Thebausffs Discusses the Reasons Los Ratones Should Compete in the LEC

Thebausffs Discusses the Reasons Los Ratones Should Compete in the LEC

Following his team’s victory against T1 at the Red Bull: League of its Own event, I had the opportunity to converse with Thebausffs about his ambitions in professional play. Despite being a giant in the streaming community, he is aiming for much more than participating in tier 2 leagues.

His gameplay style, often seen as humorous due to its unconventionality and frequent deaths, is more strategic than many realize. Thebausffs is not merely dying for comedic effect; he plans to implement tactics such as full AD lethality Sion in competitive matches. Given that he once solo killed Faker on stage, there may be merit to his approach. Known as the “good death”player, his unique strategy has significantly contributed to his rise as one of League of Legends’ top streamers.

Nonetheless, Thebausffs is eager to demonstrate that there’s depth to his style. While G2 player Caps expresses skepticism regarding Thebaus’ readiness for the LEC, Thebausffs is determined to prove his capabilities with Los Ratones, the League of Legends team led by Caedrel, aiming to transcend expectations.

He firmly believes Los Ratones has the potential to make it to the LEC and compete at the World Championship level one day.

Thebausffs Aims for World Championship Glory with Los Ratones

The following interview took place right after Los Ratones’ notable victory over T1:

Do you feel that your performance in the game against T1 validates the unique strategy you’ve been developing over the years?

To be honest, I don’t think I played exceptionally in this game. I engaged in my usual inting behavior; I didn’t really focus on executing the strategy. (laughs) But looking back, I performed well enough even if the early stages were rocky. Dying occasionally is part of the game. Overall, I believe the strategy is effective.

Riot has banned you several times in solo queue for your playstyle. Do you think their understanding of the game is somewhat limited?

No, I don’t think it’s Riot’s fault. They need a way to manage players who intentionally feed. I find myself dying frequently, so I sometimes trigger their automated system that flags players as feeders. I don’t blame them for that; there must be regulations in place.

My bans have decreased significantly; I’ve adjusted my play style since then. While I used to die a lot more often, I’ve moderated that. In the past, it was worse. I hold no ill will toward Riot for that.

It seems that public opinion has shifted since your roster announcement, moving from viewing you as a meme player to now seeing you as a crucial asset on a team with stars like Nemesis and Rekkles. Did you expect this change in perception?

I wouldn’t call myself the star player. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by incredibly talented teammates. I wouldn’t win any matches without them. Initially, when I joined the team, many thought I would be a burden, likely to lose games for us. But here we are.

It’s gratifying that people’s perspectives have changed. They now acknowledge that I can compete effectively and won’t be a liability. I’m fortunate to play alongside superstars like Rekkles, Nemesis, Crownie, and the up-and-coming Velja. I aim for everyone to feel confident counting on me.

What motivated you to pursue a career in professional play, considering your success as a streamer? Was it financially necessary?

Much of my decision was influenced by Caedrel. He laid the groundwork for a unique opportunity: the emphasis on streaming while being a pro player. Few pros can maintain a successful streaming career because scrims and practice schedules dominate their time.

Thebaus and Caedrel on LEC 2021
Michal Konkol/Riot Games

Thebausffs with Caedrel during an LEC broadcast in 2021

With Caedrel’s help, we structured the team to accommodate streaming during scrims. This balance was crucial for me; I would never trade my streaming career for professional play. It’s a game-changer to have both coexist seamlessly.

Additionally, I seek the thrill of competition. I want to achieve something meaningful and show others that I can accomplish great things. That’s the ultimate goal.

While your unconventional strategies remain, you’ve also mastered various champions in practice. What do you aspire to gain from being a pro player with this level of commitment?

My primary focus is to win everything. It doesn’t matter whether I achieve this with Sion, Ambessa, or K’Sante as a tank. My goal is to enhance my skills continually and perform at my best in pursuit of victory.

So, ultimately, your goal is to win Worlds?

That’s a longer-term objective, but yes, that’s the aim.

(Note: My question about winning Worlds was intended humorously; Thebausffs took it seriously. My apologies, Thebaus, for underestimating you!)

Does this mean you aspire to join the LEC eventually? Is it an ambition for both you as a player and Los Ratones as a team?

Absolutely. The entire team is focused on achieving that. We’ve discussed it thoroughly and truly believe we can compete at that level. While we’re not there yet for the next year, the desire is strong.

If you were to join the LEC today, do you believe your team would rank among the top?

We’ve talked about this, and I can confidently say, as a top laner, that several players in the LEC are simply not performing at their best. They don’t belong in that competitive space, and I believe I can outperform many of them. I wouldn’t claim to be the best, but I definitely see myself as a top-three top laner in the LEC.

As for my team members, I could argue for each of their competency, though I wouldn’t say my team is the number one just yet, recognizing our nascent status. However, I think we would compete strongly.

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

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