The inaugural First Stand 2025 has wrapped up, bringing together the top teams from each region for a fast-paced international showdown. Hanwha Life Esports emerged victorious, defeating Karmine Corp 3-1 in the grand finals.
This tournament marked several firsts, including the debut of the Fearless Draft system in a Riot-sanctioned event. The unique format forced teams to showcase a wider champion pool, leading to some interesting picks. But which champions saw the most action on the Rift? For more League of Legends news, click here.
Ezreal – 13 Games
Ezreal proved to be the most popular AD Carry at First Stand 2025, appearing in 13 games throughout the tournament. Known for his mobility and poke-heavy playstyle, he thrives in both early and late-game scenarios when piloted by a skilled player. However, Ezreal’s tournament performance was inconsistent, ending with a 46% win rate.
Many of his losses came from Western teams struggling to execute his high-risk, high-reward mechanics against stronger opponents. Players like Yeon and Caliste had difficulty making an impact in tough matchups, highlighting Ezreal’s vulnerability when a team falls behind early.
Vi – 11 Games
The Arcane star and hard-hitting jungler Vi was the second most picked champion at First Stand 2025, appearing in 11 matches—three more than any other jungler. She was a frequent pick when other high-priority jungle champions like Maokai, Sejuani, Xin Zhao, and Skarner were unavailable.
One of the biggest contributors to Vi’s presence was Hanwha Life’s Peanut, who played her more than anyone else at the event. While not always a first-choice pick, her engage potential and lockdown abilities made her a safe and reliable option when teams needed a strong frontline presence.
Leona – 11 Games
Tied with Vi, Leona also saw action in 11 matches, though her overall impact was mixed. The support champion is known for her hard crowd control and initiation potential, making her a staple in coordinated team fights.
However, her 45% win rate suggests she struggled to make a meaningful difference. Players like CoreJJ and Crisp had a rough time on Leona, going 0-3 combined, while Targamas from Karmine Corp found more success with a 60% win rate. Given how dependent she is on team synergy, Leona’s success largely depended on how well her team executed their late-game fights.
Varus – 10 Games
Unlike some of the other champions on this list, Varus proved to be an exceptionally strong pick, boasting an impressive 70% win rate across 10 games. His ability to control fights from a distance and flexibility across different team compositions made him one of the most contested picks of the tournament.
Hanwha Life’s ADC, Viper, was particularly dominant on Varus, finishing with an 8.3 KDA and an undefeated 3-0 record on the champion. Many teams banned him outright, fearing the impact he could have in late-game team fights. The only player to struggle with Varus was JackeyLove, who went 1-2 with the pick while playing for Top Esports.
Taliyah – 9 Games
While several champions appeared in 9 games, Taliyah had the highest overall presence when factoring in both picks and bans. She was contested throughout the tournament due to her map control abilities and utility in objective fights.
Western teams, particularly APA and Vladi, prioritized Taliyah in their drafts, using her ability to roam effectively and zone enemies with her Weaver’s Wall. However, Eastern teams showed little interest in picking her, preferring more aggressive or utility-based mid-lane options. Despite this regional difference, Taliyah proved to be a valuable pick for teams looking to control tempo and dictate team fights.
Final Thoughts
The Fearless Draft format at First Stand 2025 forced teams to experiment with a broader range of champions, resulting in some exciting matchups. Champions like Ezreal and Leona were picked often but didn’t always lead to success, while Varus and Taliyah proved to be strong and reliable choices.
As the Fearless Draft system continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more diverse champion selections in future international tournaments. Will these champions remain top picks in the next major event, or will the meta shift once again? Only time will tell.
