Armada Interview 8-14-09

The Genesis Brawl tournament was not only a massive event for U.S. Smashers, but also for players around the world. We sat down with one of the breakout stars from across the pond to get his thoughts on this event.
For the past three months, one of the main buzzwords for Smash players around the world has been "Genesis." This wildly successful tournament was the talk of the town for Smash players before it began, and prompted even more discussion afterward.Not only did gamers from coast to coast in the United States make the trek to attend this momentous event, but even gamers from overseas made the pilgrimage. One such participant is Adam Lindgren, a visitor from Sweden that made a gigantic impact at this competition. Adam (known by the gamer tag of "Armada&quot is 16 years old and the fifth child in a family of eleven kids. Unsurprisingly, he loves video games, and is into football... that is to say, the kick-kick kind, not the tackle-tackle kind. We sat down with Adam in order to get his thoughts on the tournament, as well as his trip to America and the Smash community in general. Special thanks to his brother Aniolas for providing interpretation for this interview.Smashboards: Describe your experience arriving in the United States for a Smash Bros. tournament. Was this an exciting experience?Armada: It really was an exciting experience indeed. I had never played against the US top players before. But I felt prepared. After all, I have attended tournaments for 4 years here.Smashboards: How big of an impact do you think you made competing at Genesis? Do you like the attention you've received since then?Armada: In my opinion, U.S. players have always underestimate European ones, so it was fun to make it across the pond and prove that we, too know how to play Smash.Smashboards: How much different do you feel the competitive environment was in Genesis than locally?Armada: There are more good players in the United States, and the scene is so much bigger. But I think that the top players from Europe would give the top players from the States a good match.Smashboards: All told, how much money did it cost to make the trip to Genesis?Armada: The flight cost a little more than 1300 dollars. Then BART, bus, and things like that cost maybe 50 dollars total.Smashboards: How long have you been gaming competitively? And how much time have you spent playing the Smash Bros. games specifically?Armada: My first tournament was the Swedish Nintendo Championships 2003, and my first Smash Bros. tournament was RoS, hosted by Helios, in 2005.Smashboards: There has been a constant on-going debate on whether Meta Knight should be allowed in tournament play. What is your region’s stance on this? And do you personally agree with it?Armada: Brawl isn't played as much in Europe as it is in the States. Maybe that's why don't just have MKs in the top. At any rate, there's no one talking about banning MK here, and I'm fine with that.Smashboards: Where do you feel the metagame of Brawl will go from here? Do you foresee certain characters being used more in the near future?Armada: I guess we will see more Ice Climbers in the future. That's my only guess for now.Smashboards: Who do you feel were some of the stand-out performers at Genesis?Armada: I was really surprised that Zhu got that far. I had heard about him before I came to Genesis, and thought he was top 20 in the US, but he still impressed me quite a bit. The other one that really stepped up was Hungrybox, I don't think anyone would guess that he would get 3rd.Smashboards: One question that people always want to know the answer to is what sort of mindset the big winners have going into tournaments. What sorts of things do you think about as you prepare to compete?Armada: I tell myself that I will win. The other guy may be good, but he won't beat me. The second you doubt yourself and think you'll lose, you'll lose. Believe in yourself.Smashboards: As a follow-up, what general advice would you give to gamers new to the competitive scene?Armada: Stick to one character and practice until you really master that character. It's better to be good with one character than not-so-good with several. Try to play against different people, and against all characters so you learn how to play in a certain matchup.Smashboards: How do you feel about online Smash Bros? Do you play online much?Armada: Don't like it at all, it lags too much for me. Like the idea, but I don't play it.Smashboards: What other games (if any) do you like to play competitively now?Armada: SSB64... ohh, and Mario Party. Awesome game to have tournament in!Smashboards: Do you feel you’ll probably come back to America for another major Smash tournament?Armada: Yeah, I'll come to Pound 4, if I and my brother can get housing. Otherwise, I won't be able to afford it.Smashboards: And finally, if you were faced with a horde of zombies, what weapon would you use to fight them all off? Style factor is a major grading point, here.Armada: I would pull up a stichface and combo them like I did with Mango.~

Comments (10 of 78)

  1. Quote:
    Originally Posted by SSBA View Post
    agree with wingz, amaricans speak amaricano cause we are better, we dont speak european because they arent better, get with it.
    Hahahaha screw you xDD
  2. agree with wingz, amaricans speak amaricano cause we are better, we dont speak european because they arent better, get with it.
  3. Tu es fatuus.
  4. Quote:
    Originally Posted by Eikelmann View Post
    Je hebt goed gehoor
    Please stop trying to speak our language, it hurts my eyes. Seriously man, you are an AMERICAN don't try to put yourself higher than other americans by trying to act like a european. Srsly just quit it.
  5. hes soooooooooo ****ing good, **** <333AR
  6. lol i think armada could hold off an entire army of zombies with a stitchface! funny stuff!=)
  7. Stitch Face combo FTW. Go Armada!
  8. I thoroughly enjoyed that interview, gotta love the young prodigies like Hax, Jman, Mango, Armada, etc. Even if he's widely recognized for his Melee accomplishments in the States, he still respectfully responded to the Brawl-related inquiries like a mature individual...get at the kid.
  9. Quote:
    Originally Posted by TheZhuKeeper View Post
    Something that surprised me about Armada is that he never seemed to be fazed very much by losing the first match. As I recall, he solidly lost to WhatisFear (although there was lag), Lucky, Shiz, M2K first round and still convincingly beat them all in the end. I mean, I personally equate losing the first match to losing the set. Knowing you're up against a potential ridiculous counterpick is quite mentally strenuous to say the least.



    But confidence is key I suppose. I guess there's a reason why he beat Mango on his first try and I'm maybe zero and twenty in sets.





    But I'm glad he remembers me.

    =)
    Regarding your sig:

    Yo God, I know you creatin' the world and all, and I'mma let you finish, but Sega had one of the best Genesis of ALL time. OF ALL TIME.
  10. Quote:
    Originally Posted by dualseeker View Post
    The interview was good. I'm glad I got some insight to how Genesis turned out. I was really excited for that thing.

    Yea me too