28.09.24 - 18:0028.09.2024 - 18:00·8m8 minute(s) read·

By Armand Luque

MDK Myrwn: "I used to learn from Bwipo. Facing him and players like Bin, Doran, and Zika is going to be really fun. I want to make the most of it"

Now qualified for the main event, MAD Lions and KOI can breathe a sigh of relief as they shift their focus to an even tougher challenge ahead. An interview with the team's top laner.

Alex "Myrwn" Pastor Villarejo, toplaner of MAD Lions KOI, playing at Worlds 2024 for the LEC representatives.

"Our long-term objective is to win Worlds. We are using this tournament as a learning experience and making sure we get the most out of it."

Having successfully booked their ticket to the League of Legends Worlds 2024 Swiss Stage, Myrwn and MAD Lions KOI now have to regroup and prepare for their greatest challenge of the year. Having just defeated PSG Talon with a score of 2-1, the top laner gives an interview to discuss his team's hopes, the state of solo queue, the evolving top lane meta, and playing in Berlin.

How do you feel after beating PSG and booking your ticket to the Swiss Stage?

Myrwn: It feels really good. First Worlds, and we already made it to the Swiss Stage. Personally, I think I’ve improved since the first day. Even though there’s still a lot I need to show, I’ll definitely play better. But yeah for now, I’m kind of happy that I’m stepping up a bit.

You've had some difficulties in your first two series in so far. How has it been preparing for Worlds? Are you feeling stressed?

Myrwn: Definitely more stress and pressure than usual—it’s Worlds. I’ve been working really hard since we got back, probably the hardest I’ve ever worked. It’s kind of sad that it hasn’t shown in the officials yet, but I'm getting my confidence back, and it’ll show soon. I think it’s just a matter of time. The first day, I was pretty nervous. I think today, I was less nervous, even though I didn’t play that well during the games still. So yeah, it’s just about finding that rhythm.

How do you feel about the top lane meta at Worlds, especially with the prominence of picks like K'Sante and Renekton? Do you think your more unique picks are still viable, or is the meta more limited?

Myrwn: There's still a few new picks. The thing is, all the ADC champs got kinda nerfed. For example, Corki is way weaker in lane now compared to before. Zeri too, she took a big hit in the last patch. It's kind of the same for all the AD Carries, I would say. But the meta is pretty much the same as it’s been—Renekton, K’Sante, Jax, Gnar... It’s been like that all year honestly. But at the same time, you’ve got more options now that Aurora is back. I also think that Rumble is still fine and definitely playable. There are some options.

Have you actually talked with Bwipo about reviewing games, or is it just for the memes on Twitter and all?

Myrwn: It’s mostly for the memes; I’ve never talked to him. I know Zeph, our assistant coach, talks to him a lot though. Zeph is actually the biggest Bwipo fanboy ever—and a FlyQuest fanboy too. I think he likes FlyQuest more than he likes us [laughs].

How does it feel to go from the Superliga to the LEC and now qualify for the main event at Worlds? Are there specific teams you are excited to face?

Myrwn: It feels really good because I’m going to be facing a lot of players that I’m a big fan of. For example, Hanwha Life Esports, Bilibili Gaming, FlyQuest... those three teams. When I was starting in amateur, I was learning from Bwipo. Being able to face him and other players whom I'm learning from like Doran, Viper, Zika, and of course Bin... they're all insane so it’s going to be a really fun experience. I just want to make the most of it, learn from them, and keep improving.

Are you confident in your ability to face them? Do you feel you're on the same level?

Myrwn: I mean, I’m not sure about the level because I haven’t played against them yet. But I’m always confident against anyone, so...

How has it been playing weak side more often, especially with lane swaps coming back?

Myrwn: Lane swaps are disgusting. About weak side, I think it’s normal. It’s just how the meta is developing with K’Sante—you’re not going to strong side K’Sante every game. Same with Renekton. So, it’s just about getting used to it. For example, in winter, we did it a lot of times. Even in some of the Season Finals matches and during other splits, it wasn’t really an issue.

