DIG Denathor on becoming one of the best NA players: "It'll happen"

Sheep Esports talks to the new rookie toplaner on Dignitas.

Denathor at the LCS studio. Image credit: Photo by Colin Young-Wolff / Riot Games

"It was really good debuting against [Impact,] who's had so much experience, and I can learn a lot from it.

In the last few years,

has gone through a lot of toplaners, spending split after split with all-new rosters and the same poor results. This split, they’ve brought in another new top, this time taking a different bet than usual, in putting their faith in NA rookie talent

Noah “Denathor” Erikson

, a top Tier 2 player with good results in CLOL and NACL.

And though Denathor’s debut series was a 1-2 loss to Sentinels, even winning one of three matches could be a sign of hope relative to some previous DIG iterations. To discuss the future of his new LCS career, his series versus SEN, and more, Sheep Esports sat down with Denathor for an in-depth post-series chat.

Today was your very first series in your rookie split of the LCS. How does it feel to stand on the LCS stage and make your debut?

Noah “Denathor” Erikson: “It’s a bit nerve-wracking, for sure. The first game, I was a bit on edge, ended up buying two red trinkets, and played a bit bad. But feels good, got over it pretty fast, and I’m excited to play more.

Dignitas has had a wide array of toplaners since rejoining the league six years ago, making you the 12th. What makes you different from all the others?

Denathor: I think I’ll have a better attitude than the majority of players. I’ll be more focused on myself, and I’m looking to improve. And I don’t think I’ll let things around me get in the way of that.

In these first few days joining the team, how would you describe the vibes on Dignitas? Is there a lot of hope and excitement about the split?

Denathor: Yeah, for sure. All of them have been really friendly, and it’s been fun working with them. No one’s been crashing out or anything. Eh, it is the first week. But I think it’ll be a good split with all of us.

Playing against
Jeong “Impact” Eon-young
, a toplane mainstay of the LCS, is quite the challenge. How did it feel to debut against one of the goats of LCS toplane, especially with his incredible Game 3 Shen performance?

Denathor: It was pretty difficult to kind of get any lead on him. Other than Game 1, lane phases were fine, but he kind of had an idea how he wanted to play the game, more than me. It was really good debuting against someone who's had so much experience, and I can learn a lot from it.

You said in your video for Dignitas that you're "gonna be one of the best American players that NA has ever seen." What kind of timeframe do you envision for that statement? Is it a 'this year' kind of thing, or more long-term?

Denathor: Um, could be either, but regardless, it'll happen.

Also in that video, you spoke about completing your College Degree as you played in Collegiate. Are you still working on that degree as you join DIG this split?

Denathor: Well, no, I'm taking a hiatus for that one. Whenever I get the time to or my career ends, I'll probably reignite that.

In the next two weeks, Dignitas will have to face off against LYON and Cloud9, two of the strongest LCS squads out there. Will DIG’s game plan shift at all, matching up against these titans?

Denathor: I think we just have to keep playing our game. It doesn't really matter who we're up against. As long as we play our best, I think we have a chance to win.”