“I want to be the only Neon player to use the shotguns” – NS Dambi on his unique playstyle

Like all other regions, Pacific’s Kickoff winners came out of nowhere to go from total outsiders to number one seed headed to VALORANT Masters Santiago. Nongshim RedForce were fighting for their spot in Ascension just months ago, and now they’re playing on a global stage. After winning their opening game at the tournament, Hotspawn spoke to Nongshim’s Lee “Dambi” Hyuk-kyu for an interview.

Hotspawn: Firstly, Dambi, congratulations on your win. You played insanely well. It’s been 650-odd days since a team that was first seed won their opening game at a Masters event.

How does it feel to break the curse here at Masters Santiago?

Dambi: “I didn’t realise it’s been so long since a first seed actually won a [first] match in playoffs. So, you know, I’m really happy in that regard. And a curse is meant to be broken. So I’m really glad that I was able to break the curse today.”

Hotspawn: Today you were just styling on everyone in the server, and coming into Santiago, your Neon has been one of the most hyped things at the event. So tell us how you do it. What’s your aim routine look like?

How are you so good at Neon?”

Dambi: “So honestly, when it comes to Neon, I think it’s very important to be able to use the shotguns properly. So I go into the range and I just hit. I just slide and try to hit my shotguns on the objects and that’s my routine. I don’t have a separate routine.”

HUGE 1V3 FROM @Dambi_vlrt TO SAVE THE ROUND! #VALORANTMasters pic.twitter.com/ovNdCiJhqw

— VALORANT Champions Tour (@ValorantEsports) March 6, 2026

Hotspawn: Today the shotguns were causing so many problems for M8, both from you and Francis. I think no one else does it like you guys do.

So do you think that teams should use the shotgun more?

Dambi: “To be frank, I don’t recommend the shotguns to be used by other Neon players because I want to be the only Neon player to use the shotguns. So yeah, I want to be the only one that exploits the shotguns.”

Hotspawn: During the Pacific Kickoff, we got to talk to RB and one of the things he mentioned was that since he’s been joining this team, he’s just been focused on being flexible and doing anything that his team needs.

So how has the impact of Rb joining your team been?

Dambi: “So Rb’s been a great help to our team. We are a team full of rookies, so we didn’t have any experience coming to this tournament, while Rb is a veteran player. So he was able to show good leadership coming into our team and also his shot calling has been really good today and he was able to keep us back on our feet when things were getting rough for us.”

Hotspawn: Talking about the shot calling in today’s game in particular, map number one, that first half you guys were a little bit behind.

So what was the turning point for you guys bring it back on and dominate in that second half?

Dambi: “I don’t think bouncing back from a deficit is a surprising thing. It happens often in Valorant, so, you know, I didn’t really have. I was feeling pretty indifferent even when we were down in score.”

Hotspawn: And map number two, on Corrode, you and Francis were just putting up an absolute show. I think that to play a Neon and a Yoru in perfect sync like that, it takes a lot of practice

How do you guys have that perfect chemistry?

Dambi: “So first, it’s very important to grind a lot, and as I play a lot of matches with Francis, now we are just able to click, just instinctually. If you just play with your partner a lot, it becomes an instinctual thing.”

Hotspawn: You guys have been absolutely killing it on double duelists. Do you think it forces teams to play more fast? Do you think there’s a shortage of utility and how does it suit your team in particular?

What do you think about it currently?

Dambi: “So when utilising the double duelist comp, it’s very important that the entry duelists have good chemistry. So one entry duelist, like the Neon, is going to go in and cause chaos, while the other entry, like Yoru, is going to use the operator to assist from far away. So I think the chemistry between entry players is the most important.”

Hotspawn: Did you always want to be an esports player? And secondly,

What does the name Dambi signify to you?

Dambi: “So for the IGN, I actually couldn’t come up with a nickname. So I did some search and I found that dambi is a Korean animal, small animal, but at the same time it’s in the highest of the predator hierarchy. So I kind of like the nickname. That’s why I came up with Dambi.

“And secondly, I never thought of being an esports player. I used to play sport until middle school, and then when Valorant came out, I decided to give it a try. I reached Radiant and that’s when I decided to go pro.”

Hotspawn: Amazing. And last question. All Gamers or G2, who do you want to face?

Dambi: “G2.”