Andrey “tN1R” Tatarinovich, a rifler for the Heroic CS2 squad, recently offered a candid look into the team`s recent transitions, the intricacies of playing in an international roster, and the distinct mentalities found in different regions. Speaking ahead of FISSURE Playground #1, tN1R shared his thoughts on vacation, language learning, significant roster changes, and the unique challenges and benefits of European versus CIS team environments.
Reflecting on the Past Season and Key Departures
The interview touched upon the significant news of SunPayus and sAw`s impending departures, a development the team was aware of even before IEM Dallas. tN1R described the team`s handling of this information as open and honest, allowing everyone to process it without internal friction. This transparency, he felt, was crucial. Playing the subsequent tournaments, including the Major qualifier and IEM Dallas, with this knowledge felt like a “Last Dance,” allowing the team to enjoy their remaining time together, particularly the comfortable working relationship with Alvaro (SunPayus) and the former coach.
Regarding their 9-11th place finish at the Major, tN1R attributed it partly to points accumulated from winning two smaller online tournaments and securing valuable points at IEM Dallas by defeating higher-ranked teams like FaZe. The Major run, in his view, helped solidify their ranking position.
Welcoming the Newcomers: gr1ks and nilo
Heroic`s roster saw the addition of Belarusian teammate gr1ks and the return of nilo after a break. tN1R confirmed that the recruitment process was handled by the coaching staff, not the players. While acknowledging that having a compatriot like gr1ks is “cool” and provides someone to speak Russian with, tN1R emphasized that regional background is secondary to a player`s dedication and commitment to the team`s collective goal. He values teammates who show they are trying and striving towards the same objective.
Both gr1ks and nilo joined the team for a week of practice sessions before the interview. tN1R`s initial impression of nilo was particularly striking. He described him as “very calm and quiet,” so much so that sometimes he barely felt his presence, drawing a comparison to a character from the anime “Blue Lock” who appears and disappears unnoticed. Nilo`s communication, while present, is described as brief and clear, a stark contrast to previous more emotional teammates like xfl0ud. Currently, tN1R feels gr1ks is the most emotional player on the new roster, providing a different dynamic.
Navigating a New Era: Challenges and Goals
Integrating two new players and a new coach (TOBIZ replaced sAw) introduces significant challenges. tN1R views the upcoming FISSURE Playground #1 as primarily a “warm-up” tournament. The immediate goal isn`t necessarily to win everything but rather to evaluate the new roster, identify weaknesses (“our shortcomings and problems”), and understand how the new structure and vision from the coach are working. With new players still learning the system, tN1R admitted that many aspects are not yet fully ironed out due to the limited practice time. His personal, immediate goal for the tournament is simply to make it out of the group stage – a pragmatic target given the circumstances.
A Look at Other Reshuffles and Regional Differences
Offering thoughts on other recent roster moves, tN1R commented on Perfecto joining Virtus.pro after a long break. He believes the duration of a break is less critical than the player`s current readiness, ambition, and motivation. While some sharpness might be lost initially, he expects adaptation to happen quickly through practice and official matches.
When asked about kyousuke joining Team Falcons alongside stars like m0NESY and NiKo, tN1R called it a “subtle question.” He acknowledged kyousuke`s individual skill (“just hit shots”) but was cautious about predicting dominance, especially in an international team. His own experience in a European team has shown him it`s “a completely different world” compared to his prior expectations, suggesting adaptation to the international dynamic is a significant hurdle.
This led to a deeper discussion on the main differences between international (specifically European) and CIS teams. tN1R pinpointed three key areas: mentality, approach, and communication.
Comparing mentalities based on his experience, he described the European approach as more “cold-blooded,” reserved, and less emotional. Arguments or harsh words like “you`re an idiot” during rounds are uncommon. In contrast, CIS teams, according to tN1R, are often more emotional, sometimes erupting into arguments mid-game (“You fool, I told you not to hold that flash!”).
Interestingly, despite the calmer environment, tN1R admitted he sometimes misses the “negativity” of CIS teams. He feels the emotional intensity, even if it leads to arguments, can also be a driving force, allowing players to vent frustration and use that energy in-game. It’s a different way of processing and releasing emotion, which he suggests can make players more `fired up`. Of course, he acknowledges this is highly individual.
Finally, communication remains a significant factor. While his European teammates have better English than him, tN1R stated that coordinating in a non-native language is inherently more challenging for everyone. Speaking his native language would allow for far more detailed information sharing and requests, leading to smoother coordination. He noted that when his three Swedish teammates switch to their native tongue, their communication style visibly changes and becomes more fluid, highlighting the inherent advantage of playing in one`s primary language.
A Message to the Fans
tN1R concluded with a message for the fans. He thanked those who follow esports and support the team. For aspiring players, he offered valuable advice: don`t “overrate” professional players too much, understand that “any goal is achievable,” never give up, constantly develop your skills, and avoid the trap of thinking you know everything about the game. Simple, direct, and encouraging words from a player navigating the ever-evolving world of professional Counter-Strike.
Jasper Hawthorne