Team Liquid's head coach said he sees you as a funny team but has no idea how he'd play against you sometimes. Can we expect your unique play style from Europe to return at Worlds, or will you keep playing more standard?

Myrwn: It’s also about not showing every pick this early in the tournament; it’s a long way to go. So, we will see if we have to show the picks early or not. It’s just a matter of time until everyone sees everything. Our gameplay is always kind of chaotic; we love killing and fighting. So, if the enemy team wants to fight, we’re both happy.

MAD Lions KOI, champions of the Play-In. Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

How has it been working with Melzhet at Worlds so far? I noticed he didn't seem happy after game 3.

Myrwn: It's just his normal face. He was not happy but not angry; it’s just his normal face.

How has it been being back in Berlin for Worlds? Does it still feel special for you to play against all these teams on the LEC stage?

Myrwn: I would say I haven't liked it that much so far since I want to live the Worlds experience of going outside of Europe. So yeah, it kinda sucks. I would have preferred if we could have at least been in a different arena in Berlin or something. Still, there are some advantages to playing on the same stage you do every week during the year I guess.

Is your goal to make it to Paris?

Myrwn: Yeah, of course. I just want to travel and experience what it's like playing on a big stage at Worlds. It will be a super good experience.

What do you think is the ceiling for MAD Lions KOI at Worlds? Is it quarterfinals, semifinals, or even higher?

Myrwn: I'm not sure about this World Championship, but our long-term objective is to win Worlds. The thing is, we are mostly using this tournament as a learning experience and making sure we get the most out of it. Since it's a long-term project, we don't need to rush things or feel the pressure of winning Worlds this early. I think that would make us learn less and stretch our objectives longer. So, it's just a matter of time, basically. I'm not sure if we can reach quarterfinals or whatever, but I want to make quarterfinals minimum; that's my personal goal. So yeah, I just want to see the world, you know? I just want to go to Paris and London, if I can.

What do you think of the Worlds song by Linkin Park? Are you disappointed it wasn't a K-Pop song?

Myrwn: No, I mean... I think every Worlds song, I love them. I think this Worlds, the Linkin Park one is insane; it's super good. But you know, my favorite will always be "GODS", of course—it's NewJeans.

How do you feel about having such a supportive and involved mom? Will your parents be able to attend Worlds?

Myrwn: She has to work unfortunately. So, I'm not sure yet if she can come or not. I hope she can. There's also my brother, so far the only time they managed to come was during the Season Finals in Munich. I'm used to it and I know it's difficult for them to come watch in person. Still, they are always supporting me, and I'm really grateful for them.

What’s your plan for the next few days to prepare for the Swiss Stage?

Myrwn: I'll just keep playing solo queue, keep grinding, analyze our opponents, and use the scrims as much as we can. Just keep playing in-houses; the grinding never stops. We’ll just be ready for the official matches, whoever we face, and win them.

Has the recent solo queue patch with its many item changes been disorienting? How does it impact your practice for Worlds?

Myrwn: Honestly, the patch is not that big because, in the end, only the items are changing, and it's not that big of a deal. Regardless of items, you can still train the same champions. What pros need to train are mechanics champ interactions. The only champions that got changed in the patch were Vladimir and K’Sante. Personally, I wasn't playing K’Sante in solo queue anyway because it's so boring.

The real bad thing is that ranked got reset. Now it's a disaster. For example, Alvaro and Elyoya had a Nunu running them down who said, "Oh, two MDK players, I'm running it down". They just couldn't win the game and that kind of things ruins practice.

Are you a hater of the 3-split format?

Myrwn: Yes. In Solo Queue and in the LEC. Both of them.

Do you have any message for MAD Lions KOI fans and your followers?

Myrwn: Just keep supporting us. We are here to show what we have. We will keep playing and tryharding in scrims and everything. It’s for all of us, not only me—the time that we are tryharding the most. Just keep supporting, and we will bring results and make everyone happy. I'm ready to step up and make big improvements.

Header Photo Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games