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FNS talks chicken nuggets, new players, and result of NRG vs. Cloud9

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At VCT Americas Kickoff 2025, esports.gg interviewed FNS after NRG’s initial match series.

VCT Americas has resumed operations with its 2025 Kickoff event. The initial matches have been played, resulting in victories for some teams while others have lost. Regrettably, FNS and NRG are among those who lost following their encounters with Cloud9.

After the contest concluded, Xpsp engaged in conversation with the seasoned In-Game Leader. He offered valuable insights about the two maps contested, shared details about his upcoming retirement from competition, and expressed fondness for a historic VALORANT team he previously represented.

Keep your eyes on the Xpsp VALORANT YouTube channel for a video version coming shortly!

FNS on NRG vs. Cloud9 and what he thinks of the new additions to the team

It’s never easy to talk after a loss, but I really appreciate your efforts, and let’s switch gears to something more fun. Those dinosaur-shaped nuggets at the entrance were quite a sight! I’m guessing that was Bonkar’s idea, but could you please share who thought of it, who created the box, and give me all the details?

“Our content team took care of it. Neither bonkar nor any other team member was involved. We discovered the situation only half an hour prior and decided to handle it promptly.

Alright, let’s get right into it. Now we’re discussing Fracture. Despite Cloud9 making a remarkable comeback to take it into overtime, they ended up wrapping it up quite swiftly. Reflecting on this match, I can’t help but wonder what additional strategies or improvements could have been implemented by us and the team to close it out, or even prevent the need for such a comeback in the first place?

As a dedicated fan, I’d rephrase that as follows: “On the defensive front, communication within our team was solid, and we generally remained composed. However, personally, I had a shaky start. Interestingly, our offensive strategies leaned heavily towards individual play.

In our engagements, we never managed to match their kill count and they exploited location B excessively. We should have collaborated better at location B, both Sam (s0m) and I, which I believe would have led to more traded kills and possibly prolonged the round.

It seems that many decisions went in their favor when they shouldn’t have, but even if they were justified, we could have traded them. The issue lies with our lack of strategic preparations to handle such situations. However, they executed their strategies effectively.

They excelled with Tejo and Breach as a duo, performing exceptionally well. Their combination was outstanding, but their performance wasn’t entirely surprising since we’ve witnessed similar tactics in practice sessions. Unfortunately, it was our mistake not to adapt. However, our defense side clearly outperformed them.

In simpler terms, during the initial phase, there were simultaneous calls from different parties. Eventually, we all joined the same call which, while not excellent according to me, was still acceptable. This led us to take the offensive against Arcade.

It seemed likely that most of the players were there, so it might have been wiser to advance towards the other side. No worries though. I appreciate such decisions being made under high-pressure circumstances, as they offer valuable learning opportunities.

Overall, I believe we demonstrated great determination in overcoming the deficit, securing a comeback, and ultimately getting that kill on the attacking end – it was quite satisfying . On a personal note, however, I started off really slowly today. So, I need to step up my game individually.

Transitioning to discussing Lotus. The conclusion was absolutely thrilling, particularly the final rounds. Cloud9 effectively eliminated you with that well-timed Deadlock Ultimate. When the game is on the line and the opposing team has such powerful abilities at their disposal, how do you manage situations like that in a round?

In simpler terms, you should strive to control the playing field as effectively as possible. To be honest, when we led 9-6, our strategies and responses were quite decent, but unfortunately, we couldn’t put them into action accurately.

In various instances, we fell short on securing victories. Yet, something I am particularly proud of about our team is our resilience, even in a 0:2 loss to a team that others may have doubted could beat us. Despite C9’s impressive play, our responses were consistently powerful and swift.

We understood their strategies and actions on Lotus, yet we failed to secure the crucial kills we required, despite our efforts to concentrate on the bomb sites. However, they managed to hit us effectively.

Essentially, it boils down to improvement. In the grand scheme, we all require growth. Personally, I’m no exception; I need to improve myself, individually, as I mentioned in Fracture. However, I think it’s about minuscule adjustments on those occasions that could generate a slight push forward, creating an overall momentum.

Following our 9-6 lead, they gradually regained momentum, with us not challenging Area A until the score reached 10-9. To counter this, we decided to focus on defending Area A. Their strategy seemed to anticipate this move, as they performed exceptionally well while focusing their efforts in that area.

They adjusted their strategy and moved forward on the map towards locations B and C. They also excelled at pausing and then attacking another spot again. Thus, a big round of applause goes out to C9 for playing so well, but we simply need to improve. Improvement is key, especially in our individual performances. If we were performing as we usually do individually, the game would’ve been much more competitive.

Could you share some insights about mada and Verno, who performed impressively during your VALORANT games with players such as crashies, Victor, and Demon1? I’m curious about their capabilities and potential within the game.

