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Interview with Team 8's CaliTrlolz8
Team 8's Top laner, Calitrlolz8, has one of the best backstories in Esports. He posted a petition on Reddit 9 months ago to defer school and successfully managed to delay his pharmaceutical studies one year to pursue his dream of playing in the LCS. Since then, Calitrlolz8 has played many of his carry style top laners in the Spring Split, securing Team 8 a 7th place spot. This upcoming split, he has aims to get into playoffs and potentially qualify for worlds.
In the Spring Split, you played 10 different champions in top lane and most of your success was on more "Carry" focused top laners such as Irelia, Rumble, and Jax. Do you expect to be able to play the same style in the Summer Split?
Calitrlolz8: Definitely. I always have my carry pocket picks ready to go. Our team dynamic was more unique because of our supportive ADC Maplestreet who never really asked for farm. However, with our change of ADC to Nien, it would require some team playstyle change gradually. We are still on our way to adapt and change our style with Nien.
With two new teams in the LCS (NME and TDK), you'll be playing against NME Flaresz and TDK Seraph. What's your opinion on these two players as top laners?
Calitrlolz8: They are both really talented top laners. Flaresz usually plays strictly meta champions. He improved a lot the past few months and became pretty lane dominant. Seraph is very emotionally manipulative and prone to tilting. He has some pocket picks to be aware of when pick/banning.
There have been a few roster changes in the NA LCS this split. What do you expect the standings to look like?
Calitrlolz8: For Team8, I'm definitely looking to climb back up the LCS ladder. Another surprising factor this split is C9's dynamic change after losing their shotcaller Hai, in place taking over is an EU soloQ star. Few teams are still adjusting to the changes of roster and for us, we are still looking into changes in shotcall hierarchy towards Nien.
With the introduction of Nien and the History Teacher into your roster, how far do you think Team 8 will go this upcoming Summer Split?
Calitrlolz8: Undoubtedly, obtaining them was a positive approach to improve the team. When our manager initially approached the idea of coach position to a well-known streamer History Teacher, I was rather dubious and thought the manager was joking; however, after reviewing some of his past stream and talking with him, we saw the quality we wanted: knowledge in League, vocal, and authoritative enough to make us be regimented.
What do you think Nien brings to the team that Maplestreet didn't?
Calitrlolz8: I do not think Nien is necessarily better in lane than Maplestreet but has deeper understanding in rotation, shot-calling, and playing Carry role as ADC.
While still in the Challenger Series, one of the reasons you rose up in popularity was through your complete domination in a game where you played Kha'Zix top lane. Is Kha'Zix top something that could be feasible to play in this next split?
Calitrlolz8: Due to Kha'Z'ix dominance in the jungle, he went through succession of nerfs. Last time I played Kha'Zix competitively was a year ago and that was when the Camouflage upgrade on Kha reduced the damage taken by 50% during its cast, which was insane. It allowed Kha'zix to be an assassin while being able to tank out a lot of the damage with correct usage of the ult. By far, I think it was the most broken Top lane champion ever in any patch of League, but unfortuantely, as of current standing, I do not see any great reason to pull him out.
During MSI, you expressed a lot of interest in players such as Huni, Koro1, and Marin. While all these players had phenomenal performances, which do you think had a style of play most similar to yours?
Calitrlolz8: Koro1 has the most similar style as me where he makes a lot of plays as well as throws. His top lane style is the most entertaining to watch and what my analysts say can relate to the most because of me. I recently looked into Marin's build order (early homeguard in all champs) and mastery/runes to learn. I look up to him the most and try to learn from the best.
Have you thought about what you will do if you can't reach your goals (e.g. going to worlds) this year? Is gaming something you want to keep pursuing then?
Calitrlolz8: Regardless of the result, whether it is winning Worlds or getting relegated, I will be going back to school in January of 2016. I'm definitely going to keep pursuing eSports but probably as a fan.
While we've still got an entire split to go, do you have any World Championship predictions so far?
Calitrlolz8: The scene evolves so fast that it would be far-fetched to say who would win the Worlds. I'd like to say T8 though, Kappa.
With Skirmisher's receiving a nerf and Cinderhulk no longer doing scaling damage, the TP/Smite top lane meta fell flat. Even before the nerfs, however, it didn't seem too popular and had a very low playrate at MSI. What was your opinion on TP/Smite?
Calitrlolz8: Smite/TP is still pretty popular for tanky, high mobility champion like Hecarim, Shyvana or Mundo. In terms of just pure laning phase and kill potential, ignite is better; however, in competitive scene, you have to learn to deal better when getting lane swapped on as something like hecarim or shyvana can be detrimental as they do not have much tool to farm or wave clear in 2v1 situation. Getting Cinderhulk on those champions secures a safe early start as well as late game scaling on tanky junglers in terms of bonus health as well as upgraded smite.
Thanks for taking the time for the interview! Any shoutouts?
Calitrlolz8: Shoutouts to my teammates and fans! We appreciate every letter of your kind words and support!
Make sure to follow Calitrlolz8 on his various social media!