DIG Isles: “You get DM’d death threats by people that bet on [LCS]”

In this article, we had a chat with Jonah “Isles” Rosario from Dignitas’ support unit, where we delved into their fluctuating performance in the current season, the bonds that hold the team together, and his strategies for managing the stresses of professional gaming.

As a devoted admirer, I might put it this way: Coming into this tournament, Dignitas could have felt like the passengers on the Titanic, bracing for an inevitable end. However, they’ve embraced their underdog role with spirit and resilience, transforming into cherished community favorites. Their gritty gameplay style and unyielding humor make them a team that’s hard not to root for.

DIG Isles thinks “[NRG] are so bad, it’s crazy”

In esports.gg, you secured a victory for your second series today. Can you share how you feel about this series and the broader split, considering you’ve now confirmed the second series win?

“Isles admitted that he often receives criticism for being negative after a win, but he believes NRG essentially defeated themselves due to their poor performance. He pointed out several areas where they need improvement, particularly in the mid-game and some team tendencies. Additionally, Isles was not satisfied with his own performance during both games, feeling uncomfortable on stage and struggling in the laning phase.”

As a seasoned athlete with countless games under my belt, I can confidently say that today’s win was monumental for us. The competition is fierce this season, with many teams neck and neck in the standings, and the top three teams edging slightly ahead. However, this victory has significant implications for our team, filling me with immense joy.

Isles points to midgame efficiency as DIG’s Achilles’ heel

When discussing mid-game challenges, what do you believe is the major hurdle you’re encountering? Is it perhaps the approach to establishing goals, strategizing vision deployment, and planning for skirmishes? Or could it be the challenge of creating a unified strategy regarding where you want to position yourself and the actions you wish to take initially? Could there be other persistent issues that are causing difficulties for your team?

It seems there’s been a misunderstanding about our team’s general strategy during the game, particularly in the mid-game phase. When you decide to push a wave far into an enemy’s territory, what’s your plan next? Do you intend to keep pushing that lane, maintain vision control around it, and sustain the advantage? Or do you prefer the “see-saw” approach, where you switch between lanes, gather vision, return to base, then move to another lane to catch waves? Alternatively, do you wish to use the timing of when minions spawn on one side to move to the middle and destroy the tower there?

In the second game, we attempted a strategy, but it didn’t execute smoothly. When I observe top teams in regions such as LPL and LCK, if they push two lanes simultaneously towards towers with half health, the towers fall within one wave of attacks. The process is seamless: they attack one side, then the other, everyone moves to mid-lane, and the tower collapses instantly. However, it seems our team struggles with this execution, which I believe is a philosophical problem in terms of strategy implementation.

When discussing plans, it can be challenging when we hold slightly varied perspectives or if there’s a mismatch in individual goals. This inconsistency can cause valuable time loss, which could otherwise be spent on action or strategy development. For instance, if someone proposes a series of actions like, ‘I want to do this, then I want to do that,’ these moments of delay can hinder our progress. In many cases, particularly in our Shopify Rebellion episodes last week, there was an excessive amount of empty time that prevented us from capitalizing on the lead or even maintaining a balanced position.

Isles breaks down DIG’s new groove

As someone who’s spent decades observing various esports teams, I have to say that Dignitas’ approach to competition is truly unique and inspiring. Despite enduring a rough start with losses in scrimmages, they’ve managed to maintain an optimistic and lighthearted attitude that has won them praise from commentators and fans alike.

I must admit, this situation is quite challenging for me. You see, it’s the first time in my career that everyone is speaking English, and while I hold no disrespect towards Korean players, it’s simply more comfortable to connect with individuals from a culturally similar background.

I’m sure that the language barrier can be a huge roadblock for building camaraderie.

Absolutely, you’re right. When I refer to the last team gathering, even someone like Rich, who had a good grasp of English, was quite conversational, and so forth — but there was still a significant cultural divide. During meals, for instance, the Koreans would be on one side enjoying hotpot and kimchi, while those who spoke English would be on the other side consuming Western cuisine. Small differences like these didn’t foster unity within our team.

If our team might not remain the same next year, regardless of the outcome, I would cherish maintaining friendships with everyone. There’s an authentic bond that forms among us during scrimmages, making it feel like more than just a team – it feels like real friendship.

As a board game enthusiast, I can’t help but express my passion for these tactile gems we play daily. Each day brings anticipation as we gather around the table, and even when the odds seem against us in a particularly challenging scrim, the camaraderie we share makes it all worthwhile. It’s not that our League skills or other commitments are being neglected; instead, these board games offer an enriching experience that strengthens our bond as friends.

Definitely. I think people recognize that you have to build up familiarity between team members.

Absolutely, I still believe we should address the ongoing problems from this period that have yet to be resolved.

Well, now we have to ask, as board game lovers: what board games are you guys playing?

Our go-to board games are primarily The Resistance: Avalon and Secret Hitler. These games revolve around deception and deduction, and they involve a lot of conversation.

Isles on death threats from esports bettors

As someone who has spent years competing in the intense world of League of Legends Esports, I can certainly empathize with the mental health struggles that players face. This week, the topic of mental health in LoL Esports has been at the forefront of discussions, and it’s heartbreaking to see talented players like Sniper, Meech, and even the legendary Faker dealing with stress and distress.

In many sports, no matter your role or skill level, there’s a constant scrutiny as you must meet certain standards or expectations and face the possibility of losing. This can lead to stress because people will judge your performance. It’s not uncommon for athletes to receive harsh criticism, even threats, when they play poorly, especially if it affects bettors who wagered on the game. Essentially, every move you make is under public scrutiny.

Since around 2020, I’ve been involved in competitive gaming leagues. While I haven’t had a long stint in LCS yet, I’ve been playing for a few years now, and it continues to have an impact on me. To maintain a positive mental space, I steer clear of environments that might provide negative energy or poor-quality information and comments. For instance, I wouldn’t visit Reddit, but remember that being able to make a living from gaming is something special and worth appreciating.

“Children would dream of having my job. To me, it’s important to appreciate it as a privilege and handle each day with gratitude. Cherish the chance you’ve been given, the opportunity in front of you. Moreover, cherish the supporters who make this a viable profession for you.”

Rabbit Season! Duck Season! Rabbit Season! DIG Season!

Any words for Dignitas fans cheering you on as you head into the final week of play?

As a lifelong esports enthusiast who has watched countless teams rise and fall over the years, I truly believe that Dignitas stands out as a team that deserves unwavering support from its fans. Unlike some teams, where the focus is solely on individual star players, Dignitas is a true team in every sense of the word.

One last question for the folks at home. What season is it?

[Laughs] “DIG Season.”