LCK 2026 Playoffs Dplus KIA Versus FearX Preview: A Familiar Elimination Matchup From Last Year
In 2025, Dplus KIA and FearX met in Lower Bracket Round 1 of the LCK Playoffs. They meet again in slightly different circumstances. BFX come into this series after a nail-biting loss to T1. DK are coming off a devastating loss to KT Rolster. DK should still be the favorites following the Regular Season. However, a 3-0 loss to KT is bound to hit their confidence.
Recent Match History and LCK Records
Dplus KIA and FearX have faced each other four times this year. DK won both best-of-three series during Rounds 1-2. BFX won the best-of-five series in the LCK Cup and the one-off game in the Kespa Cup. Diable did not feature in either series in the regular season. Slayer subbed in for Diable before his exit. The next was after Taeyoon joined the roster.
Both teams are coming off a Round of the playoffs loss. Surprisingly, DK lost to KT after everyone expected them to cruise through the series. Many expected BFX to follow up a 3-0 loss, but they took T1 to five games.
Featured Matchup
Career Versus Kellin
Part of DK’s glow-up since the Esports World Cup is Career. He has improved drastically. However, he regressed against KT, showing signs of his inexperience. Kellin is a seasoned veteran and one of, if not BFX’s best player. The series outcome will hinge on these two players. If Career can shake off the loss to KT and return to form, he will be instrumental. On the other hand, DK must keep Kellin’s impact to a minimum throughout.
Will DK Recover?
DK’s team functions on confidence. Every player performs better when they ride highs. The 3-0 loss to KT would have knocked their confidence. Losing after a 14k gold lead will affect any player. The best players suffer setbacks and bounce back stronger than before. For DK’s players, this series will have a knock-on effect for their careers.
Losing back-to-back series after being the best team in Rounds 3-4 will cause doubts in all their minds. If they are in similar situations in the future, they will always remember these moments. All but ShowMaker have many years ahead. They need this win to stay on course. DK should be the fourth LCK team at the World Championship. However, two series stand in their way.
Channeling LCK Cup Form
Taeyoon has shown he can reach Diable levels. He is a player that BFX can play around. They will need to return to LCK Cup form if they want to make a miracle run. Their series against T1 showed they can compete with the best teams. Now is the perfect time to battle DK. They will have their recent loss at the back of their minds. If BFX comes out fighting, they may catch DK off guard. That was one of their strengths in the LCK Cup. They barely gave teams room to breathe. A weakened DK will succumb to that pressure.
Dplus KIA Versus FearX Prediction
Dplus KIA 3-1 FearX
Despite the recent match, DK should still win the series. They have shown a capacity to recover from setbacks this year. Even after losing to Hanwha Life Esports in the regular season and losing game one to Gen.G Esports, they beat the latter 2-1. DK has shown more resilience than ever in recent months. They will need to lean on that to get past BFX in the Lower Bracket Round 1.
KT Awaits
The winner of the series will face KT Rolster in the next round. That match will be for the final LCK spot at the World Championship. All three teams will want that spot, but only one team can take it.
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