UPDATE (February 21st 2021): Astralis defeated Excel in the match-up.
Original article:
Fnatic Rising are the kings of UK and Ireland League of Legends, having won three UKLC titles, two Forge of Champions and the NLC.
Central to their legacy was the vaunted mid-jungle pairing of Carl Felix ‘MagiFelix’ Boström (now at Astralis) and Daniel ‘Dan’ Hockley (now at Excel). They will face each other in the LEC this Saturday (February 20th) from 4pm.
We speak to both players to see what they think of each other as teammates – and now rivals.
Dan, Excel Esports jungler
You face MagiFelix in Day 2 of Week 5 of the LEC, your long-time teammate at Fnatic Rising. How do you feel about this and seeing him make it to the LEC level?
Dan: I’m really happy that Felix is finally getting his chance in the LEC. I think its long overdue and I hope he has a good showing for the remainder of this split.
For our game specifically this weekend, even though we both know each other extremely well, I won’t be preparing any differently for him than for any other opponent.
Among all the jungle/midlane duos you’ve played with, where does MagiFelix rank?
Dan: I think Felix is one of the smartest mid-laners I have played with in my career. However, I wished throughout my time on Fnatic Rising that he would play more aggressive, because I think we could have dominated mid-jungle 2v2s together.
From a player perspective, what do you think his biggest strengths and weaknesses are?
Dan: I think his strengths are his ability to be self-sufficient and to be a very stable player, alongside macro knowledge at a high level.
I think his main weakness is the champion pool that he’s willing to play on stage. He has his main staple picks of Corki, Azir and Cassiopeia so he’s usually very predictable.
“I think Felix is one of the smartest mid-laners I have played with in my career. However, I wished throughout my time on Fnatic Rising that he would play more aggressive, because I think we could have dominated mid-jungle 2v2s together.”
Dan
How do you think MagiFelix would describe you as a player?
Dan: I think I have already changed a lot as a player since we played together. But if he were to describe me based on the time we played together… probably ‘crazy’ or ‘aggressive’.
Do you see Astralis now being a serious contender with MagiFelix in the mid-lane? How do you think the match will go?
Dan: Unfortunately, I think Astralis are quite weak in general. I don’t really think one roster change makes a huge difference for them so I would expect us to win cleanly this weekend.
Any final words you’d like to say to MagiFelix before Excel takes on Astralis? Any final banter?
Dan: Nothing else.
MagiFelix, Astralis mid-laner
You face Dan in Day 2 of Week 5 of the LEC, your long-time teammate at Fnatic Rising. How do you feel about this and seeing him make it to the LEC level?
MagiFelix: I feel happy for him making it to the LEC. He has been a good player for a long time and I always thought he was capable of playing in the LEC. Now he gets to prove that he belongs there with Excel.
About facing him, I see him just as any other opponent, except that I have more knowledge on the way he likes to play.
Among all the junglers you’ve played with, where does Dan rank? How do you see him as a person and player?
MagiFelix: Dan is a solid jungler that likes to play the game in a logical way. As a person, he’s a bit of prankster that brings strong opinions on how things should be done. I enjoyed having him as a teammate because it was always clear what he wanted to do.
From a player perspective, what do you think his biggest strengths and weaknesses are?
MagiFelix: I think his biggest strength as a player is that he’s able to path efficiently, while still keeping an active presence on the map where he’s needed.
His weakness comes from his predictability. I think I have a good read on how he wants to play the game.
“I feel happy for Dan making it to the LEC. He has been a good player for a long time and I always thought he was capable of playing in the LEC. Now he gets to prove that he belongs there with Excel.”
MagiFelix
How do you think Dan would describe you as a player?
MagiFelix: He would describe me as a very stable player that understands my match-ups well.
Excel have had one of their best starts to the LEC, despite some of the skepticism Dan had to endure. Do you think they will be serious playoffs contenders this time around?
MagiFelix: Excel have good carries on their team with mid-laner Czekolad and bot-laner Patrik, so I think they are playoff contenders. Anything is possible but they are in a good spot to make it.
Any final words you’d like to say to Dan before Astralis takes on Excel? Any final banter?
MagiFelix: I am no match for Dan when it comes to banter… but he better watch out because I have the complete package of a champion pool!
Excel Esports takes on Astralis on Saturday February 20th from 4pm GMT. You can catch all the LEC matches on Twitch and Youtube
Megalodontus is a miraculous survivor from the mass extinction and somehow learnt how to use his stubby fins to operate complicated mechanical equipment and drink tea. Worryingly for cryptozoologists, he’s been writing League of Legends articles too.
A self-taught writer who’s had the privilege to work with good editors who aren’t terrified of his pearly whites, Megalodontus is often seen writing either independently or for various websites such as this one. When not writing, he usually runs it down mid in real life and is fascinated with watching paint dry.
