"It's all bonus now" — Nuc opens up on his team's Spring and the Sheo reunion
Photo Credit: Riot Games
After picking up his team's first LEC win of the season against Heretics — long after playoff hopes had vanished — Nuc spoke to RFT.GG with his usual mix of dry humour and sharp self-awareness. He broke down the arrival of his old teammate Sheo, the team's surprise EWC qualifier win over Vitality, his upcoming run with Team France at the Nations Cup, and the calm with which he approaches the end of his contract.
Very convincing win against Heretics today — your first LEC win of the split. How are you feeling?
I'm very confident going into playoffs with the Sheo change. I think we'll wreak havoc there. Very confident for the rest of the Spring Split. [laughs] Nah i’m joking, we’re eliminated but its fine !
It was full tryhard. Before the game he told me that if we lose — "I'm not talking to you anymore." I was like, "OK bro, don't worry, we got it."
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So Sheo came in to replace Boukada. You know him well — you went to Worlds 2023 together. What does it mean to you, personally and as a player, to find an old teammate again?
Really happy.
I was in a bit of a downward spiral. Finding a familiar face — my best friend on the scene — just feels good.
Both of us, in our respective teams these past months, weren't getting good results, we were both struggling. But we both had the same role, like the guy who had to lead. And I don't think those roles are made for us — not for me, not for him. And precisely because we were both forced to do it, pushed out of our comfort zone, when I play with him again, it's so much simpler. The way our sentences flow into each other in comms is extremely fluid. And since he's used to talking, micromanaging his teammates, everything just lightens up. It becomes even easier to play.
Beyond communication, what does he bring to this team as a player?
I think that he knows how to create space — with his champions, with how he plays his character mechanically, he creates a lot of space in teamfights and skirmishes, which we were sorely missing in the past. It looks like a tiny change, but legit, that change is what gives all the confidence to your mates. Like, if you see a guy playing aggro — imagine I'm playing Anivia, I drop a wall, I play aggressive — all the guys behind me want to follow, they feel safer. And in every aspect of the game, jungler is the role where you need that the most. I think we have a big upgrade in that area, and it makes games so much easier to play overall.
Honestly, I don't know. From my and Sheo's point of view, in past years against Vitality, I remember many more BOs where we dominated them. I do remember a few BOs where we got stomped. But honestly, when we played them, I think it's just the vibe — we had Sheo, and he plays well individually. And no matter the state of the game, it always feels winnable, just by feel.
I think it's still something we have to fix. Even if we changed Sheo in, who brings stable variables through his individual talent and his communication, our split is essentially over, so it's all a bonus. It's only when we come back for Summer that we'll really be in shape, give it everything, grind hard, all of that.
I don't really see it that way. For me, it's more of an experience — that whole thing of representing a country internationally. Just the experience sounds wild.
You represent the country you've chosen to represent at an international level, and I find that beautiful.
Like I said, for me, Summer is what's going to serve that purpose — that's when we'll be in proper conditions, with all the changes done, the full setup, and we'll see what it gives. But for the Nations Cup, for me it's really about representing your country, representing it proudly, and giving everything so people can be proud of us.
Outside China and Korea, which teams do you see as serious for this competition ?
It’s quite difficult, I don't really know, because in every team there are always a few good players. I’d say France, Taiwan or Poland — those could be good teams.
You're a core player reaching the end of your contract after a difficult season. Do you feel your own situation is at stake, or do you prefer to wait until the end of the year?
I think from every contract end onwards, your situation is always on the line, whether positively or negatively. I'm someone very secure, I don't think about it.
Even if I stop playing next year, I'll know what to do with my life.
I'm really in this mindset where you take an experience as it comes, you give your energy to accomplish your goals, of course, but if for whatever reason those goals don't end up coming through, you're guided onto another path. I'm someone very logical and factual, and for me, I have no worries about what comes next.
