LCK 2026 Regular Season Day 18: KT and HLE Prepare for an Epic Showdown

Earlier in the week, KT Rolster and Hanwha Life Esports won their LCK series. Today, they replicated that feat. They both emerged victorious with 2-0 series victories. They will face each other next week in the LCK. The winner will end the others’ win streak. Who will push forward and become the undisputed best team in the LCK heading into Round 2?

KT Rolster Versus FearX

KT ended week 4 of the LCK with a 8-0 record — Image of KT beating BFX, courtesy of the LCK/Riot Games

Game One – A Messy Game

Cuzz ran the early game, picking up kills everywhere. The lead he had was not enough for KT to translate into a quick game win. BFX fought back, and the game became messy. Neither side had clean fights, as they traded back and forth. Even after KT got the Baron and Mountain Soul, they were unable to end the game. Only when BFX overextended in the mid-lane did KT find the angle to end.

Game Two – An Early Lead Almost Evaporates

KT got ahead early in game two. Bdd picked up two solo kills and a triple kill in the bot lane. They should have ended the game cleanly. However, multiple picks and mistakes from KT allowed BFX back into the game. The mid-game was scrappy, with BFX even finding angles to win fights. The Baron and the Ocean Soul fight proved a step too far for BFX, as KT eventually ended the series.

Champions Played

KT Rolster

PerfecT – K’Sante, Jayce
Cuzz – Trundle, Jarvan IV
Bdd – Ryze, Annie
Aiming – Jhin, Sivir
Effort – Karma, Yuumi

FearX

Clear – Renekton, Sion
Raptor – Xin Zhao, Lee Sin
Daystar – Anivia
Diable – Caitlyn, Ezreal
Kellin – Bard, Neeko

Hanwha Life Esports Versus KRX

HLE are on a seven series win-streak after beating KRX in the LCK — Image of HLE beating KRX, courtesy of the LCK/Riot Games

Game One – Close Until It Is Not

KRX’s early plays keep them in a good position in the game. They trade even in a skirmish in HLE’s blue-side jungle. That would be the last time KRX would be at parity in the game. Once Gumayusi, Zeus, and Zeka came online, HLE ran away with the game. The fights started positively with kills on Zeka. However, with all the cooldowns committed on him, Zeus and Gumayusi opened up.

Game Two – A Second Early Lead

KRX has another early and mid-game where they are competitive. They even shut down Zeus’s Gnar. Most of their gold goes to Ucal. He and Willer die in the bot lane bush, and the game falls away from them. Kanavi has a couple of overaggressive plays, but it does not matter. The rest of HLE dominate to end the series.

Champions Played

Hanwha Life Esports

Zeus – Vayne, Gnar
Kanavi – Pantheon, Naafiri
Zeka – Ryze, Annie
Gumayusi – Caitlyn, Miss Fortune
Delight – Bard, Rell

KRX

Rich – Jayce, Ambessa
Willer, Xin Zhao, Poppy
Ucal – Cassiopeia, Mel
Lazyfeel – Yunara, Jhin
Andil – Nautilus, Karma

KT Gets the Job Done

KT surged to a lead in both games of the series. However, they struggled to close out either game cleanly. That could show signs to other teams that KT is there for the taking. BFX has not been at their best, and a stronger team could beat. Most importantly, KT heads into their matchup with HLE with the 8-0 record at their backs.

Skaky Starts Turning Into Victories

HLE did not have positive starts in either of their games against KRX. However, they recovered because of KRX’s mistakes. Kanavi had one of his weaker series, but the rest of HLE stepped up in his stead. Gumayusi has hit his stride after a torrid run at the LCK Cup. The team is now ready to face KT next week.