Team Falcons Zer0 “I’ve never lost a Split 2, so if I lose it with Hal…”

Team Falcons have absolutely dominated conversation since they formed after the ALGS Split 1 Playoffs in Los Angeles. The so called "super team" is comprised of three of the games most notable players, Zer0, Genburten and ImperialHal.

The team has made a blistering start to their time together. Signing for huge org, Team Falcons, running away with the North American Pro League and getting the most points in the EWC finals. However, they were not able to find an all important Match Point win.

That means, when Falcons have set the bar as "win or bust" there is a little bit of pressure building around the team. When everyone thinks you should win, it's very hard to even meet expectations. Add in the drama and randomness of a Battle Royale and you have an intense weekend of action ahead in Mannheim, Germany.

esports.gg spoke to Team Falcons IGL Zer0 ahead of the ALGS Split 2 Playoffs kicking off in Mannheim.

If anyone could handle all this attention, it is Zer0, Hal and Genburten. They are no strangers to success and everything that comes along in its wake.

"I don't really notice it, like the pressure from myself doesn't really compare to other people really, so it's been the same for me forever. It's been a little bit more with Hal and a bit more because we're at Split 2. I've never lost a Split 2! So if I lose it with Hal..."

People were somewhat surprised that Team Falcons couldn't close out the win in Riyadh. They raced to Match Point and still finished with the most points overall. However, Zer0 says, in a Match Point finals you can't be too upset.

"Not really [feeling more pressure after EWC]. If we played a 5v5 game and we would continually come in second, it would be one thing. But playing a BR, coming second and losing to Match Point, even having the most points as well, it's sometimes the best you can really ask for if the zones don't go your way. Hopefully we win one out of three, if we didn't win one at all it would be a bit sad."

When esports.gg spoke to Zer0 in London, after his ALGS Split 2 win in 2023, he revealed that seeing Hal win the Apex Pre-Season invitational in Poland was a big inspiration for his competitive career. Now, a year later he enters his first ALGS LAN with Hal as a teammate.

"I think it's pretty cool. I got to get over the 'fanboy' bit after winning a few LAN's, but just him joining someone like like-minded as me and as competitors, it's pretty fun. We drive each other to improve."

Zer0 feels that despite a couple of early bumps in the road, Hal has settled in nicely with him and Genburten.

"I think at the start I had a few problems with co-IGLing. At first he was too quiet, didn't want to suggest things at all, didn't want to take over. Then he was a bit too much, too vocal, co-IGLing, counter calling a and now I've figured out the balance, it's been really good."

The ALGS meta has been completely shifted in Mannheim. The Season 22 update has seen legends like Crypto and Newcastle move from extremely niche picks to firmly meta legends. Crypto and Newcastle perhaps don't seem like legends any of Zer0, Hal and Genburten are naturally inclined to play. How have Team Falcons adapted to the Season 22 meta?

"It's definitely been a pretty awkward meta. So basically every team's IGL was the most aggressive player on the team. It's hurt teams like us the most, same for players like Sweet on LG. It's best for IGLs who don't have a lot of individual impact and can just sit on Crypto and control their team.

"We tried that, but like kind of lost the entry fragging ability and aggression from always having a Bang. So we've switched around a lot, and have finally kind of settled on Fuse, Crypto for Worlds Edge. Then Newcastle, Cat I think that comp is just insane on Storm Point. It's like you're basically invisible no matter where you are."

Zer0 admits that Team Falcons have struggled a little bit to adapt to the meta in time.

"I'd say we've struggled to adapt a little bit. We've only settled on our comp last week, we've been switching around a lot. Hal has been playing a lot of Newcastle, Gen's not played the most Crypto ever but they're getting used to it, so it's not too bad. Definitely a bit rough compared to the more basic ones."

This event is also the first LAN that Zer0, or anyone else, has played with the POI Draft in effect. Previously a team like Falcons would have almost been guaranteed the POI's they wanted. If someone did contest them, it would be during Groups only and in one of the three sets. Zer0 explains how important it will be to get a good seeding for the Bracket Stage.

"Basically, I only have a choice between first picking Mill or first picking a strong World's Edge POI and then getting something mid on Storm Point, which is not great. We're first picking Mill which is a fast rotate but also has strong loot. We can move around and bully teams, getting god spot every game because we have a [Trident].

"Then we're picking Siphon because we can contest it. So no one else chooses Siphon because they don't want to contest. Siphon console rate isn't the best. So we can play Fuse Crypto on that map and if we don't get console we just run around and get Purples, then work our way in like we used too.

Zer0 added that he feels the position you are drafted heading into Bracket and Finals is going to be incredibly crucial. However, he feels that their decision to fight at Siphon no matter what should mean they are left alone there.

"I definitely think so. Like Siphon and Climatizer are the only POIs you can do it at, but if we don't get top four we'll definitely lose the Mill. That would be very very painful. And having high draft priorities is just insane. They've taken away starting points now, but what they've done with the draft, if you are the tenth team out of loser bracket, there's almost no point in showing up to finals.

"You have the two most disgusting POIs on both maps, it's just completely unfair. But if we get top three to four, Mill never goes first. But it goes top five a lot. So as long as we get Mill first, then we can contest Siphon, it's all good."

Zer0 feels that rather than the 10 bonus points you got for Finals, a good POI could be worth 20-30 points to teams in finals.

"If you got say, Trident on Storm Point, and then Geyser or something, you're just going to be depressed the whole time. You're forced into playing a certain comp as well. You can't play Fuse/Crypto at all. You're forced into a fast rotate low loot playstyle. It's not very fun!"

Zer0 will continue his ALGS Split 2 title defence across the weekend as the ALGS Split 2 Playoffs heat up in Mannheim.