We sit down with Brice “FDGod” Monsçavoir, main support for Paris Eternal and Team France.
The Lucio main talks about his experience in Contenders and the Overwatch World Cup, the challenges he had to face to become a professional player, as well as his prediction for the upcoming season of the Overwatch League.
The origins of FDGod
Hello FDGod! First of all, where does this nickname come from?
When I was around 8-10 years old, I played Counter Strike: Source a lot on my brother’s PC. I didn’t have a nickname yet, as I was borrowing his account. I was watching a lot of videos of a guy doing a funny montages on Counter Strike with little characters who each had their own traits. There was the “Lagger” who was always lagging, the “Hacker” who cheated, etc. And among them was the one who was better than everyone else – he was called “FDGod.” I found it cool and took this nickname.
What is a typical training day for you?
I wake up around 10am, have lunch, watch some videos and start doing ranked games in the morning. Otherwise, I review the scrims or my POV from the last few days to see my mistakes and what I can improve. Then I eat, and if we only have 4 hours of scrims I keep doing ranked games until the start of scrims. When the scrims end (around 11pm), if I still have the energy to play I continue to play in ranked, otherwise I chill while watching videos or I’m just going to bed.
Life outside of Overwatch
Does your family support you in your evolution? How are your relatives experiencing your life change, especially as you have to travel all around the world for the OWL games?
When I first told them I wanted to be a pro player, they were pretty much against it. And I can understand, they didn’t know anything about esports and they were afraid that it was not a stable enough job. But I still persevered and they understood that it was my passion. And as my results progressed, they started to be more and more on my side and to support me. Today they support me completely, even sometimes a little too much I think (laughs). When it comes to travel and the OWL, they will continue to support me as long as I do something that excites me and I am happy in what I do. But understandably this sudden change of life must upset them in one way or another.
You passed your secondary education degree (French Baccalaureat) with flying colors, before joining a University of Letters. If you hadn’t joined the OWL, what job would you do?
Honestly, I have no idea! Of course, I preferred some subjects or fields over others. But I didn’t have any jobs in mind. And to be honest, when I was selected to play in Contenders, I stopped looking and I just bet everything on Overwatch and becoming a pro player. But if I didn’t have this opportunity, I would maybe do something in the field of English or Math.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
To be honest, I don’t know. I live day by day, I give my maximum to what excites me and I watch where the future takes me. But ideally, I would like to work in the esports field, as a player or not.
Looking Back
“When we lost to Samsung Morning Star with Young and Beautiful in Contenders… In reality, it’s my worst memory not because we lost, but rather because of the atmosphere on Discord… Kraandop felt guilty when he shouldn’t.” — Brice “FDGod” Monsçavoir
What is your best memory of Overwatch?
My best memory of Overwatch is from the World Cup. When we won the first map on Busan against Team China. We had just won an unmanageable teamfight on paper, but we did it — with a clutch from the whole team. I had to take 5 seconds before realizing that we had done it, I could hear everyone throwing their headphones and the French audience who cheered us behind.
And your worst memory?
When we lost to Samsung Morning Star with Young and Beautiful in Contenders. It was a very close match that shouldn’t have been. It was during the GOAT era and we were very comfortable with that composition. During the last round of the 5th game, Kraandop overextend with Reinhardt and died. It cost us the match and subsequently a place for the playoffs. In reality, it’s my worst memory not because we lost, but rather because of the atmosphere on Discord just after our defeat. Kraandop felt guilty when he shouldn’t.
You participated with the French team in the last edition of the Overwatch World Cup. Despite a good performance, you lost 1-3 against China, finishing in 4th position in the competition. How did you deal with this experience?
To tell the truth in this kind of competition, even if your fans do not wait for you to make an incredible performance, when you are feeling good you always aim for the best possible place. Which is to win the World Cup or be in the Finals. It’s not overconfidence or anything like that, it’s that you want to do your best and achieve it. However, despite the adrenaline, fatigue goes up and your performance goes down — whether you like it or not. When we prepared for our match against China, we saw the Koreans coming out of their matches against the USA crying.
And to be honest, I didn’t understand why such emotion. I thought it was just “a game” and that they had already given an incredible performance. Then came our match against China where we lost 1-3. This loss is due in particular to quite obvious individual and strategic errors, induced by fatigue. After this match, backstage, I tried to hold back my tears so that the others didn’t see it and to not create a bad mood before our next match against Korea. But it was impossible. It was the first time I was so emotional and frustrated after a game. And it was then that I understood how Team Korea felt after their game.
FDGod holding the point for over a minute, saving the first game against Team China.
Looking Forward
Will you be at the 2020 World Cup?
So far I would say yes, but it will depend on the outcome of the next season of the Overwatch League. With all the trips planned to play the homestand matches, the season is likely to be very busy. But for the moment I intend to apply for the next edition, if there is one of course.
This year, you’re going to have to travel all over the world to play OWL games. Do you think this will alter the quality of your games?
Personally, the fatigue due to travel and intensive pace never really altered my skill level. In the long run it can be difficult psychologically. But most of the time when I’m in-game, I only focus on the game and nothing else. For example, when I’m tired but keep playing, I don’t even realize I want to sleep.
Which team or player are you most looking forward to facing in the OWL?
In general, whenever I am in a competition like the Contenders or the OWL, I very rarely look at who I am playing against. It may sound weird, but I’m afraid of playing differently because I’m playing against X team or X player. For me, you just need to focus on your game, your team, and nothing else. We don’t care if you’re against Carpe or Alarm, you just have to destroy them.
What’s your prognosis for this new OWL season?
I think that with our coaching staff, there is really a way to go far with Paris this year, and I want to believe we can do it. If we continue to progress like we did at the bootcamp in Korea, I think we can aim for the top of the League.
Thank you for your time FDGod, we wish you the best for the 2020 Season!
The first match for Paris Eternal and FDGod will be on February 11th against Atlanta Reign. Good news for the players: this match will be held in Paris, which should give them home advantage.
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