Ask the Pros: Cloud9's Incarnati0n

Riot·Jul 8, 2015·0 votes·23,096 views

Ask The Pro is an ongoing series on lolesports.com, where we ask a pro player questions from the community. The player then picks the next pro the community will get to ask questions. Be sure to follow us on Twitter to submit your questions for the next Q&A!

In our last Ask The Pro interview, we talked with Fnatic's Martin "Rekkles" Larsson about his career so far and the surprises he's faced along the way.

He also had a question for Cloud9's new mid laner, Nicolaj "Incarnati0n" Jensen.

Rekkles: How different is it to play Solo Queue in comparison to competitive, and how different is it to play at home in comparison to on the NA LCS stage?

Incarnati0n: It’s a lot more pressure playing on stage because you don’t want to make mistakes. So you play a bit differently than you normally would. I’m still new to the scene and a bit nervous, so that’s how I feel right now.

InCompetiti0n

Chris: What's your goal for yourself as a player?

I: I want to be the best at my respective role in my region. Then I want to expand it to the world stage, if I can.

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Saruto: Did you expect your first Split in the LCS to be so difficult?

I: I knew going in that it was going to be a difficult transition for Cloud9. I think there were some underlying problems that weren’t noticeable until Hai "Hai" Du Lam was off the roster that we have to fix in order to get back to where Cloud9 was.

Stune: Which champion did you get your first pentakill on? Which champion will you get your first LCS pentakill on?

I: I got my first pentakill on Fiddlesticks in mid lane when I was account-level 18. *smile* Hopefully I get it on the same one in LCS!

InConflicti0n

Libor: Does the fact that some fans blame you for C9's struggles right now, even though it isn't your fault, affect your play? GL next week! #C9WIN

I: Fans blaming me doesn't really affect me. I understand why they are frustrated by Cloud9 struggling, and since I am the new guy, it’s obvious I will get more blame than others.

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Flamekind: Why is Cloud9 losing so much this split?

I: We're struggling because this was a very, very big change for this particular team. They were together for so long without changing and because of this, it is harder on them. They are not just bringing me into the team. They are learning to adapt to a new player who is also adapting to new playstyle.

Mike: What is the team environment like in Cloud9?

I: The team environment is still good since we’re all really good friends. It really hasn’t been impacted by our record this split.

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Ollie: Disregarding the current position of the team, where do you rank C9 in terms of how the team could potentially perform?

I: With Hai coming into the jungle, I think we are much better than our rank implies, but we haven’t had much practice. With time I would rank us top 4 in NA.

Fares: Which Cloud9 player and non-Cloud9 player do you get along best with?

I: I get along with all of them very well, but the one I get along with best is probably An "Balls" Van Le. I think I get along best with Johnny "Altec" Ru and Christian "IWillDominate" Rivera.

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Faiz: What's the most fun part of living in the Cloud9 house?

I: I get to play League of Legends all day!

InCenterlani0n

Maturin: What is the main difference between EU solo queue and NA solo queue?

I: People are much more judgmental in EU, so the games always feel more try-hard because you don’t want to be blamed. Whereas NA solo queue feels a bit more relaxed-ish.

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Mehu: What do you think about mid-lane meta at the moment?

I: The meta right now is a lot about control mages and that’s fine, but it’s hard to carry through lane phase, which is something I would like to do.

Blake: Do you wish assassins were stronger right now, so that you could show off your strengths?

I: Yeah, I wish assassins were more commonplace, but it’s still important for me to be able to play and understand other playstyles.

Reed: Is Zed dead?

I: Zed is dead.

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Sieg: You were rank 1 in EUW Solo Queue. What tips can you give for mid laners to climb up to Challenger?

I: Be very selfish with the way you play and be very greedy. Also, remember that if you want to climb, it's easiest if you carry.

Finrar: What are your current thoughts on mid lane Kha’Zix?

I: Mid lane Kha’Zix is not very good right now because he's an assassin that relies on resets and there are too many tanks in the meta.

InChipotli0n

David: How much Chipotle do you eat in a single week? What do you typically order?

I: I eat there at least once or sometimes twice a week. I order a chicken quesadilla.

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Michael: Why do kids love the taste of Cinnamon Toast Crunch?

I:I haven’t been introduced to Cinnamon Toast Crunch. *frown*

Ross: What's it like living in NA compared to EU and what do you miss the most?

I: It’s very different living in NA, but I like it so far. I miss my family the most!

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LoLesports: What pro player would you want to answer questions next? Would you like to ask him anything?

I: Gravity's Altec: Having moved from a struggling team like Winterfox onto a successful team like Gravity, do you think you’re playing better on Gravity or do you think your teammates are the bigger difference?

Josh Augustine's favorite champion is Thresh, he's never enjoyed a Darius, and he will always go for the kill, even when he knows he shouldn't. He currently works as a game designer on EverQuest Next at Daybreak Games. He’d love to talk with you on Twitter.

