After their
win against Rex Regum Qeon on Day 4 of the
VALORANT Champions Paris,
Fnatic discussed how they approached map-specific roles and tempo. Notably, Emir
"Alfajer" Ali Beder switched from Chamber to Sage. Jake "
Boaster" Howlett reflected on balancing calling with fragging and adopting a lighter, process-driven mindset this season. Timofey "
Chronicle" Khromov explained how team setups amplified his impact.
Questions to Jake "Boaster" Howlett:
Was today’s performance sufficient, perhaps even perfect, to silence those who doubt your value as a player? And, also, what happened with your shirt?
Jake "Boaster" Howlett: "Oh no, did everyone see that? I pulled my trousers down because I had shorts underneath, but the shorts came down too, so it was just boxers out. Maybe that’s why I played well; you can’t get worse than that.
More seriously, I wasn’t fixated on my individual performance; I started getting random kills, and it snowballed. When I slip into that low-state flow, I can both play and IGL. Often the IGLing eats up my bandwidth, but on Abyss, there isn’t much to call you, just send it. The boys died, so I had to kill, and if I get them, I look like a god. It was the Swift-play energy today.
Earlier this year you said you wanted to have more fun and not take everything as heavily as in 2024. It’s produced a Masters Toronto finals run and a strong start here. How has that shift helped you?
Boaster: Fewer grey hairs, for a start. Last year was rough on my mental—lots of pressure and debriefs chasing “more.” This year, when things wobble, we’re calmer. Stage 2 wasn’t hot, but my focus was qualifying for Champions and maximizing practice for it. The difference in our energy and aura from Stage 2 to today is obvious. We’re a different team, different gravy, and we’re scaling. That’s my speech every presser: we’re scaling. Think of a Yasuo at 4–0, we’re looking juicy.
Your parents were in the audience and even interviewed. What did that mean to you?
Boaster: They’ve never made it to a Masters or Champions are too far, too hard to manage. With Paris, I told them, “Get over here,” and they came. Seeing my dad do an interview was funny. The last time, 15 years ago, he said something that brought a tear to my eye. Mum was chatting away too. It was at halftime on Ascent that I looked over and thought, "They got him in an interview". Nice to win and send them home happy. I told them, "If we make the finals, you’re coming back the arena, it will be sick". They’re over there, living the VIP life. I joked, “Who let the riff-raff in?” But I love having them here.
Some people questioned you in Stage 2 about your performance. Now you’re here again, playing well and driving a win. Any message for those voices?
Boaster: Losers focus on winners, winners focus on winning, and that’s what I’m doing. The only opinions that matter are from those close to me. If my boys and support staff say I’m impactful as an IGL, that outweighs outside noise. My job is to be the best leader on stage. It so happens that today the leader was also shooting, someone said 52% headshot, so to the haters mind your heads.
After today’s form, are you ready to out-duel Erick "aspas" Santos? And Alfajer can you live up to the “Paris final boss” nickname on X?
Boaster: We’ve played aspas plenty in LOCK//IN, LA Champs, always good matches. I’m looking forward to MIBR. I’m not the “Paris final boss”, I’m just a nice guy. But if I’m shooting like today, I’m ready to go.
Emir "Alfajer" Ali Beder: When I picked that nickname, I didn’t overthink it. Now I have to carry it. We’ll embrace it.
Photo by Jianhua Chen/Riot Games
Question for Emir "Alfajer" Ali Beder:
Many were surprised to see Sage on Ascent instead of your Chamber after an MVP-level Masters Toronto. Which do you prefer, and what drove the change team improvements or opponent-specific prep?
Alfajer: After so much Chamber, teams could read us very easily. I told the coaches I felt uncomfortable on Chamber, so they shifted my role. I’m actually more comfortable like this, even if I’m not a Sage player by identity. Call it battle Sage if you like.
In a previous interview, you told that one of the reasons for the VCT EMEA's elimination in the playoffs was that you were very tired. Have you had time to rest? How did the preparation go, and are you confident about facing the top teams in this tournament?
Alfajer: Honestly, I’m happy we lost to GIANTX and BBL, it gave us time to reset and prepare for Champions, fresh minds, fresh strats, fresh maps. In tournaments, you have to beat everyone to reach the final, so I don’t care who we face, they need the ability to beat us.
Question for Timofey "Chronicle" Khromov:
You’re usually the Sage. What did you make of Alfa’s Sage, and where could he still improve?
Timofey "Chronicle" Khromov: Best battle Sage in the world, Paris “final boss”. He balanced passivity and aggression well and secured crucial rounds on Ascent. I’m happy on Vyse and having fun, so he can keep the Sage if he wants. We’ll see what insane games come next.
Your Ascent performance was insane. How are you feeling, and how does this set you up for the rest of the event?
Chronicle: It feels great, especially to open a tournament with a big performance, it builds confidence for the next matches. Credit to my teammates: our calls on setups and finish protocols, especially on Ascent defense, funneled fights to me. Even the Guardian ace, teammates were jumping to let me close it. I’m glad to be playing with them.
Question for Milan "Milan" de Meij:
This is your third Champions previously with Acend and GIANTX, but your first as head coach. How did preparation differ from your assistant-coach days, and how do you feel about your progress this year?
Milan "Milan" de Meij: Preparation was oddly, more relaxed. We made our path easier by bombing out of playoffs, which gave us extra time. With two other coaches supporting me, my job is more holistic, connecting pieces, aligning staff and players. I’m proud of the group and where we are; we’re in a good spot and excited to see how far we can go."
Header credit photo: Jianhua Chen/Riot Games
