#0 - April 11, 2009, 2:22 a.m.
Serennia is a member of SK gaming, consistently has been or close to #1 in every bracket in arenas.
Hi Vance, great to see you, I wanted to do an interview with you since other interviews around here are quite sucketh, so let's get right to the questions:
What's your take on DK's right now? Too easy to play, scrub-friendly, high skill cap, overpowered?
Uhh, all of the above? DK's are a very easy to class to get into (which was obviously a good marketing decision by Blizzard) and the class also has the most leniency when it comes to making mistakes. A DK can often cover mistakes by use of a cooldown or by a "surprise" 6k crit. Although there are lots of finer details and strategies that advanced death knights will utilize, the current state of arena and PvP balance requires close to none of the most advanced tactics, just simply spamming more damage into your opponent than they can heal through.
Have you ever been on the receiving end of losing to bad DK teams?
All the time. There's little else more frustrating than completely outplaying some dk team only to watch them emerge victorious because they got 3 back-to-back killing machine procs and completely **** on someone even after making enormous mistakes such as getting their lichborne turned, strangulate cleansed, death grip grounded, etc etc. Although other classes also have a wide margin for error (read: paladins), none are as bad as the room DK's have for error. It's rather frustrating when you're on the receiving end of this, as well. Hopefully 3.1 fixes this as much as Blizzard thinks it will.
So who is the best DK you have played with or against?
Tough question. 99% of DK's are drooling idiots, but there are a couple that stand out from the crowd to me, from my experience. Memm from Ner'zhul and Handiiman from Blackrock. I've played with and against both of these guys and they're definitely top notch. They make mistakes, like anyone, but they also put out enormous pressure while also knowing how to protect their teammates with timely peels.
And the worst?
Well, the worst high-rated DK I have ever seen easily goes to Rngesus of Boulderfist. Kid talks so big yet is probably the biggest joke of a DK I have ever seen on TR. Beat him on so many different classes and comps that I lost track, really. Good luck on his endeavours for Dglad, though!
Do you think Shadowcleave will be viable in 3.1?
Viable? Yes. As dominant? No. Affliction and warlocks in general are taking several hits but shadowcleave didn't always rely on having a DoT'd healer chain feared to their death. Moreso usually fully DoT'd dps and pets with timely fears on the healer resulting in an overwhelming about of damage/pressure to heal through which would cause one interrupt or silence to lead to a kill. DK ranged burst is getting nerfed, as well as their spread damage a bit, but the core is still there. DK's are simply becoming a melee class that you can actually kite and effectively be relatively safe from at a distance, unlike now.
Is Jasi getting gladiator this season?
Not sure, is he working with Prince?
What are the best comps for each bracket right now?
2v2: paladin/dk
3v3: I honestly feel PHD is the strongest ladder comp right now due to melee cleave not having any chance against it unlike the ability to instagib a warlock on shadowcleave.
5v5: people still play this? anything with >1 dk I guess
Who do you think are the most overrated players in arena currently from EU and US?
EU: Icematikx from Stormscale. Everything I've heard about him from many EU players including his past and current partners point to the indication that he pretty much blows and is carried by OP comps and great partners like Bloodx.
US: Mewbert of Kel'Thuzad. Oh wait, I forgot you have to be recognized at least to be overrated somehow. In that case, I'd say Buddhist from Black Dragonflight. Don't get me wrong, because he makes some really entertaining videos and all, but his most recent video has 589 skill points voted on it from Warcraft Movies. Is this a joke or are people voting skill points for entertainment value now? Not a single thing in that video showed any modicum of skill. Hilarious and entertaining? Sure. Skillful? Err... no. This is also apparently agreed upon by almost everyone I ever talk to about him, as well.
And most underrated players?
EU: Kalimist from Stormscale. This guy is the real deal and from what everyone tells me, I think that he deserves a lot more acclaim than he gets. Having the top two teams on EU TR, Brutal Gladiator and possibly Deadly Gladiator, and even the notion that some people have that he actually carries Hydra should at least tell you something about his skill.
US: Veex from Executus. Although he didn't have the greatest LAN showing at MLG Orlando (nor did we, lololol), this guy has been at the top of almost every competitive online arena ladder ev