46 Comments

MystletaynnJul 9, 201528 votes

Someone get this guy a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

CrayonDragonJul 9, 20153 votes

Word.

dkmJul 10, 20152 votes

What is this "Cinnamon Toast Crunch" you speak of?

willcarry4goldJul 10, 20151 votes

Heaven.

be pureJul 14, 20151 votes

Honestly Cinnamon Toast Crunch is a crappy cereal

xJLx MCHammerJul 8, 20159 votes

Zed is dead? So why did you pick him? Mid lane is about farming? Is that why you haven't gotten a solo kill yet,but other mid laners have?

Earl EulrichJul 8, 20154 votes

maybe because he´s "selfish and greedy" so he can "carry"...*sigh* just shows you why i don´t take soloq-rankings seriously

EseyJul 9, 20153 votes

so true lol

wouldyalikefriesJul 9, 201510 votes

You do realize that Charlie does all the picks and bans now right? Every pick and ban made is made by Charlie, even Lemon stepped back and let Charlie do them.

The Great ShmoopJul 9, 201516 votes

god you guys are rude. quit blaming him and quit picking on every mistake a player FAR better than you makes.

SaltyKrackaJul 9, 20154 votes

For a supposed "Rank 1", he's been looking like a rank fool.

IxnayJul 9, 20155 votes

hard to look good when your entire reputation is built on assasins which are useless in this meta

YungBudaiiJul 9, 201515 votes

Every game I`ve watched of C9 this split, Incarnati0n has been the best player on the team. The rest of the team seems to have lost the synergy and coordination that made C9 successful.

superfighteroeJul 9, 20153 votes

I think it is because now ALL the teams has good strategies. Two years ago there were very little focus on it. But C9 has always had focus on strategies. Now most teams is better in the rotational play. But I believe C9 has some trouble with the morale now. They look so down after each loss this split.

XonraJul 9, 201510 votes

{quoted}

Every game I`ve watched of C9 this split, Incarnati0n has been the best player on the team. The rest of the team seems to have lost the synergy and coordination that made C9 successful.

The best?

He has

The 2nd worst KDA of mid laners that have started every game
The least kills of mid laners that have started every game
The most DEATHS of mid laners
The least Assists of mid laners that have started every game
The lowest gold per minute of mid laners that have started every game
The least gold overall of mid laners that have started every game

He is, in some cases by a wide margin, the worst mid laner in NA of mid laners that have started every game, and in some cases in general.

Just on C9

Sneaky, Meteos, and Hai have a better kda Sneaky and balls have more kills He has the third most deaths Only Hai, who has played 2 games, has less assists

He isn't even statistically "the best" on his own team, let alone other mid laners.

Ale non è maleJul 9, 20156 votes

If the game could be played by mechanics, and statistics, surely incarnatiOn wouldn't be the problem for C9 The problem here is clearly a problem of synergy and shotcalling, point out at statistics doesn't help to identify the problem The problem can pretty well be incarnatiOn, sure but could also be that some other player or the coach aren't making good pick and bans and/or shotcalling decisions

The funniest thing here are the salty NA C9 fans that automatically give most of the fault to the new European player rather than ask if there could be some other reasons for C9 struggling (and anyone who has followed C9 can say that various problems surfaced indipendently from incarnatiOn). Heck, C9 was starting to decline in Spring Split when they barely got to the finals and got thrashed on by TSM that they soundly beaten for the entirety of S4(barring a very close win for TSM in Summer playoffs)

XonraJul 9, 20156 votes

[{quoted}](name=xJLx MCHammer,realm=NA,application-id=9hBQwnEU,discussion-id=KVNHRF2F,comment-id=0000,timestamp=2015-07-08T23:00:40.554+0000)

Zed is dead? So why did you pick him? Mid lane is about farming? Is that why you haven't gotten a solo kill yet,but other mid laners have?

Or the fact that he gets out cs'd every single game at almost every single phase of the game?

Cloud 9 just isn't willing to admit they overhyped a player to themselves that was a mid-tier challenger player with a few highlight videos on Youtube

Innox has a better KDA - better GPM - More gold per game

Innox <_<

Tsukuyomi27Jul 9, 20159 votes

It should be obvious that if C9 thought he was the problem, they would have benched him for at least a game or two. I'm not nearly good to enough to comment on his play. C9's struggles look more synergistic than mechanical to me though.

SicarianSSJul 9, 20154 votes

Ya, they obviously don't think he is the problem considering they put their old mid laner into the jungle and not back in mid.

