Behind the Username is an interview series where I ask some questions of regular players I meet in and around SC2SEA and our tournaments.
Today I have a chat with Caviar Napoleon Acampado, better known as EnDerr, who is currently at the top of the OSC rankings. He reached WCS Challenger league in Season 1 earlier this year and is currently in the Quarterfinals of both the ESCL and ASL Challenger League.
How long have you been playing Starcraft 2, and have you always played Zerg?
I've been playing Starcraft since brood war and that was like 10 years ago but started playing competitively just like 5 years ago. I dislike playing offrace but I'm kinda playing some off race nowadays because of coaching stuff.
How did you decide upon your username?
Was listening to songs back then when I'm thinking bout my username... it's the song ender by a and name finch and just added 1 r at the end because I don't know why. xD
You are well known for your aggressive playstyle. Geoff 'EG.iNcontrol' Robinson once described you on his stream by saying "What, is that a hole in the wall? BANELINGS. I'm sorry, did you have units at your ramp? Because HERE I COME!". (You ended up taking iNcontrol apart in those games, by the way, proving his point). Do you look to particular progamers for inspiration when it comes to choosing or creating build orders and strategies?
I don't know, ideas comes in my head whenever I'm enjoying the game but whenever I'm nervous I forgot even making overlords.
(VOD of the iNcontrol games here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orBM28A5Nx8 )
Are there any players in particular which make you nervous, or certain tournaments? You certainly did not look nervous when you were taking Uzi apart in the ASL Ro16.
There's none, It's kinda random and it happens always in every first match on a tournament.
Describe your playstyle in ten words or less.
Macro but can all in anytime... WAIT WHUT?
I do love a nasty roach all-in. In the leadup to WCS you were picked up by Psistorm gaming. Can you tell us a bit about how that happened? How are you finding life as part of Psistorm?
I was coaching the owner of PSISTORM about the whole year of 2014 and then suddenly he tells me that he is planning to make a team, so after my contract with Imperium is done, he offered me and then I joined. It's actually the best team I've been in because of practice partners and awesome team mates! Also I get a lambo if ever I make it to wcs premiere lololol. )
Sounds like a guaranteed lambo to me =p Do you have any funny stories to tell about your new friends and practice partners?
Nah... If you wanna know you have to join :P
Are they hiring gold scrubs with a talent for puns?
<well justified awkward silence>
I shall take that as a no - RIP my eSports #dream
You had an incredible run in the WCS Qualifiers, only dropping maps to Iaguz and PiG. Eventually Iaguz knocked you out of the Challenger league, but it was a close-fought series. At the time, did you put in any special preparation for WCS?
I was kinda holding back and try not to show my real game that's why all 3 games I just all in but got really nervous when we face again for the premiere spot.
Currently you are making strong runs in the ASL and ESCL. Can you tell us a bit about these tournaments in the group stages? Who have been your toughest challenges thus far?
In ASL, I lost to mYi.Winter and ESCL I can't remember losing to someone.. well actually I got knocked out by Macsed but because of some schedule conflict macsed can't attend the next round and then Troy gave the spot to me so I got back. ASL is hosted by NA people and ESCL is from SEA from what I know. 0-2 Winter and 2-3 for Macsed
Next up in the ESCL Quarterfinals you are facing the Taiwanese zerg Ian, and in the ASL Quarterfinals an american zerg called Hunta. How do you feel only needing to practice for ZvZ in the next rounds?
Well it feels great having to prepare for only 1 match up.
A lot of us, whether in tournaments or on ladder, have games which stick in our memory as being more fun or entertaining than others. Do you have a war story or favourite match you'd like to brag about?
Hmm I have this game vs eCko.Probe wherein it lasted like an hr and I only have 1 extractor left but with Swarmhosts and corruptors guarding it. It got to a point where the hp is in red and almost lost the game.
Sounds like it was a really fun match! With all the games you've played, on ladder and in tournaments, who would you consider your greatest rival at the present time?
To be honest I don't have anyone in my mind but if I have to pick just one it's Iaguz just because I want to have my revenge from last WCS season 1.
That's a match I'd definitely want to see! Is there a particular moment in your career which you consider particularly important or formative for who you are as a player and person now?
It's when I played at WCG 2013 and I beat some known players in a series not just ladder. It made me very happy knowing that my skill level can compete on that kind of calibur.
Last time you were interviewed on SC2SEA, in January 2014 by x5's Dot, you mentioned that things had been a little slow for the SC2 scene in the Philippines. Have things picked up since then? Are there currently any SC2 events in the Philippines, or other players we should keep an eye on in the coming year?
It's pretty much dead here in my country and I don't think it will be revived whenever LoTV is out, most people here just wants to have fun and not really that competitive as for what I see when it comes to SC2. To be honest, I think I'm the only one in my country who still plays competitively.
That is a shame. Hopefully your own recent successes might encourage others to follow suit. You recently advertised as a coach for Zergs - have you had many applicants yet? How are you finding the coaching experience?
Yeah hopefully. I have some people who want to be coached lately so yeah, I think it's pretty good
For a bit of fun: if there was anyone in the world you could challenge to a Best of Five match, who would it be, and why?
Only one player?
Can I have at least 3?
Haha
You can =D
It would be mYi.Rain, kT.Flash and SKT.Dark
Looking to the future, with Legacy of the Void on the horizon, what are your thoughts on what you have seen of LoTV thus far?
Everything will be exciting but completely different. I just hope I'm still young so I can commit to this game and not worry my future
I personally think LoTV will suit you well, and look forward to seeing you using ravagers and lurkers =D
Finally, feel free to self-promote and drop some links here if you want folks to follow you on the various social media/streaming sites
Thank you for this interview. I would like to thank every single admin/staff and everyone who works for sc2sea for keeping the scene alive. I would also like to thank my team psistorm gaming and my manager Karl Jay Garcia owner of Psistorm gaming team. Again thank you Crescendo for this opportunity!
It's pretty much dead here in my country and I don't think it will be revived whenever LoTV is out, most people here just wants to have fun and not really that competitive as for what I see when it comes to SC2. To be honest, I think I'm the only one in my country who still plays competitively.
Great questions in the interview. Let me see if I can set up a showmatch with those 3 GSL players, anyone want to help me contact them? haha
I'd like to add FilthyRake (Damen Knight) the co-owner and I are happy to have EnDerr, our only non-American in the team: http://psistorm.com/main/psistorm-team/
He is a very active player for us, and has a great attitude and jumps willingly with anything we ask. We see a bright future with him.
As for SC2 in PH, sad to say most of them in PH are now into DOTA2 and League.
To me the biggest problem is SC2 needs a paid account, and Blizzard introduced the "free to play with a friend" feature too late, when LOL/DOTA2 were too popular already.
EnDerr must be close to career best form atm!
1st in OSC Rankings.
WCS Challenger
Top 8 or higher in ASL + ESCL
EnDerr has been the hardest working player in our region for quite some time now imo. He plays in just about every tournament he can (and wins his fair share). It's great to see the hard work paying off!
Cool to see him get picked up by PsiStorm who have a pretty solid team, and are lead by freeedom who has great passion and love for the game (and our region).
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