When Cloud9 Blue entered their series against RISE, many expected the blue and white esports team to dominate against the 8th seeded rise. However, as things would turn out, Cloud9 were pushed into the loser’s bracket after losing that series 2-1. Now, Cloud9 Blue are currently on a loser’s bracket run and are looking for […]
When Cloud9 Blue entered their series against RISE, many expected the blue and white esports team to dominate against the 8th seeded rise. However, as things would turn out, Cloud9 were pushed into the loser's bracket after losing that series 2-1.
Now, Cloud9 Blue are currently on a loser's bracket run and are looking for that all-important rematch against RISE in the finals. Only this time, the stakes are the VCT Champions while the loser goes home with their 2021 season cut short at the finish line. For Anthony "Vanity" Malaspina, it was a combination of different things.
In this interview we speak to C9 Vanity to talk about joining Cloud9, their current run through the NALCQ Loser's bracket and what it meant to reunite with former Chaos teammates, Xeppaa and Leaf.
Congratulations on your victory against Gen.G, That series was very close. What were your initial thought entering the loser’s bracket?
C9 Vanity: We were pretty confident going to the match against Gen.G. The match was close, but I felt like we always had control on every single map. We destroyed them on Ascent, on Split, I felt like it was our fault that we inevitably lost. Some of these swing rounds are where we began to really struggle. They were winning scrappy duels when we would have them in our pocket. We really messed some of those rounds up. That cannot happen to us moving forward in the tourney against a team like RISE or 100 Thieves. Still, we also won a few rounds we should not have won as well, so all in all, there is not much to complain about. Just happy we won the match.
What has it been like playing with old Chaos teammates in Xeppa and Leaf.
C9 Vanity: It was all super exciting because I really enjoyed my time playing on a team with them. Even before we joined Chaos, I would say we would talk regularly then. Working with them again did not feel like we lost any time. We just picked back up right where we left off. Only difference is that we have two new teammates and it is longer CS:GO.
What is it like playing with these new players like Xeta and Mitch?
C9 Vanity: Really easy. I have been playing with Leaf for a very long time. He is just very simple and I understand how he likes to work in a team. Once I heard that he was happy on Cloud9, I knew that I could really thrive on that team. I had a general idea of how they would work as teammates. It is going to take time to completely integrate within the team, but the base is there. I have two teammates who are some of my closest friends. They are good friends with Mitch and Xeta. I am really happy with the trajectory we are on as a team and hope we can continue our growth as a team so we can continue our season in 2021.
I spoke to his Xeppaa recently and he said you guys are very close as well. Do you still keep in contact with everyone on Chaos?
C9 Vanity: Absolutely. Even to this day, we still regularly use our Chaos Group Chat. We do not use it everyday because we have teams and lives, but we use it frequently. In CS:GO it was my favorite team to play for. We do not use it everyday, but I would love to use it everyday because I loved my teammates. We were all really good friends and we still talk about the game, life and catch up.
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Vanity's thoughts on new agent Chamber
I want to quickly just talk about the new agent that was released. Have you had a chance to look at his kit?
C9 Vanity: To be honest, it does not make sense at all. That is my first impression. He looks like a duelist, but he is a Sentinel. Overall, he is such a weird agent. It is similar to Sage where she is not really a Sentinel, but they will classify her as one. I think his inclusion is interesting. His design is also really cool.
How do you foresee him changing the meta in the future? Do you think secondary or even primary AWPers will pick him up and give Jett to the other player?
C9 Vanity: It is hard to say when the agent isn’t out yet, but he looks interesting. Obviously, having the free AWP, which I’m assuming will be eight points, is pretty big. It is similar to the Jett knives where you can save on economy and get a free weapon. Still, I think it is hard to justify looking at it without playing it. All we saw is the description of his abilities and the trailer. It will also be hard to find a place for him in compositions. That could change and he is most definitely stronger than Yoru. As long as you are better than Yoru, you have a shot. Maybe he will be a lot stronger than he currently looks on paper.
Moving forward, you only have a few matches left before you can play for the final spot at VCT Champions. What are your thoughts on this road ahead of you?
Yeah, we only have three more matches left. The toughest team left in the bracket for us is RISE. Their playstyle is very different from any other team we play. It is all so odd and unpredictable and very unique. There are not many teams who take certain retakes or aggressive plays like they do. Nobody plays like RISE. They also have really strong individual players and a great idea of how their team should work together. Like if someone says to do something, they instantly do it. There is no hesitation with them and they look incredibly coordinated. All that makes RISE so hard to play against. In my opinion, I think they are the tougher opponent over 100 Thieves. There are more strategies and counters to 100 Thieves over RISE.
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