LCK 2026 Play-Ins Nongshim Redforce Versus FearX Review: Taeyoon Gets the Last Laugh
One final battle between Diable and Taeyoon in the LCK. The most recent meeting ended with Diable on top. However, today the result was different. FearX dominated Nongshim Redforce, and Taeyoon got the last laugh. BFX fell in game one, but they recovered for the rest of the series. They will have one more chance at the LCK Playoffs against HANJIN BRION tomorrow. NS sees their year end as they will also miss out on the Demacia Cup.
LCK 2026: Nongshim’s Dive Composition Comes Online
NS had to weather the early game storm. They had no priority in their lanes. A teamfight around the Grubs earned NS three kills. Kingen picked up two of the kills, and the snowball began. BFX could not keep up with NS’s dive. Even when they traded kills back, they were always behind on the play. If they dealt with one member of the dive, another one followed. Diable was untouched in the fights, as he reigned in damage with his Curtain Call. NS went far with their dives, but it did not matter. They had a big enough lead to win every fight.
LCK 2026: VicLa’s Ahri Steps Up
Raptor had a rough early game. He died on his first invade, dying to Scout. That kill relieved pressure in the mid-lane. Fortunately for BFX, they won a skirmish where VicLa picked up three kills. Raptor’s struggles continued as he died on a dive and flashed into a wall.
The game became scrappy. With VicLa so far ahead, he took over. He died once, which gave Diable the shutdown. However, the gold he got did not matter, as the snowball kept rolling.
LCK 2026: Clear Becomes Unkillable
NS’s burst damage meant they needed a lead. They needed to burst the backline to have a chance to kill K’Sante. They missed their window after Clear teleported for the Drake fight and saved the play. BFX’s lead grew steadily until Lehends hooked Kellin. Finally, NS had some momentum.
That momentum did not last as BFX wrestled control back with the Rift Herald. They won the fight and took Baron. The rest of the game was messy. Taeyoon and VicLa died on the Baron siege, but no one could touch Clear.
In the final fight, Lehends died when trying to connect with his team. NS could not contend with BFX. They all fell, giving BFX the Chemtech Soul and the game.
LCK 2026: FearX Snowball Ends the Series
BFX drafted for the mid-game spikes. They needed to win the skirmishes to push the game forward. It got shaky after Clear died twice in the top lane. But then Taeyoon and Kellin took control.
NS played into BFX’s hands by allowing them every skirmish they wanted. NS lacked the damage to prevent Taeyoon from dancing around. By the time Taeyoon died, Raptor had enough damage to clean up the fights. BFX ended the game and the series before the 26-minute mark.
LCK 2026: Champions Played
Nongshim Redforce
- Kingen – Camille, Ambessa, Jax, Gwen
- Sponge – Jarvan IV, Nocturne, Naafiri, Wukong
- Scout – Orianna, Locke, Syndra, Ryze
- Diable – Jhin, Yunara, Varus, Sivir
- Lehends – Shen, Lulu, Nautilus, Neeko
FearX
- Clear – Jayce, Rumble, K’Sante, Nidalee
- Raptor – Lee Sin, Vi, Olaf, Xin Zhao
- VicLa – Galio, Ahri, Azir, Taliyah
- Taeyoon – Caitlyn, Ezreal, Ashe, Kalista
- Kellin – Bard, Karma, Seraphine, Renata Glasc
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