Zeus Unleashed: How Hanwha Life Esports Dominated DRX with Unconventional Picks

The Unstoppable Force: Hanwha Life Esports Extends Their Winning Streak

In a highly anticipated matchup on May 11, 2025, Hanwha Life Esports (HLE) continued their dominant run in the LCK 2025 Season by securing a convincing 2-0 victory over DRX. This win further solidifies HLE's position as one of the top contenders in the league, extending their impressive winning streak and showcasing why they're considered a powerhouse team this season.

The match, which took place during Week 6 of Round 2, demonstrated HLE's superior teamwork, individual brilliance, and innovative drafting strategies. With standout performances from Zeus in the top lane and Viper in the bot lane, HLE overwhelmed DRX in both games, leaving little room for their opponents to mount any significant comeback.

Game 1 Analysis: HLE's Methodical Dismantling of DRX

The first game of the series set the tone for what would be a dominant performance by Hanwha Life Esports. Completing the match in just 27 minutes, HLE executed a clean and methodical game plan that left DRX struggling to find answers.

Zeus's Gwen in the top lane proved to be a nightmare for Rich, finishing with an impressive 6/3/4 scoreline. Meanwhile, Zeka's flawless Ahri (5/0/7) controlled the mid lane, and Viper's Jhin was lethal with an 8/1/8 performance. Delight on Rell provided crucial engage tools, collecting 17 assists and facilitating many of the team's successful fights.

The damage graph told the story clearly: HLE's 58.2k damage output significantly outpaced DRX's 46.5k. The final kill score of 22-9 in favor of HLE reflected their dominance throughout the game. Despite DRX's Sponge making some plays on Pantheon (5/7/3), his efforts weren't enough to overcome HLE's coordinated team play and individual skill advantages.

HLE's superior vision control and objective prioritization allowed them to steadily build their lead, culminating in a decisive victory that set them up perfectly for game two.

Game 2 Highlight: Zeus's Unconventional Nidalee Pick

If game one showcased HLE's standard excellence, game two demonstrated their willingness to innovate and take risks. The standout moment came during the draft phase when Zeus locked in Nidalee for the top lane – an unconventional pick that immediately caught the attention of fans and analysts alike.

This wasn't the first time Zeus had pulled out the Nidalee pick. In a previous match against DRX on April 17, 2025, Zeus had also played Nidalee top, suggesting this was a practiced strategy rather than a spontaneous decision. The pick immediately drew comparisons to TheShy, another top laner known for his unorthodox champion selections and aggressive playstyle.

Zeus's Nidalee dominated the lane against Rich's Jayce, finishing with an impressive 9/2/4 scoreline. His split-pushing pressure forced DRX to constantly respond to his movements, creating space for the rest of HLE to secure objectives across the map. Despite the game lasting longer at 41 minutes, HLE maintained control throughout, eventually closing out with a 25-12 kill advantage.

The community reaction to Zeus's Nidalee was overwhelmingly positive, with fans and analysts praising his mechanical prowess and creative approach to the top lane matchup. Comments on social media platforms compared Zeus to TheShy, with one Reddit user stating, "The transformation of Zeus into TheShy is now finished."

Viper: The Consistent Carry

While Zeus's unconventional pick garnered much of the attention, Viper's consistent performance across both games was equally crucial to HLE's success. Named the Player of the Match, Viper showcased his versatility and mechanical skill on different AD carry champions.

In game one, his Jhin was nearly flawless with an 8/1/8 scoreline, dealing significant damage while positioning safely in teamfights. Game two saw him on Kalista, where he continued his dominance with a 9/1/6 performance, proving why he's considered one of the best bot laners in the LCK.

Viper's synergy with support player Delight was evident throughout the series. Delight's engage-heavy champions (Rell in game one and Renata Glasc in game two) created perfect opportunities for Viper to deal damage safely. This bot lane duo has been a consistent strength for HLE throughout the season, and this match further cemented their reputation.

In post-match interviews, Viper credited the team's success to their improved communication and trust in each other's abilities. This sentiment echoes previous statements from HLE's coach DanDy, who had emphasized the importance of trust within the team, particularly regarding jungler Peanut, who achieved his 500th LCK victory during this season.

Team Dynamics and Strategic Evolution

Hanwha Life Esports' victory against DRX is part of a larger narrative about the team's evolution throughout the 2025 season. Under the guidance of coach DanDy, HLE has addressed previous issues related to trust and team cohesion, resulting in their current impressive form.

