The 2016 BlizzCon Fall Championships are already underway, but soon after NetEase and Blizzard Entertainment will host the 2016 Gold Club World Championship (GCWC), which will begin on November 11. The tournament invited eight of the world’s top teams, including Europe’s top-ranked team, Team Dignitas.
NetEase conducted an interview with Dignitas’ James “Bakery” Baker, Jérôme “JayPL” Trinh, Josh “Snitch” Bennett, Thomas “Mene” Cailleux, and Lawrence “Atheroangel” Harper. They provided us an English translation of the interview, which you can view below.
Welcome to the GCWC. Can you describe your team to Chinese Heroes of the Storm fans? As the strongest team in Europe, is there any pressure for you guys?
Bakery: We’ve never felt too much pressure from being the best team in Europe. It’s only when we aren’t the best that we really feel the need to get our reputation back. Nevertheless, we always want to represent Europe the best that we can and show how strong a region Europe really is.
How does the team’s cooperation work? How does the team train? Who is responsible for the tactics and the drafts?
Atheroangel: Me and JayPL normally make the decisions when it comes to drafting and shot calling. However, we draft as a team mostly to get a well-rounded composition, so everyone knows what their job is in the game.
What was the original goal for your team? What is your team’s biggest advantage?
We moved past that goal and set our sights on becoming a true contender for winning an international tournament.
Bakery: When I started the team over 1 year ago, our sole goal was to dethrone Team Liquid and claim the title of the best team in Europe. After the Global Championship in Seoul, we moved past that goal and set our sights on becoming a true contender for winning an international tournament. Our biggest advantage is that we work together to achieve these goals.
What's the secret of keeping a top rank in the Heroes professional scene?
Mene: I play the game a lot because I want to be the best in my role and to be able to make plays for my team when we need it. As a team, you have to think about drafts/combos and not be scared to lose a lot of games in practice when you try them.
My personal advice is to keep your feet on the ground. There will always be someone better than you or people trying to catch you, so you need to keep practicing no matter what.
JayPL: My personal advice is to keep your feet on the ground. There will always be someone better than you or people trying to catch you, so you need to keep practicing no matter what. Otherwise, you’ll end up by losing your spot. You won’t be able to perform at your best every time. Obviously, you will mess up some actions, games, or even series by yourself. You have to keep your cool and focus on the next matches. As soon as you have a strong mentality, you have the core to be a top-rank player.
What's your opinion on Asia’s Heroes teams? What's the difference between North America and Europe?
Mene: The big difference is the meta. I think Asian teams are really good, but if they adapt their meta more, they can stay the best in the world for a long time.
Bakery: I’m a huge fan of the Asian HotS scene, especially Korea. Surprisingly, NA and EU have huge differences in both their meta and approach to practice and are not very similar at all!
Are there any specific rivals you want to defeat in the GCWC or any goals you want to achieve?
Mene: My goal is to win it! Playing it just after BlizzCon can help us a lot to achieve this.
If I reach the title of the best team in the world one day, I’ll have the feeling that there’s no goal anymore. I’m actually scared to win and lose my motivation.
JayPL: My goal is obviously to win an international tournament. There’s nothing more than that, except keeping your title. If I reach the title of the best team in the world one day, I’ll have the feeling that there’s no goal anymore. I’m actually scared to win and lose my motivation, but I’ll be the happiest guy on earth.
Bakery: I would really love to beat MVP Black. I’m quite friendly with Sake, and they are the team that I have the most respect for in the whole scene. To convincingly beat them would be a huge deal for me.
What do you think of the current meta and hero roster? Which hero would you like to see join the Nexus?
Mene: I don’t like the meta at the moment; there is no Kael’thas! I hope an elemental shaman will join the Nexus soon!
Atheroangel: I like the meta because there is a lot of things that are viable to be picked. However, it makes for a tricky drafting phase as you have to account for multiple compositions when you are picking and banning.
Which team do you consider to be a long-time rival?
Bakery: We’ve been battling for the top spot in Europe with Misfits all year long, but this year has been so busy that it doesn’t feel like they’re old rivals, rather very recent rivals.
What’s the best way to keep a stable lineup (since so many professional teams have had recent roster changes)?
If you have an issue, you have to talk and fix it. There’s no magic, it’s all about discussion.
Mene: When you have an issue in the team, you have to talk about it to try to fix it, and then you go over it and focus on practice again.
JayPL: As in every relationship, the key is the discussion. If you have an issue, you have to talk and fix it. There’s no magic, it’s all about discussion.
We’ve heard that many of your team members are a big fan of JayPL. Can you tell us why?
Mene: For me, it’s very simple: his hairstyle is very unique, and when I look at him I’m impressed by how his hair can end up being so beautiful.
Atheroangel: For me, it’s his flip flops: whenever he comes to LAN, he will wear them whenever possible. They are stylish and neat.
Have you guys ever been to China before? What are you most looking forward to do in China?
Mene: It will be my first time in China. I’m looking to try real Chinese food and see how the lifestyle is in China.
Atheroangel: I have never been to China. It will be a great experience no matter the outcome of the tournament, and I'm looking forward to it!
Do you have any further thoughts to share with the Chinese HotS fans?
Mene: I enjoyed playing vs. X-Team at the previous world championship. I’m sure it’s going to be great games again, but we are coming to win, so be ready!
Bakery: Elegant is one of the kindest pro players I have met, and I really hope that I can get to spend some more time with him at GCWC!
Tune in to Blizzard’s Heroes of the Storm channel on Friday, November 4 at 4:00 PM PDT to see Team Dignitas play Astral Authority in a BlizzCon elimination match. Furthermore, watch Dignitas compete in China’s own international tournament, the 2016 Gold Club World Championship, beginning November 11.
Follow us on Twitter @GosuGamersHotS and on Facebook for more competitive Heroes of the Storm news and coverage from around the world.
