Blasts credits coach Liuq for GG’s ALGS Year 4 improvement

Gaimin Gladiators have been the real breakout team over the last few months. Blasts, Lufka and LighT announced themselves as a major contender with their strong performance at the Esports World Cup. This followed a strong Pro League split, with the team finishing in third place overall.

esports.gg spoke with Blasts ahead of the ALGS Split 2 Playoffs getting underway in Mannheim, Germany.

Gaimin Gladiators have been steadily improving across the entirety of ALGS Year 4. However, their fourth place at the Apex Esports World Cup seems to have really put them on the map in the Apex Legends community. They are being talked about as genuine contenders by ALGS casters and fellow pros.

What has been the secret behind Gaimin Gladiators steady rise throughout the season?

"It's probably a mix of things. Mentality, just hard work and goals. I'd say the biggest thing that happened was, we know we were already good players, but when we got our coach Liuq. He made us relearn the game. Fundamentally we relearned everything. I think the dynamic of the team shifted when we got Lufka as well. We went from 10th, to 4th and we're working our way up.

"I would definitely say that the thing that shifted it the most was the amount of time we put into the game outside of the game.  We probably spent 90% of our time, for four months straight, just doing stuff outside of the game to improve ourselves, and then making sure that we can actively implement it in game. And I think it's been about building good habits, and we've been doing that, and it shows. It shows in our performance."

For Blasts, a lot of that work outside the game has related to his decision to swap from mouse and keyboard to controller. This coincided with a change in his role on the team too.

"I swapped inputs from mouse and keyboard to controller. So that was like, while learning stuff, you have to learn that too. I also swapped roles from anchor, to fragger, and then to a kind of re-fragger. It's just about putting the time in, I'd say.

"One good thing that helped me a lot was don't worry if you don't get the first time around. If you're trying to learn something and you struggle, just keep at it, you'll be fine. A big thing for me as well, I think, would probably have been when I was learning, looking at what other people would do as well helped a bunch."

One of the biggest transformations for Blasts and Gaimin Gladiators under the stewardship of Liuq has been in their fighting. Blasts explains how they totally relearned how they approach and take fights after Liuq joined the roster.

"For us, it was just about, let's say something as simple as always playing a high ground or always playing in an advantage position. You know it's good, but you don't actively think it. So we would spend a week straight just only thinking take advantage, take advantage. Play the best spot, play the best spot. Actually putting all your focus into something is how you improve."

For some ALGS fans, Gaimin Gladiators performance at the Esports World Cup was a bit of a surprise. However, for the team, it's simply hard work finally paying off. Has Blasts been surprised by their quick improvement?

"I would say yes, but I'd be lying. When I say the amount of time we put into wanting to be where we are, it's crazy. We did it non-stop. It's been so stressful because we're all so passionate that we get loud with each other and we get annoyed because we know we're so good.

"When we do something bad, it's critical because we're like, we know we can do better. We know we can win LAN. So when you do that and you do it so much to an intensity like that, you expect to do good. When we had our first time, we came 10th. That was like a first experience. It was a big, it was a big change.

"We had the EWC and I don't think we made any mistakes. We were all on the same page and it was great. It shows based on our practice how well we did."

Does their performance mean they should graduate from underdog status to amongst the likes of Luminosity, Team Falcons and Alliance?

"I think so. I think we've literally for a year consistently proved ourselves. I don't see why we shouldn't be known as a good team. I've heard people say that we were one of the best teams in the world, which I really appreciate. I think I will agree with them when I win a LAN."

One thing that is immediately evident about Blasts is the strong support network he has around him. His sister travels with him to events, and this support is clearly very important to Blasts.

"It's probably the one thing I'm the most grateful for in life. I think people take it for granted having family that actually care and want to support, but I don't think I'd be where I am without them because they do nothing but support me.

"My sister is always there. She's always there to talk, always there to listen. She comes to these lands with me as well. Some of them by choice! It's a great feeling. My family are always supportive."

Stay tuned to the ALGS Split 2 Playoffs all event with esports.gg.