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.

The video that coined FDGod’s nickname.

You first began as a Hanzo and Genji player. Now, you are famous for your Lucio plays, or the “Infected Frog” as you call it. What do you like in this hero?

I started Overwatch in Season 1 and 2 playing with Hanzo and Genji. I was still playing Lucio at this time, but it wasn’t my main yet. In general, what I like and what I find interesting in FPS games like Overwatch are the movements and mobility of the characters. I rarely focus on my aim, so I started playing Genji because of his mobility which I found refreshing and unique. The problem is that ever since I started playing video games, I have always played the role of support.

Whether it's League of Legends or Team Fortress 2. I've always played healer, and that's what was missing on Genji. So I started to get acquainted with Lucio because he has everything I like in this type of game; mobility with unique movements, he is a support hero but he is able to clutch when needed. I also love his character design. I played Sona a lot on League of Legends with her DJ skin, maybe that was a sign? (laughs)

A montage of FDGod’s Lucio plays.

Path to Pro

In two years, you have gone from casual to professional player. Battled through the Contenders, the Overwatch World Cup, and today the Overwatch League. How have you experienced these changes?

To be honest, before the start of 2018, I was hardly interested in the Overwatch scene. I knew of course some names or some teams. But nothing more. Let alone was I considering becoming pro myself. I thought that I simply was not good enough and that it was something that was beyond my capacity. So, I just kept doing occasional rankeds until I started to be in the top 50 constantly with my Lucio. And I ended up becoming more and more interested in team play, with no real expectation behind that. Until the day when Orgless and Hungry, a Contenders team, offered to join them. That's when I started to think there might be a way to get pro. At that time, I didn't know what I wanted to do later, so I bet everything on Overwatch.

For almost 1 year, I alternated between school, homework, graduation exam and Contenders. My days were very busy, and I did not have good results either. But I still wanted to have my high school degree for safety before doing anything else. Despite my rather average results in Contenders, I started to make myself known for my Lucio. And I ended up being drafted for the World Cup. Quentin "Wrath" Sevegner [ndl, Head Coach of Team France 2019] trusted me despite my lack of experience compared to other Lucio players. Like David "Lilbow" Moschetto or Valentin "Ascoft" Wulfman. I couldn’t believe it - I was on the World Cup stage to represent France. Whereas 1 year ago I was in my room cheering for Team France. At no time did I ever tell myself that it would be my turn next year.

Obviously, I was under a lot of pressure, as it was my first time on the main stage. But we managed to get good results and, personally, to make a good performance. And now I'm by the side of the players I admired just over a year ago, and it still doesn’t feel real.

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.

On profite de la mi-temps pour vous remontrer ce Lucio STRATOSPHÉRIQUE emmené par @FDGoD_OW qui sauve la 1ère game en tenant le point héroïquement pendant plus d'une minute ! Les roues en feu ! C'est un régal pour les yeux et c'est @HammerKick_OW à la réal !#avecle6 ?? pic.twitter.com/fKHxVdw7TF — Équipe de France OW (@avecle6) November 3, 2019

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.

I'm extremely happy and excited to join @ParisEternal for the next season of OWL. Everything went so fast for me, I still can't believe what's happening right now honestly. I can't wait to play on the big stage and travel all around the world to represent Paris !?? https://t.co/Iutro2a7R4 — FDGod (@FDGod_OW) January 7, 2020

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 boot camp 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 8th against Vancouver Titans, in New York. Good news for the players: this match will be held in Paris, which should give them home advantage.