Translation: “To be clear, there’s no limit to what those players can achieve. We’ve witnessed their potential during the off-season, and I expect we’ll see more of it throughout the year. It’s truly refreshing and enjoyable for me to work with new teammates because it brings a sense of renewal.

Experiencing new team members brings fresh personalities and traits, which come with their own set of difficulties and advantages. In this light, it’s been incredibly enjoyable discovering their quirks, playing alongside them, understanding their playing styles, and striving to help them perform at their peak.

I can’t wait to find out how the year unfolds! To be honest, this isn’t exactly the beginning we hoped for, but hey, it’s just the first game. It seems likely that I’ll end up in the lower division no matter what, but I’ll just have to regroup and improve.”

In a more conversational tone: “I’m really looking forward to seeing how this year shapes up! Honestly, this isn’t the start we were hoping for, but hey, it’s only the first game. It looks like I might end up in the lower division no matter what, but I guess I just have to pick myself up and try harder.

As a dedicated fan, I find myself eager to delve deeper into the dynamics of our team, NRG. Recently, Bonkar joined the roster, filling an essential piece of the puzzle. Comparing his coaching style to the established Chet, what sets them apart? What fresh perspectives or unique insights does Bonkar bring that could even catch the eye of a seasoned veteran like myself?

In simpler terms, “Chet and Bonkar are both exceptional strategists, and I find their skills to be quite similar. However, they differ significantly when it comes to their personalities. This point has been mentioned by me in various other discussions.

Bonkar exhibits an abundance of enthusiasm, particularly when interacting with his teammates. This energy is consistently upbeat and optimistic. In contrast, Chet appears laid-back and relaxed, which seems to be a significant difference between them, as Bonkar is generally more energetic and positive.

In my opinion, Chet was suitable for our previous team due to his ability to blend seamlessly without needing excessive motivation. However, I find Bonkar to be more advantageous for our current team. This is because he has the knack for uplifting team members when they’re feeling low or less engaged. Our team consists of younger, less experienced players, and Bonkar excels at bringing everyone together emotionally.

Regarding future interviews, I recall you mentioning this will be your final season of competition. You’re about to embark on a lower bracket run. If NRG doesn’t advance from here, there are other stages later in the year. However, how eager are you to secure another trophy to culminate your career triumphantly?

In my case: Regardless of the circumstances, I play to emerge victorious. The outcome depends on our team’s effort and dedication. My competitive spirit remains fierce until the day I retire from playing. I aim to excel or at least secure a spot in these events at the very least.

For the past few years, failing to qualify for an event has been quite unusual for me. Consequently, there’s always a presumption that I must qualify, regardless of circumstances. I believe my teammates share this expectation as well.

We aim to attend numerous events, yet we must always perform at our best. Unfortunately, today we fell short and were penalized for it. We’ll need to step up our game and see what transpires. I’m not sure when our next match is, but it should be within the next four to five days.

Since your retirement seems imminent, are you feeling like you have something to prove? In other words, what kind of lasting impact as a player do you aspire to make when you hang up your boots for good?

frankly, the idea of comparing myself to other esports players regarding longevity and years played hasn’t come up often for me, as I believe I have already accomplished more than most in this aspect, which makes me quite proud.

To be honest, reflecting on my current path, I don’t believe I would harbor any significant regrets should I decide to stop here. It’s natural to have a few “what-ifs” or moments of wondering about alternative paths, but overall, I feel content with my journey so far. Of course, life is full of twists and turns, and there are instances where I ponder over what could have been different or improved, but on the whole, I am satisfied with how things have unfolded.

Regarding my entire esports career path, I’m quite content with where it has led me. Given this sentiment, I’m confident that this will be my final year. I no longer feel the need to demonstrate further prowess as a team captain within the game.

As a dedicated fan, I’d put it like this: “Today, I fell short of my standards, and I own that. It’s crucial for me to give my best each time I step onto the field, because if I don’t, our team may suffer the consequences. This is something every player on our team should remember.

I have one more question that might not be related to our main topic. I was wondering if you had any thoughts about Hastr0 regaining control of the Envy brand today? The organization has always held a special place in your heart and played a significant role in NA VALORANT for quite some time. If you’d like, I’d appreciate it if you could share your feelings on Envy’s return, or perhaps discuss whether you believe the org could make a comeback in the world of VALORANT.

“Absolutely! It would be fantastic to see Hastr0 return with a fresh squad. Truly amazing! During the time we were together, he was always wonderful to me and my fellow players, so I can’t find a single negative thing to say about him.”

All praise for him! He’s consistently displayed affection and high regard, and I believe this mutual feeling. If the team ‘Envy’ reappears in VALORANT or any other esport, it would truly be remarkable and exciting.

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2025-01-19 00:41

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