An Interview with Shawn "Triton" Footitt as He Prepares for Red Bull Team Brawl
- Josh Limon
- Aug 10, 2017
- 3 min read
Beginning 2 days from now, UCLA’s own Shawn “Triton” Footitt will face off against some of the world’s top Hearthstone players in the 2017 Summer Red Bull Team Brawl. Shawn has already showcased his impressive skill as a Hearthstone player by placing in the top 2 at the TESPA Online Qualifiers, allowing him to compete in the Red Bull Team Brawl. To help us better follow Shawn’s journey, Esports @UCLA has recently interviewed Shawn regarding the upcoming event.
What is the significance of this event for your esports career?
Footitt: I feel like this event is really important as a first step in gaining recognition within the Hearthstone community, as well as a chance to make some strong connections.
What are your general strategies heading into this tournament?
Footitt: Since it's an event using decks composed of cards from randomized packs it's hard to have a detailed strategy in advance. My general plan is to create three aggressive decks as the better controlling cards tend to be rarer.
The tournament divides players into teams that compete together. Do you feel as though this aspect would present more of an impediment or an advantage for your game play in the tournament?
Footitt: Working in teams makes it much easier to understand all the options available at any given time during a game of Hearthstone, which can serve as a huge advantage in terms of time management and avoiding misplays.
Red Bull has assigned Hafu as your team captain. Do you have any thoughts on being on her team?
Footitt: I didn't actually have a preference for team captain, they are all highly skilled players. [Hafu's] got an unique perspective coming from an arena mentality, and she is a great arena player and coimes from a diverse video game background.
Do you feel this tournament's unique rule set has prompted you to change any of your strategies going into this competition? If so, how?
Footitt: Due to the unique nature of the tournament most conventional strategies don't actually apply. I'm just hoping that by running through a few practice drafts online in advance, that I'll feel comfortable with the time restraint on creating the decks.
What obstacles or aspects of the competition do you feel will be difficult to overcome?
Footitt: I feel like the hardest part of the competition will be deciding how much respect to give to my opponent having a specific card(s). This is a key skill required that the sealed format has in common with the game's arena mode.
What do you plan to do if you win?
Footitt: If I win, I hope to try out streaming for the remainder of the summer and will be looking into attending the next Hearthstone major in the USA.
Any last things you'd like to let any followers or spectators know?
Footitt: I just want to thank those who support UCLA Hearthstone. I hope to make you guys proud and that you'll continue to follow UCLA in the Fall TESPA Hearthstone Season.
Be sure to tune in beginning tomorrow at noon on Red Bull’s Esports Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/redbullesports) to follow Shawn on his journey this weekend! We at Esports @UCLA will be following and rooting for Shawn to take home the victory at the Team Brawl! Click here to find out more information on the tournament.
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