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SPOTLIGHT
After two rounds of regional qualifiers followed by regional finals, the Arena Tournament 2008 will finally end with the global finals, which will take place October 10-11 in Anaheim, California. This week, we’ll review the performances and motivation of the team Nihilum Plasma, one of the two European teams which qualified for the global finals.
The famous guild Nihilum was first known for its amazing feats against World of Warcraft bosses. After the introduction of the arena system, Nihilum pitched into PvP and now has two arena teams, including Nihilum Plasma, who qualified for the Arena Tournament global finals.
Nihilum Plasma is composed of Carekoala, Inflame, and Paperkat, the leader of the team. Their career in the arena tournament can be taken as a model: they qualified rather easily for the second round and showed their determination by ending in first place, gaining at the same time their ticket to the European finals.
The European finals took place in Madrid, Spain, at the Circulo Bellas artes, Salon de columna. During this phase, Nihilum showed an impressive mastery of the game, defeating the team aAa Agita, and then the team Mousesports. The team would encounter a significant obstacle in the team x6tence, losing 0:3 to this team. Opposing Triple Threat in the second bracket, they won their way to the finals with a 3:1 win.
Meeting x6tence in the finals, Nihilum faced this Spanish team for several matches before finally conceding defeat. Nonetheless, their main objective, being qualified for the global finals, had been achieved!
As the Arena Tournament finals draw nearer, we posed some questions to the team members, concerning their motivation and their preparation for the biggest World of Warcraft e-sport event.
To go a bit further:
What's An Arena Tournament?
Nihilum on the go
Follow Nihilum Plasma adventure during the 2008 Regionals.
A night with Paperkat
You wish to improve your game play or you are a fan of this warrior's performances? Discover a compilation of his arena matches.
I wanna be a Carekoala!
Read the interview of the Nihilum Plasma member
Interview with Luis aka "Paperkat"
Paperkat
1) What are your aims for the global finals at BlizzCon?
Well one of them is to have a good time! Another, is, of course, to fight against the best of the best in the world. It was very tough to get to where we are today, after 2 tournament realms, then top two at the regional finals; that was tough! We're one of the two EU teams who made it through and we're very happy about that. Of course, we want to win some matches at BlizzCon but for this tournament we don't want to get too self-confident.
2) Could you tell us a bit more about the preparation for this kind of tournament?
For this kind of tournament, obviously everything we can do. To get where we are now took a lot of practice, we've had a bunch of great and fun adventures due to it though both in real life and while gaming. Right now we aren't doing anything heavy except just practicing.
3) What is the team you fear the most and for what reasons?
I wouldn’t say we fear anyone at all, but we do respect a lot of teams of course. For example the Spanish guys from x6tence because they're excellent at countering setups, the Korean RMPs (Rogue Mage Priest) setups because an RMP played on a very high level can be really devastating. There's basically not a counter RMP can't go up against; all the team needs to do is change tactic.
4) How do you feel about representing Europe for the Global Finals?
I feel great. I feel like we deserve to represent Europe because we are the best European team at the moment. So it is only fair for us to be representing Europe. At least that is how I feel about it. I don't see how we got to this point as being in any easy way at all. To get where we are took a lot of work. It wasn't a walk in the park! We started by playing this setup (Warrior Warlock Druid) before the fel armor buff and before the setup became fotm (flavor of the month). We've lost games and learned from them and here we are at the top of our game, top of Europe.
Interview with Mike aka "Carekoala"
Carekoala
1) What are your aims for the global finals at BlizzCon?
It's hard to comment on that actually since we don't know half the teams going there, but without being too ambitious I'd say a top two placement is our aim. Spanish x6 is still a hard match and, on top of that, I've only heard good things about the Korean teams, but I'd still be disappointed personally if we do not make the grand final.
2) Could you tell us a bit more about the preparation for this kind of tournament?
We've still got momentum from previous qualifiers and offline tournaments which we're currently trying to keep high by playing on the ESL server. However, really, without any prior knowledge versus the teams from the other continents there isn't so much we can do to prepare except playing, so we'll just have to see how their play-style is and adapt to it.
3) What is the team you fear the most and for what reasons?
Hmm, I guess it would be the Korean team who won all the way straight through their qualifiers, knocking out Council of Mages not once but twice, and, personally, I think that Council of Mages is a step above European RMP setups so I expect to see some crazy stuff from these guys in the tournament, but I'm definitely also excited to hopefully get a chance to play them and see where we stand globally.
4) How do you feel about representing Europe for the Global Finals?
It's very cool to be the one of only two teams to participate in basically the biggest 3vs3 tournament, and I feel honored to represent Europe and hope we will do everyone proud. I also believe that we couldn't have been paired up with a better team either, x6tence is a very strong team and with them and us representing Europe I'm confident that Europe will finish in a very good standing.
Interview with Patrick aka "Inflame"
Inflame
1) What are your aims for the global finals at BlizzCon?
My personal aim is to play as well as possible and compete against the best players in the world. I have huge expectations going into the BlizzCon tournament because the qualification phase has been so long.
2) Could you tell us a bit more about the preparation for this kind of tournament?
We've done everything we could, which is practice, practice, practice, mostly on the ESL realm though since it has Season 2 gear. Other than that there isn't much we can do. I've tried to watch a few streams but most of them aren't that great when it comes to quality, plus that one can't choose whom to follow etc.
3) What is the team you fear the most and for what reasons?
I don't fear any team in particular and I'm sure we can do well against any team as long as we all give our best. However, as my teammates have probably mentioned, the Asian teams are rather unknown to us except for the Worldwide Invitational tournament, and according to popular opinion, people fear the unknown, but I'm sure we'll do well.
4) How do you feel about representing Europe for the Global Finals?
I feel that I'm confident in doing so. I feel that I haven't been carried or just handed the opportunity; I've worked hard for it and I believe that I've really shown that I'm a good warlock. So, it feels good and hopefully the community will support us taking on the US and Asian teams over there. Having people support you in what you do is always important and I'm very grateful for all the fans we have.
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