MSI 2025 Preview: CTBC Flying Oyster Chases World Recognition
CTBC Flying Oyster shocked the League of Legends world at First Stand this year. They marginally missed out on the Grand Final and defeated some of the best opposition in the world. They aim to prove that First Stand was not a fluke, and they are to be considered an international powerhouse. It will require an impressive performance, but it is within their reach.
CTBC Flying Oyster Roster
- Hsu “Rest” Shih-chieh – Taiwanese Top Laner
- Shen “Driver” Tsung-hua – Taiwanese Top Laner
- Yu “Junjia” Chun-chia – Taiwanese Jungler
- Tsai “hongQ” Ming-hong – Taiwanese Mid Laner
- Chiu “Doggo” Tzu-chuan – Taiwanese Bot Laner
- Ling “Kaiwing” Kai-wing – Hong Konger Support
CTBC Flying Oyster is one of the only teams in the major regions that successfully runs a six-man roster. Rest and Driver share time in matches depending on the champions they want to play. It has given them a significant advantage in Fearless Draft. One downside may be that teams will know the type of champions they will play depending on the top laner. Most international viewers will recognize their jungler JunJia from previous international events.
How They Got Here
CFO did not lose a single series during the LCP mid-season. While they dropped maps to the likes of GAM Esports, TALON, and Secret Whales, no team could break them down in a series. Both GAM and Talon took CFO the distance in their Bo5 series, but it was CFO who came out on top. The 3-2 victory over TALON in the Upper Bracket secured an MSI ticket, and the 3-2 win against GAM in the Grand Final earned them the LCP first seed.
Expectations
The hopes for CFO are significantly higher now than they were at First Stand. Given they have beaten the LEC, LPL, and LTA competition, they can do it again. However, the feeling is that the majority of the teams they will face are more difficult than the ones they faced at First Stand. They should not be scared of any opposition, and defeating any of the LCK or LPL juggernauts will be a massive boost for them. To justify their strength, they must remain competitive in every series they play.
CTBC Flying Oyster’s Journey
CFO begins MSI as the third seed with Anyone’s Legend. They earned this position due to their result at First Stand. As one of the tier two teams, they face either T1 or FlyQuest. Both are demanding oppositions, and CFO will need to be at their best to defeat them. A victory will see them progress to the Upper Bracket Round 2 and face one of the winners of the tier one teams (GenG Esports and Movistar Koi) against the Play-Ins Teams.
