The Fearless Draft format, which was widely praised for increasing champion diversity and strategic depth in League of Legends esports, is set to be removed after the First Stand tournament on March 10, 2025.
Riot Games introduced this system as an experiment during the Winter Split, but despite its popularity among players, analysts, and fans, it will not be used for the rest of the competitive year.
What is Fearless Draft and Why Did Fans Love It?
Fearless Draft forced teams to change their champion picks throughout a series, preventing repeat selections and encouraging deeper strategy. This format showcased:
- More viable champions – Pro players had to adapt, making drafts more unpredictable.
- Greater emphasis on coaching staff – Teams had to plan multiple compositions in advance.
- A refreshing viewing experience – Fans got to see matchups that rarely appeared in standard drafts.
During the 2025 LEC Winter Playoffs, 93 different champions were played, demonstrating how the system encouraged diversity. The format also led to exciting bot lane matchups, such as Miss Fortune vs. Jhin, which would rarely be seen in a standard meta.
Why is Riot Removing Fearless Draft?
Despite its success, Riot Games has confirmed that Fearless Draft was only a temporary test and will not be used beyond the First Stand event. The company has not provided a clear reason for its removal, but some speculate that it may be due to:
- The added complexity of preparing multiple unique drafts per series.
- Potential balance concerns, as some teams may struggle with champion pool depth.
- Riot wanting to gather more feedback before making permanent changes.
Could Fearless Draft Return in the Future?
Many within the LoL esports community, including pro players, coaches, analysts, and fans, are pushing for Riot Games to bring back Fearless Draft as a permanent fixture. Comparing it to Dota 2, where nearly all heroes are viable in professional play, supporters argue that this format could elevate League of Legends to a new level of strategic depth.
A scenario where the 2025 Worlds Final reaches Game 5, and players are forced to use unexpected champions, would create an unmatched level of excitement and unpredictability. The diversity and strategic challenge introduced by Fearless Draft could be exactly what LoL esports needs to remain fresh and engaging.
Final Thoughts
While Riot Games has decided to remove Fearless Draft for now, its overwhelming support from the LoL esports community suggests that it could make a return in the future. Whether it becomes a staple in future tournaments or remains an experimental feature, one thing is clear—fans want to see it back.
Would you like to see Fearless Draft return permanently? Let us know what you think!
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