When it comes to knowledge of the NA scene, there's no one who knows more than DarfMike.
During BLAST Premier Fall Final, we spoke to DarfMike about the changes to North American teams, whether Complexity's form is sustainable, and his thoughts on the last two years of Evil Geniuses in CS.
On the NA scene, Complexity have been in good form recently, they’ve made it to their peak rating and to a big LAN final; are they ready to take the leap to become a consistent contender?
Yes I do think this Complexity team is built to last as a consistent competitor.
The players are young, despite having years of experience, and for many of them, they're just now entering what we would consider their prime.
The roster dynamic seems to have hit a perfect level, and the issues with mentality that have plagued the team seem to have levelled out.
All that being said, it is still very much the early days of CS2 so it's fair to wonder how they'll handle other teams coming into form.
All in all, this is the most optimistic I've felt for this Complexity team and I fully expect them to lift a trophy soon.
What do you think the difference maker has been for them? Is it just that we now see the full effects of EliGE joining?
EliGE has definitely been a game-changer for them. To be honest, I wasn't the most optimistic about the move when it first came through.
I was worried that the whispers about EliGE being a difficult teammate in his time in Liquid would prove true and that he would struggle to integrate with coL. Turns out I was a fool and after some initial wobbles they seem to have settled in very nicely.
The comms and poise EliGE brings, particularly in big-stage games, has been a stabilizing factor for this roster and as the players have gotten comfortable together the team has taken off.
The pieces of this coL have always been there, but now with EliGE in the fold not only is he looking rejuvenated, but everyone else on the team is levelling up as well.
What about Liquid? Obviously, their leaving the NA scene was a disappointment to the region, do you think they will recuperate some fans with their reported new roster? How do you feel about the team that has been reported?
Liquid abandoning NA was a massive mistake, and fortunately for everyone they seem to have realized it. The new reported roster has the chance to absolutely right the ship and regain their fans.
Starting from the top, cadiaN is a galvanizing figure and the kind of captain who elevates those around him. He's no stranger to playing in NA having been here with Rogue previously, but now he comes into a team that can provide all the resources, all the pieces around him, to push for trophies.
Bringing Twistzz back into the fold is another slam dunk. He's the best of the best of riflers, arguably the NA GOAT, and a player Liquid never should've let out the door in the first place. He's also got existing chemistry and history with NAF and with their rumoured coach Zews.
Skullz is a bit more of a question mark for me. The talent is definitely there to be a top, top player. Watching him on the Pain squad that shot to the top of the region I immediately thought this was the next great Brazilian player. But the question with him is how does the adaptation to a new playing language, new team, AND new system go for him? We've only really seen him shine in one circumstance, and even based on that play he's going to need to learn fast and level up his game to be a contributor at a tier-one level. I do believe he can get there, but his development is likely the biggest challenge for the new team.
Then for the remaining pieces, starting with NAF, I mean what is there to say about NAF that isn't positive? This guy has been the picture of consistency across different rosters, IGLs, even continents. Dude has a mountain of experience and is a steadying element for any team. Now with him extended through 2026 Liquid has their rock to build on.
YEKINDAR again carries one big question mark, which is how does he handle giving up the reins of IGLing? Yeki hasn't been an IGL for long, and we know what a dynamic aggressive element he can be when he's focused on his own crosshair, but as many a player has shown in the past, once you switch on IGL-brain, it can be very hard to turn it off.
However, if there is anyone with the resume and respect to make YEKINDAR feel comfortable giving up the wheel cadiaN is certainly that guy. Provided they can find the balance of voices in the team I see no reason YEKINDAR can't return to the absolute pinnacle of performance.
So yeah, you might say I like the rumoured roster.
It seems like EG is still struggling, and Richard Lewis has reported they may soon not even be in CS; how would you sum up the organisation's last two years in CS?
Depressing.
If they do go, NRG are reportedly looking to re-enter the scene, do you think they can build a team stronger than EG’s currently? What would your dream NRG roster be?
The rumour I've seen is that they're looking to build around oSee, which I see as an obvious slam dunk. oSee is a massively talented player who has stepped up not just as an individual but as an emotional leader over the last year of play in Team Liquid. He deserves this shot to be the kingpiece of the next big NA project.
Now, as far as what direction NRG go in building around oSee, I'm not sure.
For IGLs, there's some options. daps is out there now and flirted with the return to play in Liquid. Walco would be an interesting name to see get the call up, but of course, with the performance of EG, I can understand some hesitancy there.
For riflers, FaNg is a guy I'd like to see on this team. He's a massively talented player who struggled with consistency at times on coL, but with that experience now under his belt I'd love to see him get another crack at the top.
Autimatic could be an interesting get. HexT or Jeorge as a space taker. And of course some of the older names that have fallen out of the spotlight. I have no idea what kind of form Brehze is in, or indeed if he's still interested in competing, but once upon a time he was one of NA's best on NRG. Maybe a new game is what's needed to get him back there.
Lower down, it seems like there are some more organisations and faith coming back in following the release of CS. How are you feeling about the scene currently and its potential growth over the next couple of years?
We here in NA love a shiny new game [laughs]. But genuinely, we are seeing a lot of growth and a lot of movement coming back into NA.
I'm feeling very optimistic, really the most optimistic I've felt since the start of COVID. What I'm excited to watch is how the next generation of rising stars develops with this new support. Players like JBa, Jeorge, or D4rty who are rising through the scene are the key to the future of NA.
Moving on to yourself, it’s been a big year for you personally. What has been your personal highlight?
It's been the crowds for sure. This has been the first year of my career where I've been able to work events with genuine live arena audiences, something I've aspired to since getting into this space.
I love the energy of the fans, I feed off of it and getting to share their excitement in Dallas, DC, and Cologne this year has been the absolute highlight of my career so far. I can't wait to add Copenhagen to that list.
Is there something you have yet to do in CS that you hope to do in 2024?
I think this one's going to be obvious but sometimes you have to say the obvious thing, I want to work the Major. This year I've been privileged to work so many top-tier events, but I haven't yet added a Major to the resume. Working one or both (if I can be a little greedy) of the Majors in 2024 would be an absolute dream come true.
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