Vitality mezii: “I think it’s time to win it now. There’s no better place to do it than here”

Vitality are on a hot streak of results. After a disastrous Katowice, the team regrouped and entered a flow state of consistent top 4s and now a run of finals. The biggest X-factor in Vitality's finals William "mezii" Merriman. The British rifler has switched up his playstyle and found Vitality that extra firepower when their superstars falter.

Heading into a home event for mezii, Esports.gg caught up with him to discuss his time in Vitality, BLAST Premier Spring Finals expectations, and more.

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Esports.gg: I think this is your first time with Vitality in the UK. How does it feel to be here in the UK with the crowd?

Vitality mezii: Yeah, I mean, it's the first time for me since playing BYOC at the local Lans. First time playing a tier 1 UK LAN, so it will be fun. Hopefully, playing in front of the crowd and having their support will be a good first experience. I'm looking forward to it.

You guys have shown improvement in the last two events. However, you couldn't finish as the winner. What do you think the team needs from you right now?

Vitality mezii: I think going back to Pro League, obviously the final against MOUZ. We didn't stand a chance. They were playing really well. All their individuals show up and play with confidence. But going to Dallas. It was definitely our final to take. I think we were playing better. We just couldn't close out some of the clutches. I mean, fair play to G2; they managed to win this tournament; for us, I think we choked a little bit. But the main thing is that we're showing improvement and making progress. Hopefully, this will be the one. After two finals, this will be the one we can take, but I'm just looking forward to playing.

That'd be perfect, right? Winning in front of the UK crowd?

Vitality mezii: Yeah, totally.

You joined Vitality last year, replacing Magisk. When you reflect on the last six months or so, what do you think? How have you improved personally?

Vitality mezii: Ah, I think my time in Vitality has been a bit up and down. Maybe a bit more down, I think. In terms of the start of the team, we couldn't have gone better within the first two tournaments since I joined. And then a rough period with, say, we started the year with Kato; it was very low down. Then we make improvements, and now we'd like to win.

I mean, as an individual, it's been pretty tough. Up and down, as I say. I think recently I've been making more improvements and getting more confident in how I want to play the role. Not focusing too much on how other players would play or how they would like me to play. Right now, I'm just focusing on what suits me the best. Like I said, Dallas worked out.

Hopefully, I can find more consistency going to this event and after the player break. Obviously, I'm really looking forward to trying to show that I do deserve this spot. And I can shut up some of the haters on social media who think that I'm not deserving of this place.

Yeah, I saw a video where you were talking about mental health and how fans react. How do you deal with that? Obviously, you want to read the positive comments because that's what you play for, but you also get the negative comments. How do you deal with it?

Vitality mezii: I think, for me, it's about trying not to care too much about it. Of course, it's nice to get positive comments and support, which is always appreciated. But when you get negative comments, I know people get angry at social media and whatever, but for me, it's just about not caring too much about what people say.

Of course, when it's a lot continuously, it can be tough. That's when you take a break from social media. For me, I just take it as a joke, and all the people messaging and saying stuff online—I really don't care too much. The only thing I care about is my team's opinion.

As I said, you've been on the team for 6 months and you value the input of the team a lot. So, who's been the biggest influence on the team for you?

Vitality mezii: Of course, apEX is the guy who definitely helps me a lot. He helps all of us as individuals and has helped me improve a lot and learn about the game in a different way. I think it was definitely different going from Fnatic to this team in terms of how individuals play and how the team plays and thinks about the game. apEX is definitely someone who has been a great player because he isn't someone who will shy away and not say his opinion. He always gives his opinion, and for me that is something I have always wanted in a team.

If you see something I can improve on, just tell me straight away. I don't want someone who'll hide away; I want someone who'll tell me straight, like "you need to do this differently" or "be better here," and apEX is helping with that. Also, the coaches, both XTQZZZ and Matt, the assistant coach, have helped a lot, especially me, by showing how I can improve and what I can do better. When you have such open communication within the team, you improve much faster.

You took on the role of an anchor for the team, right? Is that a role that you've always held, and are you happy with that role? Or do you want to play differently on the team?

