If WBG get orianna and azir is banned, would you trust Faker to play the akali into orianna matchup? Faker has been playing well at worlds, but several top midlaners have lost on akali such as chovy, knight, yagao, as akali seems like a champ that requires you to play close to perfect. Faker’s akali also wasnt too hot last worlds finals. How do you think Xiaohu orianna vs Faker akali would go and do you think he should pick another champ into orianna?
Faker’s played Akali once this year back in like February, and before his injury-induced break.
Beyond that, I just don’t think it’s really a Faker champion right now.
His individual form right now at Worlds is incredible, but Akali is a completely different kettle of fish to how Orianna and Azir (his top two at Worlds) plays.
I also generally don’t remember Faker really being spectacular on the pick on the rare occasions he’s busted it out in recent years.
Finally, I don’t think it’s really a pick that benefits T1 strategically.
T1 wants pushing lanes and river control. Akali has one of the weaker laning phases until she hits 6.
Also, you want Faker to be on the playmaking engage champions. This whole year, his identity has been the T1 Go Button.
Neeko, Annie, Nautilus, Azir, Orianna, even how he plays Sylas: champs who can set up giant combos on key targets.
His other two backline assassination champs were Kai’Sa and Tristana: using Kai’Sa R and Trist W to jump on a critical back liner and all in them to kill, even trading his life if necessary.
I just don’t think Akali suits Faker, either as a player or for how he plays on the team.
I think T1 and Faker will keep it as an option, but they’d much rather play other champs and other compositions.
Man does no one remember the sick azir ult dodge faker did with akali e against HLE? That shit was sexy af.