After a more than convincing season in the LEC, supported by a remarkable breakthrough at the 2023 World Championships, Sheo, the current jungler for Team BDS, reflects on the highlights of the year's end, as well as his and his team's future in 2024.
After a tumultuous October, how did the off-season go? Did you quickly know that you would stay with BDS?
Sheo: My off-season was quite calm. I signed a two-year contract with Team BDS in December 2022 upon joining. After the 2023 season, there were no indications of any changes, so I already knew I would stay.
Upon exiting the World Championships, did you view the event as a valuable experience, or did you still have a certain degree of disappointment? Do you think it made you stronger for this year?
Sheo: Personally, the Worlds were not a source of frustration. Playing against the top teams, I saw the moment as a way to gain experience. It made me realize that we truly have a good team, with only the replacement of our ADC "Crownie" by "Ice." We have the potential to return to the Worlds.
Regarding Ice's integration into the team as ADC, what is your opinion? How is his integration going so far ?
Sheo: So far, everything is going very well. He is taking a lot of English lessons and improving rapidly. He is not shy; he approaches us, and we approach him. Most importantly, in-game, it clicks very well, so the whole team is currently happy with this recruitment, and there's no reason for it not to continue.
Last year, Team BDS surprised many with significant results despite being a rookie team. Is there more pressure for the upcoming season, whether from fans or internally?
Sheo: From what I see on Twitter, we are still underrated. Many claim that we will perform little or not at all, so in that regard, we are relaxed, no pressure. However, at BDS, we are highly motivated, putting pressure on ourselves to win, wanting to show that we are among the best teams and that it no longer needs proving after the season.
In the team, there is also the perception that you are underestimated in tier lists. Where would you currently position BDS?
Sheo: It doesn't surprise me; after all, tier lists are made to click. Without going too far, I would place us in the top 3. Since last season, as mentioned earlier, we've made only one change with "Ice," our roster has not changed, and I doubt that we magically lost skill or fell behind during the off-season.
Another team that hasn't changed much is G2, whom you will face in your first match. They are considered favorites by many. What is your view on their lineup, and do you see your direct confrontation as a good thing?
Sheo: It's not unreasonable to say that they are the favorites for the upcoming season; they are still G2. However, their possible dominance doesn't seem so obvious to me; they didn't win everything last season.
Facing them early is a very good thing; we will know from the start if we have the level to be one of the best teams in the league, showing everyone that we are well present.
Moreover, it will be among the first matches of the year, meaning they won't be at their best right from the start, and it will be a balanced match.
On a more practical note, the new map has caused quite a stir, and there are many questions surrounding the jungler.
Firstly, will this redesigned map lead you to a different gameplay, with perhaps more ganks and especially more aggression?
Sheo: Firstly, I don't find the map particularly more conducive to ganking compared to before, whether top or mid, it's no longer something possible. So, I don't think the map is more aggressive.
However, yes, we have many more options available, which means our choices will be much more punishing and decisive for the outcome of a match.
Will the changes to monsters affect your priorities as a jungler?
Sheo: Not really. Now, when there are two neutral monsters at the same time, you just have to choose which way to go, but that depends on the team and the playstyle.
Then you just need to adapt based on the decisions made.
Do you think these changes will influence the meta/champion picks for this jungle season, and are you already preparing specific picks?
Sheo: Yes, I am preparing picks, but you can imagine that I can't go into too much detail on the subject. As for the meta, everything that has been done recently still plays very well. We'll see if the meta has any surprises in store, but I think currently, you can play almost any jungle pick; it has become very open.
Finally, what are your overall goals for this year?
Sheo: My primary goal for this year is, above all, to win a title. Still no title in my career, and that's not good at all, haha. And more collectively, to qualify for the Worlds once again; we were able to do it in my first year with BDS, and I would love to achieve it again for 2024.
