Pimp on device being a long-term IGL: "I hope not"
When it comes to Danish Counter-Strike, no one knows as much as Pimp.
The analyst has heavily critical of Astralis in the past but was brimming with optimism following the unveiling of a new lineup that would feature stavn and jabbi.
Months later, the lineup has failed to meet the high expectations that were set upon its formation, and blameF has now been benched in favour of br0 while device will take over as IGL.
With that said, does Pimp still hold the same enthusiasm for Counter-Strike's most successful organisation?
Interview with Pimp
When asked about role conflicts in Astralis at World Final you said this:
“Not really, to be honest. I think the idea of role clashes in Counter-Strike is slightly overrated. In certain cases, of course, it has been an issue, but most players are able to move around a lot and step in on another player's role even in the middle of a round, so I think if you're too static and you can't do that change when you're as good as these players, you're probably not as good as we thought you were.”
After watching that Astralis play more is that a statement you stand by?
That’s still very much my stance yes. The idea of role clashes in Counter-Strike is slightly overrated as most modern days players are so incredibly skilled they can adapt on certain positions or maps.
If anything it confirms the latter part of the statement for me, maybe you weren’t as good as I thought you were. In the case of Astralis it goes way deeper than that. Once you lose faith in your IGL its over, and it was clear to see that was the case.
Photo: Stephanie LindgrenWhat are your thoughts on why the team with blameF failed?
What are your thoughts on blameF as an IGL? Should he now be considered a leader who has had enough chances and clearly can’t make it work?
I think blameF has done alright as an IGL. I’ve always said i’d rather have him as a raw player without the IGL duties, but he’s shown he can make it work at some levels. Semi-finals at IEM Cologne with b0RUP and Buzz on your lineup with great T sides? He has shown he can, but not at a consistent level.
Why do you think stavn, jabbi, and device have all struggled in recent months?
They were not comfortable with their IGL and with their team. It’s easy to blame it on everyone else, but of course, the players themselves hold a part of the responsibility as well.
Keeping jabbi and his struggles in mind, do you think there’s something extra worth noting with him considering his struggles started back when he was still on Heroic?
Yeah, I’m curious to see how jabbi performs in the next couple of tournaments for Astralis. He was indeed struggling a bit in Heroric, and his start in Astralis has been terrible. That being said, I sense he's a player that needs comfort around him, and those exist. If Astralis can find that harmony they so desperately seek, I don’t doubt jabbi can return to form.
Photo: Michal KonkolIn response to benching blameF Astralis have picked up br0, how do you think his addition will change the shape of the team?
Br0 may have an impact for sure, but it’s not the defying factor. You wanna make sure you can activate stavn, jabbi and to some degree the new IGL device.
What do you think of the signing of br0?
It’s not a bad signing at all. I think he’s shown that he is a great player, and given he's been in Astralis before obviously they should know him well too. Will he come in and dominate for Astralis? Doubt it. Will he come in and perhaps elevate the players around him, while holding up to himself? I think so.
With device becoming IGL, do you believe that to be a long-term solution?
I hope not.
How do you think device will adapt to IGLing?
I’m sure device has a great sense of what’s it like to be an IGL. I also have faith in his skillset, however, I doubt it long term. He’s played with karrigan, gla1ve and fetish, IGLs with great history in Denmark. However he’s supposed to be the star, and can he be that while IGL’ing? Does he have what it takes to replicate JAME from VP? The IGL role is stressful as hell, especially long term when things go up and down. That’s something device and the team around him need to be aware of and accommodate for.
Finally, in the same interview at World Final you said this:
“Maybe six months from now we'll look at them and say 'Yeah, that's a top three team' but, at the very least, I think they'll remain top-five, top-eight where they will contend for playoff places every single time”
After watching them play and with the changes in mind, what are your thoughts about where Astralis will be for the rest of the year?
I still think Astralis have the player material to be a top five team, but I doubt it more now than I did three months ago. It seems like they can’t catch a break.