Earlier in the season, HLE had been criticized as the "ZEKA one-man team," with concerns that they were overly reliant on their mid laner's performance. However, their recent matches have demonstrated a more balanced approach, with all team members contributing significantly to their victories.

DanDy had previously mentioned that the team had been struggling with psychological pressure and trust issues, particularly regarding jungler Peanut. These problems seem to have been resolved, as evidenced by the team's coordinated play and Peanut's improved performances. In this series against DRX, Peanut's Xin Zhao in game one (2/2/10) and Skarner in game two (1/2/13) provided the team with early game pressure and objective control.

HLE's strategic diversity has also been a key factor in their success. Their willingness to experiment with unconventional picks like Zeus's Nidalee makes them unpredictable and difficult to prepare for. This flexibility, combined with their individual skill and improved teamwork, positions them as serious contenders for the LCK 2025 championship.

DRX's Struggles and Future Prospects

For DRX, this defeat continues a troubling trend of inconsistent performances throughout the 2025 season. With a win rate of just 28% overall and 25% in the recent month, DRX has struggled to find their footing in the competitive LCK landscape.

The team's issues were particularly evident in their top lane and jungle performances against HLE. Rich struggled against Zeus in both games, finishing with a combined 3/10/4 scoreline across the series. Similarly, Sponge's aggressive plays often backfired, resulting in a 7/12/10 combined performance.

Despite these struggles, there were some bright spots for DRX. LazyFeel showed moments of promise, particularly in game two on Varus (5/4/4). However, these individual performances weren't enough to overcome HLE's superior teamwork and strategic execution.

Looking ahead, DRX faces significant challenges if they hope to improve their standing in the LCK. They'll need to address their communication issues, particularly in high-pressure situations like the mid-lane fight that ultimately cost them game two. Additionally, finding more consistency from their top lane and jungle positions will be crucial for their future success.

Fan reactions to DRX's performance have been mixed, with some expressing frustration at their apparent inability to capitalize on advantages, while others remain supportive despite the disappointing results. As one Reddit user commented, "DRX is painful to watch," reflecting the sentiment of many fans following this defeat.

Community Reaction and Memes

The LCK community's reaction to the HLE vs. DRX match was overwhelmingly focused on Zeus's Nidalee pick and the comparisons to TheShy. Social media platforms were flooded with memes and comments about "TheZeus" and his transformation into a TheShy-like player known for unconventional picks and aggressive split-pushing.

One particularly popular Reddit comment stated, "The saga of Zeus and TheShy continues-blessings upon us!" while another noted, "It's pretty clear that Zeus must have had TheShy-themed bedsheets during his childhood!" These humorous takes highlight the respect and admiration fans have for both players and their unique approaches to the top lane.

Beyond the Zeus-TheShy comparisons, fans also praised Zeka's performance, particularly his Azir play in game two. As one Reddit user commented, "Zeka's performance in the final teamfight was phenomenal. He has been on a remarkable streak this split, truly challenging Chovy for the top spot on the first team all-pro roster."

The community's reaction to DRX was less positive, with many expressing frustration at Rich's performance and the team's apparent inability to capitalize on advantages. Comments like "Rich had me on the edge of my seat during this match, making it feel like an aneurysm was imminent" reflected the sentiment of many DRX fans watching the series.

Looking Ahead: HLE's Championship Aspirations

With this victory, Hanwha Life Esports continues to build momentum heading into the latter stages of the LCK 2025 Season. Their current ten-game winning streak and 73% overall win rate position them as serious contenders for the championship title.

HLE's next challenges will be to maintain their consistency and continue evolving their strategies to stay ahead of the competition. Teams will undoubtedly be studying their recent performances, including Zeus's Nidalee pick, and preparing counter-strategies for future matchups.

The team's improved trust and communication, as highlighted by coach DanDy, will be crucial factors in their continued success. If they can maintain their current form and address any remaining weaknesses, HLE has a legitimate shot at not only the LCK title but also making a significant impact at the World Championship 2025.

For fans of Hanwha Life Esports, this is an exciting time. The team's combination of innovative strategies, individual brilliance, and improved teamwork makes them one of the most entertaining and successful teams in the current LCK landscape. As they continue their journey through the 2025 season, all eyes will be on Zeus, Viper, and the rest of the HLE roster to see if they can convert their current form into championship success.