Interview with Deficio of Ninjas in Pyjamas LoL

Martin 'Deficio' Lynge is the Support for Ninjas in Pyjamas, a team comprised of the ex-Copenhagen Wolves line-up. We discussed his plans for the new team, the LCS Summer Split, and connecting with the fans.

First of all, congratulations on signing with Ninjas in Pyjamas! Did they approach you, or were you already looking for a new organization?

Deficio: We met two of the owners down at the LCS studio in the qualifier weekend. We talked a bit back and forth and mentioned to them we were looking for a different organisation to play for. After we beat Samurais in Jeans we met with NiP again and they told us their ideas.

I take it they were already interested in signing a LoL team?

Deficio: They were for sure, I do believe we were their first priority instantly after we informed them that we weren't under contract in Copenhagen Wolves. Respect to NiP as well for not offering us anything before we told them that we were free to leave Wolves, they acted very professional and that was one of the reasons we chose them.

Do you think it will be easier to find housing now that you are with NiP?

Deficio: NiP has already been to Cologne several times and has some houses in mind, so I'm confident we will soon have a house to live in, and hopefully an awesome one!

Do you think that you guys will have more opportunities to connect with your fans now that you'll have a house and regular computer access for Twitter and streaming? Can we expect a house tour?

Deficio: I can guarantee a house tour! It will be easier for us to make some video content for people, because everyone is together and we can answer fan questions as a team or make proper vlogs. Streaming is gonna be a big thing in the house as well, there will be breaks and "holidays" after LCS where we will have plenty of time to stream and entertain our fans, I honestly can't wait!

On a more personal note, how did you get into League of Legends?

Deficio: I started playing way back, before S1, I think around the time Pantheon was released. I never played DotA or any MOBA game before, so I didn't plan on playing League either. Luckily for me some friends got me playing and we leveled up together. Ever since I hit level 30 I was hooked and have, with a few breaks here and there, been playing League since.

How did you get into the professional scene?

Deficio: I played on a few amateur teams through the years, started back on [EU] East in a team with Bjergsen, which was never anything serious other than some Go4lol monthly tournaments and such. I moved to EU West and played in a Danish team called FragZone, the team fell apart though and I decided not to look for a new team as a player, but as a manager instead. In August 2012 I created the first Copenhagen Wolves lineup (Godbro, TheTess and Svenskeren were in it). It went okay, but things didn't start to go crazy before Bjergsen joined. After 3rd place at Dreamhack, we got invited to the LCS qualifier.

Did you know the original lineup (minus Bjergsen) from soloqueue?

Deficio: More or less. I followed WinFakt at Insomnia [a UK tournament] where Godbro and TheTess played. [Editor's note: TheTess still played AP/Mid at this point.] Svenskeren was already ready to start the team, as the Wolves had contacted him before they told me to create the team. I knew the support from FragZone and the ADC choice was his duo partner, so it was natural.

Going back to the LCS now, what do you think of your new competition?

Deficio: Many people seem to hype up MYM, but I honestly believe they will have the hardest time of the new teams. They are very stuck to their one strategy (TP mid every game, etc) which makes them very predictable. Sinners Never Sleep and Alternate are very close to each other, and will both be able to take games of the other teams in the league, so it will be close and getting top 6 this split will be harder than the last split for sure.

Even so, considering your winrate once your full team had reunited, do you think that you will be one of the top three teams in the Summer Split?

Deficio: Our goal is top 4, or to say it simply, we want to reach the semifinales at the playoff. We were very consistent vs the teams under us in the last split, we didn't drop a single game to any of the 3 after our first win vs aAa, so I believe we have a good shot at at least top 4. Top 3 will require us to perform a lot better vs the top 4 teams than last split. We did get 2-2 vs Fnatic, but our 0-4 vs SK is not good enough, so we can't do that again if we want top 3.

Are there any other teams or players in the LCS (either in EU or not) that you personally or that the team as a whole looks up to?

Deficio: I think everyone in EU is impressed by Diamondprox, we always keep an eye out for what he is playing. If we like his new champion picks, then we try to adapt to them ourselves. I personally admire Krepo a lot as a player, and every time I play against him I try to learn from it.

Do you have a favorite champion for relaxing games that you can't play in the LCS because it's not viable?

Deficio: I LOVE SWAIN! Man, I can't describe how much I love to play him, sadly Swain support needs a few changes to work.

 

Do you have any advice for someone just starting to play support?

Deficio: A few things come to mind, first of all a simple one: Use pink wards in the lane bushes to get control of the lane. If you push up to their tower, pink ward the lane bush close to them. They won't be able to poke you or see your skillshots fast enough when fired from there. A second tip if you play a ranged support, try to land a skillshot when the ADC is about to last hit a minion, most ADCs tunnel on the minion and won't see you shooting out a snare (if Zyra etc) before it's too late. Last a cheesy one if you like to play Thresh - When the enemy is about to last hit his cannon minion etc, throw back your lantern like your jungler is about to gank and move forward; they all start running and will most of the times miss the cannon. Mind games can win a lane!

Are there any shoutouts that you would like to give?

Deficio: I would like to thank our sponsors: Telia, Steelseries, THOR by CDON.com and Benq! A big shoutout to NiP and all our fans, LCS will be wild guys! Last I would like to thank my own fans and make sure to follow me on https://www.facebook.com/LoLDeficio if you wish to get updated with everything related to me and the team!

Thank you to Deficio for the interview. You can watch Ninjas in Pyjamas in the EU LCS Summer Split starting at Dreamhack on June 15th.