When BDS Esport heads into the Six Invitational 2021 next month, it will undoubtedly be the most unique event they will ever attend.
For one, it will be the first and quite possibly last one to be held outside of its usual location in Montreal, Canada. Secondly, its new location of Paris, France, means that it will be on home soil. Thirdly, and most unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic will mean that there will be none of the legendary French crowd present.
This Invitational will only be the second-ever Invitational for BDS Esport as a team, but it will be the first where analysts and fans will see them as one of the favourites.
The Six Invitational 2020 BDS Esport roster. From left: Shaiiko, Elemzje, rxwd (since replaced by BriD), RaFaLe, and Renshiro.
In 2020, the team had been doing fine, but was far from a strong candidate thanks to a 3-1-3 W-D-L record in the first split of Season 11 of the ESL Pro League. However, despite the struggles, it would make it to fourth place at the Invitational after a strong lower-bracket run.
This time, the French roster are considered favourites, as they head into the event as the strongest European team present. European League Stage 1 leaders Natus Vincere finished on level points with BDS, but the UK-based squad failed to qualify.
The change in BDS's fortunes came after the team dropped team captain Morgan "rxwd" Pacy in favour of Team Vitality man Loïc "BriD" Chongthep; a move that transformed the team.
Where the roster had finished Season 11 of the Pro League in eighth and last, it finished the 2020 EUL regular season and Six August Major in first, and the November Major and the EUL Finals in second.
This season, Stéphane "Shaiiko" Lebleu finds himself third and second in terms of Rating and K-D split, Olivier "Renshiro" Vandroux is fifth in terms of Entry split and KOST, Adrien "RaFaLe" Rutik leads the latter category, and BriD finds himself with the second-highest number of plants.
As such, BDS is one of the strongest teams in individual skill, with Elemzje adding the much-needed In-Game Leadership (IGL) element to tie it all together.
SiegeGG spoke to Elemzje to find out more about his team's approach to the game and its preparation for the Six Invitational 2021.
Your team has had quite a stellar season yet again and you are right there at the top despite others having improved. What is the key to this consistency?
Your team has not made a player roster change since swapping rxwd for BriD last year. How much does roster stability in such cases help the team? Is it as small as removing the worry of gelling with a new player, or as big as being almost telepathic in gameplay with each other?
Two of your losses this season came in overtime to Na’Vi and Cowana, on Oregon, your best map. What went wrong in each game?
This will, quite possibly, be the only Six Invitational on home soil for you. How much of an advantage could that be and how are you feeling about being one of the favourites right at home in Paris?
Is there significant pressure being a favourite for this event?
What is your opinion on the changed format for the Invitational and how do you rate your chances in the group?
What is your goal for the Invitational and how confident are you that you'll achieve it?
Is there anything you want to say to your fans and maybe your competitors?
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Catch the BDS Esport in action next on the 12th of May at 3:30 PM CET (UTC+2), when they take on FURIA Esports live from Paris.