Last week Into the Breach finally announced their new CS:GO team and despite rumours that they would be going international, the British organisation stuck to their roots and returned with a UK-majority team. The move saw Cai “CYPHER” Watson and Thomas “Thomas” Utting return to play under their banner, the latter of which has returned to the team as an IGL, a role he has never performed before.
The lack of experience in the role has not deterred Thomas who believes that the tutelage of his previous IGLs has prepared him well for this challenge. UKCSGO’s Dafydd Gwynn had the opportunity to talk to him about becoming an IGL, his expectations for the new Into the Breach and how his break from team Counter-Strike has affected his mindset.
First of all congratulations on the new team, how happy are you feeling to be a part of the roster?
I’m excited about this new roster, it’s something new which I feel like the UK scene has lacked since the creation of the original Endpoint lineup in early 2020.
You helped build this roster, can you break down why you brought together these specific players?
So originally, I wasn’t building the team, but due to unforeseen circumstances the previous lineup didn’t stick, and players went their own ways, so I decided to take on the captain role and build this team.
When building the team I looked at incorporating a system where I can maximise the potential out of all the players, so each player has their most suited roles and positions to support their strengths, I heavily focused on a UK core because firstly we had the opportunity to, and we had the right players available to make it work.
What are your expectations as a roster?
I want us to be able to break into the top 30 and potentially reach some LAN events, I believe this roster can really do some damage in the international scene with the experience and skill we have.
Obviously you have been a part of Into the Breach, previously as a stand-in, what made you want to join the organisation full-time?
During my stand-in period with the organisation it was very clear from the get-go that I was only a “stand-in”, during my time with the organisation I felt that the owners were great people and that they really wanted to focus on developing UK talent which I loved about the company.
Was making a UK majority lineup important, or was that just a happy coincidence?
When the previous lineup failed to come to life I spoke to the organisation and suggested that I could build a roster for them, luckily at the time two of my favourite UK players in CYPHER and volt became free agents so for my it was a no brainer to stick to the roots and build a UK core lineup.
What made you want to transition into the role of an IGL?
Throughout my career I’ve always been seen as a strong Rifle player who’s never really had much tactical input, I’ve always seen myself as a winning factor when I played in Entry roles in Endpoint, Envy & Nochance, but I found the more I played in these roles the more like a soldier I became, just following orders which is fine, but when you want to contribute you aren’t treated with the same amount of respect or even listened to by certain coaches.
Ultimately, I feel like I have learned enough from previous IGLs to build my own roster and a system where I am able to maximise the potential out of all the players within it, while having a welcoming, democratic and facilitating system where all the players feel comfortable to suggest and integrate new ideas and adaptions to our system.
Ultimately, I feel like I have learned enough from previous IGLs to build my own roster and a system where I am able to maximise the potential out of all the players within it
When looking at the IGL role I feel like there are many ways to be one, some people are heavily tactical, some are very loose and facilitate skill much better, but I feel like I have played under so many different systems that I feel experienced enough do what’s best for the roster and integrate what’s needed for the team.
You had taken a break from team CS, apart from standing in for both Endpoint and ITB and having a short stint with Cowana. What have you been looking forward to the most about going back to a team environment?
Throughout 2022 like I’ve said its been a messy year to say the least, finding the right team and dedicating to it has been my objective and I finally feel like I’ve found it, I’m looking forward to the competitions & team aspect which I’ve really missed throughout 2022.
You have found yourself in unfortunate team situations when you have joined European rosters in the past such as Coalesce, Envy and Cowana, what’s the difference at ITB?
Throughout 2022 I felt lost with what route I wanted to take myself, I started the year leaving Endpoint and joining Coalesce, essentially, I felt like I personally jumped the gun on that one and unfortunately it didn’t work out. When smooya approached me to help ITB out I was hesitant because at the time I was wanting to take a break from CS to re-evaluate everything, but better heads prevailed.
What are your personal aims as a player for 2023?
Reach top 30 and stay around that level.
When you look at a fellow Brit in mezii reaching the top eight of a Major, does that further motivate you to reach the same heights?
Of course, mezii is the goat.
