Team Heretics Stend: Reading the rulebook, joining the LEC and looking to playoffs

 

Image credits to Stend's X (formerly Twitter)

Would it be an LEC split without an interview from a rookie? Hell no it wouldn't, today I got to chat with Paul 'Stend' Lardin about his first split in the LEC, joining Team Heretics and if he did in fact read the rulebook (spoiler: ).

Joining Heretics

Nia: this is obviously your first time in the LEC, how have you been finding it?

Stend: I love being here, it's a big challenge every day to try to improve and get better, it's a lot of effort and sacrifice. It can definitely be up and down mentally, today we are all a bit tired but I'm so happy to be here and I'm going to do my best to stay here and keep competing 

Stend in the LEC - all image credits to Riot Games

Nia: and your first time on TH too, what's it been like joining the team?

Stend: I really like the org, everything we need is provided and if we don't have it we can ask for it, it's a really good place to be conditions-wise. 

Facing FNC and looking to playoffs

Nia: game 2 was looking good for you guys from the early game but started to feel like it was slowly slipping away, what was it like from your perspective? 

Stend: I mean, they still had the grubs and first drake, so it wasn't insane for us, it was still looking rough for us. But Carlsen did a really great job of setting up and we took the opportunity, we had a really good jungle but we inhibs, and I was a bit indecisive. If I was more decisive we could've won the fight, I think it was a key moment of the game but Fnatic was the better team today

Nia: the better team today, but in the future who knows

Taking a bow on stage with the team following a win - image credits to Team Heretics League official X

Nia: with this result you and the rest of the team are still to lock playoffs but it's definitely possible, how are you feeling about that? 

Stend: it feels good either way as it's still better than winter [Heretics placed 8th in the League of 10] where we were one of the bottom teams where we were really fighting. We still need to fight now as our next match is against GiantX and it's really important, I'm excited to play against them for such an important match and I really like Jun's play style, for me it will be a good challenge to play against them.

Mic checks and rulebooks

Nia: I have to ask after Flakked outed it on mic check, have you actually read the rulebook? You said you had but Kamiloo and Flakked didn't seem convinced...

Stend: .... I don't think so (both laugh)

Nia: broadcast said you are ready for a top 3 team most likely G2 - what are your thoughts on this?

Stend: for sure it would be nice, but right now I'm more focused on improving myself and performing well with Heretics, I don't want to focus on the future too much, right now we need to be focused on our next matches. We still need to qualify, it's nice to hear it said, but I need to focus on the here and now

In the bot lane, Flakked and Stend - image credits to TH LoL Instagram

Nia: which anime duo would you describe yourself and Flakked as?

Stend: I think... it's so hard as I really like Hunter x Hunter, so I'm trying to think of good characters for us... I will stay with Hunter x Hunter, I think he is Kurapika and I'm Leorio

hunter x hunter meets LoL - image credits, wiki pages and canva editing suite [done by me]

Nia: what's it been like playing with Flakked, getting to know his playstyle, etc.?

Stend: for sure he has a big impact on the team, he brings a lot of jokes to it, he's not scared to say what he's thinking but he tries to say it in a humorous way while trying to fix everything. I'm really happy to play with him, we have the coaching staff who really helped us improve our lane-ing phase, today we didn't show a great lane-ing phase. But compared to winter or even before winter, we've improved a lot and it's great to show that so I'm super happy being with him

Special thanks to Stend for agreeing to be interviewed by yours truly! I had great fun getting to hear about his new journey into the LEC and his time with Team Heretics so far. Thank you for reading! That closes out Week 6 of the LEC here at Smol Koala Esports. 

Side Note / regular posting schedule will resume shortly, I am currently completing university work and have several deadlines right around the corner so am focusing on that for the time being. But don't worry - I have something exciting coming at the end of the month that I can't wait to talk about ;)

See you on the next one!