After a long history in North America, the Rogue organisation jumped regions earlier this year to acquire the then-European roster of Giants Gaming -- consistently one of the best teams in Europe, but unable to perform internationally.
Since the core of this roster first came together after the Paris Major, the team secured a third place finish at DreamHack Montreal 2018, runners-up finishes at the Allied Minor and DreamHack Valencia 2019, and a quarter-finals finish at the Raleigh Major in some of its highlights. However, much criticism has been leveled at the team’s first round exits at the last Invitational and the Season 9 and 10 Finals. This has given the roster a reputation of being the first team eliminated at each event -- a reputation the players are aiming to change after replacing Léo "Alphama" Robine with Jan "ripz" Hucke last month.
The new Rogue roster. From left: risze, AceeZ, korey, ripz, Hicks. (Photo: Rogue)
With this change, the three-times back-to-back French champions became a German-majority roster and, crucially, have not lost a game since, with four wins and three draws in the Pro League. Now, with the exit of Cryn from G2 Esports, Rogue will be the sole representation for German hopes at the Six Invitational. However, the team will certain find it tough going to continue the lossless streak with ripz and escape a group which includes the reigning Pro League champions of Na'Vi, the DreamHack Montreal champions of Team SoloMid, and the current Team USA -- Spacestation Gaming.
SiegeGG thus spoke to team captain Valentin “risze” Liradelfo about how his team aims to achieve this after a number of rough prior events:
Despite some bumps in the Pro League with the draws, your team seems to be doing just fine in the leadup to the Six Invitational. How has the change from Alphama to ripz shaken things up?
How has the swap from Giants Gaming to Rogue been like?
Your team was upset by a surprisingly strong Aerowolf (now Giants Gaming) roster last time out. What went wrong there and how has your team learnt from it?
Inconsistency at LAN has been somewhat of a plague for your team. Are you confident that these issues have been rectified?
Your group has been labeled the “Group of Death” by many. Do you agree with the assessment?
Much has been said about the seeding process for the groups. Does your team have any gripes with it?
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?
Do you have anything else to say to your fans?
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Rogue plays Team SoloMid as the opening match, with matches against either Spacestation Gaming or Natus Vincere scheduled afterwards. Check back here at SiegeGG for more Invitational Insights and full coverage of the event as it comes.