NS RedForce's Blitzcrank Masterstroke: How 'Lehends' Turned the Tide Against BNK

The Dramatic Comeback: NS RedForce Breaks Their Losing Streak

In a nail-biting series that kept fans on the edge of their seats, NS RedForce managed to overcome BNK PierX with a 2-1 victory on May 14, 2025, at the LCK Arena in Jongno, Seoul. This win was particularly significant for NS as it ended their three-game losing streak, which had included surprising defeats against top teams like Gen.G, Hanwha Life Esports, and most recently, DN FREECS.

The match showcased both teams' determination, with BNK taking the first set before NS mounted an impressive comeback to claim the next two sets. This victory allowed NS RedForce to maintain their fourth-place position in the standings with a 7-6 record (+1), while BNK PierX fell to 5-8 (-6), unable to escape their seventh-place position.

For NS RedForce, this win wasn't just about breaking their losing streak-it was about regaining confidence and momentum as the Road to MSI approaches, making mid-tier team matchups increasingly valuable for championship qualification.

First Set: BNK's Surprising Turnaround

The opening set saw NS RedForce (on red side) selecting a composition of Jayce, Pantheon, Ahri, Kalista, and Shen against BNK PierX's (blue side) Rumble, Xin Zhao, Azir, Kai'Sa, and Niko.

NS initially gained the upper hand, securing the first dragon and winning crucial skirmishes in the bottom lane. However, BNK refused to let the game slip away, executing an aggressive bottom lane strategy that netted them two kills and prevented NS from extending their lead.

The turning point came during the Ataraxian fight around the 21-minute mark, where 'Raptor' Jeon Eo-jin's bold initiation with Xin Zhao led to a complete reversal. BNK secured multiple kills, dismantled NS's formation, and used this advantage to take control of the map.

Following this successful teamfight, BNK continued to build momentum, winning the subsequent Baron fight and overtaking NS in gold. With newfound confidence, they pushed into NS's base and closed out the first set before the 30-minute mark, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.

Second Set: NS's Strategic Dominance

Determined to even the score, NS RedForce drafted Aatrox, Sejuani, Yone, Miss Fortune, and Rell on the blue side, while BNK PierX responded with Sion, Maokai, Tristana, Lucian, and Milio on the red side.

Despite giving up first blood to BNK's aggressive play, NS quickly recovered with 'Lehends' Son Si-woo's Rell making impactful plays in the bottom lane. NS effectively shut down BNK's jungle and mid lane, creating significant pressure across the map.

By the 17-minute mark, NS had secured complete objective control with three Void Grubs, the Herald, and three dragons. BNK briefly showed signs of life with a successful teamfight at 18 minutes, but NS immediately responded by winning the next dragon fight and completing the Dragon Soul.

After securing the Dragon Soul, NS continued their dominance by taking the Ataraxian and later the Baron. With these advantages, they systematically dismantled BNK's defenses and destroyed their Nexus at 27 minutes, tying the series 1-1.

Third Set: Lehends' Blitzcrank Masterclass

The decisive third set featured BNK PierX (blue side) selecting Gwen, Nocturne, Annie, Jinx, and Lulu against NS RedForce's (red side) Ambessa, Poppy, Ryze, Xayah, and the surprise pick-Blitzcrank for 'Lehends.'

NS secured first blood, but BNK responded by taking down 'Gideon's' Poppy and collecting three Void Grubs, establishing some early advantages. The game remained competitive until a crucial mid-lane teamfight at 18 minutes, where NS decisively won and created a significant lead.

The Blitzcrank pick proved to be the game-changer, with 'Lehends' using the champion's hook ability to severely limit the mobility of BNK's bottom lane duo. After winning the Ataraxian fight and securing an ace, NS built an insurmountable gold lead. They continued their dominance with another ace in the mid lane, ultimately destroying BNK's Nexus at 26 minutes to claim the series 2-1.

This victory was particularly sweet for NS, as it not only broke their losing streak but also showcased their ability to adapt strategically with unconventional picks like Blitzcrank.

Coach Park Seung-jin's Relief and Analysis

In the post-match interview, NS RedForce's coach Park Seung-jin expressed both relief and gratitude: "Although it was a hard-fought victory, I'm glad we were able to break our losing streak. I'm truly thankful to the players who maintained their focus until the end and managed to win despite the challenging circumstances."

Coach Park acknowledged the difficulties the team faced after losing the first set: "The players must have been mentally drained after narrowly losing the first set. I'm grateful that they didn't lose their composure and ultimately secured the win."

