An interview with Rizen and ironFIRE

CaseyClarke speaks with one of THL's favorite streamers Rizen and also with ironFIRE fresh off his strong showing at the HCT America Fall Championship! 

Rizen

caseyclarke​
What is your favorite part of THL?

Rizen
The team aspect of it. I've made some great friends through THL and there's just a completely different feeling preparing with a team and having teammates to support than just jamming ladder games. Stinks when you feel like you let your teammates down, but if it weren't for THL I may not still be playing Hearthstone.  

caseyclarke
I’ve heard you’re also a competitive poker player. How does that factor into how you play Hearthstone?

Rizen
I think it helped me pick up certain aspects of the game easier. Thinking several moves ahead, playing to my outs, and hand reading came fairly easily to me. This is my first CCG of any kind, so skills like effective trading come along a bit slower. The games are TOTALLY different, but I think once you've played any skill game with elements of chance at a high level picking up others becomes a bit easier.

caseyclarke
Do you have a favorite class?

Rizen
Whatever wins? I'm probably partial to Paladin even though it's stale right now. It's one of the first classes I had success with.

caseyclarke
Even or Odd?

Rizen
I had a lot of success when Even was OP, but Murlocs were my first love.

caseyclarke
Have you ever tried out Murloc Shaman?

Rizen
I haven't. If it was competitive I'd def be interested though.
​
caseyclarke
I love it. Nothing but the best decks for Rizen.
How would you rate your season so far?

Rizen
Well before this week I would have rated it really well in terms of performance. I lost in both leagues this week though, and my team(s) are sliding out of contention. I hope I can finish strong and we can get back into wild card contention. Hopefully I'll bounce back after getting handled by some tough opposition.

caseyclarke
That’s a good attitude. Any final thoughts before we’re done?

Rizen
​Thanks for the interview. Glad to see THL continuing to grow/improve. Hopefully I get to talk to you again playoff time!

ironFIRE

caseyclarke
How long have you been in THL?

ironFIRE
This is my third season in Rag, second season in Sylvanas.
In Ragnaros, I started as a 2 seed and rose to a 1 seed and in Sylvanas I started as a 1 seed and fell to a 2/3 seed.

caseyclarke
Why did you choose to join the league?

ironFIRE
I used to stream and Ridiculous used to watch it. He needed a 5th player for Spicey Boys and invited me to join.

caseyclarke
Great. Recently, you played in the HCT Playoffs. How was that experience?

ironFIRE
Well it was pretty disappointing to finish without placing, but the trip was a blast! It was fun to hang out with people I've seen on stream. After the last day, I went to dinner with some of the players, then did karaoke afterwards. That was a blast.

caseyclarke
What songs did you sing?

ironFIRE
When I was well and truly drunk I put Swimming Pools by Kendrick Lamar on.

caseyclarke
At least you had a good time. If you could change anything about that weekend what would you change?

ironFIRE
I would get a different Airbnb, because mine sucked. And I would win 4 more matches.

caseyclarke
I’ll transfer to discussing THL now. What are your goals for your teams in Rag and Sylv?

ironFIRE
Avid blog readers will find this repetitive since I've said it on an Ugly Mucklings interview...
In fact, lemme go copy my response...

caseyclarke
What are your goals in Rag?
​
ironFIRE
My goal for this season is to have fun, make connections, learn, and teach. Winning comes naturally if you focus on those things, but even if you lose and did those 4 things along the way, you don't feel so bad about losing.
(That's copy pasta)
If you want me to elaborate I will.

caseyclarke
Your choice. I’ll let you choose between elaboration or bonus playoffs content.

ironFIRE
For me THL isn't about competing at the highest level. That's what HCT is for. THL is a lot more about friendships and helping out people who want to learn about the game. So I'm not gonna be too upset if I lose in THL, because losing doesn't take away from what I think THL is about. I'll be more sad if I lose a playoffs match, you know?

caseyclarke
Lastly, is there anything else you would like to say in this interview?

ironFIRE
This is going to be a weird way to go out of an interview, but I feel like Hearthstone can get quite addictive. When I first started playing Hearthstone I played it in excess, and I could have stood to hear these words. Don't let Hearthstone get in the way of living a life. If you're not sore from the last time you went to the gym, you probably shouldn't be playing Hearthstone. If you're eating like crap, you need to learn to cook some good food. Watch Hearthstone while cooking, listen to a Hearthstone podcast while lifting weights, I don't care, but don't play Hearthstone if you're sad, or if it makes you sad. Playing the game should always be a choice. You'll enjoy it more, you'll be better at it, and you'll live a better life.