“I’ll never be Leo,” crashies on taking over the Initiator role for FNATIC in 2025

FNATIC is out of VCT Kickoff 2025 at the hands of FUT Esports. Their year isn't over as Stage 1 and 2 await, but for now, it is back to the drawing board after the elimination. And now we've learned that Austin "crashies" Roberts will remain on the team as Leo is still battling an illness.

Prior to that and the exit of head coach Elmapuddy, we chatted with crashies right after the loss to FUT. He express gratitude towards the team for being so welcoming, mentioned how he may never match up to Leo, and gave insight on the IGLing differences of Boaster and FNS.

"Let’s just start with the match itself. FUT are no slouches. They qualified for a Masters and Champions last year. With back-to-back days of play, what did the team focus on when prepping for them, if anything specifically?"

crashies: "Yeah, so we had to play back-to-back, and they had a day off I think. So, they were able to watch our match. But I think we still were pretty prepped in my opinion. We didn't really have much info on their Abyss, because they haven't showed it.

"So, besides that, we were prepped on Fracture, even though they pulled out a Neon, which they haven't done before. We just kind of focused on ourselves and we just looked back at the game we played yesterday. Looked at the little mistakes we did or the good things we did, and just tried to bring the same energy today."

"So, both maps have seen varied success for FNATIC to start the year. It was close on Abyss, what are your immediate takeaways from that map?"

crashies: "Attack was going pretty well. I feel like we could have had a little more rounds on attack. My initial thought is we just didn't win any pistols today. I think we lost all four actually, which is just atrocious.

"Pistols are such a huge momentum swing in this game and it just starts you off on the right foot as soon as the game starts. So, losing all of them just sucks. Then defense, I actually feel like we were playing pretty well. We knew where they were going. They had like a pretty weird comp, I would say.

"With the double recons, the Vyse and the Yoru. Something we've never really seen before. I feel like we handled some of their stuff pretty well. We were just messing up, some simple mistakes that we usually shouldn't let happen and yeah, defense just kind of slipped by us and that was that."

"And on Fracture, I spoke with Boaster and he said it's a good map for the team and he’s happy it's in rotation. It didn’t go your way either this time, so I’d like to ask. What went differently on Fracture against FUT compared to the victories on the map earlier in the tournament?"

crashies: "Lost another pistol on our defense <laughs>, but we were grateful enough to Thrifty them. Kind of gained the momentum back. And I think we just messed up maybe one round. They were playing with the KAY/O and Neon.

"So, it's just kind of in your face, aggressive style, but we kind of knew what they wanted to do, had a good idea. It could have been a better defense half, like 8:4 or maybe 7:5. But yeah, our attack today, just nothing was really clicking.

"They just were stopping us and I mean, I just remember they were just pushing both sides, and they would just get kills every single time. Then we lost pistol around again, so, I mean, they were just outshooting us, and just some mistakes today."

"So, with FNATIC eliminated, we’re in a similar scenario to last year. The team bounced back to make Shanghai and Champions. Obviously, there are new pieces to the puzzle this year, including yourself. How confident are you in this squad getting back on track when Stage 1 starts?"

crashies: "We've only had like a month of practice. I started practicing with them like late December, after Christmas or something. And now we're January 31. So, it's been a month and a few days, and I feel like we've shown really great gameplay, and obviously some bad gameplay at times.

"So. it's just about really figuring out how we want to play the game together. Just really clicking. And like I said, I'm just super confident in these guys. I have faith in all of them. We all get along outside the server really well.

"I think we just have a really good vibe together. Just very easy to get along with and talk about the game, and ideas, and stuff like that. Unfortunately today, you know, we lost, but I think we're going to keep improving for Stage 1."

"Okay, and for the last little while in VALORANT, we’re seeing rosters put together that are labeled ‘super teams.’ Two or three years ago, this roster might have been called that with yourself, Chronicle, Alfajer, and Boaster in place. Plenty of trophies across the board. With that experience and past success in this game, does it add to that confidence and help everyone be on the same page, or do you find anyone butting heads on what a successful FNATIC looks like in 2025?"

crashies: "I don't really think we butt heads at all. I think it actually helps us that we all have trophies, because we all can handle the pressure on stage and we're all very calm when we need to be calm. No one's freaking out or anything like that. Obviously, kaajak's a rookie, but he has played at the Ascension stage and qualified in a big match, so it's a big win for him."

Obviously, he doesn't have a trophy, but I feel like he's been handling it really well. I don't really think we butt heads at all. I think everyone respects each other enough to know how to handle ideas, or criticism, or things like that. So ,it's just a good team environment, I would say."

"So, you kind of have some big shoes to fill with Leo being out. But I think it is safe to say you’re proven and have pretty large shoes yourself, so to speak. Are you able to do your own thing on the team or have they asked you to try and emulate the playstyle Leo brought?"

crashies: "No, they haven't asked me to emulate the style of Leo. I mean, they've talked to me about certain things that they expect out of me or want out of me as a player. And things that I know I could bring to the team to help Boaster, for example, or kaajak as my Duelist, things like that.

"I have so much experience and obviously, I'll never be Leo. Leo's one-of-a-kind, best Initiator in the world. Even arguably the best player in the world. So, I can only try to do my best to play to his ability and stuff like that. But yeah, nothing crazy, just little things to help Boaster or coaching staff, or my ideas from NA that worked that they never thought about. So, I think it's a good mix actually."

"Okay, and another question I asked Boaster was about the appeal of some many Americas players moving to EMEA this year. I’d like your take on the topic. Was it more of a FNATIC appeal to move over or was it something about the region itself?"

crashies: "It was definitely a FNATIC appeal. If you have the opportunity to play with the Chronicle, Boaster and Alfajer, you kind of just jump at that opportunity. Even I knew going into it, Leo could come back at any time. He's still sick and stuff like that. So, I think just getting out of my comfort zone, going to play with a superstar team that I could learn a lot from.

"It's a one-of-a-kind experience, I would say. After this, I'd look back at it and just be super happy that I ended up doing it. Living in another country and stuff like that. So, I think overall, it's just been a great experience so far, even though we lost today. But yeah, they've been super welcoming to me. They treat me like family, so honestly, it was the right decision."

"Last one for you then. Big question, it might be hard to answer. In Americas, now in EMEA, you've been under arguably two of the best in-game leaders we've seen in VALORANT to this point. FNS and Boaster. I've got to ask you to compare them, contrast them."

crashies: "Yeah, so honestly, I'm super lucky and super grateful to, like you said, play under two great IGLs, legends of the game honestly. It was really interesting to me to hear how Boaster thinks about the game and how he likes to call.

"Just because I come from FNS and all I've kind of known is FNS' style and macro and micro calling. So, his idea of the game is just different, but it fits so well with the team. And I agree with a lot of things that he says.

"He's very hardworking, he is very smart, very strategical. He just puts in a lot of time in the game and I respect it a lot. Obviously, I won a trophy with FNS, so, you know, he'll always have my heart. But yeah, Boaster has been nothing but special.

"I think he gets a lot of hate from the community, but he puts in so much work that nobody sees and works on his aim, and strats, and the team. He just wants to win, making sure everyone succeeds around him. So, a lot of respect for Boaster. I don't want reveal too much about how he calls and stuff like that, but he definitely brain for the game and is just a natural honestly."

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