oskar: "Can't wait for our first LAN"

In late June, Tomáš "⁠oskar⁠" Šťastný left HellRaisers' active roster after finishing in last place at DreamHack ZOWIE Open Summer, as he had been offered a place in MOUZ.

The Germany-based organization waited to announce the signing of the Czech star until after the off-season came to an end and said their goodbyes to long-standing member Johannes "⁠nex⁠" Maget.

Read the following interview to find out how mousesports' offer affected the last few months of HellRaisers' journey with oskar, why he left two months early and how the new MOUZ are meshing together:

You've previously mentioned you had received the offer already in April, have you known what the final lineup would be since the beginning? A majority of people assumed denis was on his way out, why do you think it was nex after all?

Yes, it's true the offer came a few days after MLG Columbus. I found out what the final lineup would be about two weeks before it was announced officially. To be honest, I don't know why it was nex, but I like the lineup and I'm happy.

What were the last two months with HellRaisers like, when you knew you weren't going to stay for too much longer? Did your or the team's motivation falter after you found out about it? How did your former teammates, especially STYKO and Zero, take the news?

Up until the last few moments nothing changed in HellRaisers, I was still representing HR and I tried my best to reach our maximum, but it's true that my motivation and dedication was at a low point at DreamHack in Jönköping. Our result at the Major qualifier played a big part in that, we missed out on the Major after a good start to the last match again, before Columbus it was Liquid at 13-7 and for Cologne it was OpTic, when we led 10-5 and went over to our best T side out of all maps. Unfortunately it didn't work out and that's tough, after something like that you want to take a break and find the motivation again. It's possible when HR found out, it might have hurt their motivation, but we could still fight together and reach what we wished for. STYKO and Zero found out at Copenhagen Games together with queztone and everybody wished me the best, I couldn't tell if it affected them, they just told me to go and build my career. I do have my years after all, and finally I'm on a different level.

Why did you eventually leave earlier than expected? Why did the team decide that way, when you had about two more months together in front of you?

It was mainly my decision, I didn't want to play anymore. I needed to relax, do my own things, enjoy my vacation, watch some matches and get my form back in the FPL.

The biggest question in mousesports' roles lies in the sniper, will you be the primary or will it be chrisJ? Will any other roles change?

I'll be the main AWPer with the help of chrisJ. We did adjust the roles a bit, but we only have about a day and a half of practising behind us and we're still getting to know each other and how everyone plays. It'll take a bit more time, but I honestly think we have a lot of potential and that we'll be fighting for the highest placings.

mousesports are one of the teams who will likely be affected by the coaching changes, is kassad trying to adapt to the new rules? Before you came in the in-game leading was split between him and NiKo, what does the distribution look like now?

kassad wasn't very happy about it, but we have to get ready for it, especially kassad and NiKo. In the short time we have played together NiKo was trying to call, while kassad was filling in from time to time and gave us input on things we should know.

If you don't end up getting invited for StarSeries or DreamHack, you're going to have to wait for your LAN debut. What lies in the future apart from ESL Pro League?

We're planning to do a bootcamp before Acer Predator Masters. We should also be part of a qualifier for ESL One New York, apart from that I'm not sure myself, but I can't wait for our first LAN tournament.

What are your goals for the remainder of 2016 and the start of 2017, which is when the next Major will likely take place? It'll be harder than ever to qualify, considering which teams will take part in the offline qualifier...

Our biggest goal for now is to succeed at all tournaments we attend, play structured CS and get rid of our mistakes. The qualifier for the Major will almost be a Major of its own, there will be a lot of great teams and I'm really curious to see how it will unfold. It'll be interesting for both the players and the spectators and I'm glad to be a part of it, it'll be a battle.

Would you like to thank anyone?

I'd once again like to thank HellRaisers for my chance to break out from the Czech scene to the international one. I also thank mousesports for their trust in me and finally our fans, players and people who support me on the internet and in real life. Thanks.

In week three of ESL Pro League Season 4 MOUZ will face G2 (August 31st) and Ninjas in Pyjamas (September 1st).