KC Vladi: “I wouldn’t say I’m better than Caps or Jojopyun or something, [I think] that the top 3 mid laners are currently are kinda even.”
Q: It looked like Jojo had a pretty bad series. What do you think?
Vladi: I think Jojo is the type of guy who really likes to play for himself. Like, he just goes on sides, he’s freezing waves, he’s trying to get the CS and XP leads. And I think today, he did that. For example, I think two out of the three games, I was 56 behind at some point.
I think what he does is good sometimes, but [sometimes] it’s just very bad for his own team, because they end up giving some objectives or space, and then we [get] other resources from that. But overall, I think he is a good player, and today he did pretty fine.
Q: Are you and Canna still doing your wrestling ritual? Is that what’s helping you guys win? I feel like KOI is not wrestling like that, and maybe that’s what’s losing them the games.
Vladi: I mean, we kinda stopped after First Stand. I think we will only do it in internationals, this type of thing. We still kinda punch each other — like, we just punch each other. It gives us more damage and stuff like this when we play scrims or official [matches].
We keep doing this type of thing just a bit less.
Q: To increase your damage in scrims, you punch each other?
Vladi: *laughs* Yeah.
Q: I wanna show you this tweet from Massu that made me think of you and Canna at First Stand. Massu and Busio smurfed, and they’re getting each other flowers, they’re writing each other poetry. I’m thinking, is that the secret to the West’s success? Is it the power of love?
Vladi: I mean, it kinda is. Because, as you can see, Me and Canna started doing it in First Stand, then CFO also did it before they played TES, and they also won. FlyQuest did it, and guess what? They won.
I don’t remember which match they did it before, this picture.
Q: This is very recent. They got each other flowers for National Girlfriend Day about a week ago.
Vladi: Yeah. So it works.
Q: Exactly. That’s what I’m saying — maybe that’s the secret to saving EU.
Vladi: It is, but let’s not leak it to the other teams, because we want to be the team to save EU.
Q: Do you guys hang out outside of the game? I feel like the teams that like each other tend to do best.
Vladi: I mean, we obviously like each other even though there are some heated moments, let’s say. We can go boom sometimes in scrims, for example, but I think this is normal to every team.
I wouldn’t say we’re going too much out, but we are spending a lot of time during and after scrims. After scrims, we will just still chill on the PC and either play a different game or just say random things. That’s kinda how we spend time, even though I think spending time outside is probably better with just nerds.
Q: What other games do you guys play?
Vladi: I mean, me and Canna play a bit. We played CS:GO in the previous split. These types of games, or we just watch something.
Q: You and Canna get along super well, but import players don’t always come to other regions and feel socially comfortable. Does he just have really good English? Is he just an outgoing guy?
Vladi: When he came in last summer, he didn’t know any English. But he’s [been] my teammate for a year, so I think he’s pretty comfort[able] being with me right now.
We are together for a year, as I said. And I think his English is pretty impressive. He understands a lot, and he speaks quite a lot, I would say. I think other Koreans don’t learn English as fast as him. Currently, in just a year, if not less, (because I think even in winter he knew a lot of English) [it’s] way easier to be more talkative with him and try to make him comfortable with the team.
Q: On LEC broadcast, Yike made a tier list where he put you first for mid lane, and Caps and Jojo in a tier with Poby. What do you think?
Vladi: I mean, it’s obviously a bit biased. Because if there was a jungle tier list, let’s say, I would obviously put Yike first.
I think it’s pretty solid. I wouldn’t say I’m better than Caps or Jojopyun or something, [I think] that the top three mid laners are currently kinda even. I wouldn’t put anyone above someone.
Because I think also Caps is not as he was before, for example. I still think he’s very, very good; I’m just saying, I think if he played like he did in 2019 or 2020, […] he would be one step above everyone. But currently, I think the top three mid laners are quite equal.
Q: But how do you know that? You never played against peak Caps.
Vladi: Oh, yeah. Obviously. But I got to see him a lot, playing in internationals and in LEC, and he was pretty impressive. I think everyone, if you ask, will say the same thing.
Q: Is it weird to play against a guy who you looked up to when you were much younger?
Vladi: Not really. I wasn’t really looking up to Caps or someone. He wasn’t my favorite player, for example. I didn’t have someone specifically, but it’s obviously a very nice feeling to play against this type of player who has been very, very strong and made it to Worlds finals and stuff like this.
From watching him to playing against him now is very amazing.
Q: On EUphoria, Jankos said you’re going to be the next Caps-level talent. Does the pressure of having to be the next savior of EU and the face of KC ever get to you?
Vladi: I mean, I don’t really think about it [like] I need to be the best. I know I can be, and I’m just putting [in] as much effort as I can. And time will show.
Q: Do you think FNATIC is most likely to challenge for the third spot at Worlds?
Vladi: I’m not sure. I think the top four right now are between G2, KOI, FNATIC and us.
And I will [say] GIANTX are a dark horse. Because who knows? Maybe they steal one of the spots, because I think they are doing pretty decent right now.
Q: KOI has looked weaker than FNATIC. Do you think they’re warming back up, or just not playing to their level onstage?
Vladi: I’m not sure, because I didn’t get to scrim them. We just played them now, and I can’t really say, honestly. So I’m not sure. I will just have them on the same level right now.
Q: Any final message for KC fans, Vladi?
Vladi: I wanna say thank you to everyone […] I’m not trying to be cocky or something. I’m just keeping it humble that, “Okay, we are not in Worlds yet, but we are trying to [get there].”
Expect to see a lot from us. Everyone is trying their best. Just a big thank you for supporting us.
Q: Thanks Vladi. Hopefully the power of love can carry EU to second place at Worlds (behind NA).
Vladi: This can’t happen, I think … No. This can’t happen. You can take second place.
Q: You can win next year, if you want.
Vladi: I mean, we can go second place but the first has to be an Asian team.
Transcription assistance from Sage, @eonmoons
