TH benjyfishy: "BBL played really well, and I feel like we kind of forgot how to play a truly difficult match"
We sat down with Benjamin "benjyfishy" Fish to discuss his team's recent performance, his career shift from Fortnite to Valorant, and how he continues to adapt and set goals as a member of Team Heretics
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TH Benjyfishy
"I had to completely rebuild was my understanding of Valorant itself. Fortnite and VALORANT are completely different worlds"
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This in-depth interview with Benjamin David "benjyfishy" Fish sees him reflect on his transition from Fortnite prodigy to VALORANT professional, the challenges he faced when adapting to a new competitive scene, and his ambitions for the future. The conversation delves into how his experience with Fortnite shaped his mindset, the necessary adjustments to thrive in VALORANT's tactical environment, and his long-term objectives on the global stage.
In your opinion, what happened against BBL, and what does the team need to improve in order to keep dominating EMEA and eventually win internationally again?
David "benjyfishy" Fish: "I think it’s always hard to analyze things right after a match, but honestly, it’s been a while since we lost one. For example, the last three times I lost, it was 2-0, and the games were pretty straightforward. Today, though, BBL played really well, and I feel like we kind of forgot how to play a truly difficult match. It’s a reminder that none of these playoff matches come easy, every team is strong. So we just need to figure out what went wrong, not only in the game itself but also mentally. The good thing is, historically, we’ve always been able to adapt quickly, even making lower bracket runs. I believe we’ll be fine, it’s just a matter of identifying exactly what went wrong.
After such a winning streak, losing can be complicated. Let’s shift the discussion a bit. From Fortnite prodigy to VALORANT professional, how do you feel when you look back at both stages of your career?
benjyfishy: It’s pretty special. Fortnite still has a place in my heart because I wouldn’t be where I am now without it. Being a pro in Fortnite taught me what it takes to go pro in a game, the amount of time and dedication required. Without that experience, I don’t think I’d be here in VALORANT. I already knew how much effort it would take, so I put everything into VALORANT, and that’s why I’m here today. I’m grateful for all the experiences, traveling, competing, and playing games I love. Honestly, I played it so much that I’ve grown to hate it. I mean, I love the game, but I also hate it. It’s really a love-hate relationship, so for now, I don’t even want to touch it.
What pushed you to leave Fortnite behind and make the switch to VALORANT?
benjyfishy: I stopped enjoying Fortnite. My childhood dream was to become a pro gamer, not just for the career itself but because I wanted to love what I was doing. When I realized Fortnite wasn’t fun for me anymore, I knew I needed a change even though I could have stayed in that career forever. I was enjoying VALORANT a lot in my free time, and I even managed to hit Radiant while still competing in Fortnite. At that point, I thought, if I dedicate all my time to this, maybe I can really get somewhere. So I took the risk without knowing whether I’d succeed or whether people would watch me. It was the biggest risk of my life, and it paid off.
Which skills from Fortnite carried over to VALORANT, and which ones did you have to completely rebuild?
benjyfishy: That’s a really good question. From Fortnite, I brought experience under pressure. I played the Fortnite World Cup at 15, and throughout my career, I gained exposure to big stages and high-stakes matches. Without that, competing in VALORANT for the first time would’ve been overwhelming.
But what I had to completely rebuild was my understanding of VALORANT itself. Fortnite and VALORANT are completely different worlds. In Fortnite, I never had a coach, it was just me. Now, it’s far more professional: we have two coaches, an analyst, and an entire support structure. That’s something totally new to me. And of course, learning the fundamentals of an FPS compared to a Battle Royale has been a huge challenge, one I’m still working on every day.
In your opinion, what was the hardest part of adapting to VALORANT’s tactical style compared to Fortnite?
benjyfishy: I’d say it’s the macro side of VALORANT the depth of strategy at the highest level. To really understand it, I had to study VODs, watch how top players reacted to situations, and even copy their approaches. For example, I learned a lot from watching Nats (Ayaz Akhmetshin). It took time, and I’m still learning, but that was the hardest adjustment.
Photo by Michal Konkol/Riot Games
You mentioned earlier that you didn’t have a coach in Fortnite. How did you adapt your mindset from being more of a solo star to playing within a team structure with coaches in VALORANT?
benjyfishy: I didn’t have coaches in Fortnite, but I did have teammates in duos, squads, and trios, so I had to be a good teammate even back then. What I’ve really learned is how important team atmosphere is. If the energy in the team is bad, it can destroy everything.
Since I spend around 10 hours a day with my teammates, it’s essential to be friends, to enjoy being around each other. Otherwise, it’s like when I stopped having fun in Fortnite, I’d lose motivation. So I try to be a positive presence, not make people angry, and keep morale high. That’s something I’ve really embraced in VALORANT.
And in terms of your role in the team, how do you approach it compared to how you played in Fortnite?
benjyfishy: It’s hard to define a single “main role” but I’d say my biggest responsibility is bringing energy, hyping people up, and being a good listener. I was never an in-game leader in Fortnite, I always just listened carefully to my IGL. That skill carried over. But in VALORANT, it takes more effort, especially under high pressure. So overall, my role is to listen to my teammates and boost them when they need it.
Heretics had some close calls but also tough losses before EWC. How do you stay motivated and keep believing in this journey?
benjyfishy: For me, as long as I’m enjoying VALORANT, that’s what matters. Of course, winning feels great and losing hurts, but since joining Heretics, we’ve won far more than we’ve lost. And I genuinely enjoy being around my teammates. My main priority is enjoying what I do and staying competitive. If I ever became complacent and stopped caring about winning, then I’d know this career wasn’t for me anymore. But I don’t see that happening anytime soon.
Looking ahead, what are you most proud of so far, and what are your main goals for the future?
benjyfishy: My biggest achievement so far has been winning Esports World Cup. I had never won anything major before, not even in Fortnite. I’ve been in esports for about seven years, and I came second so many times. So finally winning something was very special. But for me, EWC is not the same as VCT. My ultimate goal is to win an international trophy, or at least a major regional one. Those remain my biggest ambitions, and I’ll keep working step by step until I get there."
