I have watched Faker since his debut. It’s a hard question to answer because the game has changed massively since then, the standard of competition has increased greatly, the level of analysis and research and coaching has improved tenfold, etc etc.

I also think it’s easy to forget that Faker’s prime in past eras wasn’t as perfect as many think it was (especially those basing it on e.g. the RNG series in 2017). Peak Faker was susceptible to spells of bad form where he would play far too aggressive and cocky and get baited into enemy gameplans trying to focus/punish him, etc, and was sometimes dropped till he could regroup and be more focused. Usually the poor spells of form were in LCK and come international touranaments Faker would have gotten his act together and would peak, more so Worlds than MSI where he’s usually been a bit flaky.

It’s beyond debate that Faker has hit another peak this Worlds, but is he as good as when he hit previous peaks? I think the answer is probably that he’s actually better. His mechanics have been absolutely on point this Worlds (other than maybe game 1 vs Pyosik), and he’s doing it vs stronger opponents than what he faced in 2015-2017. Against BLG, LNG and JDG he’s put in immaculate performances with lots of outplays and super smart decisions, the micro and macro have been as good as it gets for a mid laner at this level, if he wins Worlds with a good series I think this is his best Worlds performance ever. I would say he is in a second or third prime.