With the 2025 LEC Winter regular split now complete, the focus shifts to the highly anticipated playoffs. One of the most exciting matchups to watch is between Fnatic (FNC) and Team Heretics (TH). As these two teams prepare to face off, let’s get into what to expect from this thrilling series.
The Road to the Playoffs
The LEC 2025 season featured an intense single round-robin format, determining which eight teams would advance to the playoffs. The offseason saw significant roster changes across the league, yet the final playoff teams largely aligned with expectations. Rogue and SK Gaming were the two teams that failed to make the cut, leaving the remaining eight to fight for the championship.
Fnatic has looked dominant throughout the regular split, securing eight wins out of their nine matches. Their performances have been strong across the board, with a particular highlight being their new bot lane duo, Upset, and Mikyx, who have shown incredible synergy. Razork has been another standout player, cementing himself as the best jungler in the LEC this season.
On the other hand, Team Heretics entered the playoffs with a lineup consisting entirely of rookies. While their placement was somewhat expected, they’ve shown promise, particularly with Kamiloo stepping up in his first split. With this being their debut playoff appearance, the pressure is on to prove themselves against one of the best teams in the league.
Matchup Breakdown
Team Heretics faces a daunting challenge in their first playoff series. Fnatic is a powerhouse in every role, and individually, they hold the advantage in all positions. It will be an uphill battle for Team Heretics to match Fnatic’s strength, both in terms of skill and experience.
One key factor that could impact the series is the introduction of the Fearless Draft in the playoffs. The LEC is the last major region to implement this system, and its impact has already been felt in other leagues. The draft format requires teams to continuously adapt by banning previously picked champions, forcing deeper champion pools and strategic flexibility.
Sheo, Team Heretics’ jungler, could be a crucial player in this matchup. He demonstrated an impressive level of versatility during the regular split, using eight different champions—significantly more than Razork, who played just five. If Team Heretics wants a shot at making this series competitive, they will need to leverage Sheo’s deep champion pool and find ways to shut down Razork in the early and mid-game.
Key Players to Watch
Fnatic – Razork
Razork has been nothing short of phenomenal this season, playing a vital role in Fnatic’s dominance. His early-game presence and playmaking ability set the tempo for his team, and his synergy with the rest of the squad has been exceptional. If he gets rolling, it will be difficult for Team Heretics to find a way back into the game.
Fnatic – Razork (image via Getty)Fnatic – Upset & Mikyx
The new bot lane duo for Fnatic has been one of the most exciting developments this season. Upset has returned to the LEC in top form, delivering consistent performances, while Mikyx has brought his veteran experience and playmaking ability to the team. Together, they’ve formed a formidable duo that will be difficult for Team Heretics’ bot lane to handle.
Team Heretics – Kamiloo
Despite being a rookie, Kamiloo has been a bright spot for Team Heretics. His potential has been evident throughout the season, and this playoff series will be his biggest test yet. If he can step up against top-tier competition, it could be a defining moment in his young career.
Team Heretics – Sheo
As mentioned earlier, Sheo’s versatility in the jungle will be crucial. If Team Heretics can leverage the Fearless Draft system to gain an advantage, he will need to capitalize on it. Finding ways to disrupt Razork’s impact on the game will be a key objective for him and his team.
Team Heretics – Sheo (image via Getty)Series Prediction
While Team Heretics has had a respectable run in their first split with a rookie lineup, the odds are heavily stacked against them in this matchup. Fnatic’s experience, superior individual talent, and strong team synergy make them the clear favorites.
If Team Heretics is to stand a chance, they need to find a way to neutralize Fnatic’s early-game aggression, particularly through the jungle matchup. If they can make use of the Fearless Draft and catch Fnatic off guard, they might have a shot at taking a game.
However, given the current form of Fnatic, this series is expected to be a swift 2-0 in their favor. Fnatic should be able to dominate the matchup and move forward in the playoffs, where they will likely face either GX or G2 in the next round.
