MDK midlaner Fresskowy says Worlds is a dream come true for him, but wishes it was in a different venue.
MAD Lions KOI opened the League of Legends 2024 World Championship (LoL Worlds 2024) Play-In Stage with a win. Here's an interview with MDK mid-laner Bartłomiej "Fresskowy" Przewoźnik. Hear what he had to say about the W, the venue, and his dreams.
"I expected worse things," says MDK Fresskowy
MDK swept Vietnamese team Vikings Esports in the first match of LoL Worlds 2024. This is the first international tournament for all MAD Lions KOI players sans jungler Javier "Elyoya" Prades. Fresskowy says the four rookies had to acclimate and shake off their nerves.
How are you feeling after the win against Viking Esports?
MDK Fresskowy: I feel good! I'm happy that we managed to play way [cleaner] in the second game. I think it was our first best-of, us four rookies, so in the first game, we were a bit stressed. [Game 1] was a stressful game. It was back-and-forth and a lot of clown fiesta. But the second game was way better. So I'm happy [of our] first best-of [...] I expected worse things that could happen. So, I'm happy.
What were your thoughts during the laneswaps and sidelane fights in Game 1?
MDK Fresskowy: Well, I'm used to it since we scrim a lot these days. There [have] been a lot of swaps in our scrims as well. It's kinda the meta now. Not always [though], you can still play [normally]. It depends, right? But I'm used to it. Mid-laners are there on an island, in a way. The top-laner and bot-laners are perma-swapping with the jungle and you're just chilling playing 1v1. So yeah, nothing new for me.
What brought the change in consistency in MDK between Games 1 and 2?
MDK Fresskowy: I mean, [MAD Lions KOI coach] Melzhet just told us to take some deep breaths. It was our nerves after the first game, so after that, it was just like, "Okay, it's done already." All the nerves got out. We were more relaxed in the second game, I would say.
What are your opinions on the mid meta going from ADCs like Tristana/Corki to mages like Syndra/Orianna?
MDK Fresskowy: I think the ADCs have been nerfed a lot, so we're not going to see them that much [in Worlds 2024], besides some of them, maybe. A lot of items for AD carries got nerfed, so we're going to see more control mages, more APs in mid. You can still play some ADs, but I think the control mages are going to be the meta now in mid.
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Fresskowy on Worlds venues: I wanted to go to Korea or China
How do you feel about the Worlds 2024 venue?
MDK Fresskowy: I would [have liked] it to be somewhere else because it would be nice to live that experience in another country or region. The only problem here is I don't feel that much of Worlds because we are playing in the same studio that we have been playing [at] all year. It's still sad that [Worlds 2024] is in Europe in the same studio. I wanted to go [to] Korea or China or somewhere else to experience [Worlds] way better. But yeah, it is what it is.
How do you get into the "I'm in Worlds" mindset?
MDK Fresskowy: When I see the other team, it helps to feel more of the Worlds experience. As long as I see the enemy team, I already feel like it's Worlds. It's not that hard. When [I] arrive at the studio and see the different colors, [I] already feel like [I'm] in the mindset of Worlds.
Also, [being in Worlds] is something that I have been dreaming [of], so it's not that hard to get in the mood. It's just that it would have been nicer to play in a different region.
Did you seek advice from more experienced players to prepare for this year's Worlds?
MDK Fresskowy: I've been told that there is always some kind of problem. For example, in the hotel, because we are not scrimming or playing from our facility or office — we're playing in the hotel because we want to live the Worlds experience the best we can. We are planning long term — we want to go [to Worlds next year] and win it eventually, so we want to get the best out of [this year's Worlds]. Next year, if it's going to be in another region, we're not going to have the [opportunity] to be in the office or in a city that we are used to. So, we want to make ourselves uncomfortable in the hotel.
Sometimes, there is a problem with the ping, or the setup, or it's hot in the room. I will get as much as I can out of it, so I get used to it, and next year, it's going to be way easier. I'm going to be way more comfy and chill.
Do you have a message to MAD Lions KOI supporters?
MDK Fresskowy: I'm grateful that they are supporting us. We've been getting a lot of [positive] messages this year, even though we had a really tough split. I'm making sure to give our best in this Worlds so we can give some pleasure to our fans. I hope they keep supporting us because they have been amazing this year.
Prediction for PSG Talon vs paiN Gaming?
I would say PSG 2-0. I think they are a way better team.
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