Interview with DIG Smite Hunter Arkkyl on Spring performance and team dynamics

It was a great first split under the Team Dignitas brand as the team rose to new levels by securing 2nd at the Smite Masters Lan. Team Dignitas now come into the Summer Split favorites to be the finalists and represent Europe at the Smite World Championships. In this interview, we speak with Team Dignitas Hunter Kenny 'Arkkyl' Kuska on his expectations for the next split.

You guys had a magnificent run at the Smite Masters LAN earlier in April, how has this run affected your expectations towards the future and possibly Worlds?

Arkkyl: I think long term we know that we can become the best in the world, but I think we even surprised ourselves with how far we got during our first few months as a team. To come so close but know that we still have so much to work on as a team and as individuals is very motivating working towards Dreamhack Valencia and then SWC.

You are the Hunter for our Smite team, what is your role within the team’s structure? Does Biggy have you responsible for certain things during and outside of game?

Arkkyl: My role within Team Dignitas as far as structure goes is to make sure I am relaying as much information as I can to the rest of the team as well as making sure I have control of my lane and jungle. This was something that Biggy implemented very early on and continues to reinforce within my play. As long as I am relaying all the information I can as far as relics, ultimates, jungle timers and vision, then that allows the rest of my team to play accordingly.

You are very silent compared to your other teammates on Team Dignitas. What is your role in terms of the team dynamic and communication?

Arkkyl: I was definitely quieter when I first joined the team. I am a lot more confident in my role within the team now though. My role in terms of the team dynamic and communication is pretty much as I explained in the previous question.

If you were to describe each of your teammates, how would you describe them?

Arkkyl:

Trixtank: Really strong mechanics as well as very good and consistent communication. He also has an extremely positive attitude when it comes to playing the game.

Qvofred: Fred is a monkey, but also an insane jungler, maybe even the best in the world.

Zyrhoes: Always seems to be ahead of his opponent. Very smart and has such a good understanding of how SMITE works. He is always theorycrafting and helping with all of our builds.

Variety: I think he is the best solo laner in the world. Such a confident player and is always fun to play with.

 

Going further into Trixtank, what do you enjoy about laning with him? Is one of those things his mean Bellona Support?

Arkkyl: The thing I like most about Trix is that he is never afraid to experiment or make a play. He has so much confidence in his own ability and also such a good attitude towards the game. Plus his Bellona support, but not his piano.

You guys as a duo are one of the more aggressive lanes in the SPL, is it to take advantage of favorable matchups or is there another reason behind it?

Arkkyl: I think it is just the combination of play styles between Trix and myself. We are both overly aggressive players, so even in an even or losing matchup we trust ourselves to outplay our opponents and win the lane.

Are there any hunters or bot lane duo’s that you would like to bounce back into meta before the summer split?

Arkkyl: I am pretty happy with the current top tier picks in my role. Maybe having Apollo back in the meta again would be fun though.

Any predictions towards the summer split? Any teams you think will be at the top with you guys and some that may struggle?

Arkkyl: In my opinion it will be NRG, Obey and Rival at the top with us, hard to say in what order though. Papis and Optimus Gang will most likely struggle as well just due to the fact that they are new to the SPL. Would be nice to see them get some upset wins though.

What will you be looking to improve before next split to ensure continuous growth?

Arkkyl: I think I need to focus on improving the times that I choose to be aggressive in lane as oppose to maintaining my lane and jungle control. My biggest problem right now is that I just love playing aggressively and sometimes almost to the point that I can throw my own lead.

 

Be sure to follow Arkkyl through his journey through the 2017 Season of Smite Pro League with Team Dignitas.

Arkkyl's Twitter
Arkkyl's Twitch