Photo by Liu YiCun via Riot Games

During MSI 2025, which saw record-breaking viewership, two champions in the League of Legends scene faced a disappointing performance, finishing the event without any victories and leaving fans pondering their relevance in the competitive landscape.

The champions in question, Kalista and Twisted Fate, participated in ten and eight games respectively but were unable to secure any wins, as reported by the esports statistics platform DPM.LOL. This year’s Fearless Draft format required teams to dig deeper into their champion selections, and although both Kalista and Twisted Fate were frequently picked or banned, their performances did not yield positive results.

Twisted Fate was the most banned champion at MSI 2025, being excluded from play 45 times, indicating that he is still highly prioritized despite the lack of success when actually in games. In contrast, Kalista faced 18 bans during the tournament, although other AD carries experienced higher ban frequencies.

Despite their winless records, these champions are integral to professional play. Kalista is known for her lane dominance and ability to use her ultimate for initiating fights or assisting her support, which can lead to crucial team engagements. Twisted Fate serves as a renowned control mage whose global ultimate allows for immediate map awareness, facilitating proactive strategies.

Nonetheless, this MSI illustrated the evolving meta, which has highlighted their weaknesses. Kalista’s vulnerability in the early game and her dependence on precise teamwork made her an easy target, while Twisted Fate found it challenging to compete against more aggressive, scaling champions like Ryze, Azir, and other popular mid-lane picks.

Even champions facing similar challenges managed to achieve victories. For instance, Renata Glasc secured one win at MSI 2025 thanks to T1’s Keria, which notably occurred in a match alongside Gumayusi’s Xayah rather than the struggling Kalista.

Twisted Fate received a number of buffs in previous patches; however, his ultimate was adjusted downwards in Patch 25.13, with additional nerfs expected soon. This could lead to him being phased out of the current meta, prompting teams to consider banning him less frequently. As the teams now prepare for the Esports World Cup 2025 and their respective Summer Splits, it remains uncertain if Kalista and Twisted Fate will manage to regain their footing within the competitive scene.