“We have a better idea what to do after we get the first pick” PRX Benkai talks about Paper Rex’s W Gaming

In the VCT Pacific League Week 2, Paper Rex took on Team Secret. Both teams played their best but in the end, the small mistakes led to Paper Rex getting their first loss of VCT Pacific. After the game, Strafe had an opportunity to talk to Benedict “Benkai” Tan, Paper Rex’s IGL. In an exclusive one-on-one interview, PRX Benkai talks about Paper Rex’s W Gaming style, the game loss and more. 

Q. Despite the close game. You guys lost, What are your thoughts on the game?

PRX Benkai: “I think it’s fine. They played really well. We didn’t play as well as they did and we made it pretty close. We lost some dumb rounds on Fracture but that’s pretty much it. I don’t think it’s affecting us in the wrong way.”

Q. The Paper Rex is renowned for its aggression but at times it really hurts your team. What do you think is a way out of this?

PRX Benkai: “I think we wanted to have more control of the map and started pushing like that. They had an immense amount of map control. Especially on Split we switched our game plan to control the opposite side of the map they had control on to get info. If we didn’t we’d have 0 idea what they are doing so I don’t think aggression is an issue.”

Q. What do you think the aggression works for you, Contrary to multiple other teams who fail to find the similar success with your aggression.

PRX Benkai: “I think it’s what comes after aggression that we are better at compared to others.  I think that's what works for us. Because we are so used to playing this style of Valorant so when we get the first pick on the enemy team, we have a better idea of what to do compared to the other teams. And I think that’s why It works for us better than the other teams''

Q. Paper Rex is really good at experimentation. Why does it work for Paper Rex so well?

PRX Benkai: “I have no idea honestly. I think EMEA has just as much creativity. I think maybe it’s the way we approach these funky plans and compositions, we just have a better understanding to make something work maybe. I honestly don’t know.

Q. What do you think Paper Rex lacks that they need to become the final boss of Valorant?

PRX Benkai: “I think maybe, we are still a bit weaker in the later stages of the game. We are okay with Opening and mid-rounding but sometimes we have trouble closing the rounds. I think we need to work on that to become the best versions of ourselves.

Q. How’d something fit in within the roster?

PRX Benkai: “I think it’s on a map where Jett is valued more than other agents. F0rsaken is a great Jett but he has the flexibility to play other agents. If we are able to, if we think Something is a better Jett than f0rsaken is, then we can move f0rsaken to a more flexible role and just interchange that way. So it will be just on a map where we feel something’s Jett will have more impact for us.”

Q. You perform exceptionally well as the IGL, How do you balance calling and fragging?

PRX Benkai: “I think my team is a big help with calling. It is not just me calling the shots. It is mostly a combination of Ideas coming in together and me just putting them together to make a big plan. So everybody knows what they are supposed to do and I have lesser things to focus on. That’s why I can focus on my Individual game a bit more.

Q. What are your expectations from the game and the season?

PRX Benkai: “Better games hopefully, I mean sure losing one game isn’t the end of the world. So we look forward to playing more games so maybe bringing in something in a few matches. And it’d be good for him to play while he is here.

Q. Why did Paper Rex steer away from Chamber on Lotus?

PRX Benkai: “ We think F0rsaken’s Yoru is better than his Chamber”

Q. You’d face T1 in the next game. Does your team’s age give you an upper hand?

PRX Benkai: “Perhaps, but It does not bring that big of an advantage. And we have seen them constantly getting better and better with every match. Every team here deserves to be here. They are all on the same level so yeah. We obviously will treat them with the same respect as others and we won’t underestimate any team.”

Q. Which teams do you think will make it to the finals?

PRX Benkai: “ DRX obviously, If I had to pick another team, Honestly, I won’t be surprised if Secret gets there, they are looking pretty good.

Q. The Pacific as a region will have better growth since there is a serious mixture of playstyle?

PRX Benkai: “I would say so. Each region will have its own playstyle in the way they really play. Especially EMEA, They all play in a pretty similar way. So I feel Pacific is the only place where you can find a mesh of different playstyle coming together. I don’t think it has been proven on the international stage yet, like we haven’t had a pacific team win an event yet. I don’t think it is safe to say our way is the best.”

Paper Rex will face T1 in the next game. T1 has been on an impressive run in the season defeating Global Esports and Talon in their Week 1 and Week 2 matchups. Paper Rex themselves are still one of the strongest teams in VCT Pacific. 

The week 3 action will resume on April 8th. Follow VCT Pacific's Twitter for all the updates regarding VCT Pacific.

Credits: Riot Games // VCT Pacific

You can also follow VCT Pacific on Strafe.