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Credit: lolesports

Mikyx talks return to the LEC, his goals, Chemtech soul & more




Excel Esports was the first team in the LEC to make a roster change this split. 2019 MSI winner Mikyx joined the organization before the third week of the LEC with hopes of boosting their chances to make the playoffs. Mikyx joined Jaxon for a post-game interview after their important win against Astralis.


Yohan Markov

Congratulations on your first win with XL and welcome back to the LEC! How did the first week go for you? 

Mikyx

The first week went okay. Scrims went pretty well, I would say. It was just a bit disappointing that we couldn’t translate it on stage. I thought I played a lot more scared on stage. That kind of let us lose the MAD Lions game. I was also a bit hesitant about picking a champion that I didn’t practice in scrims. I could have had a better situation in the MAD Lions game, but I went for Galio because it’s something that we played during our scrims. Lowkey regret that a little bit but I think we should be fine with more practice. It was fine for the first week. 

Yohan Markov

For how many days did you practice with XL so far? 

Mikyx

We played for four days

Yohan Markov

How is the team outside the game? Did you know any of the players before joining the organization? 

Mikyx

I actually didn’t talk to any of them personally before joining. I didn’t really know any of them, I met them in solo queue a few times, but that’s about it. I played football once with Nukeduck and Markoon, but that was kind of it. Everyone was really nice when I joined. Everyone is really funny; they have some good memes here that I enjoy. It wasn’t really hard to get along, it was pretty easy.

Yohan Markov

Did you have any plans if this offer didn’t come around?

Mikyx

I was prepared to just sit out in Spring with hopes of getting something in Summer and stream. I was planning to go to the analyst desk, maybe Euphoria or something like this. I wanted to come to Berlin once a month and try not to be too left out because I get really bored at home. But then, this opportunity came around, so I just took it.

Yohan Markov

I am curious if you are taking the leading role within the team or is it something that you guys are still figuring out?

Mikyx

I wouldn’t really say I am taking a leadership role or anything. For the first week, I was just trying to adapt to the team and see how they do this. I tried to fill in and do my job. I think probably the ones that talk the most in-game would probably be – Markoon, Finn, and Nukeduck. I am just trying to fill in and see what I can do.

Yohan Markov

How do you feel being on a different type of roster? On G2, you were always aiming to win Worlds, but now it’s more of a long-term project with the first goal being to make the playoffs. How is that transition and change of mindset working for you?

Mikyx

I think it’s quite refreshing. I have been in similar positions when I was in Splyce or in Misfits back in the day, and it kind of feels similar. I think it’s not too bad if people don’t expect you to win every single game. It’s like: if you lose, that’s not too bad, you were not expected to win (laughs). But yeah, I am still aiming quite high because I think every player in this team has a lot of potential. I think it’s a good refresher.

Yohan Markov

On G2, you were constantly under pressure to perform, especially after being the best in the region for a while. Now, you are coming in a team with different goals, but as the person who won the most, you will have all eyes on you. How do you cope with the pressure?

Mikyx

I am not sure. I don’t do anything special, I guess. I just play and focus on the team and how we can win.

Yohan Markov

What about social media? Do you often check what people write?

Mikyx

I don’t mind. I kind of read everything honestly. Even if someone is flaming me, sometimes it’s valid, and I feel like it could be fair if I played badly. Sometimes it’s funny, for example when people are blaming me without any reason. I am thinking: “lol, this guy is just clueless. Usually, I don’t really mind. Sometimes if there is way too much in a row it can get to me.

Yohan Markov

And what would you like to achieve as a personal goal with Excel Esports?

Mikyx

One of my personal goals is to win against my former G2 teammates and G2 themselves. Also making playoffs and making Worlds in Summer. I think those would be my goals.

Yohan Markov

Are you happy with the number of supports being played right now on the professional level and would you like to see any changes to the role?

Mikyx

I think right now there is quite some variety in the support role, so I don’t really mind it at the moment. For changes, yeah. I think they could buff some weaker supports like Swain (laughs). I want to play Swain. They could buff my Twisted Fate support, perhaps. Also, some unorthodox picks like Poppy for example. Otherwise, depending on the team comp, right now you can play anything. Nothing really stands out as OP right now. I think it’s fine to keep it as it is.

Yohan Markov

Your Bard is legendary. I hope we could see that from you.

Mikyx

I mean this is more of a solo queue pick than a competitive but if there is a good opportunity, why not?

Yohan Markov

Do you think the Chemtech Soul removal was a much-needed change?

Mikyx

I don’t really care about the Chemtech Soul. Maybe it was annoying to play competitively, but I wasn’t playing when it was enabled. I don’t mind it, but I do feel like it’s weird that they removed a new thing that they added to the game. I feel like people should just adapt. It didn’t seem that OP when I played in solo queue. I didn’t experience the good or the bad side of it in solo queue, so I don’t really have a good opinion about it. I don’t think it was necessary to remove it because people should just adapt.

Yohan Markov

I think it was mostly the stealth that annoyed people.

Mikyx

Yeah, the area. It was annoying for sure for supports because you couldn’t put wards except for pink wards. But at least you had to adapt and, for example, buy the support ward stone so you could have two pink wards in your pocket. You could still do something about it.

Yohan Markov is among the most prolific of all analysts and writers covering League of Legends esports. A long-time veteran of the scene, Yohan has the in-depth knowledge of LoL required to break down the biggest pro games, combined with the lengthy experience covering Riot Games and its many regional leagues needed to break down what's happening and why in the LoL esports world.