TL;DR
- Kingzone DragonX defeated previously undefeated LPL leaders FunPlus Phoenix in a major upset
- Deft’s Lucian and TusiN’s Yuumi created unstoppable bottom lane pressure
- Critical quadra kill at Baron secured game-winning advantage for Kingzone
- LCK teams went undefeated on day one against international opponents
- The victory demonstrated LCK’s continued strength despite LPL’s rising dominance
Rift Rivals 2019 witnessed one of the tournament’s most surprising outcomes as Kingzone DragonX toppled the heavily favored FunPlus Phoenix squad. This unexpected result sent shockwaves through the competitive League of Legends community and set the stage for an impressive LCK regional performance.
The LCK scoreboard gained another victory through Kingzone’s decisive win over the LPL’s top-ranked team. Despite FunPlus Phoenix entering as the undisputed leaders of China’s premier league, they appeared completely outmatched by Kingzone’s determined and methodical approach to the game.
Both teams selected relatively conventional team compositions with minimal experimental picks. In the top lane matchup, Kim “Rascal” Kwang-hee surprisingly took Kled away from opposing mid laner Kim “Doinb” Tae-sang, compelling Doinb to adapt with Corki against Yoo “Naehyun” Nae-hyun’s Azir selection. This draft phase decision immediately created strategic pressure points that Kingzone would exploit throughout the match.
Kingzone established aggressive early game tempo control from the opening minutes. The bottom lane duo of Kim “Deft” Hyuk-kyu and Park “TusiN” Jong-ik created overwhelming pressure using the Lucian and Yuumi combination. Yuumi proved exceptionally effective under TusiN’s control, with the support player demonstrating remarkable accuracy by landing every Prowling Projectile ability. This precision forced FunPlus Phoenix into a defensive laning phase where they struggled to contest minion waves or trade effectively.
Recognizing their disadvantage in the bottom lane, FunPlus shifted attention toward neutral objectives and attempted to create advantages in solo lanes. However, Kingzone demonstrated superior map awareness and reaction speed, consistently winning the ensuing skirmishes and maintaining control.
FunPlus Phoenix attempted to slow the game’s pace to reach critical item power spikes, but Kingzone aggressively pursued engagements around the second Infernal Dragon. The teams engaged in prolonged positioning battles around the Baron pit for several minutes before finally committing to a decisive teamfight.
During the crucial Baron engagement, Deft delivered an exceptional quadra kill performance that enabled Kingzone to secure the Baron buff and destroy the top lane inhibitor. The entire Kingzone roster executed with clear focus on protecting their primary damage dealer and creating clean teamfight scenarios that maximized Deft’s impact.
The match concluded with Kingzone securing a second Baron buff, achieving a full team ace, and delivering the LCK region its third victory of the tournament. This execution demonstrated the importance of team coordination in high-level competitive play, similar to strategies discussed in our Class Guide for optimal role execution.
FunPlus Phoenix entered Rift Rivals 2019 widely regarded as one of the strongest teams competing. They represented the new generation of elite squads dominating China’s LPL and maintained an undefeated record throughout the current summer season. Despite the LCK region housing numerous talented players and world-class organizations, few analysts predicted any team could challenge FunPlus’s dominance.
Kingzone’s victory revealed critical insights about regional playstyle differences. The LCK’s methodical, controlled approach contrasted sharply with the LPL’s typically aggressive, skirmish-heavy style. This match demonstrated how disciplined macro play and precise teamfight execution could overcome individual mechanical skill advantages.
The upset also highlighted the importance of draft phase strategy and champion proficiency. Kingzone’s comfort with their selected compositions, particularly the bottom lane duo, created advantages that FunPlus couldn’t overcome despite their superior seasonal record. For players looking to improve their own strategic thinking, our Complete Guide offers detailed analysis of similar strategic concepts.
The LCK concluded day one with a perfect undefeated record across all matches. SK Telecom T1 delivered a one-sided victory over Flash Wolves, while DAMWON Gaming overcame EVOS Esports, and Griffin secured a win against JD Gaming. This collective performance reinforced the LCK’s status as a dominant force in international competition.
Kingzone’s triumph over FunPlus Phoenix stood as the day’s most significant result, challenging prevailing narratives about regional strength hierarchies. The match provided valuable lessons about adapting strategies to counter specific opponent strengths, much like the weapon selection strategies in our Weapons Unlock guide emphasizes selecting tools that counter enemy compositions.
The perfect day one performance created significant momentum for the LCK region heading into subsequent matches, while simultaneously applying pressure on LPL teams to reassess their approaches. This performance demonstrated that despite the LPL’s rising prominence, the LCK remained capable of producing world-class performances against top international competition.
Action Checklist
- Analyze draft phase strategies from professional matches to understand champion priority and counter-picks
- Practice precise ability execution with support champions to maximize lane pressure
- Study objective control timing and teamfight positioning from professional games
- Develop team coordination drills focusing on protecting primary damage dealers in engagements
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Kingzone DragonX upsets FunPlus Phoenix at Rift Rivals, LCK starts 4-0 How Kingzone DragonX's strategic upset over FunPlus Phoenix showcased LCK dominance at Rift Rivals 2019