Competing on the grandest stage of League of Legends esports, the World Championship, is no easy task. It’s a chance for pro players to make their mark in esports history and lift the coveted Worlds trophy. The pressure is immense, but Fnatic’s mid laner, Marek “Humanoid” Brazda, thrives in these high-stakes situations.
Humanoid, a Czech player, has been a consistent presence at Worlds, making his fourth appearance at the international tournament in 2023. He started his professional esports career in 2015 and faced the usual nerves that come with being a rookie. From competing in qualifiers with Dark Tigers to joining eSuba for EU Masters, he eventually signed with Splyce (now MAD Lions) in 2019, marking his LEC debut.
Having secured two LEC titles with MAD Lions, Humanoid was signed by Fnatic, one of the most prominent teams in the EMEA region. In an exclusive interview with ONE Esports, he shares how he handles the pressure in esports, his thoughts on the Worlds 2023 Swiss stage format, and his aspirations for personal improvement as a player.
Humanoid reveals that the higher the pressure, the more focused he becomes during a game. After years of playing in the LEC, the regular season format no longer excites him as much. However, he has grown to enjoy high-stakes matches, such as the LEC Summer 2022 semifinals, where he showcased an impressive 1v3 outplay with Sylas against Rogue’s champions.
Participating in Worlds 2023, Humanoid is thrilled to play in front of the Korean crowd, unable to contain his excitement. This year, a new Swiss format was introduced, where teams with similar records or rankings face off in a series of rounds. The first teams to secure three wins advance to the next stage, while those with three losses are eliminated.
Reflecting on this format, Humanoid believes it is an improvement over the previous Groups format. He feels that it reduces the element of randomness, ensuring that deserving teams have a higher chance of advancing. This format provides a fairer opportunity for teams to prove their worth.
Despite being an introvert who excels under high-stakes conditions, Humanoid recognizes the importance of improving his communication with teammates. He aims to become the voice of the team, taking control of the team’s communication during games. He believes this will be his greatest strength and is eager to work on it.
In conclusion, Fnatic’s Humanoid thrives under pressure at Worlds 2023. With his experience and focus, he embraces high-stakes matches and looks forward to playing in front of the passionate Korean crowd. He appreciates the new Swiss format, which provides a fairer chance for deserving teams to advance. While excelling individually, he also aims to improve his communication skills and become the voice of his team.
Source: ONEESPORTS
