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Flash Wolves talk building the best LMS team yet
The Flash Wolves have long been the best in the LMS, but this season they built what looks like their strongest roster ever. Is it enough to take on the best the world has to offer?
For years, the Flash Wolves have been the best team in the LMS, the top level League of Legends competition for teams in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. They’ve made it to Worlds for the last three years, and to the Mid Season Invitational in the last two. They’ve even managed to win an international competition in the form of the Intel Extreme Masters Oakland event in 2016, which is pretty rare for a non-Korean team.
In their home region they have been pretty much unmatched, winning almost every split over the last few years. Their only real competition has been ahq e-Sports Club, but the Flash Wolves always seem to find a way to send them packing when they meet up in each split.
That local domination has seen them become a real threat in international events and thanks to an impressive MSI this year, they came into Worlds as a pool one seed, along with the best teams from South Korea, China and Europe. They came in as a team that was expected to easily make it out of their group, but everything that could go wrong did go wrong in the first week. They lost all three of their matches and now need a massive comeback to make it into the top eight.
What makes that even more surprising is that before Worlds kicked off the team seemed very confident. We caught up with them just before the group stage kicked off and they spoke about how they are confident in their team, and how this roster feels like the best iteration of the Flash Wolves yet. Will it be enough to take on the might of the best LCK teams?
Coach Steak, how difficult was it to take the step from playing to coaching? Are there ever times where you want to run up the stage and play yourself?
Chou "Steak" Lu-Hsi: When I was a gamer, I also played as the coach role in the team, so when I transferred from player to coach, I didn’t have any issues adapting. I think the most difficult part of a coach’s job is communication. It’s something everyone can do, but how to communicate efficiently is the point.
SwordArt, you’ve been in Flash Wolves since 2013, so as the longest standing member of Flash Wolves, do you think this is the strongest iteration of the team?
Hu "SwordArt" Shuo-Jie: Yes, because now everyone can collaborate very well.
The Flash Wolves have struggled at Worlds so far
© Riot Games
You always seem to send happy, positive vibes to your team in game. How do you do keep being happy even if your team falls behind?
SwordArt: I think the most important thing is to keep calm, don’t panic. That's why I can be happy all the time.
There’s a big rivalry between you guys and ahq e-Sports, but in the last years Flash Wolves comes out on top every time. How close do you feel you match up in skill against them? Do you think they will be able to get a deep Worlds run too?
SwordArt: We probably took some advantages in tactics operation and concept. If ahq can play in its own strongest line-up and formation, I think they have a good chance entering top eight in Worlds.
Betty, you've played for Flash Wolves as a trainee before growing through to a starting AD, could you tell us more about the process? How long did it take? How many other trainees were in the program, and what kind of resources did the team spend on you to make you a better player?
Lu "Betty" Yuhung: At first I was playing as a jungle role in the junior team, because I got a high score in Korea Server, and NL was thinking of retirement, so Flash Wolves asked me if I would be willing to change the role to AD. It took about one year. I entered the main team when I was 17. At that time I was the only trainee in the team, so Flash Wolves taught me more detail about the game, which isn't known to general gamers.
Karsa, you're often seen as one of the best junglers in the world. How do you think your competition stacks up this year at Worlds? Any players that you're excited to play against? Why?
Hung "Karsa" Hau-Hsuan: I think this year we can win the group because we didn't match with SKT. The player that I’m excited to play against is Clearlove in EDG, because we’ve never played against them before.
Maple, with your international experience in mind, how would you rate the LMS against other regions?
Huang "Maple" Yi-Tang: I think compared with other regions, the LMS is not so competitive. So it’d be better to play with teams in other regions to enhance skills. I feel somehow LMS is a little weak internationally.
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