I think it’s just whoever figures it out first is going to do really well on it: NRG Chet speaks about the roster's performance and current meta
In VCT Americas Week 4, NRG took on KRU Esports, taking out the LATAM squad in 2-0 fashion. With their win, NRG take a step closer to meeting their goal of attending Masters: Tokyo and Champions 2023. Moreover, after the first few weeks of shaky performances, NRG are beginning to show their potential in officials. After their win, Strafe Esports was fortunate enough to interview Chet "Chet" Singh, head coach of NRG. In the exclusive one-to-one interview, NRG "Chet" spoke on the thought processes behind some of NRG's latest role changes, their most recent games, the current meta in the game, and incoming patch changes and their expected effect on the NRG squad.
Congratulations on the win, this was pretty important for you guys, especially the round differential. What are your thoughts on your performance today?
I thought we performed well today, we mean we still had some mistakes that we do, but it was better. We did some role changes like last second, so I think it helped us.
Speaking of role changes, what was the thought process behind these role changes? Not just today’s changes but the previous changes as well.
For the previous changes, we just felt like the flexibility of our team meant we could exploit as much as we can. Making sure we have the most correct comps possible that we thought; but in hindsight I guess that didn’t really pay off because there was some uncomfortability with certain people. And it’s hard to juggle roles when you’re going from entry to a baiting character, so I think solidifying him just makes more sense moving forward for the season.
Do you think, because you’re switching between roles, that was the reason NRG wasn’t performing on par with everyone else?
I don’t think it was the only reason, but it definitely was a big factor in why we were making big mistakes that we aren’t used to doing cause there’s just so many things to know per agent, and if you’re not used to playing it a lot, it’s kind of difficult to know what to do.
Talking about today’s game, on Haven especially, you guys looked pretty strong. FNS had all the reads, especially on Attack, but it seemed like you guys stumbled on Defense. What do you think went wrong, or was it just momentum that worked for them?
I can’t remember specifically too much Defense. I think they just had some post-plants that they won that were kinda clean. We could have had the round, like a 50-50 post-plant retake situation. So if you don’t win those rounds, obviously they build ults and get momentum a little bit. I think its kinda how the map plays, its Attack-sided in general, so starting on Attack side is really important. And like I said, defending is kinda difficult.
Compared to other days, NRG looked amazing today. Was there anything you guys worked on specifically coming into today, aside from the role changes?
Just worked on making sure “ardiis” is as comfortable as possible, because me specifically, as the coach, I felt like I didn’t do the best job of setting him up for success. Now I think that’s going to be our main priority moving forward. Maybe there’s some maps where he might be off-role here and there, just kind of similar to FPX, when he was on that team. Just like maps where he is on agents where it’s not ideal, we might give Vic that chance, maybe someone else their chance. I think most of the time, you’ll see him like in the star role, us just helping him get the kills that he needs to get.
Obviously, we had a huge shift in the meta with Chamber being nerfed. Do you think that was the reason for a lot of teams having role issues now?
I think a lot of teams are undervaluing the OP probably, and we’re one of them. And we didn’t want to fill it with Jett always on certain maps. And I think, people just have to get over it probably, and look at LOUD as a good example of a team that has OP quite often on both sides of the map. Just like, no point in trying to reinvent something when the meta is pretty stale at the moment.
Speaking of meta shifts, we’re getting another change going into next week. We’re getting Bind to replace Icebox. You guys are a pretty solid Bind team, as in your pick rate, and s0m is pretty good on Bind. Do you think those factors would affect your team’s performance in any way?
Honestly, I think it’s really huge for us to get Bind in the game. We were probably the best on it in the world last year. Obviously, I don’t think the meta is the same at all, like no Chamber right? So, it’s going to be a lot different this time. I think it’s just whoever figures it out first, whoever finds those couple of agents that makes the most sense on that map is going to do really well on it. I think we’ll have a good idea how to take that part of the map, and do fast strats, slow strats. A lot of our stuff, we added from mid-rounding and that made us successful.
Regarding Bind, there’s also multiple changes to the map. Apparently, that will affect a number of lineups. Do you think Riot should continue to make such changes mid-season?
I’m not too sure, I haven’t seen anything like that, but that just means we have to make new lineups. Making the lineups different for no reason doesn’t make any sense and is probably unintentional by Riot. Maybe they’ll revert that, it happened once before on a different patch, so it’s not hard to fix. Obviously, but it’s still annoying.
A lot of Pacific teams, they are using their sixth man as role specialist or map specialist. They will bring that person just for that one map. Do you think NRG would do something like that with “ethos”?
At the moment I’m not comfortable substituting anybody into our lineup. I want to just build the chemistry with the five players that we selected for the season. If at any point there’s an injury, you’ll see “ethos”, but right now there’s no plans to just slot him in as a role specialist.
You’ll face 100 Thieves next week, and it’ll be another crucial matchup because winning would put you in a stronger position but losing would make it really really hard to qualify. What would you change and how would you prepare for them? Also, what are your thoughts on their team?
I know they built a lot around Cryo, and they have a good support system around him. So, we’re just going to figure out how to play around that, and both our teams were strong on Icebox. So now both teams will have come out with Bind in mind at least. We’re going to see which team will be willing to play that map, who’s going to be willing to float it, and stuff like that.
NRG has pretty strong matchups, after 100 Thieves, you’ll be facing Furia and then LOUD. I hope you are pretty excited for the LOUD rematch especially. LOUD is the only team to remain undefeated. Do you think you’ll beat them and what do you think you need to shut down on LOUD in order to win against them?
I know they’re just a super strong team, like “Aspas”, “tuyz”, “cauanzin”, literally all five of them. Staff included. They’re going to be pretty hard to beat, and I think it’s mainly going to be how can we make “Aspas” not as effective. But he’s one of those players that’s going to adapt and be good at it, so we just have to be steps ahead. We just have to plan to be better than him.
Now you have four matchups left, and you are three losses down. What do you think will be the best outcome for NRG towards the end of the season? What are your expectations?
The goal is to use the momentum of this win to just win out. Because we know we can be really good, and we have been last year. I know it’s not the same lineup, stuff like that. But we know we’re capable of having good runs. So, we just have to take this. We have this small adjustment period, following this match, before the 100 Thieves game, so we just need to take full advantage of it and swing with it.
Is there any international team you have been on the watch out for?
I watch everybody. I’m not afraid of any team. I’m down to play anybody, I’m interested in how they play. I’ve probably already seen how they play. So, if we do end up making some international event this year, or in the future anyways…playing against DRX is always fun. Most enjoyable matches we’ve had every year.
Thank you for your time and good luck for your coming matches!
NRG concluded the superweek with a 2-3 record, and are currently sitting precariously on the edge for contention. They next faced 100 Thieves, who they crushed, to give themselves a 3-3 record to go into Week 6 of the VCT Americas League. NRG's latest match is against Furia, preparation for the fated rematch against perpetual domestic rivals LOUD.
The VCT Americas Week 6 action will begin on the 6th of May. You can follow VCT Americas Twitter for all the updates on VCT Americas.
Credits: Tina Jo/Riot Games
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