Interview with OPL/LPL Caster Razleplasm about the strength of OPL and Wildcard Teams

We sat down with OPL/Caster Razleplasm to talk about his start in casting and the strength of the wildcard regions. 

 Razleplasm during his tenure with Team Dignitas.

Why did you choose to delve into casting instead of becoming a coach for another team? Was casting something that you had intentions of doing before you became a coach? Or was it just an opportunity that presented itself in front of you?

Razleplasm:That goes back to when I started out in esports as an LPLEN caster. It was a small stint that really only lasted for the duration of the LPL expansion and promotion tournament. I thought it would be a fun hobby/past-time as I was a student, but once LPLEN discontinued I decided to head more towards analyst work meanwhile still being a panellist & later on host for China Talk. I never thought I had a future or career in either as it was just another form of escapism for me that I wanted to be the best at.

After Dignitas I went home to mull over my options. I had received an offer to colour cast for the LPL which was an intimidating leap but I was excited to take the opportunity once again.

 

Has the lifestyle changed ever since becoming a caster? Do you enjoy being a coach or a caster more?

Razleplasm :It's certainly different but definitely not easier. There are a few shared roles and traits as a coach and a colour caster; as a presenter and the grind to better your craft. Life in another continent as a whole is the biggest shift in terms of lifestyle change but I've recently settled and should make grinding the work a little more convenient. As of now I'm not sure as to which one I enjoy more, I don't enjoy wasting time and so if I don't reach my personal goals I'd only be frustrated at myself for it.

 

Do you watch less NA games now that you are an OPL/LPL caster?

Razleplasm: It's definitely harder to keep up. Especially since I've been having home internet issues so I'd have to watch the VODS at the office but I still watch just as much, even if I have to go out of my way to.

 

What do you think of the NA region this year? Many people are saying they have become a lot stronger but what do you believe NA has improved in their gameplay?

Razleplasm: NA is the best it has ever been at the moment. Competition within the LCS and in the NACS makes the overall environment a positive one. There is a marked difference in meta and playstyle in comparison to NA and the rest of the world still so it'll be interesting to see how those styles clash on an international stage similar to as it did in MSI. This time CLG is going into this split as the underdogs so the evolution of the game and the power swing in the region is a fun watch.

 

Speaking of underdogs, one of the regions you cast is an underdog region. How long do you think it will take the Oceanic region to finally make an impact at an international tournament? What do you believe Oceania needs to improve on before they compete with a region like NA or LPL? Because it feels like there is real progress within the region and other wildcard regions.

Razleplasm: It'll take a lot of time and effort from both the players, teams and community. The major regions have the money, infrastructure and a competitive environment that has taken some time to build and is only getting stronger. Oceania is in a difficult position and has a smaller population base that does impact the day to day soloq quality and competition in the challenger leagues. On top of that it does not have the benefit that Turkey, CiS and JP has in bordering established regions to gain some trickle down benefits. So it will take a long time to see this as a possibility, but the community spirit and the drive from the competitors are real and should one day culminate to something soon enough.

Razleplasm (left) in between games during IWCQ Brazil 2016.

So out of curiosity, how do you feel about the Brazilian scene? I personally feel like they have a huge fan base and a better infrastructure than most wildcard regions.

Razleplasm: Brazil have shown in worlds that they are getting closer and closer to what the dream should be for wild card regions. The infrastructure in the region is growing and the money is definitely there. I know a few coaches and analysts in the region that do a fantastic job. I don't watch the region nearly as much as I used to, but for certain Brazil is a great example of what a region without the strength of neighboring a strong region can accomplish and a major reason comes in the power and voice of the Brazilian community.

 

The OPL finals ended in a 3-0 for the Chiefs against long time rivalries Legacy, do you feel confident in the Chiefs to perform well internationally after the finals? Or did you spot issues in their victories?

Razleplasm: There were issues in their play that didn't get challenged, but I think they will perform well in wildcards. That team has had confidence issues in IWC tournaments, losing to teams that they were 100% better than. This split I see a new fire of confidence that I think will carry them through the tournament.

 

Speaking of plays that did not get punished.During game 1 of the OPL grand finals, Spookz made an invade on Legacy jungler which resulted in first blood. Do you feel this type of aggression could be punished by the teams at IWCQ or was it fine to do that invade?

Razleplasm: I think that was an example of a proper invade since Spookz always had adjacent laners helping him at all times. Either by shoving in for him to invade or another point in that game he killed Carbon during Carbon's invade by bringing Swiffer to collapse. That is likely going to be their strongest asset going into wildcards, at the very least their communication as a team is looking tight.

 

What do you think the Chiefs could have done to close their games more efficiently?

Razleplasm: That's a good question because I don't think they will have problems in gaining a lead, but firmly holding onto it. They just need to grind on the basics of team coordination and timing on what to do with crashing waves. In that set they still only closed out though skirmishes that were not planned nor set up well and the waves that crashed into towers were not used well. Plus g1 there was a moment they should've just sieged up on the duo lane w/ Graves with the lead that was there.

 

What specific advice would you give to the Chiefs to make a big impact at the Wildcard Qualifier and possibly worlds?

Razleplasm: Fight confidently through and through, that's all really. As long as they play their usual game and trust in eachother they have nothing to worry about.

 

The LPL is constantly known as the region known for constant aggression, why do you believe this aggressive playstyle is able to consistently work? Why would this style be punished more from a wildcard region?

Razleplasm: "Aggression" really is just a catch-all word that doesn't aptly describe a team's motif. For wildcard, a proactive team will generally find themselves in a proper position, regardless of the strategy going into it so elements of outplay exist and are often relied on.

As for the aggression seen by some LPL teams, example I'll use is RNG, they put in the work to understand the science of the game. It's an ideological difference where time windows granted by lane shove and/or vision control will be used to search/secure skirmish and dives rather than further push in tempo.  

 

 In a recent interview with Raydere, he stated that "he does not believe a wildcard region will make it out of group stages at worlds?” Do you agree with this statement? Or do you believe that the rise in play in certain regions could stand up to teams from the five major regions?

Razleplasm: I agree with it. Not only are the wildcard teams not very developed compared to the major regions but with how seedings work they're guaranteed to go up against tough competitors. It'll take a lot of time before these regions start to find success globally. That said, Pain had some great set of games last worlds vs. Flash Wolves and CLG.

 

After watching the OPL finals in Brisbane, how strong do you feel Oceania can perform at the Wildcard Qualifier?

Razleplasm: Barring any surprises I think they'll do well. Especially since they now have an additional Worlds spot to compete for. Last year world spots for wildcard teams were divided by certain subsections, Brazil only had to beat LAN to make it. This time it'll be a lot harder for them meanwhile last year Chiefs made it to the finals vs. a BKT team that they had beat 3 times prior. That tagged with the fact that they're coming in confident and with new blood in their line up should guarantee at the very least a good showing.

 

So do you have predictions for who you believe will be the top 4 and then top 2 at the qualifier?

Top 4:
Dark Passage
INTZ
Albus
Chiefs

Top 2:
INTZ
Chiefs

 

Do you have any final words?

Razleplasm: I'd like to thank everyone who's been supportive and critical of my work. I'm never sure of what the future brings but I will strive to be the best at what I do, so keep it coming.

 

You can follow Razleplasm through his twitter.