Regarding their preparation for BNK, Park revealed their strategic approach: "BNK is a well-structured team, but I thought they had certain predictable patterns. We aimed to exploit those aspects." He specifically mentioned BNK's tendency to set up dives using lanes with priority and how their jungle and bottom lane move together near objectives as examples of these patterns.

Park also took responsibility for the team's ongoing struggles with objective control: "We still make mistakes in objective setup and decision-making, both in official matches and scrims. This is actually my problem, and I'll work hard to resolve it as quickly as possible through discussions with the team."

BNK Coach Yu Sang-wook's Reflections on Defeat

BNK PierX's coach Yu Sang-wook identified several factors that contributed to their defeat: "I think our team movements were significantly lacking. We may have also chosen champions that were too passive."

Yu elaborated on their draft choices, explaining that they selected champions that scale better into the late game but failed to navigate the early game safely: "We chose picks that are weak in the early game, and our failure to get through the early phase unscathed was the main cause of our defeat. There were many instances where we got pushed around in the early game. Unnecessary fights broke out, and losing those created an environment where the opponent could snowball."

The coach also addressed concerns about mid laner 'Bigra' Lee Dae-gwang's extended slump: "All players experience fluctuations in performance. What's important is how we adjust as a team." He added that the issue wasn't limited to a specific lane but rather the team's overall approach to skirmishes: "Our participation in small-scale fights is slower than our opponents across all lanes, not just one particular lane. Our fight preparation isn't perfect either."

Looking ahead to their next match against Dplus Kia, Yu emphasized the need to rebuild confidence: "I think our players lack confidence. If we can gain confidence in fights through practice, I believe we can definitely win."

Kinggen's MVP Performance: The Unsung Hero

While much attention was given to 'Lehends' and his game-changing Blitzcrank pick in the third set, it was 'Kinggen' who received the Player of the Match (POM) award for his consistent excellence across all three sets. His steady performance provided the backbone for NS RedForce's comeback victory.

Throughout the series, Kinggen demonstrated exceptional positioning and decision-making, particularly in teamfights where his damage output and target selection proved crucial. In the third set, his synergy with 'Calyx' Seon Hyun-bin helped compensate for 'Jioo's' struggles, allowing NS to maintain control despite some early setbacks.

This performance highlighted Kinggen's importance to NS RedForce as a veteran presence who can stabilize the team during difficult moments. His ability to perform under pressure was particularly evident in the third set, where he helped turn small advantages into decisive victories in teamfights.

Fan Reactions: Relief and Renewed Hope

The Korean League of Legends community responded positively to NS RedForce's comeback victory, with many fans expressing relief that the team finally broke their losing streak. On platforms like Inven, DCInside, and Naver, the majority of comments praised 'Lehends' for his bold Blitzcrank pick in the decisive third set.

One popular comment noted: "Lehends' Blitzcrank was exactly what NS needed-unpredictable and aggressive. This is the kind of creative thinking that can take them far in the playoffs."

Fans also showed appreciation for coach Park Seung-jin's humility in taking responsibility for the team's objective control issues rather than blaming the players. This accountability resonated well with the community, who saw it as a sign of good leadership.

For BNK supporters, there was disappointment but also recognition that the team showed fighting spirit, particularly in the first set. Many comments encouraged 'Bigra' to regain his confidence, acknowledging that his performance would be crucial for the team's future success.

Overall, the match reinvigorated interest in both teams as the regular season progresses toward its conclusion, with fans eager to see if NS can build on this momentum and if BNK can address their weaknesses before facing Dplus Kia.

Looking Ahead: Implications for the LCK Standings

This victory has significant implications for NS RedForce's position in the LCK standings. By maintaining their fourth-place position with a 7-6 record (+1), they've created some breathing room between themselves and the teams below them. With the Road to MSI approaching, every win becomes increasingly valuable for teams in the middle of the pack.

For BNK PierX, falling to 5-8 (-6) and remaining in seventh place puts additional pressure on them to perform well in their upcoming matches. Their next challenge against Dplus Kia on May 16 will be crucial for their playoff aspirations.

The match also highlighted the evolving meta following the 25.09 patch, which changed the Void Grub spawn time to 8 minutes, increasing the importance of dragon control. Coach Park Seung-jin acknowledged that NS had struggled to adapt to these changes, which contributed to their recent losing streak.

As teams continue to adjust to the current meta, those who can effectively balance early game pressure with objective control will likely find more success. NS RedForce's victory suggests they're beginning to find that balance, while BNK PierX still needs to work on their early game stability and teamfight coordination.