T1’s Teddy says it’s harder to build synergy with a 10-man roster

T1’s bot lane specialist Park “Teddy” Jin-seong has become the latest team member to voice concerns regarding the organization’s controversial 10-man roster strategy and its impact on team cohesion.

During his recent discussion with InvenGlobal, Teddy emphasized that establishing effective team synergy has become increasingly challenging due to the frequent changes in the starting lineup. Drawing from his experience with the expanded T1 roster in 2019, he noted a significant difference in management approach—previously, the team maintained stability even during extended losing periods, whereas current strategy involves regular substitutions regardless of performance trends.

The organizational debate originated in February when legendary mid-laner Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok first publicly questioned the 10-man roster methodology. At that juncture, T1 was demonstrating inconsistent performance in LCK competitions, failing to meet their traditional championship standards. Faker specifically highlighted that daily player rotations can generate substantial psychological pressure, particularly affecting younger competitors unaccustomed to such competitive volatility.

Support player Ryu “Keria” Min-seok later contributed to the discussion, acknowledging that despite being the sole support on the LCK roster, he strongly endorsed traditional five-player configurations. Keria articulated that smaller squads typically develop superior team chemistry and coordination compared to larger rotational systems. His analysis centered on the practical limitations—with only five positions available on Summoner’s Rift during practice sessions, expanded rosters cannot provide adequate training opportunities for all members simultaneously.

Teddy’s perspective aligns with his teammates’ earlier observations. He explicitly stated that developing cohesive team play has proven exceptionally difficult under current conditions, potentially explaining T1’s mid-table standing with seven victories and seven defeats.

“When we maintain consistent five-player lineups, we can systematically learn from defeats and implement improvements. The current environment makes this developmental process substantially more complex,” Teddy explained during the interview.

Despite these operational challenges, T1 remains competitive for postseason qualification and continues striving to validate the 10-man roster concept. The team concluded week seven of the 2021 LCK Spring Split with a decisive victory against KT Rolster, where Teddy’s leadership and performance were instrumental throughout the match.

Four critical matches remain for T1 to secure their playoff position, beginning with a crucial encounter against Gen.G scheduled for Saturday, March 11.

[2021 #LCK Spring R2 Match 64 – Game 01]

강력한 라인전을 바탕으로 첫 세트 가져왔습니다.
‘Teddy’ 박진성 선수가 오늘의 첫번째 POG입니다.

Brought our early game strong to take first game.
‘Teddy’ takes first POG tonight with Aphelios.#T1WIN #T1Fighting pic.twitter.com/xQsRtHXABc

— T1 LoL (@T1LoL) March 6, 2021

Who is T1 Teddy?

Park Jin-seong, professionally known as Teddy, represents South Korea in professional League of Legends competition as T1’s primary bot laner. His competitive journey began in 2015, but he gained significant recognition during his tenure with Jin Air Green Wings from 2016 through 2018. While Jin Air never achieved top-tier team status during this period, Teddy consistently delivered standout performances that ultimately earned him a coveted position with T1 in November 2018.

How old is T1 Teddy?

At 22 years of age, Teddy maintains his status as a developing talent despite accumulating substantial professional experience that qualifies him as an LCK veteran. He has completed four full competitive seasons within Korea’s premier league and captured three championship titles throughout his career.

The ongoing roster strategy debate carries significant competitive implications for T1’s future. Teams employing stable five-player rosters typically demonstrate faster adaptation to meta shifts and develop more sophisticated team coordination strategies. The psychological dimension cannot be overstated—players facing potential substitution after every match operate under constant performance pressure that can inhibit creative play and risk-taking essential for championship-level performance.

From a tactical perspective, the 10-man system presents both advantages and disadvantages. While it provides depth for specialized matchups and reduces burnout risk, it simultaneously impedes the development of nuanced team communication patterns and instinctive coordination that separates elite teams from competitors.

Professional gaming organizations globally face similar roster management challenges, but T1’s approach represents one of the most extensive implementations in major region esports. The coming matches against Gen.G and other opponents will serve as critical testing grounds for whether the benefits of roster depth can outweigh the synergy development costs.

For aspiring professional players, Teddy’s experience offers valuable insights into career development. His progression from mid-tier team standout to championship organization contributor demonstrates the importance of consistent performance regardless of team circumstances.

The resolution of this organizational strategy will likely influence roster management approaches across the entire LCK and potentially other major regions as well.

No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » T1’s Teddy says it’s harder to build synergy with a 10-man roster T1 Teddy's insights on roster challenges, career journey, and competitive impact in LCK 2021