Astralis look a completely different outfit since Benjamin “blameF” Bremer has taken over as IGL, and not just because they have two new players. The best team in the world on Ancient, they also looked comfortable on Inferno as they took down Heroic 2-0 thanks to an incredible showing from Christian “Buzz” Andersen.
After their quarter-final victory against their Danish rivals, we spoke to blameF about readjusting to the IGL role, his playstyle, and the crowd being on Astralis’ side.
Sam “AN1MO” McKenzie, BLIX: You’ve taken the reigns of IGL again very recently, what’s it been like? Has it taken some getting used to?
blameF: It has, yeah, but more than that, it’s just taking more time and more work for me honestly. I got used to it pretty quick because I’ve done it before, but it’s a definitely a role that requires a lot more time than just being a normal player, so that’s the biggest adjustment right now.
BLIX: For a player like yourself with such a specific playstyle, is it hard to have that playstyle while not being the team’s IGL?
blameF: I don’t think so. I think it would be hard if my teammates didn’t believe in me and didn’t trust my calls, but the system I’m setting up and the plays I’m telling them to do, they believe in me and they follow them without hesitation every single time. It would be hard if I had a team that didn’t believe in me, but I have that so it’s not hard.
BLIX: Beating Heroic so early on in the team’s time together, how much does that mean to you and the team?
blameF: It means the world, not because it’s Heroic, just because it’s a good team. It’s a great achievement for us, and I didn’t expect us to be so far along so early on in the project, so yeah it’s a good feeling.
BLIX: Did you expect the arena to be rooting for you guys over Heroic?
blameF: Maybe a little bit. I think every time I play in an arena, everyone cheers for us [laughs]. I’m very happy for it, and I really appreciate it, so I did expect it a little bit.
