LCK 2026 Round 3 Day Two Recap: Dplus KIA Stun the MSI Champions with Opening Victory
Four more teams kicked off their LCK journey on day two. FearX comfortably beat DN SOOPers in a quick series that saw DNS struggle once more to record a game win. The two recent international winners, Hanwha Life Esports and Dplus KIA, met in the second series of the day. HLE struggled to close out leads, falling to the Esports World Cup champions. DK is on the path to breaking open the top four, with all teams looking shaky after three days of competition.
A Controlled FearX Victory
Throughout the series between FearX and DN SOOPers, BFX always had a lead. They were the first to play and maintained a gold lead. Any time DNS had a positive play, it was to try to stem the bleeding. It started in the laning phase and continued throughout. DNS began round three with Sharvel in the Jungle, replacing Pyosik for the second time in the regular season.
Peter and deokdam featured in the bot lane. While they found wins in the Kespa Cup, the wins still elude them in the LCK. They broke the game loss streak before Round Two ended, but they are yet to win a series since the first week. With the number of series dwindling, DNS is on the brink of elimination from the Play-Ins. They look destined to finish 10th for the second year in a row.
Champions Played
DN SOOPers
- DuDu – Jayce, Gnar
- Sharvel – Jarvan IV, Naafiri
- Clozer – Syndra, Ryze
- deokdam – Viktor, Kai’Sa
- Peter – Rell, Nautilus
FearX
- Clear – Rumble, Tristana
- Raptor – Lee Sin, Pantheon
- VicLa – Cassiopeia, Taliyah
- Taeyoon – Corki, Sivir
- Kellin – Shen, Alistar
The International Tournament Winners Battle
Hanwha Life Esports and Dplus KIA returned to the LCK with a battle against each other. HLE had control in all three games and should have won the series. However, a couple of errant plays gave DK the opening to win. Smash was especially vital in games one and three to capitalize on those mistakes. Even in HLE’s game win, it was closer than it should have been. They had leads but gave away kills. Lucid was a big factor in DK staying in game two with his Impales. It was not enough to turn the game around, but it did not matter for the series as a whole.
A win for HLE would have put them in pole position for the top four. With DK inching closer, HLE can not afford to put a foot wrong for the rest of the LCK. DK have continued their EWC momentum and could play spoiler for one of the current top four.
Champions Played
Hanwha Life Esports
- Zeus – Ambessa, Aatrox, Gnar
- Kanavi – Vi, Lee Sin, Qiyana
- Zeka – Aurora, Annie, Galio
- Gumayusi – Cassiopeia, Jhin, Lucian
- Delight – Camille, Bard, Milio
Dplus KIA
- Siwoo – Olaf, Renekton, Jax
- Lucid – Xin Zhao, Skarner, Jarvan IV
- ShowMaker – Orianna, Ryze, Syndra
- Smash – Ezreal, Viktor, Yunara
- Career – Shen, Pyke, Lulu
Dplus KIA On the Charge
After the LCK Road to MSI ended, DK were the fifth-best team in the region. They were miles better than HANJIN BRION, but could not get past KT Rolster. The Esports World Cup turned around their fortunes, earning their first international tournament win since 2021. They have continued their momentum with a win over HLE. They are on the rise, going from a team that struggled to close out early game leads to one that is now recovering from deficits. An all-important series against Gen.G Esports awaits them tomorrow. Gen.G is there for the taking, and DK need every win they can get to finish in the top four.
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