DarkZero Esports, since the roster’s signing over a year ago, has been a team firmly aimed at the top of the North American scene. An immediate appearance at the Season 9 Finals then followed, and while DarkZero lost 0-2, it was to eventual champions Team Empire. Qualified to the Six Major, the team opened its account with a 2-0 win over Fnatic, but DarkZero was unable to maintain the winning formula and lost 0-2 to forZe and FaZe Clan.
DarkZero Esports at the US Nationals 2019 Finals.
Much soul-searching was to be had, and DarkZero came out swinging and finished at the top of the NA Pro League for the first time in its history after a quarter-finals finish at DreamHack Montreal. At the Season 10 Finals was when DarkZero really came into its own, performing at its maximum potential. FaZe Clan was defeated in a swift 2-0 fashion, though the Brazilians had a stand-in, before Aerowolf (now Giants Gaming) was dispatched 2-0 as well. Natus Vincere, however, was too much to handle and DarkZero lost 0-2 in the grand final.
Two roster changes then immediately followed, with Zachary “Nyx” Thomas traded with Team Reciprocity’s Alexander “Skys” Magor, and Brandon “BC” Carr moved back to a secondary coaching position to make room for Tyler “Ecl9pse” McMullin. Playing at the US Nationals Finals 2019, a quarter-finals loss to Spacestation Gaming gave critics of the team much ammunition against the team, but a strong first half of Season 11 of the Pro League was quick to prove them wrong. Now, as Dark Zero heads into the Six Invitational for the first time, the team is just three points behind Team SoloMid, but five ahead of Spacestation Gaming.
Mint at the US Nationals 2019 Finals.
To know more, SiegeGG spoke to DarkZero captain Kyle “Mint” Lander about his team’s preparation for the Invitational:
Your team made some significant changes after the Season 10 Finals, with yourself remarking you had to be the “most NA team ever” to have done so. How have your new teammates settled in and how does your team feel about the event?
Despite being finalists at the Pro League Finals, your team has been put into one of the arguably harder groups. Does your team have any gripes with the seeding process?
How do you think that the double-elimination playoffs will change the dynamic of the event, and what is your opinion of the one-map advantage in the grand final?
What difference is there between preparing for the Six Invitational and the USN/PL Finals?
Compared to your group stage opponents, your team has a lot of support staff. Do you see this as a major advantage?
FaZe Clan and Fnatic were also in your group at the Raleigh Major, while you played Empire at the S9 Finals. Is the familiarity going to help?
What is the goal for your team at this event?
Do you have anything else to say to your fans?
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DarkZero plays FaZe Clan in a rematch of the Season 10 Finals in Group A first, with matches against either Fnatic or Team Empire scheduled afterwards. Check back here at SiegeGG for more Invitational Insights and full coverage of the event as it comes.