"Our ability to adapt to the current meta at hand" - Yay on the reason behind OpTic's consistency

VCT 2022 - Champions Istanbul symbolizing the culmination of the ongoing VCT season is bound to commence in less than twenty-four hours. Unlike the previous Champions event, fans will be granted the opportunity to witness the best teams around the world face off in-person rather than doing so behind their screens.

However, before these teams start engaging in intense matches for the title, representatives of each team participated in a press conference, which was conducted at 7:30 AM PST/5:30 PM Local Time and featured the following players:

• Press Conference 1: OpTic Gaming – Yay, Fnatic – Boaster, Leviatán – Tacolillalzh, Paper Rex – Benkai
• Press Conference 2: DRX – Stax, ZETA DIVISION – Laz, BOOM Esports – fl1pzjder, EDward Gaming – Life
• Press Conference 3: FunPlus Phoenix – ANGE1, XERXIA – Crws, Team Liquid – Scream, XSET – Cryocells
• Press Conference 4: LOUD – Sadhak, KRÜ Esports – Klaus, FURIA – nzr

Without further ado, let’s dive into the answers the participants had for the questions THESPIKE.GG asked.

THESPIKE.GG: OpTic has been the most consistent team in both regional and international events. What element of the team’s gameplay is essential to this success?

Jaccob "yay" Whiteaker Probably our ability to adapt to the current meta at hand. A lot of teams tend to struggle with it. They might be good for a meta or two, but when there is a major shift, either with the introduction of a new Agent or nerfs and buffs, they are slow in adapting to it. In contrast, we are always trying to experiment with our unique style and play, and I believe that is why we have such consistency.

THESPIKE.GG: Despite reaching the Grand Finals at Copenhagen, you were unable to take home the title. With the team being well-rested and COVID free this time around, do you think you could bridge that gap and win?

Benedict "Benkai" Tan: I think that anything can happen in these events. Our team is coming into the event with the same mentality we’ve always had, which is to attempt to survive the longest instead of thinking solely about winning the tournament. Last time we had the same mentality and it took us to the Grand Finals, so it seems that something is working.

THESPIKE.GG: You’ve always wanted to lift the trophy on the International stage and after recent performances you look closer than ever. How do you feel about your chances this time around?

Jake "Boaster" Howlett - I realized that every event I believe that we can win it, we do not end up reaching the Grand Finals either, which is why this event I am planning to take it game by game instead of thinking about lifting the trophy from the get-go.

Even though I say this every time, I believe that we are looking for good right now. I hope that once we set foot on the stage, we can enjoy the moment and perform like we want to.

THESPIKE.GG: How has Dimasick influenced the team’s gameplay, considering his versatility with different Agents in the LCQ?

Adil "ScreaM" Benrlitom He is an extremely fun person to play with since he brings the kind of motivation and hunger for victory we need. His versatility helps a lot as he tries to fulfill any role assigned to his best ability. He also an experienced guy in the esports scene, so it has been only positive vibes with him so far.