The Fearless Draft phase of the LEC 2025 Winter Split Playoffs is currently in progress, demonstrating the captivating nature of this innovative approach. With its whimsical drafts, expanded champion selections, and evolving strategies, it’s providing a true spectacle for observers—and they’re not the only ones entertained.
Fearless Draft is a distinctive style of drafting in competitive League of Legends. It eliminates the possibility for teams to pick identical champions in back-to-back games of the same match series. This causes both players and coaches to persistently remodel their tactics, emphasizing adaptability, and wider champion options. Fearless Draft was recently introduced in the EMEA region, exclusively for the Winter Split playoffs. Still, there are arguments that its brief duration did not provide enough opportunity for maximizing its influence on both the competition and the viewing experience.
Online Esports engaged in exclusive discussions with Dylan Falco, G2 Esports’ head coach, Fabian “Grabbz” Lohmann, head coach of Fnatic, Alex “Myrwn” Pastor Villarejo, Movistar KOI’s top laner, and Martin “Yike” Sundelin, Karmine Corp’s jungler. Each expressed their respect for the Fearless Draft , emphasizing its ability to entertain fans, extend strategic depth for teams, and its overall impact on the competitive scene.
Falco shares an immediate positive outlook on the benefits of the format and advocates for its extension beyond the first few organized weeks, considering its potential for the remainder of the season. “I think it’s exceedingly positive for both the game and its viewer engagement, not to mention the vitality of the game,” Falco affirmed. He further argued that Fearless Draft not only heightens the entertainment factor for viewers but also maintains the experience “dynamic” for players and coaching staff.
Falco continued to clarify that this approach enables competitive League to fully exhibit its strategic intricacy—which could mean selecting Teemo for the top lane, at times. By compelling teams to navigate different team compositions and adapt instantly, Fearless Draft uncovers the “multifaceted potentials and scenarios that the game can present,” based on G2’s coach’s perspective. He believes this is precisely what professional League should strive for—creating a competitive scene that tests the abilities of players and delights spectators by spotlighting the broad possibilities of the game.
GrabbZ concurs with Falco’s viewpoint, emphasizing how the current limited deployment in the LEC undervalues the tremendous potential of Fearless Draft. He is of the opinion that the minimal duration of the format reduces its impact, labeling it “unrewarding” if it only lasts for a few weeks before disappearing for the rest of the season. “Its significance is overlooked because its duration is a mere three weeks, and then absent for the whole year,” noted GrabbZ.
In addition to the lauded strategic interest that Fearless Draft brings about, GrabbZ also underscored the psychological demands it imposes upon players and coaches. Despite complaints from professionals who find the format’s unpredictability disconcerting—especially for those limited in their champion selection—he maintains that adaptability is a crucial asset at this level of professionalism. “As a professional player, you need to be agile and adapt to this as a team,” he stated. Despite these concerns, GrabbZ remains a strong supporter for broader adoption of the format, hoping that Riot recognizes its merit and officially integrates it into upcoming Splits from this year onward.
Movistar KOI’s top laner Myrwyn didn’t shy away from proclaiming Fearless Draft as “the future of competitive League.” Similarly, KDC’s jungler Yike demonstrated a distinct excitement to Dot about how Fearless Draft is rejuvenating the competitive realm.
“It’s not going to be the same old monotonous champions every game,” commented Yike, highlighting how the format disrupts teams from becoming ensnared in repetitious drafts. Other KC members are aligned with Yike’s viewpoint, particularly their mid-laner, Vladimiros “Vladi” Kourtidis, who is looking forward to showcasing his champion “ocean,” as Yike portrayed it.
Support for Fearless Draft is voiced by coaches and players from some of the EMEA’s most formidable teams, emphasizing that it’s clear many parties feel Fearless Draft warrants an immediate spot in the LEC.
Although it’s unlikely their appeal will result in action being taken in 2025, the resounding endorsement for Fearless Draft could drive Riot to integrate the format into all tournaments during the following year.
