20Q 20A: Black^
Welcome, everyone!
First of all I am sorry that it took me quite some time to finish it.
20Q20A is our way of getting professional players involved with the Team Liquid community. We are giving you an opportunity to ask one question, and once we have enough, we will select twenty of them to be answered by CJ Entus' beastly top player, Flame himself. We hope you enjoy this new feature, and lend us your participation to make it a success.
Keep in mind Flame answered the questions on Patch 4.5.
20 Questions
&
20 Answers
GTPGlitch: How would you rank the top 5 champions for toplane this patch, and why?
Renekton, Shyvana, Mundo, personal preference, personal preference.
Best Singed NA: do you think being an incredible player is a born gift or is it determination passion and practice? can mindset alone take you to the very top? is SKT piglet practicing 16 hours a day something an average person can copy to become an amazing player?
There’s a huge number of people who play like that, but only a few top class players.
When you get high quality practice and work hard, I think your talent determines how far you can go.
When you get high quality practice and work hard, I think your talent determines how far you can go.
Amarant1995: Who is the best toplaner outside of Korea?
I like playing the game, so I’m the type that doesn’t watch tournaments. So I don’t know.
GhandiEAGLE: Where do you think Professional LoL is headed? Are you surprised by its growth? Do you think you will be continuing to play LoL as you get older?
Of course I think that it would be good if it kept advancing.
I don’t doubt that age can be a limitation. I can feel that it’s rapidly becoming harder to concentrate, and things of that sort.
I don’t doubt that age can be a limitation. I can feel that it’s rapidly becoming harder to concentrate, and things of that sort.
Goddess of 2ch: Would you like to be a model?
I think I’m pretty far from being a model.
qiuri: Your team has a lot of experience and success in playing overseas tournaments against foreigns teams. How would you evaluate the different strengths and metas between Korea/China/EU/NA after Worlds? Also, from your experiences, what would be your advice to a team that has a chance to play against foreign teams for the first time and has to face an unfamiliar meta/playstyle?
First, I think the tempo of play in foreign games is a lot slower than in Korea. They can’t adapt to the fast tempo, and I think there’s a difference in ability to play the laning phase.
It’s hard to point out a strength or unique quality because that changes often. Perhaps it’s better to play the way you’ve practiced than place importance on your opponent?
It’s hard to point out a strength or unique quality because that changes often. Perhaps it’s better to play the way you’ve practiced than place importance on your opponent?
Doctorbeat: Do you prefer Korean or International events?
Foreign tournaments progress very quickly and are fun. There’s a lot of cases where things are really just determined by skill.
Korean tournaments need some commercial aspects in order to help esports grow, so there’s a focus on promotion and long preparation time.
I think they’re both good. But there’s a higher chance of a weaker team beating a stronger team in Korean tournaments.
Korean tournaments need some commercial aspects in order to help esports grow, so there’s a focus on promotion and long preparation time.
I think they’re both good. But there’s a higher chance of a weaker team beating a stronger team in Korean tournaments.
Manisier: What goes through your mind when you have to face a 1v2 lane? How do you decide when you should be swapping lanes?
It’s only a 1v1 lane in name; just think of it as both tops being unable to grow.
After discussing it, we swap if we think it creates a good overall picture for us.
After discussing it, we swap if we think it creates a good overall picture for us.
Rezathekiller2: What champions do you think are very strong but have not been used a lot yet?
There’s always a lot of strong champions, but it’s important to fit the meta. I dont’ think there’s one in particular.
jacobdamasta: Everyone knows you as one of the best laners in the world, but what can you tell us about YOU yourself? What do you like or like to do outside of LoL? For example, do you listen to Kpop and have a favorite girl group?
I’m not sure. To be honest, I think MakNoon’s public image has gotten worse after he left CJ in comparison to before, when he was part of a team.
I want to find a hobby, but it’s difficult. My hometown is far away.
I haven’t watched TV in a long time therefore I don’t have good knowledge about this stuff.
I want to find a hobby, but it’s difficult. My hometown is far away.
I haven’t watched TV in a long time therefore I don’t have good knowledge about this stuff.
khazzz: What do you think is the NA's main issue on being competitive and do you ever think that NA teams will be good enough to challenge a Korean team, like SKT T1 one day?
Well, I can’t say in detail because I’m not sure how they (NA teams) practice. Korea as a region is just really competitive, and games are a big part of our culture, that’s probably why (Korea is a strong region).
plae: What are common mistakes made by players of high level(maybe high plat~or higher) when they hit a wall?
Mastering your laning ability is a must, and you need to focus on rotations and objectives. It’s really difficult to explain in words.
Smogkognito: You are amazing at playing AP top laners like Diana and Kennen, did you play midlane before you joined Blaze? Also what other AP's may we see in the future from you?
I did play in midlane from time to time, but I only played champions that I liked. Since I had good win rates, my teammates acknowledged [that I could play AP champions], so I guess that’s why I played [AP top laners] a lot.
mentha: If you hadn't become a pro gamer, what do you think you would be doing today? Or alternatively, what can you see yourself doing after retirement (which I hope isn't anytime soon!)? Coaching/casting/something gaming-related or pursuing outside interests?
I guess I would have been a hard-working student. I never had the chance to think it through, so I don’t think that now’s the time to say anything regarding that.
Crusnik: What are your thoughts on the new defensive masteries for champions like Renekton, Dr Mundo, and Shyvana? Do you think going deeply into those trees a normal 21 points is enough, or would you go deeper for certain matchups?
Laneswap or when you are a tank I think in an important team game damage isn’t important. Therefore I tend to go into 21 points in defense.
cascades: How do you train your mechanics/top lane matchups?
Just overcoming the hardships in SoloQ seem to be the way.
suicideyear: if you switched to any other role in the game, which one do you feel like you would do the best at?
I would like to play in mid or jungle. ADC is very weak in early and mid game and I can’t play support.
In my opinion,champions that can snowball with burst damage have the most game impact/influence.
In my opinion,champions that can snowball with burst damage have the most game impact/influence.
krndandaman: what is your favorite champion and why?
Right now Nidalee and Khzaix seem to be a lot of fun. In top lane Shyvana or Riven etc are fun to play.
Xes: How do you decide who does the dishes in the CJ House?
Ajumma does it or we share the duty.
dansengg: are there any solo laners from NA that you think would do fine or even excel if they were placed into an OGN team? Are there any NA players that koreans still look up to highly and respect a lot in terms of raw ability and not just fame from the beginning?
Sometimes in the video forums there is 북전파 (Faker’s amateur ID was 고전파 this means he is the American 고전파) I heard that Bjergsen is a good player but the truth is I don’t know him well.
Writer: Chexx
Gfx: fusefuse, riptide, Chexx
Translator: Chexx, Waxangel and Emkay
Editor: Waxangel
Banner image by: Chexx & Inven
Gfx: fusefuse, riptide, Chexx
Translator: Chexx, Waxangel and Emkay
Editor: Waxangel
Banner image by: Chexx & Inven