hydrex: "After the huge disappointment two days ago, we're super focused"
Continuing our interview series from the ESEA MDL Season 29 Global Challenge, Collin "CarbonDogma" Davis got a hold of Singularity's Cameron "hydrex" Kern. Brimming with confidence, hydrex discussed where Singularity stand among the world's best teams, and why the team are favoring scoped rifles over the traditional M4s and AKs.
I wanted to ask you about being signed by Singularity, since you were playing as Gorilla Gang for so long. How was it becoming part of an organization like this?
Super super nice, a lot of people don't understand that when you're a team that needs an organization, you go orgless for so long, your motivation just isn't as high as it would be when you have an organization that feels real. When you're playing without a sponsor, and you're just practicing together, we didn't have any support and were doing it on our own. Having that extra support in the background really propels a team. That is definitely what it did for us, it gave us this huge motivation to keep getting better.
I won't spend too much time on Relegation since we spoke to vanity about that, but you guys did beat Rogue in a best-of-three, what was that like for you?
When we beat them the first time, that was the best feeling ever. Everybody on our team felt like we were in Pro already based off of that. That is why we went into the next day, and we definitely didn't get enough sleep, and that absolutely just killed us the whole day. We had an awful day, and I don't know. We're definitely better than both of those teams. We're definitely better. We just need to show it, we need to be better about our sleep schedules and paying attention and staying focused.
Coming into the Global Challenge, you kicked off by smashing Virtus.pro, and prior to the game vanity had said you guys were definitely going to win...
Absolutely. There's no chance for them. If we play like we did against Virtus.pro, we won't lose to anyone. Literally like a top 10 team in the world if we play like that, and I'm not exaggerating. We just need to stay focused. We definitely feel like we have nothing to lose at all. After the huge disappointment two days ago, we're super focused, and just ready to murk everyone.
Now after beating Virtus.pro again, you're in the playoffs, which vanity had said was your goal for the event. You'll also be the only NA team still alive, so what are you expecting for tomorrow?
If we start off strong against 3DMAX, they aren't coming back. It is all going to be about the early-game, for both teams. Both of us are very momentum-based.
I was noticing that on your CT sides, all the players were picking up the AUG a ton. Do you think the price change has really made the meta shift that way?
Absolutely. I started main AUGing, I never use the M4. I think the M4 is garbage, honestly, compared to the AUG. The AUG you can do stupid shit with it, it is so insanely good. A lot of people don't understand. I think a lot of the top pros are so used to the M4, they just never give the AUG a try, but the only way to get good with it is to use it all the time. That is how I've gotten good with the Kreig, I just use it non-stop in FPL, DM, everything. I still don't think I'm even that good with it yet, I definitely could be so much better. I just need to put in more time.
How do you like your chances in the upcoming Minor Closed Qualifier?
We'll smash Spacestation, and NRG... depending on how we come into it, we could win. It will be more 50/50, honestly. Whichever team is having a better day. I think we'll make it through. If we're as focused as we are right now, we'll make it for sure.
hydrex and Singularity's match against 3DMAX is set to commence at 3:30 PM EST, where they will try and make sure they get the momentum from the start.
