Sandstorm: “I am the best scythe player and best boots player”

In the world of esports, particularly Brawlhalla, Sandstorm shines brighter than any other personality. With numerous top-tier accomplishments under his belt, he consistently dominates tournaments and keeps winning. His victories serve as an inspiration for the whole community, infusing enthusiasm into the global competitive landscape. Notably, he recently triumphed at the Trial of Skuld tournament. Following this triumph, we had a chance to interview Sandstorm and ask him some questions.

Sandstorm Brawlhalla interview

On esports.gg, we’d like to extend our congratulations for your triumph in the Trial of Skuld! Can you share how this win makes you feel? As for your career, which victories seem the most significant and thrilling at this stage?

Sandstorm

Sandstorm Brawlhalla interview: On the legends

In the top 8, your move from Tezca to Mordex seemed to be a smart choice that contributed to your victory. Was this a favorable matchup or has Battle Boots become less effective lately? What prompted you to select these two champions for the recent competitions?

As a seasoned veteran of the battle arena, with countless hours poured into mastering my favorite legends, I have come to rely heavily on Boots and Mordex as my go-to champions. Each one serves its own purpose in different scenarios.

As a dedicated fan, I must admit that the recent updates in the roster have piqued my interest. Could it be possible for me to consider maining these newcomers at esports events? And regarding your question about whether Imugi, Vivi, and Seven can compare to Tezca’s skills, only time will tell as they continue to prove themselves on the battlefield.

“I haven’t given it much consideration yet, as they are quite effective. However, I find myself drawn solely to the legends I currently possess, which incidentally include weapons I’ve utilized before in brackets, but for now, I’m focusing on that particular group.”

Having spent countless hours honing my gaming skills over the years, I must say that if given the chance to introduce a new weapon pair into this game, I’d go for a trusty and reliable dual pistols set. As a seasoned adventurer, I’ve come to appreciate the versatility of these weapons in tight combat situations.

“While I haven’t directly pondered legends involving specific designs, I have made suggestions for themes that include boots paired with a hammer, a spear, or a scythe. I believe these combinations would result in harmonious and fitting legend concepts.”

On the current state of the game

In one of your messages, you asked for a significant update on Brawlhalla. Could you share why you’re looking for such an extensive patch? Also, I’m curious to hear your thoughts about the game’s current status. How would you describe its state at the moment?

As a gamer, I’ve been feeling like the game’s equilibrium has been stuck for quite some time now. Axe and gauntlets, along with certain legends, seem to be ruling both 1v1s and 2v2s without much variation. Fighting the same combos in every tournament for over a year can get monotonous. We’ve had several balance updates over the past year, but unfortunately, the meta remains largely unaltered. That’s why I took to Twitter expressing my thoughts that it would be intriguing if Battlemasters Guild (BMG) made a significant shake-up in the game. Most of the balance adjustments have been so minor that they might as well not have occurred at all.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’m yearning for a glimpse of how the game could transform if they revamped some weapons and their unique movesets. It’s uncertain whether this will materialize, but I can’t help but wish for fresh updates to breathe new life into the game.

I think one issue that’s affecting the game is the recent addition of the dash mechanic from June. With this feature, you can quickly align with the ground by pressing dash just before landing, allowing for faster movement than previously. At first, it felt like the speed and actions per minute (APM) of the game increased, which was thrilling. However, over time, it seems that the game’s tempo has become too fast, potentially leading to an imbalance in gameplay.

As someone who has spent countless hours honing my skills in online multiplayer games, I can attest to the frustration of encountering a glitch or imbalance that significantly alters the gameplay experience. In this specific instance, I find myself disheartened by the sudden and drastic change in the neutrality of the game due to an unexpectedly fast dash snap mechanic. This feature, when playing online, can make it seem like my opponents are teleporting, making it nearly impossible to track them effectively.

In the current setup, there’s significantly more uncertainty in the neutral phase. Previously, some players criticized Brawlhalla matches for being slow due to passive play, but this new mechanic encourages an even more common approach. The neutral phase is now characterized by players moving around the screen and rarely launching attacks because it’s difficult to spot or anticipate their movements most of the time, thereby promoting frequent use of parries.

Hey there, fellow gamers! As a long-time enthusiast with years of gaming under my belt, I’ve faced my fair share of game mechanics that didn’t quite sit right. The latest issue I’m grappling with has left me scratching my head – I just can’t seem to figure out how to fix it. That being said, I wholeheartedly believe that BMG should listen to the community’s feedback on this matter, especially from those who are experts in this specific field. After all, we gamers know our stuff and our insights could help improve the game for everyone. Here’s hoping they take our suggestions seriously!

Brawlhalla esports competition

Are you happy with the structure of esports season 9, featuring numerous online tournaments, two invitational events, and two major LANs throughout the year? If given the opportunity, would you make any adjustments to it?

I believe it’s acceptable, but I have some reservations about the current setup of the circuit system, particularly regarding online tournaments. The competitions seem lackluster or inconsequential to me – you can essentially skip an entire tournament and still secure a first-round spot for the live royale, as I did myself. I think there’s a desire among players for seasonal tournaments instead, with unexpected events and tourneys interspersed throughout.

From my perspective as an avid LAN enthusiast, this year’s lineup seems to be a scaled-back version compared to last year. We’re looking at four in-person LAN events and four royales, which is half the number on both counts. Despite my preference for more LANs, I understand the logistical challenges that come with organizing them, so I’m ready to make the most of the opportunities presented this year.

“I miss having nine LANs like we did in 2019, and I will attend every LAN that is hosted.”

North America versus the world

1. Why are South American teams currently so powerful? And what elements might the North American scene be missing that could help them regain their status as top contenders in international competitions?

In comparison to North America (NA) and Europe (EU), South American players appear to exhibit a higher level of enthusiasm, which often results in them playing more frequently. Additionally, they tend to possess a deep comprehension of the game’s current strategy (meta) and display a strong sense of self-assurance.

To clarify, while it may appear that NA and EU are significantly lagging, this is not entirely accurate. During the Winter Royale, competitors from all regions were engaging in close matches. In fact, I encountered and defeated players hailing from various regions, including both NA and EU.

During this year’s midseason, five out of the top eight players hailed from North America (NA). Some South American (SA) and European (EU) players were eliminated early on. Kyna, the eventual winner, had tough matches even up until Game 5 with other competitors. In my view, it wasn’t a total domination, but rather required some adjustments here and there to reach the optimal performance level.

Do you have a primary rival in North America who is particularly challenging to compete against, either because they are exceptionally skillful or extremely tough to beat?

The current sensation in town is Marckiemoo, although it’s been some time since we last squared off. As for everyone else, yes, I have strategies to outmatch them.

Hey there! I’ve seen your recent post mentioning your excitement for 2XKO. Could you share what makes this game so intriguing for you? Also, I’d love to hear your thoughts on MultiVersus. What’s your take on it?

Currently, 2XKO is extremely popular, and I’m curious to find out if I’ll enjoy it. I’ve had a hankering to explore other fighting games and determine if they offer the same level of fun for me.

“I’m really into the game MultiVersus, but ever since Brawl esports came out, I’ve been mainly dedicating my time to it in the competitive scene.”