Transitioning from an expansion/game to another is always complicated for progamers and requires a lot of investment in order for them not to lose ground. The struggle was there back in Wings of Liberty/Heart of the Swarm switch time and is once again here with the release of the last episod of the StarCraft II trilogy, Legacy of the Void.

Every week, we'll try to ask few questions to professional players about how they try to beat their struggle, and keep their heads above the water. Today, Artur « Nerchio » Bloch agreed on giving us few answers ...

[M]TinkeR: Legacy of the Void has been released for a month now and you’re already considered as one of the (if not the) best foreign player.

First of all, is that something you’re taking seriously for now, or as the game is quite young it doesn’t really mean something for you? Do you think the way LotV is played fits better to your playstyle than Heart of the Swarm?

[Acer]Nerchio: Yes I am much more motivated to play Legacy of the Void because HotS was not a good game in my opinion and I didn't practice that much.

Right now I finished studies and I have a few months of full-time gaming but later on I might continue studies. LotV suits my playstyle much better because I was not the best at fighting with deathballs and the game is more action packed.

I saw a tweet where you said that you’ll go back half-time instead of full-time progaming in early January, is that correct, and what made you consider taking this decision?

We will see what is going to happen because I am not 100% sure that I will get into the university I want. I just want to do something else in my life than just playing computer games and playing full time isn't helping me either to be honest. I will do just fine playing part time since it will be 4-5 hours a day anyway.

As you’re doing very well at the moment, did you think of maybe postpone your decision to go back playing half-time?

The announcement of WCS by Blizzard might change some things indeed but the rumors are not very promising right now so I will probably stick with my plan to continue studies. I am sure I can always be one of the best foreigners, even playing part time.

It’s still to be confirmed, but it indeed looks like the WCS 2016 will only consist of GSL and SSL in Korea, and the classic circuit with DH, IEM, etc. that will be region-locked the same way WCS 2015 tournament was. Do you think this is a good idea?



We will see because it's hard to judge the system based on rumors but I probably preferred WCS Europe where unknown players could qualify and show themselves as well as get 2000$ for the last place in Challengerleague. It was a lot of money for foreigners and the trips to the tournaments were paid too so unless it stays the same, I am not looking forward to it so much. *

What are your thoughts on the current meta? Zerg looks currently pretty strong, do you agree on that and what changes do you think could be made in order for the game to have a better balance?

I don't think that Zerg is looking strong or weak. I think that Zerg is looking better than in Heart of the Swarm so everyone suddenly thinks that it's too strong. LotV is a much different game and Zerg finally got units that affect the game besides mentality « Defend, defend, defend » that we had in WoL and HotS. I am not a fan of Reaper mines and Disruptors but Protoss would be quite weak without it so it needs to stay.

What do you think of the Archon mode? Do you see it as a potential on the esport scene, or will it be only relegated to a « fun » mode, and nothing more?

I think it will be more of a fun mode with a tournament here and there from time to time. StarCraft II is primarily a 1v1 game and it should stay that way, at least I am a person that prefers to play alone. If I wanted to play team games I would go for CS:GO.

We are approaching the end of the year, if you have one regret in 2015 (gaming wise) what would it be? What’s your review on this past year for you and for StarCraft II in general?

I don't have any regrets in terms of StarCraft II for 2015 to be honest. I wish my result was a little bit better at DreamHack Winter but it wasn't bad as well. In HotS I didn't practice that much and I think that was a good decision because the game was killing me from the inside and now with LotV I have my passion back once again.

What are your expectations and objectives for the year to come?

I want to be at the top of the European scene all the time which shouldn't be a big problem and to stay consistent in terms of my performance in tournaments. In the past I wasn't nervous at all in LAN tournaments but I didn't play in them for a long time and I get stressed again so I need to calm myself down and regain confidence.

Thank you very much for your time, and good luck for HSC! If you have any last words for our readers, and shoutouts, please do so!

Thanks a lot for the interview and look out for me in 2016!