 seed, and the most decorated team of all time. I'm so glad Deft finally got his Worlds trophy. 10 years of greatness capped off with the biggest trophy of them all.

[TheCrispAlien]

The fact that Deft's final boss is called "The Unkillable Demon King" is way too perfect for his anime story.

[orestakos]

Now we need the complete story of Deft

[RugDealing]

2-16 last year to winning Worlds. Incredible.

[jayr.]

Everyone is happy for Deft. Even if you were cheering for T1 or you bet on them or if you're literally on their roster. How could you not be.

[camilosaber]

One of the greatest games of league played right there! Well-deserved for DRX! I still wish faker gets his 4th.

[Mcsbeatbox]

A beautiful underdog story for a most deserving ad, congrats Deft!

[jgeybp]

A true Cinderella Story. Still can't believe they came all the way from PLAY-INS.. Such an inspiration of a team. DRX <3

[opus]

the story of DRX can never be told without mentioning "the unbreakable spirit". A korean reporter came up with this phrase while summarizing Deft's interview. This eventually became the defining words of DRX's miracle in a nutshell and it's the most popular phrase in korea as of now (Deft himself picked up this phrase later and it's now officially his quote). The unbreakable heart beats the unkillable king. what can get any more poetic than that.

[wonzhang]

It hurts to see T1 lose especially some of us waited for this opportunity for years. But I'm really happy that DRX won, Deft won. Plus, the 2 teams gave us probably the best Worlds final or even the best in the whole gaming industry. The storyline, the silver scrapes, the matchup and the plays. Chef's Kiss.

[ade]

Zeka had the best international debut since TheShy in 2018.

[JirehBandola]

Deft’s win might actually make his argument as the GOAT ADC. I know Uzi was godlike during his days but winning worlds vs. Faker with T1 performing well this year is something else.

Not only that but Deft was so consistent even from season 4 with SSB, to China, then to LCK. Add to that his way of adapting to each meta, may it be hypercarry, utility, to poke, you name it Deft is good at it compared to other ADCs who only thrive at certain metas. In this series alone he played Cait, Varus (both DPS and Poke), and Kalista (3 different playstyles). What more can you ask?

TLDR Deft is GOAT ADC

[mrkirby]

Didn’t do zeke enough justice, his first worlds appearance he gaps every mid laner and then does it against the goat at the end for the championship

[Chenxkun]

A fun little tidbit that most people won't realize is that Deft is 2-0 against Faker at an international final. (2015 MSI)

[nerv]

It kinda baffles me that when mentioning DRX's run people just skip or forget about regional gauntlet. Nobody saw them even making it to Worlds at all. They were supposed to lose to KT Rolster and then Sandbox. People tuned in for those games to see Deft playing one last time and the last dance just kept getting delayed. It all makes this whole run even more incredible.

[Wardenaz]

Sigh can't believe Worlds is already done.
This Final match is a fcking goated

[krispbreadd]

I can't even imagine what it's like for Keria, seeing the team you were with until just last year win the biggest title possible, the one you were shooting for, the one you played your heart out for, but they did it all without you. I'm 100% rooting for DRX next season.

[KomiWasHere]

Imagine being the teachers to both of these legends

[inekoknewthat]

I know the main part of the underdog story was about deft but can we talk about the teammates of both faker and deft, they all did so well.