Reeker (BIG): “I think the LFL might be the strongest regional league, closely followed by the Prime League”

Midlaner Steven “Reeker” Chen has been the talk of the town recently. He joins us to talk about BIG’s matches from the second round robin, and his thoughts on facing Prime League rivals mousesports.

Prime League champions Berlin International Gaming (BIG) finished the group stage with a perfect record of 6-0, and they are one of the two teams from from the DACH region to make it to EU Masters (EUM) Knockouts phase.

Thank you for accepting this interview. Congratulations on winning Group A with a 6-0 record! This might be a question in hindsight, but did you personally expect to make it to Knockouts with a perfect record?

Reeker: After seeing our group, we kind of expected to come out on top but there was always the possibility to drop games, especially in the best-of-one format in groups, so we were not exactly aiming for the perfect 6-0 record.

You guys had some very interesting games against both MKERS and K1CK Esports. Let’s start with the game against MKERS, which was closer than many expected. How was that game like for you and was it as close as it seemed to spectators?

Reeker: The game against MKERS was only that close because of some weird Nashor shenanigans. I think they needed two big misplays around the Baron from us to even out the gold lead against us, so it might have looked close but to me we were in control most of the time. Also, we handle pressure really well if things do not go our way.

The game vs K1CK was of course a pretty fun one since you guys had no pressure. So… will we be seeing your Fizz again in the future? What do you think of him in the current meta?

Reeker: Situationally, Fizz can be good for sure, but in that game it was a complete last second pick. We didn’t know where Lee Sin was going, where Sylas goes to, if Yasuo was staying in bot or mid-lane, and Fizz was just a champion I happen to see during pick phase. I think if you really, really want to make Fizz work you can pick him into certain control mages, but I honestly don’t know the matchups well enough.

Enemy team Fizz performance by @ReekerKaizen! #EUMasters pic.twitter.com/WtxqXdrVCg

— European Masters (@EUMasters) April 21, 2021

Fair enough. You guys also flashed the old Vici Gaming emote in unison at the end of the K1CK game. Tell us more about that and why Vici Gaming.

Reeker: We actually thought that was the Karmine Corp emote.

This is the first time for yourself and three other players of BIG to participate in EUM. How have you guys been dealing with the possible pressure, especially as the Prime League’s first seed?

Reeker: I don’t think anyone of us really feels highly pressured. It’s just everyone wanting to win and just the usual nervosity that tends to hit right before the game starts. Also, coming in as the first seed didn’t change anything for us in that regard, just that our group would probably be somewhat easier than the one mousesports or Schalke 04 Evolution would have been drawn into.

.@BIGCLANgg @KarmineCorp
🤝
meeting in Finals? pic.twitter.com/oZo2AodAK4

— Prime League (@PrimeLeague) April 21, 2021

Speaking of the Prime League teams, what do you think of the level of the Prime League this season in comparison to the other European Regional Leagues (ERLs) like the LFL or the SuperLiga? Do you think the level of play is more or less even?

Reeker: I think the LFL might be the strongest regional league then closely followed by the Prime League. The LFL overall was more stacked in terms of rosters, so they might have gotten better official practice during the season. Since online scrims are not really affected by that, most major ERL top teams should be more or less on a similar level.

Now that the Knockout stage is here, BIG have drawn a familiar foe in mousesports. They seem to be struggling a little at the moment, what are your thoughts on facing them and what can we expect from this matchup? Any special preparations against LIDER?

Reeker: It’s a bit boring that both Prime League teams face each other in the quarter-finals, but that’s just the draw I guess. I agree that they seem a bit off form at the moment, but I’m sure they will figure it out which will make the match very exciting to watch.

LIDER is a very good midlaner, but I think the best preparation is to just play on my best level and know what I myself want to do, and not necessarily aim to counter him specifically. The one who plays their role better will win.

Yep, @LIDERlol still knows how to play Akali #EUMasters pic.twitter.com/Ca0zD6O8N1

— European Masters (@EUMasters) April 22, 2021

I’m looking forward to the match. Assuming BIG progresses, are there any teams or players you’d like to meet?

Reeker: A finals against Karmine Corp would be hype but otherwise I’m not particularly looking forward to facing an opponent. Maybe BT Excel, since it’s against my former teammate and support Advienne!

Before we end, I spoke to Shlatan recently and asked him about the current meta being so teamfight heavy. For EUM, we’re also seeing teams who play very aggressive early on profit greatly. What is your take on the current meta and do you personally like it?

Reeker: Aggression is always nice to see but I don’t think being very aggressive early in the game speaks against the fact that teamfighting right now is really important. I agree with Shlatan, when you see the most picked champions in the jungle and support role, it’s pretty clear every champion that has easy tools to pull the ‘engage’ trigger or enable their carries to play front-to-back is highly prioritised.

Personally, I enjoy the meta because right now I feel like you have a lot of freedom in terms of what to pick in the mid-lane, and a meta where mechanics are allowed to shine in teamfights is always fantastic to see.

That’s the end of the interview, anything else you’d like to add?

Reeker: I have received a lot of support during the EUM group run and I want to thank everybody for it. I hope to keep delivering throughout the tournament and make the Karmine Corp vs BIG finals happen.

Thank you Reeker and best of luck in playoffs!

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Image credit: BIG