LCK 2026 Regular Season Day 37: A Pivotal Victory for Dplus KIA

HANJIN BRION was one series behind Dplus KIA before the LCK matches. After their loss, it seems unlikely that they will be a Legend Group team this year. DK has almost guaranteed their spot, given BRO’s schedule. Hanwha Life Esports experimented today by subbing in Bluffing. The experiment paid off, but fans want to see Delight return in their next LCK series.

FearX Versus Hanwha Life Esports

HLE Beat BFX with Bluffing in the LCK — Image of HLE beating BFX, courtesy of the LCK/Riot Games

Game One – HLE Living On the Edge

The first significant skirmish takes place in HLE’s jungle at the second Drake spawn. BFX invades the jungle and emerges with two kills to one. That would be the last of BFX’s lead as HLE crushes consecutive fights. All of a sudden, they have a 5k gold lead. Despite the lead, HLE’s decision-making and positioning in fights led to members dying early. HLE still trades back in fights, but their lead dwindles. Kanavi dies early twice before a fight breaks out, but it does not matter. HLE turns it around with the strength of Zeka and Gumayusi. The second fight win proves to be the game-ender.

Game Two – Targeting Gumayusi

BFX’s game plan from the outset is to target Gumayusi. They dived him on repeat, even once he moved towards the mid lane. He had six deaths before the first teamfight occurred. One of the dives killed Gumauysi, but HLE responded with two kills. In the first fight of the game, Gumayusi died again. However, HLE crushed them thanks to Zeus. They used the fight win to get the Baron. HLE steadily built their lead with picks and towers. No one else on HLE died before the LCK series ended.

Champions Played

FearX

Clear – Galio, Sion
Raptor – Xin Zhao, Trundle
VicLa – Ryze, Twisted Fate
Taeyoon – Sivir, Lucian
Kellin – Karma, Milio

Hanwha Life Esports

Zeus – Rumble, Ambessa,
Kanavi – Vi, Pantheon
Zeka – Yone, Mel
Gumayusi – Miss Fortune, Ashe
Bluffing – Nautilus, Seraphine

Dplus KIA Versus HANJIN BRION

DK Beat BRO to move two series away from them in the LCK — Image of DK beat BRO, courtesy of the LCK/Riot Games

Game One – A BRO Throw

The early game saw little action, but that resulted in a slight lead for DK. Smash had a significant gold lead from the laning phase, which contributed to DK’s lead. BRO clawed back at their lead, thanks in part to DK. Most of DK’s engagements missed the mark, which left Teddy open to carry. He landed almost every ability and dodged DK’s attempts to kill him. Teddy helped BRO to a 5k gold lead that would disappear in two teamfights. DK narrowly won the Ocean Soul fight and then crushed BRO on the Baron. Career’s Tempered Fate allowed Lucid and Siwoo to get onto Teddy to kill him.

Game Two – Poke Wars

BRO builds leads through two kills and lane advantages throughout the rift. With no engagement options for DK, they must wait until the opportunity presents itself. BRO starts to stack Drakes with their gold lead. DK gets the better position on the third Drake with Roamer pushing in the top side. They also successfully BRO down to cut down the gold lead.

The gold lead remains for BRO heading into the Infernal Soul fight. Once again, BRO’s poke is stronger, and DK can not steal the Drake away. Even with Infernal Soul and Baron, DK has too much wave clear for BRO to end the game. With both teams poking each other back and forth in the Elder fight, no one gains an advantage. Siwoo thinks he has the angle on Roamer, but he turns it around. At the same time, GIDEON catches ShowMaker, and the dominoes fall for DK.

Game Three – BRO’s Miscalls

BRO earns the first kill, but it does not lead to a significant lead. Roamer attempts a flank play in the river, but he is spotted. DK kills Roamer and GIDEON. BRO turns their attention to killing Siwoo in the sidelane. The first occasion allows DK to push mid for two towers and the Mountain Soul point. The second play leads to Baron for DK. BRO loses the Mountain Soul fight, and it becomes impossible for them to win. One fight in the mid-lane is all DK needs to end the LCK series.

Champions Played

Dplus KIA

Siwoo – K’Sante, Anivia, Illaoi
Lucid – Jarvan IV, Xin Zhao, Wukong
ShowMaker – Viktor, Kog’Maw, Taliyah
Smash – Sivir, Ashe, Yunara
Career – Bard, Seraphine, Karma

HANJIN BRION

Casting – Rumble, Jayce, Renekton
GIDEON – Pantheon, Vi, Naafiri
Roamer – Orianna, Cassiopeia, Annie
Teddy – Ezreal, Caitlyn, Jhin
Namgung – Nautilus, Lux, Neeko

Subbing in Bluffing

HLE subbed in their LCK Challengers support Bluffing for their match today. That came as a surprise given HLE’s form and Delight’s performance. The apparent reason given by the HLE coaching staff is that they wanted Delight to observe a match from the outside. Bluffing did not perform well in game one. He either went in before his team could follow up, or he was caught too far forward and had to go in.

Dplus KIA Extend The Gap

BRO was closing in on DK. With one series win between them, DK needed the win to give themselves some breathing room. The win almost guarantees their Legend Group status, given BRO’s next opponents. It was not a great victory for DK in terms of performance, but ultimately, they got the result, which matters the most for the LCK standings.