Interview with Aphromoo: "AD mid has always been good and has always been viable"

It's hard to give an introduction about Zaqueri 'Aphromoo' Black without resisting the urge to compare him to the likes of Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle and Reginald D Hunter. Witty, charming, funny and good-natured are some of the similarities Aphromoo shares with his comedic counterparts but there is one claim to fame he has that they do not - he is the AD carry of TSM.Evo.

Aphromoo's personality coupled with his undeniable skill make him one of the most popular players to watch and follow. Most people will have first heard of him from his time in V8 where he carved a name for himself alongside Muffinqt in the bot lane. Aphromoo later joined Epik (Whom became TSM.Evo) to form one of the strongest partnerships in the game with Nhat Nguyen.

 

Hi, Aphromoo. Can you tell me a little about yourself?

Aphromoo: Heyo, uhm well my name is Zaqueri Black i'm 19 years old currently attending community college at the moment, I very much love being in a competitive environment with pressure I tend to prefer those environments ahaha. I play piano, basketball, and currently looking to make a decent career being a professional video gamer.

You recently joined Epik (now TSM.Evo). How did that come about?

Aphromoo: Yes, well uhm I knew that after IPL4 if my team didn't perform to my liking I would definitely be on the look for joining another team, and well I didn't know Salce was on my flight home and I had met him in the security checkpoint at the Las Vegas airport and basically talked about the possibility of joining EG while waiting for our flight and during.

I also had played with Nhat Nguyen for about six months prior to joining EG and definitely acquired the synergy throughout those 6 months of duo-queueing pre-joining the team.

Was it a tough decision to leave V8 in favour of joining Epik, and what factors contributed in your choice?

Aphromoo: Mmmm not really, I had been on the team for quite awhile without attaining really any wins or notoriety. The only decision that I would regret is leaving my amazing support Muffinqt. :P The only factors contributing to my choice, is my desire to be on a winning team.

What do you feel are the most important qualities to have as an AD Carry?

Aphromoo: Awareness, being able to accept criticism, wanting to improve, able to CS well, and playing a variety of AD carries and having great positioning.

Do you see a potential change in the meta at some point in the not too distant future - perhaps AD mid?

Aphromoo: Uhm, AD mid has always been good and has always been viable people just don't want to stray from the standard meta because you would be called "troll" or whatever. 

Who do you think are the strongest AD carries at the moment?

Aphromoo: Graves is very strong, Sivir, Kog'Maw, Varus and Corki.

What do you think of Varus?

Aphromoo: Varus is strong, but in solo-queue it's hard to get a feel for him, in a competitive setting which he is more-oriented towards and excels at. In lane he has great poking capabilities and he excels in team-fights more than any other AD carry due to being able to root the entire team in one place.

Who makes the calls for TSM.Evo during matches?

Aphromoo: The calls early we listen to Unstoppable, after that it's usually whoever has the opportunity for a kill calls that out and whoever is in that vicinity are the people who talk. Nhat reminds us of all the important little things, especially in team-fights such as reminding us to use QSS, or calling out who doesn't have flash etc.... teamfight targets are between Salce and I and the team backs us up... calling out if they has exhaust or a CC available and when they are going to use it.

Speaking of TSM.Evo, how did that happen?

Aphromoo: TSM wanted a 2nd team and they asked to pick us up.

Reginald has spoke in the past of RainMain heading a second team, does that mean we can expect TRM to join TSM.Evo at some point?

phromoo: No.It's safe to say that alot of people adore your personality, is that just you or something you have adopted when grinding solo queue/streaming?

Aphromoo: Nope that's just me to entertain people. :P

Do you behave differently in tournament play than you do generally

Aphromoo: Of course, when i'm playing in a tournament setting it is serious-mode! We all make a few jokes here and there if someone fucks up and laugh at them hahaha.

I've heard you mention you have played at Blizzcon. How was that, and which game?

Aphromoo: Ahah it was my first LAN experience it was fun and stressful, the environment was crazy! Cheering and people screaming oh baby, it was for World of Warcraft.

The Epik of old could have perhaps been blamed of an almost lackadaisical approach in preparation and utilising time together as a team.Was that something you all spoke about when you formed the new Epik?

Aphromoo: Nope, Nhat and I take it upon ourselves to be prepared for any match and talk as a team about picking/banning situations what they like versusthis and then what beats that, they give us a list and then we pick according to our comp.

I know it's early doors to be talking about it yet, but I'm sure everyone is dying to know. Are you excited about the prospect of living in a double TSM gaming house?

Aphromoo: Eh it's alright I guess, living with 10 guys? Not so fun. Aahah. WHERE DA WIMMIN AT?

One last question, who is your favourite champion?

phromoo: Sivir, that PAX skin with the white hair, oh baby, she hot.

Oh, one more! Any basketball tips?

Aphromoo: Be black. Win game. :P

Many, many thanks to Aphromoo for taking the time to answer some questions and I urge those of you that haven't watched much of him to check him out here. You can also catch him on Facebook and Twitter. Follow me on Twitter @LeagueofOreo.