When it comes to the question of who might be the best gamer of all time, two names inevitably rise to the top: Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok and Lee "Flash" Young-ho. Both have dominated their respective games for more than a decade, and both are widely regarded as icons in the esports world. However, their careers are as distinct as the games they’ve mastered, making this comparison both fascinating and difficult. One is known for his sustained supremacy in League of Legends, while the other revolutionized and conquered StarCraft: Brood War before transitioning to StarCraft II with great success, and even continued to dominate in the remastered StarCraft era. So, who is truly the best gamer of all time: Faker or Flash?

Faker: The Eternal Legend of League of Legends

Faker, a name synonymous with League of Legends (LoL), has enjoyed an almost unparalleled career in esports. Since his debut in 2013, Faker has been a constant force in the competitive scene. His rise to fame was swift, and his dominance has been unbroken. As of 2024, Faker has played at the highest level of LoL for over a decade, earning five World Championships (2013, 2015, 2016, 2023, and 2024), a multitude of regional titles in the LCK, and a reputation as one of the most mechanically gifted players in the game's history. Faker’s longevity in League of Legends is especially remarkable considering the ever-evolving nature of the game. With frequent patches, new champions, and shifting meta-game dynamics, Faker’s ability to adapt has been crucial to his success. He is not just a one-trick player but a multifaceted talent capable of mastering a wide variety of champions and playstyles, from aggressive assassins to defensive team-fighters. This adaptability has allowed him to remain relevant in a hyper-competitive environment where new players rise and fall quickly. Beyond his individual talent, Faker’s mental fortitude and leadership have been key factors in his sustained dominance. His discipline, focus, and consistency have allowed him to maintain a level of performance that few players can match. His influence on the League of Legends community extends beyond his gameplay, as he has become an inspiration for countless aspiring esports professionals around the world. While Faker has experienced the peaks of victory, including his historic triumphs on the global stage, his career has not been without its valleys. In recent years, Faker and his team, T1, have faced setbacks, with the top prize at the World Championship slipping just out of reach despite a continued competitive presence. However, his ability to perform at the highest level despite the inevitable evolution of the game and the rise of new talents is a testament to his legacy.

Flash: The King of StarCraft

Flash, also known as "The Ultimate Weapon," is a name that resonates deeply within the StarCraft community, particularly in the Korean StarCraft: Brood War scene. Flash’s career is a tale of unmatched skill and domination, earning him the title of one of the greatest real-time strategy (RTS) players of all time. His legacy began in the early 2000s and continued through to the 2010s, as he won numerous championships in Brood War and later made an impressive transition to StarCraft II, proving that his mastery of strategy and mechanics transcended any single iteration of the game. In Brood War, Flash’s dominance was staggering. He won three OSL (OnGameNet Starleague) titles and an MSL (MBCStarCraft League) title, among other prestigious tournament wins. He was known for his razor-sharp decision-making, impeccable mechanics, and a deep understanding of the game’s intricacies. His playstyle was often characterized by precision, as he was able to outthink and outmaneuver his opponents at every turn, making him an almost unbeatable force in StarCraft. Flash's transition to StarCraft II was equally impressive. While the RTS scene was becoming more competitive and globalized with the release of StarCraft II, Flash’s adaptability allowed him to remain at the top of the game, securing titles in premier StarCraft II events. His transition between games demonstrated his versatility and underscored his reputation as one of the most intelligent and strategic players to ever touch an RTS. After StarCraft: Remastered was launched in 2017, Flash proved that his skill was not confined to the Brood War days alone. He dominated in the ASL (Afreeca Starleague) and SSL (StarCraft: Remastered Starleague) for several seasons, reaffirming his place as one of the most formidable players in StarCraft history. Flash's performance in these leagues—where he continually faced some of the toughest competition from both old rivals and new challengers—solidified his status as a player who could maintain absolute control over the StarCraft scene even in the modern era of esports. The biggest difference between Flash’s career and Faker’s is the sheer difficulty of the game Flash dominated. StarCraft: Brood War is renowned for its extreme skill ceiling. The game requires precise micro-management, resource allocation, and multi-tasking at a level that most players cannot fathom. Flash’s mastery of these elements was truly otherworldly, and his performances under pressure were nothing short of legendary. His strategic depth and ability to adapt to opponents made him a feared player in every match he played.

The Case for Faker: Longevity and Consistency

When comparing Faker and Flash, a central point of differentiation is longevity. Faker’s career has spanned over a decade without significant breaks or dips in performance, a rarity in esports. While Flash’s time at the top of StarCraft was undeniably dominant, his career has been split between two games, and he faced periods of stagnation and inconsistency, especially toward the end of his Brood War career and the beginning of StarCraft II’s competitive dominance. Faker, on the other hand, has remained the face of League of Legends for over 10 years, continually performing at the highest level, even as the game evolves around him. He has won major titles in various eras, against different generations of players, and with different team compositions. His longevity speaks volumes about his ability to maintain peak performance in an unforgiving competitive environment. Moreover, Faker’s impact on the League of Legends scene has been unparalleled. He is not just a player; he is a global icon whose legacy transcends mere statistics. He represents the epitome of a career built on consistency, discipline, and adaptability, which is crucial for being considered the best of all time.

The Case for Flash: Mastery of the Hardest Game

When considering Flash’s career, the level of skill and depth required to dominate StarCraft cannot be overstated. StarCraft: Brood War remains one of the most complex and mechanically demanding games in esports history, and Flash’s near-perfect control over it was simply unmatched. His understanding of the game’s systems and his ability to execute under pressure were extraordinary, making him a player who could defeat anyone in the world at his peak. Flash’s achievements in Brood War are historical, and his influence on the StarCraft community was profound. His dominance shaped the competitive scene and pushed the boundaries of what players thought was possible in RTS games. Furthermore, his ability to adapt to StarCraft II proved that his intelligence and skill were transferable, ensuring his place in esports history. After the release of StarCraft: Remastered, Flash’s dominance in both the ASL and SSL leagues demonstrated his ability to adjust to the modern StarCraft environment. His sustained success in these leagues, even as younger players entered the competitive scene, confirmed that Flash was not only a master of the game but also a player whose legacy could withstand the test of time. While Faker’s career has been long, Flash’s mastery of arguably the hardest game in esports history, combined with his dominance in StarCraft: Remastered leagues, places him on a different pedestal. Few players have demonstrated the same level of skill, depth, and precision that Flash did during his peak and beyond.

Conclusion: Who is the Best?

Determining the "best" gamer between Faker and Flash is not a straightforward task. Both players have dominated their fields for over a decade, but the games they mastered are vastly different in nature and complexity. If we consider longevity, consistency, and impact on their respective games, Faker’s case is incredibly strong. His ability to remain at the top of League of Legends for more than 10 years, constantly adapting to new patches, metas, and competitive players, sets him apart in a world where even the most talented players can quickly fall off. On the other hand, Flash’s mastery of one of the most mechanically demanding games ever created, combined with his dominance over an entire era of StarCraft (both Brood War and StarCraft II), as well as his continued supremacy in StarCraft: Remastered through ASL and SSL victories, speaks volumes about his skill and strategic brilliance. In the end, it may come down to personal preference and the weight given to each player’s contributions. Faker is the undisputed king of League of Legends, while Flash is the undisputed master of StarCraft. In the ever-expanding world of esports, it’s hard to declare a definitive "best" — but both Faker and Flash are undoubtedly two of the greatest players to ever touch a keyboard and mouse.