An Interview with CLG's New Support, Aphromoo

This article is written by KatanaMordecai.

With the Season 3 qualifiers just a few days away, a lot of major teams have decided to take advantage of the off season and change up their rosters.  Counter Logic Gaming has been no exception to this rule, replacing former support player Locodoco with Team FeaR's AD carry, Aphromoo.  As the second CLG support player in a row to come from the AD role, he hopes to find greater success with his bottom lane experience.

Aphromoo discusses how he expects to transition into his new place, and what strengths and weaknesses an AD-turned-support has.  He also gives a unique perspective on what makes the support role more exciting than people might think, and which of the new and changed items are the strongest and will see the most play.

 

 

Congratulations on your recent move to Counter Logic Gaming. What prompted your decision to make the transfer?

Aphromoo:  Well, we were having some difficulties converting wins at LANS after we had lost our previous toplaner Balls on FeaR. After picking up Zuna who used to be an AD-player... which I knew. We had him play some toplanes he's never played before in LANs which was kind of a disadvantage to begin with... although his Shen is god.

But it was Zuna learning a whole new role while we were trying to do well at lans. I felt kind of bad that we as a team has to be at that disadvantage to begin with... so with me joining a new team Zuna could play a role he's more comfortable in and they could acquire an actual toplaner which might be Sycho Sid? Most likely...

 

You have, of course, played a lot of AD carry in the past. In what ways do you think this helps you to prepare for the support role?

Aphromoo:  Well I understand how the lanes are supposed to work from coming from AD... and I will have brought my mechanic practice with me over to support, but all in all I know what my ADC wants from a support and I know that presence is a major factor while laning. Everything else you have to learn by playing the support role... managing your mana, CD's how much damage you do... I know a little bit of that but once I start playing the supports more and more I'll get a more comfortable feel and push the limits on what I can do.

CLG has tried using a high level AD player as a support with Locodoco, but did not meet great success. Do you think this came from lack of supporting experience, or was it rooted in other problems?

Aphromoo: It was rooted in other problems. 

 

Many people view the support role as 'passive' or 'boring.' What advice would you give to players who tend to undervalue or not enjoy supporting?

Aphromoo: Well support is who MAKES sure the AD Carry gets big as fast as possible and holds their hand until that point where they can carry the game... support allows the ADC to farm with their presence in the lane... support provides map awareness with wards so the ADC is safe in lane.... and support just basically is a shield to the ADC during all stages of the game, making sure they stay alive as long as possible.

You make plays so that your team can succeed and have success.... even if you must die for your team to have success in a teamfight, it's worth it. Great support players know how to do that without dying.... and protect their entire team with many facets of utility whether it be slows/knockups etc... and some supports such as Leona/Blitz have the potential to cause CRAZY snowballing games where your team is so far ahead because of your playmaking... so supporting is fun to me - I get to pretend like I'm playing a "useless" role many people view it as... but really I'm just like a rogue who is bringing down your defenses from the rear if you don't pay attention to me. :D

 

How do you think the new supporting items that were recently released have affected the role? Which items do you think are the strongest for supports and will we see fairly constant or more situational builds?

Aphromoo: Sightstone is definitely a huge improvement to the variety of items a support can buy. It's basically a replacement for heart of gold essentially but it's over-efficiency in having health and wards more than makes up for the removal of HoG. Crucible is an item that we don't really see often bought right now, and is definitely a clutch-situational item that always has an impact if you use it at the correct time in a teamfight on a player... I will definitely be using this item a lot more for more cushion if my adc wants to go balls deep. You'll definitely see sightstone philo with Aegis or Shurelias most of the time.... it's very consistent now just as it was before HoG Philo Aegis/Shurelias... etc.

 

Are there still core items that we will likely see in most professional builds?

Aphromoo: Sightstone/Philo/Aegis/Shurelia/Zekes - core items depending on what kind of support you're playing and your team comp... same as before.

Which support champions and bot lane combinations are the strongest right now? Which is your favorite or most fun lane to play?

Aphromoo: Nunu/Caitlyn is just super imbalanced (edited) and always will be... it's safe and you can freefarm but just continuously pushing and with lifesteal and headshots is easy. My favourite lane I don't really have one yet. I love to play Blitz and Leona but we still have to find that niche of when I can play those champions and we can dominate with them.

 

Roughly how many times a day does Doublelift call you a trash player?

Aphromoo: Well not a lot; it's usually me calling him trash. If I make a mistake then he will but that's not usually the case. ^_~

You recently visited the CLG house with your father. What were his and your first impressions of the team and their living space?

Aphromoo: Well it was spacious and everyone was nice... my dad of course liked the house he just wanted to make sure living area is safe and the people are kind and to make sure I'm okay.

A lot of fans have seen you play with Doublelift on stream quite frequently. With this practice and the convenient timing of the off-season, how confident are you in the team's synergy for the beginning of Season 3?

Aphromoo: Of course it will take some time... we won't be at our prime... but we will do our best to become the best bot lane in the world. I just need to put in the hours to learn each and every support and more. :D

With a lot of off-season shuffling of rosters, which many expected, which teams do you think will be the strongest this season?

Aphromoo: Right now I don't really care about the other teams. I'm just focusing on being the best support player that I can be and help my team towards a win at a major LAN event and in the S3 circuit.

How do you think the restructuring of tournaments and the competitive scene will impact League of Legends and future eSports?

Aphromoo: It is definitely a stepping-stone towards bigger and better things with Riot so kindly funding housing and salary of players - this is just the beginning. :D I have no idea how it will turn out but I feel that this can only be towards positive things for the scene of esports.

Thank you for the interview, and best of luck to you and CLG moving into Season 3.