Interview with Roberto "Mazino" Rivas, pro player for Leviatán
Yoann: Hello, everyone! Today I'm with Mazino, Tier 1 Valorant player for Leviatán!
Mazino: Hey, I’m Mazino and I come from Chile, I’m the controller for Leviatán!
Yoann: When and how did you get into esports?
Mazino: I got into esports a long time ago. One of my sisters played Counter-Strike 1.6, and she went to France to play. So I already knew about esports in my early age.
Yoann: That’s great! You joined Leviatán in October last year, how would you describe the 2023 season so far?
Mazino: It has been really difficult because of many things, but I really learned a lot, to know myself better and to be better for the team!
Yoann: How was your time with KRU? You've been to international events and played really well with them. What did you learn from this experience?
Mazino: It was great, we went to all of the LANs! Coming from the South America region, it's really difficult to have the same tools as other teams. But we learned a lot. We lost right away in the first tournaments, and for Champions 2021, we took that experience and we managed to make it to the semifinals!
Yoann: Yeah, your run was epic, especially your match versus Gambit, it was a banger!
Mazino: Yeah for sure!
Yoann: How challenging is it to for you to change countries at only 21 years old?
Mazino: It's really hard. Knowing that most of my friends are in the university, studying and doing things like that. Leaving the country and my family for so long, it has been really hard.
But it was kind of similar when I was playing with KRU, because every tournament we went to, it was one month or two away from home. I got used to it.
Yoann: For sure. How would you describe your playstyle as a team?
Mazino: I would describe it very disciplined. Discipline is the key word! We have a structure we try to follow.
Yoann: You are now preparing for LCQ, what are the main things you are trying to fix or improve?
Mazino: As I said, we sometimes focus too much the structure as a team, and we don’t know how to react to different situations and adapt. And that's the main point we try to improve, that's the philosophy!
Yoann: How confident are you going into this tournament next month?
Mazino: Every time and every tournament I play, I am very confident that we can win. We have the tools and the players to make it work!
Yoann: Awesome, I’m sure you’ll do great! Let's move on to the quick questions, I’m going to ask you ten quick questions and you’ll have to answer as fast as possible!
Mazino: Okay!
Yoann: Phantom or Vandal?
Mazino: The Phantom!
Yoann: What's your favorite agent?
Mazino: Omen!
Yoann: What’s the exact name of Omen’s ultimate?
Mazino: Teleportation… I don't know.
Yoann: It’s “From the shadows”!
What was the most challenging match you ever played?
Mazino: Definitely versus Gambit, Champions 2021!
Yoann: What’s your favourite skin bundle?
Mazino: It has to be Oni!
Yoann: What's your best or favorite Valorant memory so far?
Mazino: Winning against Sentinels!
Yoann: It was a great match! How much does an operator headshot deal?
Mazino: Something like 310?
Yoann: It's a bit less.
Mazino: 255?
Yoann: Yes, exactly! What's your favorite purchase in a pistol round?
Mazino: The ghost with some abilities.
Yoann: What's your favorite map?
Mazino: I don't really have one, but I really like Ascent and Haven.
Yoann: Can you quote a voice line from Omen?
Mazino: "Watch them run!"
Yoann: Right, perfect! Let's now go back to the standard questions.
What's your preparation routine one hour before an official match?
Mazino: One hour before, I'll probably listen to music. Discuss about the team we're playing against, and around 30 minutes before the match, I’ll warm up in the range or something like that.
Yoann: How do you feel about the Valorant meta after the last updates?
Mazino: I think it's going to be really interesting, because Chamber might come back.
With the Viper and Harbor meta, you could find some alternatives by playing with Chamber.
Yoann: That’s interesting, and what about the reduction of ammo in the Vandal and Phantom, will it change the way you play as a controller main?
Mazino: I think it’s a nice change! Especially on Pearl, where they'll just shoot in the smokes and hope to kill everyone.
I don’t think it will change my playstyle much because I don’t spray all the time, it’s all game sense!
Yoann: What would you change to the game if you were a Valorant developer?
Mazino: That's a really good question! I would nerf the run and gun and the shorty.
Yoann: Both of these have been patched in the recent patch. Do you think it was enough?
Mazino: Not really, it's obviously going to make it better, but I think that's not enough.
And I would also change the first bullet accuracy, make it less random! It shouldn't be happening in a shooter!
Yoann: I 100% agree with you! I feel like you should be fully accurate with both Phantom and Vandal.
Mazino: We want zero random!
Yoann: What makes your team a championship contender for Champions?
Mazino: Obviously having the five best players of a region. that's the main part, but we also all have the will to win, all dedicated and motivated!
Yoann: Great! What are your short and long-term ambitions with Leviatán?
Mazino: Obviously the short term is winning the last chance qualifier. And the long term, my dream goal is winning Champions!
Yoann: Awesome! Is there anything else you would like to say?
Mazino: Thank you for interviewing me, and thank everyone for reading!
Yoann: Thank you so much for your time! I wish you the best in LCQ!
Mazino: Thank you!
Mazino’s socials:
Twitter: @Mazinofps
