Even though Faker is easily the most recognizable and accomplished pro League of Legends player of all time, Gen.G’s performance in 2025 has some wondering if Gen.G’s Chovy has surpassed him once and for all.
Faker’s accolades in the world of competitive League of Legends can’t be ignored. Given the iconic title of the Unkillable Demon King, the T1 star has seen the pinnacle of professional gaming and is treated as a celebrity among most fans of the game.
However, some may argue that Faker is past his time, and that a new mid laner has already stepped up to take his place at the top. With Gen.G being such a dominating force in League of Legends, has the team’s star Chovy done enough to warrant being compared to Faker? Or has he gone so far as to surpass him already?
Looking at League of Legends pro play in 2025, there’s no doubting that Chovy has played a large role in keeping Gen.G at the very top of the game.
One identifiable feature of the best League of Legends players is their ability to adapt to any taem or situation. Chovy has showcased this by reaching the Worlds knockout or playoff stage multiple years in a row with different teams, now including DRX, Hanhwa Life Esports, and Gen.G. Showcasing the ability to adapt to any team he’s a part of suggests he doesn’t just succeed because he’s surrounded by other talented players or by playing through a particular style. He’s as versatile as he is strong.
Credit: Riot Games
It’s inarguable that the player has seen the most success with Gen.G, especially in 2025. Dominating the 2025 LCK group stages and then winning MSI and the Esports World Cup in under a month is a tremendous feat. Gen.G and T1 have butted heads multiple times during this timeframe, and while Faker and Chovy have usually been fairly close to each other, Chovy had established a lead over Faker in their head-to-head stats by the time the 2025 LCK playoffs concluded.
Speaking of the 2025 LCK playoffs, Gen.G emerged victorious there, too. The last time the two players met on the Rift before saw Chovy go 10-0-3 as Vex, while Faker went 1-5-2 as Yone. That’s just one game, but it’s indicative of how Chovy has risen up the ranks and challenged Faker at the top.
Chovy boasts more impressive key stats than Faker, including in average KDA, gold per minute, and CS per minute. With examples of excellent mechanical execution in the laning phase and beyond, Chovy is a pillar of strength for his team and the one who holds it all together in the mid lane. It’s difficult to argue against Chovy having surpassed Faker, at least when it comes to pure gameplay.
With all of this being said, it’s also important to remember that 2025 is Chovy’s peak to date. While he’s at an extremely high point in his career, Faker has had multiple eras of dominance in the competitive League of Legends scene. It can be argued that one would have to continue to dominate the mid lane for years as Faker once did to even have a chance at surpassing The Unkillable Demon King’s long-term legacy. Many players have challenged Faker, but no player has had the consistency to pull it off over many years.
Chovy would have to do more than just beat Faker in one or two LCK splits, or even years, because Faker’s legacy in League of Legends spans beyond his in-game skills.
Faker is still an excellent League of Legends player, but what really sets him apart is that he has accomplished more than any other professional player over the course of his full career. The elephant in the room is definitely Faker’s five World Championship victories. Winning the ultimate LoL prize in 2013, 2015, 2016, 2023, and 2024 has earned him, and his team, the record for most Worlds wins. By contrast, Chovy has yet to win a single World Championship title, which most would argue is the defining benchmark for being considered one of the greats of the game.
Credit: T1
Then there’s Faker’s status as the first player to be inducted into the Hall of Legends. With years of clutch moments that showcase his mental fortitude, ability to adapt to an ever-changing game, and leadership skills that his squad can always rely on, Faker is a pioneer and has paved the path for others to follow. He still continues to reach new heights, with a reputation that extends across all of esports and, in some instances, even beyond.
Chovy is an excellent player, and some may argue that he is the closest to surpassing Faker we’ve yet seen in League of Legends. But being the closest relative to others who’ve come before doesn’t necessarily mean he’s close in the grand scheme of things. Chovy would have to showcase the same consistency and dedication that Faker did for many years to even threaten Faker’s overall legacy. Unfortunately for Chovy, with the way things are going, Faker’s legacy and influence will likely continue to grow in the years to come, stretching the path to catching up that much further out.
Feature image credits: Riot Games
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