VKS Trymbi: "After Heretics, I didn’t want to join another project where I was an afterthought. I wanted to join a team that believed in me"

Adrian "Trymbi" Trybus, previous support for Team Heretics in the LEC, now heads to the LTA South to compete with Vivo Keyd Stars

"Some people already think this could be my last year, but I don’t see it that way"

Former Team Heretics LEC support Adrian "Trymbi" Trybus is making history with a move to South America, as officially announced by Vivo Keyd Stars this week and first reported by Sheep Esports. The Polish player will join the League of Legends Championship of The Americas South (LTA South) in 2025, embarking on a new adventure overseas. In an exclusive interview with Sheep Esports, Trymbi opened up about the context behind this move, his aspirations with his new team, and the circumstances surrounding his departure from Team Heretics and his off-season.

How does transitioning from the LEC to Vivo Keyd Stars in Brazil feel? Was it difficult to leave your home region after four years in the LEC?

Adrian “Trymbi” Trybus: "When I joined the LEC—or even before that when I was playing in EU Masters with AGO ROGUE—I thought a lot about what I wanted my career to look like. I didn’t aim to be the face of Europe, like Jankos or Caps, because that's a pretty high bar. But I did want to be someone fans could enjoy watching and feel proud of.

After four years in the LEC, I felt like it wasn’t really the case anymore. I had to consider whether staying in Europe was the right move for me, and ultimately, I decided it wasn’t. It was a really hard choice because I enjoyed all those years despite the ups and downs with different teams. I gave it my best, but I always wanted more—like reaching a Worlds final, something other European players have done.

Still, I’m grateful for the opportunities I had. This past winter was the first real break I’ve taken in years, and while it wasn’t something I expected, it gave me perspective. I’ve played a lot, achieved things I’m proud of, and shown what I’m capable of.

For now, it’s time for a new chapter, but I’m not closing the door on Europe forever. I love Europe—the production, the league, everything about it. Even during my break this winter, I got to see things from a different perspective, and it just reinforced how much I enjoy being part of it. I’d love to come back as a player someday, but for now, I’ll focus on what’s ahead.

Trymbi made it to the LEC Finals in his debut season during Spring 2021. Credit: Michal Konkol/Riot Games.

With your team's early exit in July, could you walk me through how the offseason went for you? How did you accept VKS's offer, and how did your options in Europe compare?

Trymbi: Yeah, I mean, for sure, how the year ended was really unexpected for everyone in Team Heretics. We wanted to achieve more, but sadly, that wasn’t the case, and it shocked all of us.

At first, I didn’t know what to do, I was mind-blown by how things went. I focused on myself and avoided thinking about the offseason because it felt too early to plan. Instead, I worked on things that made me feel better after a tough year, and I think I did well in that regard.

When tryouts and discussions began, I prepared as much as I could to improve as a player. But ultimately, I didn’t have many opportunities in Europe. My priority was to stay in the LEC, but the offseason was very competitive, especially for supports, with players like Mikyx dominating discussions.

After my time with Heretics, I realized I didn’t want to join another project where I wasn’t part of the initial vision. The idea of being an afterthought didn’t sit well with me—I wanted to join a team that believed in me and saw me as an integral part of its plans.

In the end, many European teams were focusing on rookies, which I respect, since that’s how I started too. But I didn’t feel like there was a place for me in those projects.

The project I’m joining now with Vivo Keyd Stars feels well thought out, and I’m excited to be part of it despite the challenges of moving to a new region. It’s a chance for a clean slate where I can focus on myself and prove that I’m better than people currently believe.

Here in Europe, I feel like players with more experience aren’t viewed as favorably anymore, and that’s something I hope to change. For now, I’ll give my best in Brazil and aim to show that I still have a lot left to offer.

You began your LEC career with impressive results—second and third place in your first split—followed by a solid 2022. However, 2023 and 2024 proved to be more challenging. How did starting your career on such a high note and later facing setbacks shape your growth as a player? Was it difficult to adapt to and overcome defeats after experiencing so much early success?

