NaToSaphiX: “I don't think I could ever be happy in a team where I felt my opinion wasn’t valued”

The former Nordavind and Sprout player, Niels Christian "NaToSaphiX" Sillassen is currently located back in his home country of Denmark, where he plays for Lyngby Vikings in what he calls a “purely passion-driven” project. The 24-year Dane and his fellow Vikings have shined since his arrival back in mid-January, which has resulted in their highest ranking ever, just outside of Top 30.

We have sat down with NaToSaphiX for an interview regarding his exciting tenure on the Danish side, but also to talk about certain issues and complication from a difficult time at Nordavind.

NaToSaphiX AWP ace vs Sprout | 12-02 - 2021

You have been on a rather successful loan spell at Lyngby Vikings since the start of this year. Is it possible that the deal can evolve into a permanent deal?
Actually, there is no loan agreement in place. It is purely a passion-driven project from my side currently. I know I want to play CS:GO as a career and after having tried playing with the guys, I was really impressed.
The possibility of this ending in a permanent agreement is definitely there, but my future is still uncertain.

Looking at your career, it’s clear to see that you’re a versatile player who both can play with the AWP and rifle. What does that bring to your game?

I think I've always been best at playing AWP for sure. I think my game-sense and flick shots are both above average, which are two skills that are very valuable in such a role. For me being a well-rounded player is a must. I'm not interested in being a one-trick pony and I believe the best players in the world are capable of doing it all. It also gives me the chance to be more unpredictable, as I somewhat understand how to play lurk, entry, IGL and AWP all at once.

I think playing IGL is something I'd really like to do later in my career, as it's a role that takes more than just pointing and shooting. But for now, I'll stick to the one I'm in.

[link:{"url":"https://pley.gg/news/video-natosaphix-gets-astounding-pistol-ace-against-polish-legends/","text":"Read more: NaToSaphiX gets an astounding pistol ace against Polish legends"}]

[link:{"url":"https://pley.gg/news/former-heroic-player-shines-lyngby-vikings/","text":"Read more: Former Heroic player shines for Lyngby Vikings"}]

You have touched a bit on the desire to develop into an in-game leader. Do you see yourself as a natural leader? Where are your strengths as a caller?

I think my strengths as a caller is that I'm a people-person that understands how to treat different people in a different way. I have a good understanding of CS as a team-game and I love coming up with unique ideas that others have not used or seen before. I don't necessarily need to be the leader in a team, so I'm not a "born leader" in that kind of way but I like having my opinion heard.

I don't think I could ever be happy in a team where I felt my opinion was not valued. The reason being that I feel I have a lot to give besides just my abilities as a fragger and I would feel like my impact as a voice of reason would be thrown away otherwise. It's not important for me to be the guy making all the decisions but I love coming up with input. And in the future, I would definitely be interested in being the guy making the game-plan from top to bottom.”

NaToSaphiX with Jacob "Pimp" Winneche

In your time at Nordavind and especially at your benching, rumours emerged that you and the team/org had some disagreements. Is it something you can share your perspective of maybe just clarify?

I think I've already briefly touched on it in a few interviews but it basically came down to different philosophies.

I can explain it like this:
If we got two entryfrags and were in a 5v3 situation, I would always want to calm down, chill and reassess the situation. In the same situation, the 4 other players in the team would have preferred to use the entries to take space. Neither strategy is wrong and both have worked for top-teams in the past.

But I like the maybe more Danish way of playing CS:GO where you play less reaction-based and you more often take some extra time to think through your decisions.
Whereas the maybe more Russian way of playing CS:GO which is very reaction-based, every entry is key because all utility is thrown to toy with the opponents' rotations is what they preferred.

NaToSaphiX's stay at Nordavind wasn't a successful experience, as he left the active roster after a few couples of months.

You need 5 players who are on the same page and even though I tried to adjust, it was towards the end more the case that I just don't want to play that style of CS. I would rather have a very high bottom level and a decent top-level, than a low bottom level and a very high top level. I think consistency is key - If I'm the better team I want to win. The reaction-based style of CS has the benefit that it can beat anyone on a good day but it can also lose to almost anyone on a bad day. You leave the win% up to the individual decisions of the players instead of the win% up to the decision for the team. That's what made things difficult for us.