NAVI: Inside the Mindset of Champions

The championship victory marks a significant milestone for the team, which transitioned from RAD to NAVI over the past year. The core group, including FATE, TrqstMe, Lv1Crook, Raajaro, and Jur3ky, won the first-ever Mid-Season Finals last year before joining NAVI. This year, the team added Terra, a move that qmis1k, the team manager, described as a strategic decision to boost individual skill and macro vision. Terra was brought in for his ability to win games solo, a trait observed during the previous Mid-Season Finals, while also contributing to the team’s overall strategic depth.

NAVI’s coach emphasized that the difference between a good team and a championship team lies in attention to detail and resilience. The team maintained confidence throughout the tournament, believing they were the better side even when maps did not go their way. The victory in the Winners Finals against TLC streamlined their approach, allowing them to focus on maintaining their condition rather than searching for solutions. The coach also highlighted the crucial role of the support staff, noting that the infrastructure behind the players dictates consistency and allows the roster to focus strictly on gameplay.

TrqstMe reflected on the team’s culture, describing it as defined by passion, adaptability, and results. He noted that the team’s success in China last year was driven by a disciplined environment, with extensive practice blocks and VOD reviews. This year, the focus shifted to maintaining strength rather than proving their worth. TrqstMe also discussed his role as a Vanguard, emphasizing the importance of map control and initiative. He acknowledged the challenges of being a vocal leader, noting that he often faces criticism but believes his efforts to improve the team’s performance are essential.

Terra discussed his integration into the team, stating that joining an established core made the process smoother. He did not need to build team chemistry from scratch but instead focused on elevating the foundation with his individual impact. Terra described his playstyle as dynamic and explosive, contrasting it with the methodical approach of other top Duelists like SparkR. He emphasized that carrying a team is about decision-making and knowing when to trade or pick off high-priority targets, rather than just dealing damage. Terra felt that NAVI unlocked his full aggressive potential, as the team’s trust allowed him to play without second-guessing his high-risk plays.

Jur3ky noted that the team’s flexibility improved significantly since last year, particularly in the flex-DPS role. He expanded his hero pool to include characters like Daredevil, Wolverine, and Ultron, complementing Terra’s strengths. Jur3ky also highlighted the importance of adapting to the meta while maintaining comfort picks, with the team prioritizing what benefits the collective strategy. He expressed surprise at RAD’s performance at the LAN event, praising their ability to perform under pressure despite the nerves.

Raajaro and Lv1Crook both emphasized the team’s hard work and dedication as the defining theme of the past year. Raajaro cited the loss to Virtus.pro last year as a motivating factor, driving him to grind and improve. He noted that NAVI always plays better in tournaments than in scrims, a trend that held true against Team Liquid Citadel. Lv1Crook mentioned that the team’s ability to adapt their bans and shift momentum in the Grand Final was a sign of strong mentality. He described his approach to the game as casual yet focused on winning, with a daily practice routine of around seven hours.

The Grand Final against Team Liquid Citadel was a defining moment for the team. FATE described it as the best match he had ever played, highlighting the satisfaction of finally playing Adam Warlock in official matches. TrqstMe recalled the emotional relief of standing up after overtime in Game 5, feeling that all the hardship and extra work had paid off. The team’s preparation and trust in each other allowed them to execute their strategy flawlessly, securing the championship and reinforcing their status as the strongest team in the EMEA region.