After three years of playing League of Legends, nlionf reached Challenger. A fizz main who's origins began in shooter games such as Call of Duty, with no MOBA experience. He reached Platinum on NA before joining EUW due to better ping. He draws inspiration from Incarnati0n's Fizz, however he does tend to play other champions if mid is not available.

What got you into League?

nlionf: Some online friends that I met in a minecraft server. We started hanging out in one of the guys' Teamspeak 3 server and have been corresponding through it ever since.

Why do you think Fizz isn't picked often in the Pro scene?

nlionf: Fizz has actually been picked a bit more often recently by Kerp for instance. I think the main reason is that assassins are harder to play vs an organized team who knows how to protect their squishies. Pro players mostly go for the mid champs with more utility for the team.

Why do you think he's being played more now than before?

nlionf: I don't really know. It's a constant cycle that shifts as some champions fall out of favor - some lesser played ones will come back.

What made you main Fizz? Have you always played only him?

nlionf: He looked interesting to me on release so I bought him and played him a bit. I didn't start truly maining him until I saw Incarnati0n get to rank 1 on EUW playing mostly him.

You mentioned he was your inspiration, are there any other players you look up to in the same regard?

nlionf: Nukeduck and Tabzz are the 2 other good Fizz players that come to mind. A lot of the LCS mids can play him well (like Froggen for example) but they never played him as much so I don't really look up to them as Fizz players, just mid laners.

What Runes and Masteries do you run on Fizz?

nlionf: I use Split pen marks, HP per level or Armor Seals(depending on matchup), AP per level glyphs, and flat AP Quints. Masteries 25-5-0.

Some may view Fizz as weak pre-6, do you share this view? How do you play the early game and deal with trading?

nlionf: He used to be one of the strongest early game champions, and he still has a lot of all-in potential around level 3. How I play the early game depends on the match-up. Just make sure not to go over-aggressive so as to not die to a jungler gank.

What major item do you try get first and why?

nlionf: Lich bane is probably the safest first item. It provides damage along with utility. If I am fed and feel like I just want more damage, I might buy a sheen and then rush a deathcap or a DFG. Sheen is always a must buy though, without it you will run out of mana too quick.

Nlionf uploads highlight reels of his Challenger Fizz play

Do you feel DFG is a core item? If not, how come?

nlionf: No it is not a core item at all. The main reason it is bad in a lot of situations is simply because it puts off your other items(specifically- Zhonya's). Fizz has enough damage without it to be able to 1v1 most people. Sometimes it allows you to get 1v1 kills that otherwise wouldn't be possible, that is the only reason it can be good.

Do you roam often? When do you feel is the best time to roam?

nlionf: Yes roaming is a core part of playing mid, especially with assassins. I usually don't roam much before level 6, unless it is with your jungler. The best time to roam is after pushing the wave you can just walk into the enemy jungle and either find their jungler and kill them, or go bot and try to kill them. Another thing to look for is when is it a good time to dive top, since fizz is very good at diving.

Do you always play Fizz mid? Or have you been forced into other positions with him?

nlionf: I do not like playing Fizz anywhere but mid. I've seen some people do well with him in top lane but I have other champs I prefer playing in top lane like Irelia or Jax.

Is there any situation where you would not take Flash and Ignite for summoners?

nlionf: Not that I can think of.

Do you know any good champions Fizz goes well with? For a 5v5 ranked team for example.

nlionf: A strong early game jungler like lee sin for example.

Do you have any quick tips for players trying to pick up Fizz that may help them?

nlionf: Don't double tap your E. Most of the time it is better to tap it only once so that you get the larger AOE + the slow. That is the main thing that bothers me with lower level Fizz players, they always double tap it and end up missing a lot of the time because the AOE is so small.

How about playing against Fizz?

nlionf: Pick the right champion and pressure him early game. Take into account all his gap closers.

What champions do you feel are best against Fizz? And how do you deal with them?

nlionf: I think the 2 best are Orianna and Kayle. In lower elo you can often all in them at level 3 and win lane that way, but in high diamond/challenger, you will just have to try to avoid harass, keep up in cs and wait for your jungler.

What do you think is the best way to climb the Solo Q ladder?

nlionf: Choose a role to main and get good at it. It is hard to be at a high level in multiple roles when you are first starting to play.

Do you plan on making more videos?

nlionf: Yes I do. Probably the same type of montage/compilation stuff. I don't think I want to do guides or commentaries. I might think about making a video of a specific Fizz match up early game as some people suggested, but it will just be a demonstrative video, no commentary.

You can watch any more videos he creates at his Youtube channel or follow him at Twitter at https://twitter.com/nlionf.