In this post-match conference after Team Heretics' victory over G2 Esports in their opening
VALORANT Champions Paris, TH coach and players discussed their reasoning behind the team composition choices, particularly the double Sentinel strategy on Lotus. They also talked about how individual comfort, role flexibility, and mid-series adjustments influenced the outcome of the match. They answered questions about confidence and training intensity since
Stage 2, evaluated clutch-time decision-making, and provided considered views on their current performance.
Question for Wo0t: Your double-Sentinel composition on Lotus looked very solid and efficient, but seeing you play Chamber felt almost iconic. What was the reasoning behind that choice?
Mert "Wo0t" Alkan: "The team gave me the green light, and I simply did my job. That’s how Lotus works for us. After the first pause, when we were behind, the call was essentially, “If you don’t die, I don’t care—just go.” So I ran it down, and it worked.
Question for Wo0t: Are you comfortable on Viper, and what drove the choice between Viper and Waylay?
Wo0t: I’m much more comfortable on Viper. It was an unlucky game from my POV: I anchored B while they repeatedly hit A, and we still won the rounds. So it wasn’t about discomfort; it was how they played into us. The agent choice is a team decision. I’m a flex, if they say play this, I play it. Viper’s walls and smokes create significant map space, so overall I think she suits us better than Waylay.
Question to Boo: You shine from the Esports World Cup until the end of the VCT EMEA play-ins, then fall in the playoffs. Did you question yourselves before this Champions event? Did you have time to rest before the Champions, or did you focus on preparation ?
Ričardas "Boo" Lukaševičius: We had time to rest, we arrived early, even did some sightseeing, so we were well-rested. As for doubt, no. I actually changed to a one-dot crosshair that a teammate suggested, and my scrim form has been excellent. Individually, I felt as comfortable as I have in years, confident in myself and in the team.
Question to Boo: You’ve been close to winning internationals several times, finished second last year, and just won EWC. Is this the most “in-form” you’ve ever felt as a player and as a team?
TH Boo: I think so. The more you play, the more teams you face, the more you learn what’s possible. Even today, we learned things you don’t see double Odins often in VALORANT. So yes, I’m probably at the peak of my career in terms of knowledge and feel.
Photo by Adela Sznajder/Riot Games
Question for MiniBoo: During Stage 2 some people doubted your level, despite you being one of the league’s best duelists. After today, do you feel those doubts have been dispelled?
Dominykas "MiniBoo" Lukaševičius: I don’t care. I heard the same thing a year ago. People talked after Stage 2 then, too. I don’t concern myself with it.
Question for BenjyFishy: Earlier you posted that you’d forgotten your Tibbers hat at the hotel and nearly went on stage without it. For those who don’t know, what does the hat mean to you, and does it give you “aura”?
Benjamin "benjyfishy" Fish: Not sure about aura. When I first joined VCT with this roster, I wanted something distinctive. I found the Tibbers hat at the Berlin studio and thought it would be a fun walk-out piece, I’m a big League fan. It became a thing, and, oddly, every time I haven’t worn it, we’ve lost. The Heretics social guy saved me today, he retrieved it from my hotel room and brought it to the arena. Shout-out to him.
Question for neilzinho: You looked very different from the Na’Vi match in the Stage 2 playoffs. Josh "JoshRT" Lee said you used this window well to prepare. What was the most valuable lesson from that early exit, and what did you focus on to look so sharp today?
Neil "neilzinho" Finlay: We had almost no break between EWC and groups, but we still went 5–0 in groups. In the playoffs, we played poorly for three days, and at this level that’s enough to lose, plus we didn’t have time to prep all the maps. We’ve now used the time well. I often say, give us a day, and we’re pretty good, give us a week, and we’re very good, give us three weeks and we’re unbeatable. I back myself, Weber, the staff, and the players when we have time, we’re fine.
Question for RieNs: You were the only Initiator across both maps. On the second map, with Yoru in the composition, you at least have flashes and rotation tricks; but on Lotus, most of the attack utility seemed to come from your kit. Is being the sole Initiator extra difficult, and how do you manage it while fragging as you did?
Enes "RieNs" Ecirli: Two Initiators would obviously ease the load, but being solo isn’t a problem. When I use utility, my team gains space, it’s not only on me. Boo calls at times, others make mid-round calls, and we follow the plan. It’s a team effort, and my teammates support me a lot."
Header credit photo: Adela Sznajder/Riot Games
