After a dominant 2\u20130 victory over NAVI that secured Vitality a spot in the playoffs, ropz sat down with us to discuss his journey across elite rosters, the emotions of facing FaZe, the team\u2019s tactical approach on Inferno and Train, and the parallels with previous Major runs. He also opened up about Vitality\u2019s current form, the challenges of maintaining top-tier performance, and the motivation behind chasing a back-to-back Major title.<\/p>\n
I think every team was very different. With mousesports it didn\u2019t start well \u2014 the roster was trying to find its feet in an era with SK, fnatic, and VP still strong. When the lineup settled in 2018, things clicked. With FaZe and Vitality it was different \u2014 I joined when the team was ready and I was the final piece. Everyone was in their prime position to win. I won\u2019t talk big about myself, but people are happy to play with me. I provide a lot \u2014 strategic utility, good form, and sometimes impact.<\/p>\n
It was a bit of everything. We came in cold. Best-of-ones are harsh \u2014 two pistol rounds decide so much, and we lost the force buy after that. Then the game becomes really hard because there are only so many rounds you can afford to lose. They had good ideas and good executions, and maybe we were a step behind. Nothing specific \u2014 we just didn\u2019t get the start we needed.<\/p>\n
Definitely. Before the game you talk a bit, exchange some emotions, feel the buildup. It\u2019s a fun environment, but of course there are emotions.<\/p>\n
We had an interesting plan today \u2014 we put apEX in pit. The idea was to play with nicknames: I would play more aggressively, they see ropz is dead, and they instantly explode A thinking the site is open \u2014 but apEX is there waiting. It worked twice. It was a good plan. Usually, though, it\u2019s not something we always do.<\/p>\n
I think the key was the T side after we won the pistol. The rounds were close \u2014 they clutched some, but after the force buy I think we took control. We had solid defaults and made sure we could close the rounds. We lost a 2v4 on the eco, which was sad, but overall the T side was key.<\/p>\n
In terms of storyline, yes. But inside the team, it\u2019s completely different. At the Austin Major, we came in with insane pressure \u2014 six trophies already, trying to win the seventh. Now we just try to do our best to go back-to-back. No one has done it in a long time.<\/p>\n
Pretty easy. The team was already functioning and just needed a piece like me. We figured out where I fit and it was smooth \u2014 they were looking for a player like me.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re just playing a bit worse than in the first season. Nothing specific \u2014 it\u2019s always a bit of everything. Slightly worse individual form, slightly worse decisions, slightly worse strategy. And other teams are playing better.<\/p>\n
Definitely. We want to go back-to-back \u2014 that was the goal from the beginning of this Major. No one has done it for a long time.<\/p>\n
I think we\u2019re not going to touch Ancient this season. Maybe next year. It was something we toyed around with \u2014 if it worked, great; if not, it was worth trying. It wasn\u2019t prepared specifically for the FuRia match \u2014 we already had it planned during the winning streak earlier in the year.<\/p>\n