Blitzkrieg Masters Amsterdam 2018 - Interview with Method

The final team to form part of Blitzkrieg Amsterdam was none other than Method, acting as one of the wild cards involved. This season, they have fallen short of their expectations, finishing 5th to 8th at Gallantry Budapest while being knocked out of the 2 online qualifiers participated in. Still, Bulkhead is giving the veterans on the squad another chance to compete at the highest level of Battalion 1944. We've interviewed Ralph qwertYYY Balder, of 28 years, on behalf of his team to learn more. 

1.) How are you preparing yourselves for the upcoming event, the first ever Battalion 1944 Major? 

We are preparing by playing every map until we feel comfortable on it. We might try to go to a boot camp if we feel the need and have the time for it.

2.) For how long has your team been waiting for an opportunity to play Battalion 1944 at this level?

I think all of us have a history of competing at the highest level in competitive games, especially the Call of Duty games. So, I guess we bring some valuable experience to the table which we're keen to make the most of in every situation. 

3.) What are your goals heading into the event? What placing are you aiming at?

We're not messing about - we are always aiming to win. I would say top 3.

4.) What was your experience in the online qualifiers? Where there any negatives and positives you’d like to point out?

Having the qualifiers during the weekends was very annoying for us. We basically never had all 5 on to play the qualifiers. I would have rather seen a league and invite the top contenders of the league together with some other invites. Overall, a frustrating experience from our side, which could be improved next time around. 

5.) From the online qualifiers, what is your team’s judgement on the level of competition at this time in the title’s lifespan? How much room for improvement is there? 

I think there's an interesting combination of teams who are playing together for a while and some very talented new teams. There is definitely room for improvement, especially since teams are still figuring out what works best in the economy system.

6.) If not yourselves, what teams form the top competition for the first place spot?

I think Comrade Gaming are looking very strong with their new lineup - I would watch out for them. 

7.) Do you plan to keep competing in Battalion 1944 after the Major is finalized? 

Yeah although we're not completely sure; it all depends on the plans that Bulkhead have coming up for us.

8.) How do you view the updates which have recently hit the title? Have they all been general improvements?

MU2 has been great and has changed the game completely. They had pushed the sniper out of the meta which was a bad decision, but they seem to have fixed that now.

9.) What would you change, if you could, in Battalion 1944 mechanics, maps and weapons? 

I feel like jump shooting in combination with the jump height is still too powerful in the game. Besides that the Carbine and Gewehr are way too spammy, you are forced to spam mouse1 like a madman in order to get the maximum fire rate, it feels very vulnerable to macros and probably favours certain mice too much. Maybe they should make the Carbine and Gewehr automatic rifles with a set fire rate.

Map design needs a lot of work. Maps are lacking verticality and are way too chokey at the moment. For example Coastal could be a lot better when a first floor is added to T-house, that way attacking mid is less awkward and that would benefit the whole map. Making the maps less chokey would also be great for casual play, right now it takes a lot of coordination and team play to push out of the chokes - something that won't happen in casual play.

10.) Any advice for those Battalion 1944 rosters which are struggling to reach the level of competition needed for the event? 

Build a team with players you are comfortable with. It's all about teamplay in Battalion 1944. 

The roster of DAVY, knaller, toxjee, rEb1rth and qwertYYY simply screams potential - and they are yet to realise it. It's in a lack of results that the will of a team is tested most, if they can just stay together and learn off of each other, they can mend their earlier performances with a strong finish at Amsterdam.