LCK Cup 2026 DRX Review: A Promising Start Comes Crashing Down
DRX had a positive start to the LCK Cup despite the lack of results. Their first two series against Gen.G Esports and T1 showed promise. However, they did not translate that promise into success. While a top-six finish is nothing to scoff at, they had the potential to go further. They might be able to break into the top four if they improve later in the year.
LCK Cup DRX Results
Only one team played more series than DRX during the LCK Cup. That team is Dplus KIA. DRX only won four of the ten series they played. Of the thirty-three games in those series, they lost eighteen of them.
- Lost 2-0 Versus Gen.G Esports
- Lost 2-1 Versus T1
- Lost 2-1 Versus DN SOOPers
- Won 2-1 Versus Nongshim Redforce
- Won 3-2 Versus HANJIN BRION
- Won 2-1 Versus HANJIN BRION
- Lost 2-0 Versus Dplus KIA
- Won 3-0 Versus Nongshim Redforce
- Lost 3-2 Versus Dplus KIA
- Lost 3-1 Versus DN SOOPers
DRX Player Review
Rich
- Total Apex Rating – 5.9 (7th among top laners, tied 28th among players)
- Champions Played
- Gnar (5)
- Gwen (4)
- K’Sante (4)
- Kennen (3)
- Renekton (3)
- Sion (3)
- Ambessa (2)
- Jax (2)
- Rumble (2)
- Aurora
- Gragas
- Jayce
- Ornn
In a sea of dominant top laners, Rich fell by the wayside. He had strong performances that helped him contend with the rest of the LCK Cup top laners. However, he lacked the consistency to be in the top five.
Willer
- Total Apex Rating – 6.2 (3rd among junglers, 14th among players)
- Champions Played
- Xin Zhao (8)
- Jarvan IV (4)
- Vi (4)
- Ambessa (3)
- Pantheon (3)
- Aatrox
- Dr. Mundo
- Jax
- Malphite
- Naafiri
- Nocturne
- Olaf
- Sejuani
- Wukong
Wiiler was the driving force behind DRX’s success. He had multiple 1v9 performances to carry them to victory. He was instrumental in taking down Nongshim Redforce, earning one of the highest Total Apex series ratings for a player not on Gen.G or T1.
Ucal
- Total Apex Rating – 5.7 (9th among mid-laners, tied 33rd among players)
- Champions Played
- Orianna (7)
- Taliyah (5)
- Aurora (4)
- Azir (3)
- Syndra (3)
- Galio (2)
- Ryze (2)
- Ahri
- Akali
- Cassiopeia
- Sylas
- Tristana
- Twisted Fate
- Viktor
Ucal’s position in the mid-lane rankings may show that he struggled during the LCK Cup. However, that was not the case. He had stable performances; however, he did not match up to the rest of the mid-laners in the tournament.
Jiwoo
- Total Apex Rating – 6.0 (5th among bot laners, tied 24th among players)
- Champions Played
- Yunara (7)
- Corki (6)
- Sivir (4)
- Jhin (3)
- Kai’Sa (3)
- Lucian (3)
- Ezreal (2)
- Xayah (2)
- Aphelios
- Kalista
- Zeri
Jiwoo had a disappointing end to the LCK last year. He crumbled, along with the rest of the Nongshim Redforce roster. He redeemed himself in the LCK Cup with quality performances. Jiwoo played a part in DRX’s success.
Andil
- Total Apex Rating – 5.8 (5th among supports, tied 30th among players)
- Champions Played
- Nautilus (6)
- Alistar (4)
- Bard (4)
- Neeko (4)
- Karma (3)
- Braum (2)
- Leona (2)
- Poppy (2)
- Rakan (2)
- Lulu
- Nami
- Renata Glasc
- Sona
Andil had dominant moments during the LCK Cup. At times, he was one of the best supports. He combined well with Willer to earn them victories. However, in the same breath, Andil had weak performances. He could either be the reason they won or the reason they lost.
LCK Cup Review
DRX’s early signs showed they could become a threat in the postseason. Despite losses to Gen.G Esports and T1 early in the LCK Cup, they pushed both teams. It took a while for the promise to show until the play-ins. A dominant victory over NS and a near loss to DK in the Playoffs indicated that they were a team you could not take lightly. However, they fell to another rising team, DNS. The series was a disappointing loss for DRX. Hopefully, they can continue their promising start.
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To see more LCK Cup team reviews, check out the articles below.
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