“We were actually the real Heretics today… it’s just a mentality difference” – TH RieNs on VCT EMEA Kickoff run

Following Team Heretics’ dominant 2–0 victory over NAVI at VCT EMEA Kickoff, Hotspawn caught up with Enir “RieNs” Ecirli to talk about the team’s mindset shift, their growing confidence in the lower bracket, meta frustrations for initiator players, and why Turkish players just seem built different.

Hotspawn: So firstly, RieNs, I gotta ask you:

How does it feel after that crushing victory over NAVI?

RieNs: “It feels amazing. I think we played really clean and I’m happy that it was a quick 2–0, you know, and the maps were really dominant. So, I mean, we’re all happy.”

Hotspawn: A lot of your other games seem like they’ve been very long and you just haven’t been able to get them over the finish line.

So what do you think felt different today?

RieNs: “I think our mentality starting off the game and starting off the day even. We wanted to smash them, you know? We wanted to be real Heretics, and I think it paid off. Like, we were actually the real Heretics today. And yeah, it’s just a mentality difference, I would say.”

Hotspawn: Now that you’re in the lower bracket, you’ve been able to have this win streak.

So how were you guys able to make that mental switch after those losses?

RieNs: “I think the biggest impact on this change is the win yesterday. When you start winning, actually, you know, against good teams, it will make you more confident. So we won yesterday against KC, we were really happy, and we said, “Okay guys, this is the starting point for us. Let’s do a lower run,” you know? And then we got the confidence. And when you’re confident, you can start with really good mentality to the games.”

Hotspawn: I wanted to ask you about Comeback in particular. He’s been looking so good in a lot of these rounds.

So how has it been having another Turkish player on the team with you and Woot?

RieNs: “I mean, the chemistry is insane. I like him a lot, not only in-game but outside of the game as well. We like each other a lot and we’re laughing a lot outside of the game.

“And then in-game, he’s still trying to adapt to the team because the playstyle he had before was very different. It was a bit hard for him to adapt and also hard for us to adapt to him. But I think we are doing well. Every day we’re working on it, so it’s going well and we can see the results.

“He was full farming today. I’m proud of him. He was really good, and yeah, I think it’s a really good addition to our team. He’s insane.”

A 4k for Comeback means an @INZONEbySony Flawless for Heretics! pic.twitter.com/xhuZtfpF5z

— VALORANT Esports EMEA (@vct_emea) February 6, 2026

Hotspawn: You’re one of the best initiator players in EMEA, if not globally, and I feel like the last two or three patches really messed you up.

So how has it been dealing with the util nerfs and longer cooldowns?

RieNs: “I mean, obviously it’s not as fun as before. The nerfs are too much. I can’t have my second reveal almost during rounds. I’m still trying to adapt to it.

“In the offseason I couldn’t play the game a lot because I was busy with some stuff, and I’m still trying to adapt. My performance lately in Kickoff hasn’t been the best because I couldn’t prepare well in the offseason and the meta changed. I was a bit far behind.

“So I think the changes are obviously bad for an initiator player, but you can work on it and adapt to the meta.”

Hotspawn: And talking about playing the current meta as well, what do you think about Veto as an agent?

RieNs: “Honestly, for me individually, I’d say Veto is the worst agent in the game right now. Reyna is not even in the game in my head, but Veto is not impactful in my eyes.

“Maybe we just don’t know how to use it, or maybe people don’t know what to do with the agent, but currently I feel like it’s not that strong.”

Hotspawn: There have been a lot of upsets in EMEA. Instead of Vitality, we’re seeing teams like BBL and Gentle Mates at the top.

What do you think makes them so strong?”

RieNs: “I know BBL players for a long time. They were really hungry kids coming from Premier, and they deserved it. When they got to EMEA, they played really solid. They’re a real team, not individuals. Gentle Mates are also playing super well. I don’t know what makes them special right now, but they’re very good as a team. They deserve to be there. They’re not unbeatable, but they’re good.”