DN SOOPers Challengers vs T1 Esports Academy: Draft Edge
DN SOOPers Challengers face T1 Esports Academy in World Star Challengers Invitational 2026. Compare signature picks, bans, combos and draft paths.
TL;DR: DN SOOPers Challengers and T1 Esports Academy meet in the World Star Challengers Invitational 2026 with a narrow draft edge for T1: its signature Xin Zhao has an 80% WR over 20 games, while DN’s strongest high-volume option, Ezreal, stands at 71.4% over 21 games. Denying T1’s jungle comfort should be central to DN’s plan.
DN SOOPers Challengers Draft Profile
Opponents most often remove Rumble (27.7% of drafts), Orianna (25.9%) and Nocturne (25%) against DN, signaling respect for its teamfight and engage options. DN’s own bans target Varus (29.5%), then Vi (23.2%), with Vayne, Cassiopeia and Poppy each at 22.3%.
The clearest carry priority is Ezreal, picked 21 times for a 71.4% WR. Neeko brings a 75% WR over 16 games, and Ambessa has 73.3% over 15. By contrast, frequent Ryze has a 47.4% WR over 19 games, and Lulu is at 38.9% over 18. DN can play through scaling and ranged carry options, but the local combo data also points to proactive pairings: Jarvan IV and Ryze reach 80% over 5 games with +1968 GD@15, an early profile.
T1 Esports Academy Draft Profile
Opponents ban Nocturne into T1 at a 33.9% rate, followed by Orianna at 30.4% and Bard at 27.8%. T1 most frequently bans Orianna (29.6%) and Varus (27.8%), with Karma (27%) and Vi (26.1%) close behind.
T1’s standout is Xin Zhao, whose 80% WR over 20 games makes him a high-value jungle pick. Viktor has a 78.6% WR over 14, while Ryze is 70.6% over 17 and Gnar is 64.7% over 17. T1’s profile supports both early pressure and scaling; its Bard pick is also frequent at 22 games and wins 59.1%.
Current Meta in World Star Challengers Invitational 2026
No champion meta or patch-shift figures are supplied, so league-wide presence and ban-rate leaders cannot be established. Pick-order data instead gives useful B1 signals: Lucian and Vi each show 100% WR over 3 games, while Qiyana is at 75% over 4 and Jarvan IV at 66.7% over 3. For these teams, Jarvan IV is especially relevant: DN has picked him 18 times, while T1’s elite Xin Zhao offers a competing jungle priority.
Key Combos and Synergies
Locally, K'Sante, Lulu and Yunara are 100% WR over 4 games with +5286 GD@15, an early snowball signal. Lulu and Yunara pair at 69% over 13 games with +320 GD@15, while Jarvan IV and Ryze are an early-leaning 80% over 5. Lucian, Milio and Ryze reach 75% over 4 with +2861 GD@15, also early.
The global ALL_TIER1 list includes Neeko and Qiyana at 100% over 6 games with +263 GD@15, a neutral profile. That pairing could interest DN given its Neeko results, but it is global evidence rather than a local tournament trend.
Who Wins the Draft: DN SOOPers Challengers or T1 Esports Academy?
T1 has the stronger individual jungle win-rate evidence; DN has several proven carry and combo routes. T1 should prioritize bans against Ezreal, Neeko and Ambessa; DN should consider Xin Zhao, Bard and Ryze. Likely B1 options are Jarvan IV or Qiyana for DN, and Vi or Lucian for T1, guided by the small pick-order samples.
One scenario: DN bans Xin Zhao and builds around Jarvan IV–Ryze, seeking early leads. T1 could answer with Vi and a Bard roam setup. Another: T1 removes Ezreal and Neeko, then takes Xin Zhao; DN could pivot toward K'Sante, Lulu and Yunara, whose local combo has +5286 GD@15.
| Champion | Who values it | Pick or ban | WR | G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xin Zhao | T1 | Pick / DN ban | 80% | 20 |
| Ezreal | DN | Pick / T1 ban | 71.4% | 21 |
| Ryze | Both | Pick / ban | DN 47.4%; T1 70.6% | DN 19; T1 17 |
| Bard | T1 | Pick / ban | 59.1% | 22 |
| Neeko | DN | Pick / T1 ban | 75% | 16 |
| Ambessa | DN | Pick / T1 ban | 73.3% | 15 |
FAQ
Q: Is T1 Esports Academy favored in the draft against DN SOOPers Challengers?
Slightly, on signature-pick evidence: T1’s Xin Zhao has an 80% WR over 20 games, though DN’s Ezreal is 71.4% over 21.
Q: Which ban matters most for DN SOOPers Challengers?
Xin Zhao is a strong candidate because T1 has an 80% WR over 20 games on him; Bard is another concern at 59.1% over 22.
*Data: draftlol draft & meta model — World Star Challengers Invitational 2026 stats, snapshot 2026-09-24 06:00 UTC.*