Trymbi: The KOI time in 2023 was pretty rough, mainly because of how things shifted so drastically, even though our core stayed pretty similar. It affected us a lot, and the environment wasn’t great. That year taught me to focus more on myself and ensure I was better prepared as a person for the obstacles I’d face.

By the time I joined Fnatic, I think I had improved a lot. I really liked that split because I felt like I was playing better than ever. Of course, I wish we’d won the finals, but it is what it is. At Worlds, I also think I performed better than in previous years, though it doesn’t feel like anyone acknowledges that. Narratives can easily take over, like with the reaction to my Alistar pick—it felt extremely exaggerated. But that’s how it works. Small things get picked up on and blown out of proportion.

In 2024, not being able to find a team in the winter split was tough. Going to Worlds delayed my offseason so much that I couldn’t find anything suitable. Taking a break and spending time on the broadcast helped me reset, even though I still wished I was competing.

That’s why I was so happy to join Team Heretics. Even though that year didn’t bring great results, I still felt like I played many solid games. It’s just hard to show that when games get lost or things go wrong. That’s how it is sometimes.

Now, I feel good about changing my environment. Even though I’m already a bit of a veteran, I feel like I’m playing very well and more maturely. I want to capitalize on that. Despite not winning as much as before, I’m confident in my ability to perform well and continue improving.

In 2024, Trymbi played with Team Heretics in Spring and Summer. Credit: Michal Konkol/Riot Games

You mentioned wanting to join a team you believed in, one you thought could succeed. How do you feel about the potential of this Vivo Keyd Stars roster to compete internationally, given South America’s historical struggles? What are your aspirations for this team, and how does reuniting with SeeEl as your coach influence that?

Trymbi: That's pretty much how this new adventure started! Chris [SeeEl] and I talked a lot over the years after our time with Rogue. Back then, we didn’t communicate much, and things weren’t great between us. But after that period, we had some good conversations that helped us both improve as individuals and as a player and as a coach respectively.

I think this project is really interesting. I genuinely believe that people here are trying their best, and I can see the effort Chris is putting into it. I won’t blindly say we’ll stomp everyone internationally, but I believe in hard work, and I’ll make sure the team stays focused on that. Our first priority is winning the region, which won't be as easy as some people may think.

Though often referred to as a wildcard region, the competition is tough, especially now that it has merged with the LCS and LLA. Beating those teams will be a challenge, but that’s what makes this project exciting—pushing ourselves and seeing how far we can go.

I’m excited to play for fans as passionate as VKS's. The team came close to winning last year but fell short, and that’s my immediate focus—winning here. Internationally, I’m not sure how far we’ll go, but if we stick to our beliefs and work hard, we can do well.

One thing I appreciate about this project is that we’re carving our own path. A lot of teams try to copy what works for others, but you need your own approach. That’s something I didn’t see much of in past teams. Here, I feel we have a clear direction, and the players are very skilled.

I really believe in SeeEl. I trust his knowledge and vision for this team. With this project, I want to go as far as possible. Of course, everyone dreams of going to Worlds and winning it, and that’s my ultimate goal. Will it happen? I can’t say for sure, but I genuinely believe we can do well. It all depends on the players and how we execute the project. I’m hopeful and determined to push toward that goal.

How do you perceive the gap between the LTA South and North, and how does it compare to regions like the LEC? Do you think the task ahead of you is difficult in bridging that gap, or is the difference not as large as people think?

Trymbi: I think there’s definitely a gap, especially in macro play. Some LTA North teams, like Team Liquid and FlyQuest, have been stepping up in that area, while I feel the LEC has declined a bit. It used to be stronger, but now it seems to be going down. Hopefully, the LEC improves next year, though maybe I’m the fraud and they’ll play better without me.

I think NA and EU are pretty similar now, though some teams stand out more. There's still a lot of people who believe G2 are the best, but FlyQuest and Team Liquid are really picking up steam in the Americas. Those are the teams I want to learn from and match.

