T1’s newest bot-lane carry, Peyz, just pulled out Syndra against FURIA at MSI 2026, marking the first time the mage champion has appeared in a professional bot-lane role at an international event since 2019.

Peyz, whose real name is Kim Su-hwan, was signed by T1 on November 19, 2025, replacing longtime starter Gumayusi. Before joining T1, Peyz competed with Gen.G and JDG, building a reputation for mechanical skill and an experimental mindset.

This wasn’t a random impulse. Peyz had been grinding Syndra as an ADC in Korean Challenger solo queue on Patch 26.12, testing the pick against matchups like Ezreal. He even practiced it internally against teammate Oner.

The last time Syndra appeared in a bot-lane role at an international professional event was 2019. Paired with support Keria, who remains T1’s anchor in the bot lane, Peyz’s willingness to deviate from the standard marksman pool tells us something about T1’s 2026 strategy: they’re not interested in playing it safe.

The signing of Peyz represents more than just a player swap. It signals that T1 is willing to rebuild around new talent and fresh ideas rather than relying on the established roster that defined their previous competitive cycles. Gumayusi’s departure was significant. He had been a cornerstone of T1’s lineup, and replacing him with a player known for experimental champion pools suggests the coaching staff wants tactical flexibility over predictability.