C9’s Vulcan: “It’s hard to blame teams for not scrimming against us”

Cloud9 secured their long-awaited 2020 LCS Spring Split championship title in dominant fashion. Their impressive 17-1 regular season record positioned them as clear favorites heading into the playoffs.

The finals matchup against FlyQuest resulted in a clean 3-0 sweep, finally capturing the trophy that had eluded the organization for six years. The victory carried special significance given the unprecedented challenges teams faced adapting to COVID-19 restrictions.

Despite the absence of live audience energy in the LCS Arena, support Philippe “Vulcan” Laflamme described the emotional celebration as unforgettable. The team’s ability to maintain competitive intensity through the transition to online competition demonstrated remarkable mental fortitude.

How do you feel about Cloud9 winning the 2020 LCS Spring Split finals?

The championship victory represents a culmination of strategic development and individual growth. While missing the traditional stage experience with cheering fans created some disappointment, the achievement’s significance remains undiminished. This win solidifies Cloud9’s return to championship form after their extended title drought.

Did today go as expected?

The finals outcome aligned with predictions, though the actual matches proved more challenging than anticipated. Game one featured draft phase complications that created suboptimal conditions against FlyQuest’s composition. Despite facing potential defeat scenarios, Cloud9 demonstrated clutch teamfighting ability to secure victories.

Is it true that teams are not scrimming against you guys?

Several LCS organizations strategically avoided practice sessions with Cloud9 immediately before their scheduled matches. This decision stemmed from concerns about morale impact rather than disrespect, as teams sought to avoid confidence-shaking experiences right before competitive play.

Do you think that’s why they haven’t been doing as well this season?

While limited scrimmage opportunities presented challenges, Cloud9’s success derived from multiple factors beyond practice availability. The roster features exceptional individual talent across all positions combined with cohesive team synergy.

What has made your team so strong?

Individual skill superiority provides immediate advantages, but the team’s shared mindset around practice and development created the foundation for dominance. Team communication operates with direct honesty where constructive criticism flows freely without hesitation, accelerating collective improvement.

Why do you think NA has a different mentality than other regions when it comes to not wanting to lose?

North American coaching infrastructure generally trails behind Eastern and European counterparts in developing effective loss-analysis methodologies. Many players struggle with emotional regulation following defeats, hindering objective assessment of performance gaps. The psychological impact of consecutive losses creates barriers to maintaining focus on incremental improvement.

This contrasts with international approaches where teams systematically deconstruct losses to identify specific improvement areas. The emotional component often overshadows technical learning opportunities, making sustained progress more challenging in the NA competitive environment.

Do you see yourselves getting any better between now and next season even though you don’t have a lot of challenges?

Maintaining competitive edge presents unique difficulties for dominant teams. While opponents can study and replicate successful strategies, Cloud9 maintains development pathways through international meta analysis. Teams like G2 Esports demonstrate alternative strategic approaches that could influence future playstyle evolution.

Regional stylistic differences offer valuable learning opportunities – LCK’s methodical approach contrasts with LPL’s aggressive individual-focused gameplay.

Self-scouting revealed numerous correctable errors in both draft decision-making and in-game execution during the finals. Even in victory, identified mistakes provide material for continued refinement and skill development.

What does winning the 2020 LCS Spring Split finals mean to you?

Championship achievement represented the primary objective since joining the LCS. Early career challenges included a difficult 2018 debut and subsequent ninth-place finish, followed by semifinal elimination the following split.

The rapid progression from rookie struggles to championship contributor within a single year exceeded expectations. Earning Player of the Series honors confirmed active rather than passive participation in the team’s success. The victory carries particular satisfaction from demonstrating meaningful individual contribution to collective achievement.

No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » C9’s Vulcan: “It’s hard to blame teams for not scrimming against us” Cloud9's 2020 LCS championship victory and insights into their dominant team culture and practice philosophy