Trymbi on the LEC Analyst Desk. Credit: Wojciech Wandzel/Riot Games

For me, joining the South is about matching that aggressive playstyle but with a solid understanding of how to play around the map. I think my team has really strong mechanics, and that’s great because it’s the foundation of everything. When you start, you don’t have all the knowledge, and you just play off instinct. That’s something I’m hoping to bring out in my players.

Back in the day, I didn’t know much either, so I leaned on veterans and more experienced players. Now, I want to help my teammates while also playing my own game. Mechanically, I think we’re a strong team. It’s all about how we come together as a team overall, and we’ll put a lot of effort into that so we can compete with the best.

How have fan reactions been so far? Have you felt supported, and how are you handling stepping into the role of replacing ProDelta, a player considered integral to the team's previous identity? Do you feel any pressure to fill his shoes, and how do you approach this challenge?

Trymbi: Yeah, for sure. The fan support has been amazing. Seeing comments online and how people are trying to make me feel at home has been really nice. I haven’t interacted much yet since I’m waiting for the official announcement—it’s just how I prefer to handle things. But there’s been a lot of positivity.

Of course, there’s some doubt, and I get it. I didn’t perform that well in the LEC, and ProDelta was one of the top two supports in Brazil. He did great, so I know I have big shoes to fill. I’m not expecting fans to think I’m amazing right away. I’ll work hard to earn their respect and prove I can be the best.

I’m not scared of the challenge. When I joined the LEC, I replaced Vander and faced a lot of negativity, but I proved myself. I’ll do the same here—work hard with SeeEl and the team.

I’m also excited to be in a new environment. The culture will be different, and there will be challenges, but that excites me as a player. I’m ready to prove myself and see how far we can go. It will be hard, but I'm very excited to play again.

Many European players, like Inspired, have moved overseas and built long-term careers there. Do you see yourself staying in Brazil long-term, or is this more of a short-term move to see how it goes? Have you considered whether you might feel homesick, and how do you think that might impact your future?

Trymbi: Yeah, for sure, getting homesick could be an issue, right? But over the years, especially the last two in the LEC, I’ve learned a lot about dealing with it. Even while being in Berlin, homesickness was something I experienced, but I’ve built tools to handle it now. The time difference and everything won’t be easy, but I believe I can manage it and stay connected with the people I care about.

As for the future, I’m keeping an open mind. At first, I thought this might be a short adventure—go, see what happens, and then come back. But with how the leagues are evolving and all the changes happening, you never know. Maybe Brazil will feel like home, and I’ll want to stay longer.

Of course, I’d like to come back to Europe someday, but if this project proves to be something I truly believe in, I could see myself staying here long-term. Some people already think this could be my last year, but I don’t see it that way.

Even though I’ve been in the LEC for a while and people call me a veteran, I don’t feel like one. I’m still the guy who just loves playing League, learning new things, and improving. Changing environments excites me—it’s a chance to prove I’ve still got it, and I want to back that up with my performance.

How have your aspirations as a player evolved since joining the LEC? After attending Worlds three times and experiencing the ups and downs throughout your career, do you feel like your expectations have shifted to be more realistic or perhaps lower than before?

Trymbi: I think every year I come in, I just… I mean, yeah, it sounds stupid, but I just want to win Worlds every single time I join. It’s still the same thing.

Armand: It's good to be a bit delusional, right?

Trymbi: Yeah, exactly. People don’t like it and flame it, but every time I went to Worlds, my bare minimum was to get there, and then we see what happens. It’s all small steps, but at the end of the day, if you don’t believe you’re going to win Worlds, I don’t know why you’d even bother going. What’s the point? Maybe just to show off or get some bonuses, but for me, that belief is something I’ll always have. That’s the benchmark—you want to get there, and you figure out how to get there through all the steps involved.

