Over the past week I have had the great privilege to ask 6 of our top teams from the NA and EU region questions and for the next few blog posts I'll be posting their answers. Our first team will be N.F.I also known as No Fun Intended. This was from their captain JustDoIt and the team of N.F.I.
- What is the history of this team, how was it started? Answer to the best of your team’s knowledge.
NFI started as Reeee’s team, he was our captain. He gathered the best he knew at the time from the EU to take a shot for a master team. Our original roster was very different, but was mainly shaped by myself(JustDoIt, Gamereaper, 04 and d3edshot). Our first run was not that easy, but with amazing potential we marched forward. Having the old top teams giving us a hard time, (beginners bossfight Vikings). In the first season of NFI we had some great success beating teams like dead logic and managing to form the groundwork of the team. Until Reee left us for his personal and professional reasons, and we remained captain less. And after long deliberation on whether to disband or continue because no one could/want to take the captain role. Gamereaper stepped in. And that was the time for change, we finished our first season as master, getting 1250 mmr and getting to the "challenger cup" finals which we have lost against Raptors in our first season. And then, our second season has started, with the pick of shadowwarrior, one of the best players I ever known in my life. We came to win, hard work, homework and a lot of help from the captains of NFI(NFI decided to have 3 equal captains, dead shot JustDoIt and game reaper, with reaper having a bit more weight) we had double scrims and even 5 scrims in a row to achieve what we wanted the most, to prove u don't need to jiggle to win. And with that, not losing a single game until the final week of season 13. We got to the finals of season 13. After a great game against a resurgence, which our old captain Reee played for. We lost but proved it's possible to move forward with adjusting to the meta in a different way. In season 14 game reaper left for personal reasons and I got the captain role, and we are planning on continuing our hard work and our legacy. While facing a great team, imperial. Led by phantom operator.
- What do you think is a skill new teams should learn?
The value of precise call outs and info gathering while having an in-game leader who can plan on the fly, creating opportunities mid round.
- What advice have you received that you wish you learned in the beginning that you can now pass on to another?
I think the biggest thing I learned wasn't from someone, perhaps from watching the OG teams play. I learned how staging up should look like, and how to treat the battlefield and brought my original changes to that.
- How many seasons did it take for your team to make it to the level they currently are at now?
First season we had a lot to go through, so by the second season of NFI that was it, with us securing shadowarrior we headed to our best season yet. Looking forward to making it even better this season.
- Does your team like to rush more or take their time? Explain which one you are and why.
Our team likes staging up and precise planning. But as opposed to old OG teams our staging up isn't limited by time, it's limited by our position on the board, if it takes 30 seconds, 1 m or 5 whenever we stage up we execute. For why we like it more, I personally believe that's how the game was designed for, and execution of perfect plans has an unreal feeling. Having logical thinking and planning is what gets our team going. But we aren't afraid to run and gun in CQB
- How does your team handle a loss in a game?
We don't lose much, but it's harder then it might look, I expect my players to be perfect. And in a league that every point count, it's hard losing maps, but we have to keep our heads up for that same reason, and when losing. We learn, adapt and move forward.
It's also good to mention I find it healthy to have some heat after a game as it puts the players in perspective, if of course handling in the correct respectful way.
- What advice would you give to the readers who are currently reading this who may not play onward but would like to get involved?
Do it, with all of it flaws, personally I played a lot of flat screen eSports and even had a contract, but VR? VR and onward is a game when you can't get enough of it. On the subject of advice. Put yourself in a bronze team who scrim a lot gain the knowledge u need to advance and move up the ladder. There is a lot to learn and stuff that can only be learned in a team. So get yourself going!
- Final question: What’s been your team’s favorite moment together, could be a match or scrim or team practice.
I think most of the team could agree on two favorite moments. First is our team meeting up in israel. This was the best experience I could ever ask for. And had tons of fun. But because not all players were present, I guess going into the finals with that last round in the semi finals, we were so happy I will never forget it!
