Interview With DIG Top Laner Rich on Joining the Team
As the first few weeks of the LCS get underway, we’ve taken the opportunity to sit with Rich, DIG’s newest Top Laner, and welcome him to the team!
DIG’s season is underway and already there’s a lot to be hyped about as a fan! The team has already matched its previous split wins, and the addition of Rich into the Top Lane has fans and casters alike taking notice of the team within the early stages. Sitting at 3-3 as of this writing, we’ve taken the time to grab Rich and see what his thoughts are on the team, his journey to NA, and what he’s expecting for DIG going forward!
First off - Welcome to the team! Many in the LoL community and our fans recognize you from your Heroes of the Storm days, and your most recent LPL success where you were regarded as one of the better Top Laners in the Region. With your previous success and reputation, many are wondering, why come to the LCS and why now?
Rich: I’ve always wanted to play in the LCS. Though I had good times before, this felt like a great opportunity to come and establish myself and even find a pathway to Worlds, which is my biggest goal.
When you were exploring options for your future, what spoke to you about Dignitas?
Rich: I was able to make a quick connection with the management of the team. I talked with several players who were familiar with NA and between the two, it just felt like the best destination to help me achieve my goals of coming to NA and making it to Worlds!
When you think about the players on this roster, how familiar are you with the team and is there anyone you’re looking forward to playing with personally and why?
Rich: I watched DIG play before and, despite their losses and unfortunate records, I always felt like there was something there to be unlocked. So, I was quite familiar with the layout of things coming in despite not knowing the players personally.
On the opposite side, when you think about the LCS, are there any players you’re looking forward to playing against and why?
Rich: I would probably say Impact. He was one of the players I was close with from having played Solo-Queue with him, and he talked to me a lot about the move and transition to North America. Overall, he was a great help in me deciding to come here. Additionally, I always loved playing against him when he came home, so getting the opportunity again is great!
Next, I’m going to ask you to define yourself as a player - What do you think are your biggest strengths as a player?
Rich: I would define myself as a strong carry player. I think my aggressive gameplay and lane focus help me stand out against my competition.
Are there any underrated aspects about your gameplay that you think that your competition has overlooked?
Rich: I feel like my teamfighting is better than many people give it credit for. I think, even without a lead, I play a teamfight perfectly to allow my team to win almost every time.
Thinking about your Heroes of the Storm days, many were surprised to see you translate your skills from that game to League so easily. Is there any advantage or understanding that you feel your time in HotS gave you as you transitioned over?
Rich: I think my previous experience helps me see the map better. Heroes is a game very much about what is going on around the map and what timers there are, so I feel like I have a good sense of how to time plays because of that.
Naturally, coming to an entirely new region is going to have more than just career related changes for you, what are you most looking forward to about your relocation to North America?
Rich: I can’t say there’s anything outside of League that I’m looking forward to specifically, I’m just really grateful for the opportunity to play and hopefully use this opportunity to make it to Worlds.
When you think about what you’re leaving behind, what do you wish you could take with you along your move to NA?
Rich: I can’t say there’s anything sentimental like that for me. My eyes are focused on what’s happening now with the team.
Lastly, the first few weeks are in the books! Casters and fans alike have already noticed your excellence against some of the LCS’s staple players, and you’re regarded as one of the brightest spots on the roster! What are your expectations going forward, and what do you think the team can improve upon?
Rich: The first week didn’t exactly go the way we had hoped, of course. But I felt like we were able to pick out things that we could improve on. Second week, I think the improvement really showed. For myself and everyone, we just want to keep improving and give the Dignitas fans something to look forward to, and I feel like we’ve made good steps to keep this pace up.
There you have it! Big thanks to Rich and Team Manager Toby for taking the time out of their schedules to sit with me for this interview! If you’d like to follow more of Rich, you can find him at these following links! Best of luck to the team and we hope to see you in chat for our next matches!
