KT Rolster's Thrilling Comeback: How Cuzz's Nidalee Mastery Broke HLE's 11-Match Win Streak

The Battle of Titans: KT Rolster vs. Hanwha Life Esports

On May 15, 2025, the League of Legends Champions Korea (LCK) witnessed an electrifying showdown between KT Rolster and Hanwha Life Esports (HLE), resulting in a hard-fought 2-1 victory for KT Rolster. This match was particularly significant as HLE came into the series riding an impressive 11-match winning streak, sitting comfortably in second place in the standings. The victory marked a sweet revenge for KT Rolster, who had previously fallen to HLE in the first round of the season.

The series showcased the rollercoaster nature that KT Rolster has become known for, with dramatic swings in momentum across all three games. What made this victory especially meaningful was KT's ability to adapt their strategy after losing the first game, ultimately finding the formula to dismantle the seemingly unstoppable HLE squad.

Game 1: HLE's Dominant Opening Statement

The series began with Hanwha Life Esports making a powerful statement in the first game, securing a convincing victory in 32 minutes. HLE's coordination was on full display as they outmaneuvered KT across the map, finishing with a commanding 18-9 kill advantage and a substantial gold lead of 62.3k to 51.3k.

Zeus's Kennen in the top lane proved to be a nightmare for KT, as he finished with an impressive 6-4-5 scoreline. However, the real standout performances came from Zeka on Taliyah (6-1-4) and Viper on Ezreal (4-0-6), who remained deathless throughout the game while dealing consistent damage in teamfights. Delight's Rell support was equally impressive, contributing to 15 assists while only dying once.

On KT's side, Deokdam's Jhin (3-1-4) showed glimpses of potential, but the team struggled to find cohesion against HLE's aggressive playstyle. PerfecT's Gwen and Cuzz's Wukong both ended with identical 2-4-4 scorelines, unable to make the impact needed to counter HLE's map control.

Game 2: Cuzz's Nidalee Masterclass Changes the Tide

The second game saw a complete reversal of fortunes, with KT Rolster bouncing back in spectacular fashion. The catalyst for this turnaround was Cuzz's brilliant decision to pick Nidalee in the jungle – a strategic choice that would prove decisive not just for this game but for the entire series.

Cuzz later revealed in his post-match interview that the Nidalee pick was specifically targeted to deny it from Peanut, recognizing it as a powerful option for vision control and map pressure. His performance justified this decision, as he finished with an impressive 5-1-7 scoreline, constantly applying pressure across the map and enabling his laners to gain advantages.

BDD's Corki was the primary beneficiary of this jungle pressure, accumulating a perfect 9-0-4 scoreline and becoming an unstoppable damage threat. PerfecT's Sion provided the frontline tank presence that KT had lacked in the first game, allowing Deokdam's Ashe and Peter's Braum to operate safely in teamfights.

HLE's composition struggled to find answers, with Zeus's Jayce (2-6-1) unable to withstand KT's coordinated aggression. The game concluded in 30 minutes with KT holding a commanding 16-5 kill advantage and a 60.8k to 49.9k gold lead, evening the series at 1-1.

Game 3: The Epic Conclusion

The deciding game was the most chaotic and action-packed of the series, featuring a combined 43 kills over 36 minutes of play. KT Rolster ultimately emerged victorious, though the path to victory was far from straightforward.

The kill distribution in this game was particularly interesting, with KT securing 29 kills to HLE's 14, despite some individual players on KT having negative KDA ratios. PerfecT on Ambessa (3-8-4) and Cuzz on Sejuani (0-7-8) both struggled individually, but their sacrifices enabled the rest of the team to succeed.

BDD continued his strong performance on Azir (4-4-6), while Deokdam's Lucian (6-4-4) provided consistent damage output. On the HLE side, Viper's Kalista was phenomenal with a 16-1-4 scoreline, but his incredible individual performance wasn't enough to carry his team to victory.

The game ultimately came down to superior teamfighting and objective control from KT Rolster, who finished with a 75.0k to 66.3k gold advantage. Despite moments where it seemed HLE might mount a comeback on the back of Viper's performance, KT's coordination in the late game secured them the series win.

Cuzz: The Unsung Hero and MVP

While several players had standout moments throughout the series, Cuzz emerged as the true MVP for KT Rolster. His Game 2 Nidalee performance was the turning point of the entire match, breaking HLE's momentum and giving KT the confidence to close out the series.

In his post-match interview, Cuzz expressed his satisfaction with the victory: "I was really really sad and unhappy when we lost to Hanwha Life in the first round, and we finally got the revenge, so it feels amazing. I'm very happy."

When asked about how KT managed to stop HLE's 11-match winning streak, Cuzz emphasized the importance of focusing on their own gameplay: "They are indeed a very strong team, but we wanted to focus on our own play. As long as we can pull off our game, I thought there will be a chance."

Regarding his Nidalee pick, Cuzz explained: "This is really really good with Nidalee top, so I felt like we have to kind of deny that away from him. So we wanted to take that away and play a jungle Nidalee game." He further elaborated on Nidalee's strengths: "Nidalee is a really good champion because she can have stronger vision control. Also, there's way less chances of having a lane swap, so I can exert more pressure and influence around the map."

Fan Reactions and Community Response

The Korean esports community erupted with excitement following KT's victory over the previously unstoppable HLE. On platforms like DCInside and Inven, fans praised Cuzz's strategic Nidalee pick in Game 2 as the series-defining moment.

One popular comment on DCInside read: "Classic KT Rollercoaster – making us suffer in Game 1 only to give us hope in Games 2 and 3. I can never predict what this team will do!"

BDD also received significant praise for his consistent performances across all three games, with many fans noting how he has become the stabilizing force for KT Rolster during their recent resurgence. "BDD is quietly carrying this team every week. His damage output is insane but he never gets enough credit," wrote one fan on Inven.

HLE supporters, while disappointed with the loss, remained optimistic about their team's prospects given Viper's exceptional performance in Game 3. The general sentiment was that if Viper continues playing at this level, HLE remains a serious contender for the LCK title despite this setback.

The match also sparked discussions about the current meta in professional play, with many noting how jungle influence has become increasingly decisive in determining game outcomes. Cuzz's contrasting performances on Wukong (Game 1) versus Nidalee (Game 2) became a focal point for these discussions.

Looking Ahead: Implications for the LCK Standings

This victory has significant implications for KT Rolster's position in the LCK standings. By defeating the second-placed HLE, KT has strengthened their own playoff positioning while simultaneously ending HLE's momentum.

In his interview, Cuzz attributed KT's improving form to their coaching staff and teammates: "Our coaching staff is doing so much work for the team, and also BDD always hardlifting for everyone, and all the rest of the players are also doing their best."

Looking ahead to their next match against OK Saving Bank Brion, Cuzz maintained a cautious approach: "We lost to them in the first round as well. I think Croco is a very strong jungler, so we will not let our guards down."

For HLE, this loss serves as a reality check after their impressive winning streak. However, with players like Viper performing at an exceptional level, they remain one of the top contenders in the LCK. The key question will be whether they can quickly rebound from this setback or if it will trigger a more extended slump.

As the 2025 LCK Spring Split approaches its conclusion, this match between KT Rolster and Hanwha Life Esports will likely be remembered as one of the season's pivotal moments – a classic example of the unpredictable and thrilling nature of professional League of Legends competition.