Faker was a little too good on Azir, which has prompted everyone and their mother to start playing the champion.
Azir isn't what you might call a must-play champion in League of Legends. He's a high-skilled pick that usually only shows its face in professional play, but after the most recent semi-final he's become anything but ordinary.
Faker played the champion so well, even managing high-light reel outplays on him, that everyone has now decided they must become an Azir main, but everyone wanting to play the champ without practice also has its bad sides.
LoL Worlds 2023: Azir Play Rate Shoots Up
During the 2023 World Championship semi-finals, there was one outplay which has prompted everyone to try the mid lane scaling mage Azir. Of course, we're talking about the insane outplay Faker did in game three around the 27-minute mark which basically won T1 the match.
The shuffle over the wall, towards the backline and then the ultimate to scoop Ruler into the middle of the fight – even predicting his flash – that was a once in a lifetime play. A play so spectacular, everyone is trying to recreate it by picking Azir in their games.
Faker has 150 professional games on Azir with a win rate of 68%.
Unfortunately, Azir is a more difficult champion to master so even if you play him, there is a high chance you won't be able to get far. While Azir's play rate has increased, his win rate on the other hand... not so much.
According to op.gg Azir held a 3% pick rate in the mid lane with a 48% win rate. This has changed to a 5% pick rate, but a 46% win rate in LoL Patch 13.22, with more players picking him since the semi-final on November 12.
Of course, these numbers will adjust themselves again soon, with people forgetting about the champ after the World Championship, but it's crazy to see how much of an influence a pro player can have, even on solo queue.
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