Over the years, though, my approach has changed a bit. When I was a rookie, I just wanted to dominate everyone, no matter the matchup. I just wanted to stomp the lane and look good. Now, I think it’s a bit different. Maybe it’s a good thing, maybe bad since people don’t talk about me as the best laner in Europe anymore. But I think I’ve matured. Now, I focus more on making sure we play as a team and have a solid game every time we hit the stage.

I’ve also learned that I just want to show my best performances, regardless of my specific goals in the game. Maybe you don’t always see that because my goals shift depending on the day or the game. But yeah, every time, I just want to do well and show what I’ve learned over the years. That’s it.

Trymbi last played internationally at Worlds 2023 with Fnatic. Credit: Colin Young-Wolff/Riot Games

You have some Iberian roots as you were born in Spain and speak three different languages. Have you given any thought to learning Portuguese? Are you afraid there will be a language barrier?

Trymbi: As far as I know, we’ll be speaking in English for the most part. That’s what I was promised, though I’m not sure if that will actually happen. Either way, I’m working on improving my Spanish and Portuguese. I’m learning some Portuguese right now, and I can definitely see why people say it’s quite different. It’s been a bit difficult, but I understand some Spanish from context, and I’m hopeful I can pick it back up. I used to speak better Spanish than Polish when I was four, so I think I can get back to it. I won’t be perfect, but hopefully, that will help me with Portuguese.

My main goal is to perform well, so I haven’t focused too much on language yet, but I do want to show I care. I don’t want to be the type of person who just shows up and acts like I’m better than everyone else. I want to be part of the community. In the LEC, I really enjoyed getting to know people behind the scenes, and I want to do the same in Brazil. I know it won’t be easy, but I want to be involved in everything, not just be a gamer who plays the game. Winning is great, but being part of something bigger is what really matters to me.

Now that you're joining Brazil, do you think we might see some of your unique champion picks like Nasus, Soraka, Zac, or Enchanters? Any hopes for some spicy picks there?

Trymbi: Yeah, I'm kind of sad I can’t show those picks in the LEC. The first split in Brazil will be exciting, and I’m not sure how much the Fearless draft will change, but I think some teams will still stick with engage supports. People might not fully take advantage of it, but we’ll see what the meta brings. Personally, I don’t think it’s too stale—I think there’s still room for interesting stuff. SeeEl knows I like to experiment, so I’m sure he’ll put a stop to some things, but there will be other options. Who knows, maybe we’ll even see Mordekaiser support to kick things off. Sounds fun! I’ll practice it and see how good it actually is.

You've had a lot of blue in your life historically, but you've been seeing more purple lately. What's your favorite color?

Trymbi: To be fair, I’ve always loved blue; it was definitely one of my favorite colors. But ever since I was with KOI, I started enjoying purple a bit more, and I think it’s becoming stronger out there. I do like purple quite a lot too. [laughs]

Trymbi, cosplaying Rakan during his time with KOI. Credit: Michal Konkol/Riot Games

Do you have any final message for the fans, especially the Brazilian fans, ahead of the upcoming split?

Trymbi: For sure, I want to thank all the people from Europe who have been cheering for me. I’m happy that I could give them a little something to think about with my performances, just being out there as a player. It was almost four years, and that's something I’m really proud of. But I wouldn’t say it’s over—I think it's just a big part of the journey. I still believe there are many years ahead when I’ll be performing my best. I don’t know when it will end, but hopefully, after this chapter in Brazil, people will continue to believe in me and appreciate what I do.

As for the Brazilian fans, I understand there’s a lot of love, but also some doubt. I get it, especially since I’m coming in to replace a player like ProDelta, who was doing really well for the team. But I personally believe in the project. I really do. Even if some people might not, I think SeeEl is an amazing person, and I know he’s putting in a lot of effort to make it work in Brazil. I hope that together with the team, we’ll be able to show something they haven’t seen before. I really want to show good performances and make them proud. That’s what I hope will happen."

Header Photo Credit: Michal Konkol/Riot Games