YamatoCannon talks Fnatic Bean, his NA curse, and smooth vocals

During the intense atmosphere of the 2021 World Championship, Fnatic’s head coach Jacob “YamatoCannon” Mebdi provided exclusive insights into his team’s preparation and strategic outlook.

Despite suffering an opening match defeat against Hanwha Life Esports, YamatoCannon’s perspective reveals a team focused on growth rather than dwelling on setbacks. His analysis offers valuable perspective on how professional teams navigate the complex dynamics of international competition.

WIN.gg: Patch 11.18 introduced significant meta shifts. What methodology guides your approach to substantial gameplay alterations?

Jacob “YamatoCannon” Mebdi: The adaptation process involves systematic experimentation across multiple stages. Teams engage in continuous testing against diverse opponents, gradually identifying which strategies demonstrate consistent effectiveness. Our preparation spanned multiple locations, beginning in Germany before transitioning to Iceland boot camps.

The integration with Eastern teams we hadn’t previously scrimmaged with revealed entirely new strategic dimensions. This evolutionary approach ensures we’re constantly refining our understanding of the current competitive landscape.

What’s particularly fascinating is how single adjustments can unlock previously overlooked champion potential, revealing unexpected counter-matchups. We’re currently witnessing unconventional lane assignments like Tryndamere facing Fiora in mid lane, alongside Graves appearing in lane positions. These developments necessitate comprehensive strategic reevaluation.

Characterizing these changes as ‘forced’ misrepresents our approach. These meta shifts genuinely excite me as a competitor. They represent why I maintain passion for competitive League of Legends. Our testing has explored numerous innovative approaches, though our initial match employed more conventional strategies. We maintain substantial strategic innovations prepared for subsequent matches.

Pro Tip: When major patches hit, focus on identifying 2-3 core champion interactions that could redefine lane dynamics rather than trying to master every change simultaneously.

Riot’s historical approach to pre-tournament patches has varied. Do you favor substantial meta shifts before international events, or prefer maintaining established strategies?

YamatoCannon: Different competitive metas can emphasize distinct team strengths. The common analogy compares qualifying through basketball then competing in football tournaments – it tests versatility across multiple competitive dimensions.

From an external analytical perspective, predicting team adaptation patterns proves challenging. Last year’s tournament demonstrated this perfectly, with JD Gaming and Top Esports receiving extensive hype while Damwon Gaming’s summer split approach ultimately defined the championship meta while others struggled to adapt.

My coaching philosophy remains fundamentally pragmatic regarding patch preferences. I assess competitive requirements and implement necessary adjustments without emotional attachment to specific meta states.

Personally, I genuinely appreciate meta evolution. Pursuing emerging strategies and attempting to anticipate competitive trends excites me more than operating within predictable strategic frameworks. Exploring deeper game layers transcends patch-specific changes and requires genuine open-mindedness.

Tryndamere received no direct adjustments yet emerged in competitive play. This demonstrates how player innovation combines with patch changes to shape the meta. Placebo effects from perceived buffs and nerfs frequently influence champion selection patterns beyond actual balance changes.

Common Mistake: Teams often overcommit to new ‘OP’ champions without properly testing counter-strategies, leading to predictable bans and wasted preparation time.

Following Fnatic’s opening match against Hanwha Life Esports, what strategic direction best aligns with your team’s strengths in the current meta?

YamatoCannon: We’ve demonstrated only one competitive game thus far, employing relatively standard approaches. Fnatic’s competitive identity emphasizes aggressive engagement, intense early pressure, and coordinated dive setups.

We implemented this approach against HLE, establishing significant advantages with Graves while demonstrating strong early game positioning. Several execution errors allowed HLE to capitalize on our mistakes. With improved precision in these areas, we can deliver substantially enhanced performances.

My confidence remains absolute regarding the learning potential from this match. The team’s morale remains unaffected post-defeat, focused entirely on review and improvement processes.

This mentality defines our team culture – continuous development remains our focus. Each match day presents new opportunities to demonstrate our evolving capabilities. Single games provide limited data points, similar to how 18 matches offer minimal sample sizes for accurate assessment.

During playoffs, we competed through 22 consecutive games, truly revealing our competitive potential. The volume difference between regular season and playoff performances creates substantial competitive disparity.

Advanced Insight: Professional teams often use early tournament matches as extended testing grounds, gradually revealing their complete strategic arsenal as competition intensifies.

Louis “Bean” Schmitz’s promotion to the starting roster generated significant attention. For supporters unfamiliar with his Fnatic Rising performances, how would you characterize Bean as a competitive player?

YamatoCannon: Fnatic Rising, and Bean specifically, maintained consistent engagement with our primary team’s scrimmage analysis. He participated throughout our entire boot camp preparation, providing valuable feedback while absorbing strategic concepts.

The academy squad has extensively incorporated elements from our competitive approach. This creates seamless integration between developmental and primary rosters.

When informing him about the roster decision, his immediate response demonstrated complete readiness for the competitive challenge. I observed clear determination in his demeanor, confirming his preparedness for this opportunity.

With comprehensive team support and additional competitive exposure, he’ll demonstrate significantly expanded capabilities. His development represents the successful execution of our player pathway strategy.

Player Development Tip: Successful academy transitions require both technical skill development and cultural integration – ensuring players understand team-specific communication patterns and decision-making frameworks.

Are there specific opponents you’re particularly anticipating facing at the 2021 World Championship?

Admittedly, my primary focus centers on competing against Mad Lions. The LEC finals outcome remains unsatisfactory, creating competitive motivation for potential rematches.

I aspire to compete against Damwon Gaming, stand opposite legendary coach KkOma on stage, and challenge FunPlus Phoenix. Any globally recognized competitive organization generates excitement.

Additionally, I aim to overcome my historical struggles against North American teams. Previous World Championship appearances included disappointing performances against NA opponents despite strong showings against other regions.

Ultimately, opponent identity matters less than performance execution. We’ll prepare maximally regardless of competition and present our optimal competitive form. Any opposing team simply represents obstacles in our competitive journey – we overcome them and advance.

Mindset Strategy: Professional competitors often employ ‘NPC mentality’ – treating opponents as game elements to overcome rather than focusing on individual matchups, similar to approach strategies in our Class Guide for optimal performance.

What vocal preparation routine maintains your distinctive broadcasting quality? Is there specialized tea formulation?

Truthfully, no specific regimen exists. Perhaps surprisingly, during my earlier career I maintained significant tobacco usage. I’ve completely eliminated this habit due to health considerations.

Instead, I emphasize fundamental lifestyle choices: nutritional discipline, educational commitment, academic achievement, and familial respect. Vocal quality develops through lifelong commitment to proper conduct rather than temporary preparations.

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