Always keenJul 9, 20154 votes

Yeah, they swapped a weak mechanical player who excelled in macro plays and shot calling for a highly skilled mechanical player with extremely low competitive experience. It's going to take time to adapt

IxnayJul 9, 20158 votes

This reminds me of CSGO Virtus Pro when they got pashabiceps. a team of veterans with a new guy who didnt live up to the hype an the team underpreformed and the reason for that was not giving pasha enough freedom. once they just let him play like he wants suddenly he VP was demolishing everyone. i feel like its the same here

SinatraZJul 9, 20156 votes

My question to Incarnati0n is: Why the fuck did you never ulted in a 40min game with Zed ?

TMonnikhofJul 9, 20155 votes

I'm sure not all the blame is on incarnation, but if he doens't even ult 1 time with zed, in a 50 minute game, there are some problems.

He was talking before the split that he could compete with the top3 midlaners. I don't think that's true. No offense, but if you put a brons player in C9, he would use his zed ulti atleast once. So i'm really excited how they are going to solve the problems. I don't think kicking Meteos is the best solution. Or lemonation, if you can believe reddit.

0813 1707Jul 9, 20152 votes

They didn't kick meteos, he stepped down. :(

TMonnikhofJul 9, 20152 votes

Nooooo?? :( I missed that one.. Too bad, for meteos, i thought he was one of better junglers in NA

CrayonDragonJul 9, 20155 votes

Comments have so much salt. Please, it ruins the cuisine. Get outta here. :)

BrandakeranJul 9, 20155 votes

So much hate from Bronzies who think they have the credentials to start talking shit about pro players

The LexerJul 14, 20152 votes

It gets downvoted but it is true

KOrci39Jul 10, 20155 votes

As much as I love Cloud9, I wish them to lose every single game with this selfish prick guy on their roster... Anakin, you are trully the phantom menace. I hope Jack will get rid of you till its not late (Well it already might be). And why I think this guy doesnt belong to C9 ? Look at those guys, every single one of them looks humble and you can say they are very close. Balls is underperforming because he looks that without Hai he just lacks motivation to play. Lemon is trying to make plays, but when he makes it and team follows, guess who is MIA ? Yes, the new blondie guy who is 2 seconds late to every single teamfight.... So, to summarize my comment. Inca_nation can be a soloQ god guy, but he is not a TEAMplayer yet. He needs more training in lower team like C9T. He is not ready to carry in a big team like C9.

imFalnJul 9, 20154 votes

ASK THE NOOBS: CLOUD9'S INCARNATI0N

robotoyJul 9, 20156 votes

Don't think ur better than Incarnation tho.

imFalnJul 10, 20155 votes

Stupid logic, Dude.

JCooperJul 9, 20155 votes

I just want to see you on LCS or you are still unranked?

Taig4Jul 8, 20153 votes

cool

RedHat21Jul 9, 20153 votes

I was expecting him to say Zed just escaped through his portal. He will be back!

Ruse GuyJul 10, 20153 votes

Incarnati0n just do your thing man dont listen to the fools saying its your fault c9 is losing if they took the time to actually look into it they would find out that when hai left they all felt like headless chickens because hai was the entirety of their shotcalling. So next time you guys decide to trash talk a player who is in the lcs, aka way more skilled than yourself, then at least take the time to educate yourself on the things you are about to say and being a c9 fan isnt about being there because they are winning its about supporting your team no matter what whether they are winning or losing and when they lose it isnt your job to put them down its to raise them up. if you dont raise them up you arent a true blue c9 fan so get out of here and take it somewhere else.

comet1208Jul 11, 20152 votes

agreed. He just needs some coaching and he could be really good. They just need shotcalling. Im hoping that putting hai back in will help. I am really worried about relegation to be completely honest though. Go C9! People really need to stop flaming because it doesn't help the player get better in any way. If anything, it would lower their self esteem and not play as well. Also, full crit Zed is pretty good right now. Look at Redmercy's video about it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nCZj3SXU80

3X15T3NC315P41NJul 11, 20153 votes

Actually, I think C9's issues started after All-Stars when Hai hurt his wrist and Link had to substitiute for him. That kinda ruined their long-standing synergy. Then after that, it got even worse when Charlie the coach took over pick-ban over LemonNation. They have been losing a lot due to shitty champ selects from Charlie. Kick that douchebag of the team and you should already see improvement.

FavagookJul 9, 20152 votes

http://fantasy.lolesports.com/share/join/league/887705/Q2tTwNGe95sjfl2c99ft

LuggJul 14, 20152 votes

I can't believe he thinks that EU is more judgmental than NA. I don't think ANY server could be worse than NA.

Weenie Hut CalebJul 14, 20152 votes

I don't see why people blame Incarnation for the losses i mean to a point yes it is him but only because he is still gaining synergy with the rest of the team and he was banned for years that will hurt anyone's play but C9 chose him because they see something in him so next split I say watch him and lets see how much he improves himself which will help the team especially if he can help carry mid lane which will draw some pressure off Sneaky and i mean when doesn't a relaxed Sneaky do well?