Ahead of the start of First Stand 2025 (FST), I sat down with one of the newer talents from the LCP, CFO HongQ.

CFO HongQ: “I’ll make you remember me for my skills”

CFO HongQ – First Stand Interview

The interview was done in Chinese and translated to English.

First, I want to ask, how do you feel about participating in First Stand?

HongQ: I’m pretty excited! This is my first time competing in an international tournament, and I will get the chance to face off against the first-place teams of other major regions.

Many people might not be very familiar with you yet, since you only entered the competitive scene two years ago. If you were to introduce yourself to the audience, how would you describe your playstyle or what kind of player you are?

HongQ: I’d say I’m a player who’s courageous and willing to fight.

Anything else?

HongQ: I’ll make you remember me for my skills.

Let’s go back in time to two years ago. Can you tell us how you became a professional player and what kind of evolution you’ve gone through over the past two years?

HongQ: At first, I was playing in amateur competitions, and no one knew me back then. Then, I suddenly won a tournament, got a tryout with a team, and that was enough to make it.

Joining CFO’s starting team

As CFO’s starting mid laner in 2025, what challenges did you face when it comes to adapting to the team?

HongQ: I think I adapted pretty quickly, but the process was actually quite tough. In a team environment, I often used to make small mistakes, and my teammates kept correcting me.

So in what areas do you think you need to improve?

HongQ: Probably my ability to not get punished for ganks and my overall coordination with my teammates.

If you had to compare your playstyle to a current or past pro player, who would it be?

HongQ: Probably HLE Zeka. His playstyle is also quite aggressive and he’s not afraid of anyone.

So let’s imagine you are facing Zeka in a 1v1, which champions do you see you two picking?

HongQ: I’d say Sylas and Akali.

Who would be on which champion?

HongQ: I’d be Sylas, and he’d be Akali.

Would you win?

HongQ: Probably not (giggles).

That’s pretty honest of you! Over the past few years, the PCS (now LCP) mid lane has usually been represented by Maple. Do you see taking his role as the region’s mid lane representative more of a pressure or as a motivation?

HongQ: I’d say it’s motivation—it feels like passing the torch from the old to the new.

Besides coming to First Stand, have you set any personal or team goals?

HongQ: I hope we can make it to the top four.

What about future international tournaments?

HongQ: I hope we can reach the best-of-five series (Knockout stages) instead of just playing best-of-threes.

Have you got any special pre-game habits?

HongQ: I usually check OP.GG to look at the mid lane champions’ cooldowns.

Does that help you a lot?

HongQ: It helps with the laning phase.

Let’s quickly talk about the game. Riot recently introduced an anti-lane swap mechanic in the new patch. What do you think about it? Do you think it will impact your team or others?

HongQ: It probably won’t affect us since our laning is already quite solid.

Can you share the story behind your in-game ID?

HongQ: My real name is Cai Minghong, so “Hong” is taken from my name. I then decided to add a “Q” to make it sound cuter.

Besides playing League of Legends, do you have any other hobbies or interests?

HongQ: No.

Can we say you’re fully dedicated to League of Legends?

HongQ: Yes.

HongQ shares his thoughts on anti-lane swap and Fearless Draft

I want to ask one last question. With the introduction of the Fearless Draft, do you think this draft system will narrow the gap between strong and weak teams, or has the gap widened?

HongQ: I think it has the potential to narrow the gap. Everyone has to be proficient with a larger champion pool and you need to be able to figure out a team composition that works with whatever is left.

If you had to pick the biggest mid-lane threat at First Stand, who would it be? Is it Zeka, since you mentioned him earlier?

HongQ: Yes.

What do you think about the other mid laners?

HongQ: I think TES Creme is strong. I know he’s quite aggressive in fights too.

As someone in his growing stage, what is something you hope others know about you?

HongQ: (takes a while to think) – I’m quite shy and inexperienced in personality.

Do you have any future plans? Do you see yourself staying in LCP, or would you be open to moving to another region?

HongQ: If I have the skill to compete in another region, I would consider it.

Do you have a specific region in mind?

HongQ: LPL.

We’re reaching the end of the interview. Do you have anything you’d like to say to your fans and viewers?

HongQ: Thank you for always supporting me.