HLE Zeus: “I’m not sure if you will see any of the newer or unique champions”

HLE Zeus and Zeka shared their impressions and considerations of the series against TES after they qualified for the Grand Final at First Stand 2025.

HLE Zeus & Zeka – First Stand Press Conference, Day 6

Facing TES again, did you feel any difference? And how do you feel after the victory?

Zeus: Today, individually I personally thought that I made a lot of mistakes a couple of times throughout the match, but because my teammates were playing so well, we were able to secure that 3-0 victory. And I guess the difference was that the enemy’s jungle and support their movement were more aggressive.

You have chosen eight different champions across 12 games. What’s your thoughts on this data? Can we expect more champion choices for the finals?

Zeus: So throughout the tournament, I think I was able to experiment and play a lot of diverse champions and that’s probably why. Because I found so many strengths with all the picks that I’ve tried so far, I’m not sure if you will see any of the newer or unique champions.

Yesterday Peanut said that champions like Zed, Quinn and Kayle were genuine winning strategy, not riskier champions that Hanwha Life Esports could afford to pull out against significantly worse teams. Today though, drafts were almost entirely standard with the small exception of Vladimir. Is it more, is it more normal drafting just a preferable strategy against TES?

Zeka: All the picks that we have experimented and tried before were honestly all preparation for a Bo5 like today. So I think there is a lot of trial and error, and I think today what you saw in games one, two and three were just more the standard. But the previous picks, the unique picks that could look like a joker pick were more for preparation for Games 4 and 5.

Who do you think would be the POM (player of the match) for this series?

Zeus: I think our mid and jungle were really good today. They performed very well. So I would like to pick Zeka.

Zeka: I also think that our top did really well in response to the aggressive dives from the enemy jungler and support and he was able to sustain very well. I would like to pick Zeus.

Tomorrow you will face Karmine Corp who made a miraculous run to the playoffs and seized the opportunity to reach the final. How do you feel about the match against KC? Do you feel confident or do you think they could pull off a surprise?

Zeus: The last time we were facing Karmine Corp, I noticed that they had high potential and just a small mistake that we made could actually turn the result around. I believe tomorrow’s match will be very intense and close, but given how well my bros are performing, I believe that we can definitely win the title.

What are Vladi’s gameplay characteristics that you would highlight before the finals?

Zeka: Vladi is a player who tends to be aggressive from the early stages of the laning phase. So I think I just have to keep myself focused when I play against him. And he also specifically always said hello to me in game first. So I think tomorrow I’ll try to say hello first.