There are few professional players with a tenure that rivals Faker’s, although Caps closely follows. Since leaving high school to pursue a full-time career in League of Legends, Caps has consistently been a prominent figure in Europe and is poised to compete at Worlds 2024.
In 2019, Caps came closer than any other Western player to claiming the Worlds title, with G2’s roster that year falling short of achieving the Golden Road. They possessed the potential to reshape the narrative in favor of Western teams for the first time since Eastern teams joined the competitive landscape, but ultimately, they fell at the final hurdle.
Nonetheless, Caps continues to pursue that elusive championship. He has no intention of stopping until he secures a Worlds title, and he is determined to achieve this success representing Europe while facing off against the player who inspired him to take up the game. Inspiringly, Faker still motivates Caps to strive for victory even after all these years.
Caps exudes confidence—he must, as he represents the best hope for the West at this stage.
Here’s our interview with G2 Caps, the shining North Star of Western League of Legends:
G2 Caps Reveals How Faker’s Still Motivating Him All These Years Later
Caps and the rest of G2 won the LEC Season Finals yet again in 2024.
I noticed towards the end of your season in Europe, G2 was opting for more traditional drafts than usual. Was there a specific reason for this more cautious approach, and do you have unique picks in mind for Worlds?
We did have Gwen making appearances, right? (laughs) It was indeed challenging to innovate, especially given the prevalence of AD carries, at least in mid lane. I did try incorporating some more, let’s call them, experimental ADCs, but they didn’t always materialize. So, it was a lot of the same drafts. However, this meta is definitely more unpredictable; it’s not as straightforward regarding which champions excel in mid.
I saw you select Sion mid in champion’s queue, and it restored my hope a little. (laughs)
(laughs) I won’t say anything.
When we talked at MSI this year, you mentioned that it seemed like Western teams were starting to lose hope in winning MSI or Worlds due to recent struggles. Do you feel the pressure to carry the West’s hopes at this event?
Absolutely. We must demonstrate that there’s potential for us. Team Liquid has been impressively stepping up in North America; it feels like certain NA teams are starting to gain confidence due to good performances against Fnatic and solid results against T1. We need to elevate our game for Europe, showing we can win more than just a couple of matches, that we can take best of fives and advance from group stages. Believe it or not, it’s been four years since I last made it past the group stage? That seems surreal. I think this time could change that.
This may sound odd, but do you ever wish you had lost more domestically? Since you’ve consistently been in first or second place since around 2018, it feels like you lack competition in the LEC among mid laners. Would you prefer someone to truly challenge you in your region?
That’s a tough question because, of course, I love winning. (laughs) But at the end of the day, my main goal is Worlds, right? If there was someone from whom I could learn more domestically, that would be fantastic. I learned a great deal from players like Perkz in the past. Competing against the LPL/LCK mid laners allowed me to gain insights beyond what I receive from European rivals. There’s definitely some room to grow, and I’d welcome more opportunities to receive lessons.
Perkz was Caps’ strongest competition before they both teamed up and created the best run in EU history.
It seems like Eastern teams waited until just before Worlds to join, not rushing to scrim against you. Do you think the gap is widening?
Indeed, we didn’t have the opportunity to scrim many LPL/LCK teams… I think our practice sessions haven’t been optimal. We’re still discovering our footing in the meta, testing things out and figuring out our approach. We have some of that clarity to achieve, but I am confident we can make a deep run.
Caps, you’ve been playing League of Legends for quite a long time. To be frank, you could step away right now, retire, and likely be well set, right? What keeps you passionately competing at such a high level?
For me, it’s all about Worlds. This is a fantastic feeling. Back in Season 3, I watched Faker win Worlds and thought, ‘I want that to be me.’ Since then, I’ve just been grinding single player matches. I quit high school to join Fnatic in 2017, driven by the vision to win Worlds, to be the best. Until I achieve that, I can’t stop. I must continue to strive for it, and I will do everything possible to succeed.
Having been at the forefront of Europe for so long, do you think you’d be satisfied with your career if you don’t win Worlds?
I don’t want to imply I’m not satisfied—it may come across as disrespectful to others, right? Ultimately, it’s competitive—only one can win. But if I handed the phone to my 16 or 17-year-old self and told him I haven’t yet won [Worlds], he would definitely be upset with me. (laughs) I need at least one championship under my belt.
Do you ever see Rekkles move to Korea and think, ‘Maybe I should practice in a different region for a while?’ Do you ever consider spending a significant amount of time in the LPL or LCK?
That’s crossed my mind to some degree, but I haven’t had many off-seasons. It’s not something I’ve dwelled on extensively. Nevertheless, competing against LPL and LCK players regularly would be a thrilling experience. It might simplify the path to winning Worlds to some extent, but it might also detract from the challenge. I mean, it would still be incredibly difficult to secure a spot on a competitive team there, but it would feel easier than achieving it with a European team. It might also feel a bit off playing in a different region. However, I haven’t had the necessary time to consider it deeply; I’ve had only one off-season in my career.
Yeah, G2 is doing everything they can to keep you on board.
(laughs)
Do you ever envision yourself leaving G2? You have become such a franchise player.
I don’t spend much time thinking about it, as it feels like wasted energy. So many variables change, especially in esports. Teams go through so much fluctuation. My desires and values have shifted over time, especially regarding what I appreciate in my teammates. G2 has worked hard to provide a supportive team environment, and I’ve been happy here. I can’t predict the future—it could all change unexpectedly.
I’m just savoring our current moment. We’ve made it to Worlds, and I know we can win. We just need to play better than we have and fully commit to our practice sessions to achieve this.
What would you say is the biggest change in your team expectations from when you began to now?
I believe perspectives change constantly. My approach to the game has evolved over time—partly due to numerous patches. Initially, I was entirely focused on grinding the game nonstop. Now, I also appreciate the value of reviewing VODs, gaining a better understanding of other lanes, and ensuring a positive team atmosphere. We engage in activities like board games and one-on-one discussions to foster relationships, allowing team members to share any concerns openly.
So, the primary change is the focus on relationships and team spirit over just the game itself. Only playing the game can only take you so far; it’s essential for everyone to stay aligned in terms of game understanding. There’s no single way to approach League; multiple perspectives exist, and as a team, you need to share the same vision.
Faker faced a wrist injury last year. So, especially considering he was a role model for you early in your career, do you ever reflect, ‘I have limited time to win Worlds?’ Is that something you think about?
The moment Faker won Worlds in 2023.
Many players retire early in esports, right? I would have loved to have already secured a title, but you can’t rush success. Moreover, seeing Faker win Worlds last year following a period without such success truly motivated me. Of course, I remain conscious of my own wrist health, diligently doing exercises to stay fit. It’s true that the future is unpredictable; you never know if another opportunity at Worlds will arise. So, I must make this opportunity count.
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