Vitality mezii: I think what's different in Vitality is that I play anchor on every map, whereas on previous teams, it was a mix. Some anchor spots, but mostly rotation. Now, it's been obviously tough roles to play, but like I said, I was trying to play too properly and too much like how other people play these positions. Now, I'm trying to focus on my strengths and what I can bring to this role. Instead of trying to do the right thing all the time, it's more about what's the best I can do in my positions.

Anchor roles are tough, but it's not an excuse for me playing badly. Of course, maybe I don't get as much chance or space as in other positions, but I can still perform better than I have in the past six months. I have shown glimpses of it, like at Dallas, where I played much better. Now, it's something I'm confident in. It's just about being confident in my role and keeping at it.

I think it was apEX who said last year towards the end that you try to be perfect in whatever you do, and that's not always a good thing. Do you think you're less focused on being perfect now, but more driven towards results and what the team needs?

Vitality mezii: Yeah, I think sometimes you just need to think less in the game. When you think too much, trying to read the situation perfectly, it can mess you up. You can end up dying or missing the timing because you're overthinking. For me, sometimes it's about focusing more on not thinking too much—just taking my fights, taking my 1v1s, and seeing what happens. That helps. I think it's not always the best approach, but at the moment, it's helping me be more confident in just taking my fights, because that's what I enjoy doing.

Cutting out to the broader picture a bit. What do you think about Dust2 coming into the pool. It's a classic map, but what do you think?

Vitality mezii: It's fun to play so far. I think over time it might get a bit boring because it's still Dust2 at the end of the day. It's just fun to have a new map in the pool, especially with the French guys, apEX and ZywOo, who really love this map. So far, for us, it's been a strong map and will always be a strong map as long as it's in the pool. It's fun to have something fresh, but it's still Dust2. It's a shame Overpass is the one to go, but Dust2 has been fun.

Moving to a broader view, what do you think about Dust2 being added to the pool? It's a classic map, but what are your thoughts on it?

Vitality mezii: I think at least it would be nice to change the map pool each season, probably after each Major or player break. Especially now, I think we need a change straight away. I'd like to see something like Cache because it's Dust2. It'd be nice to have another map in. They changed Vertigo a bit, and it's different, but they need to get rid of Vertigo; it's not fun to play. I think after each Major, it would be nice to keep the map pool fresh.

Valve recently removed the Open Qualifiers for the Shanghai Major. I know it doesn't impact you guys a lot, but what do you think about it?

Vitality mezii: I think, of course, it's rough because even for me, in one of my first Majors, the Rio Major with Fnatic, we went from the open qualifiers to the RMR to the Major. It was one of those tournaments where you'd see a lot of teams come through the open qualifier, through the RMR and stuff. But at the end of the day, it's like, Valve is going to do whatever they want to do; it's their game. It was nice to see some of the teams come all the way through, which is a shame that it's not going to happen now. Hopefully, with more tournaments next year, it gives more teams a chance to build some points and get into the Valve rankings.

So I know you're going to say that you want to win the tournament, but what are the minimum expectations from this event?

Vitality mezii: I mean, of course, we want to win here. For me, obviously, the minimum is playing in front of the crowd. Making the playoffs is the main goal. Playing in front of the home crowd is something I'd love to do. But after the previous two tournaments where we made the finals, winning it would be the goal because we want to end the season on a high. I think after the last two events, we have shown improvements and shown that we want to win, and I think it's time to win it now. There's no better place to do it than here.

Are you looking forward to taking your teammates around the UK?

Vitality mezii: I don't know, honestly, I haven't spent too much time in London. I think I'll show them some of the nearby places and take them for some good UK food. I don't think the French guys would enjoy it so much.

Anything you want to say to your fans?

Vitality mezii: Just thank you for all the support. Like I say, it's been a bit of an up-and-down season, but we're showing some good signs. Hopefully, going into the break, we can bring back a win. Thanks for the support, and keep supporting us.

After a surprising loss to Virtus.Pro, Vitality will now face G2 Esports in an elimination game. With m0NESY's presence still unconfirmed, mezii and co. have a solid chance at making it to the playoffs. Can they continue their consistent form?

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