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This sunday (21GMT = 1PM PST = 3PM CST = 4PM EST), the finals of the third DGL season will take place. In this second part of our pre match interview we ask a few questions to Taara and Axeto from team Null Byte, winners of the losers bracket, who will face team Tank in the final match for this season.


ocun: Null Byte is a fairly established team, that have been around for quite a while now. Can you tell us a little more about that?

Taara: Well nb was formed largely from the ashes of PI. The core of that team was me, War, and hyphen. And we basically started a new team for season 2 of the DGL I believe
axeto: I joined after leaving QRN behind, wich has had it's best days for about 3.5 years. That was halfway during previous season. If i remember it right NB was still around the middle of the ladder at the time.
Taara: We picked up Wildman at season 3 and axeto in the middle of season 2. And at that point that is our main core team. Kahbasha, Levi, and Mandibull have also all been key members.
axeto: Not to forget dranzer.
Taara: Oh yes dranzer, thanks for reminding me

ocun: Given that Pi or NB have been around for quite some time with mixed success, what do you think made the difference this time around, to make it into the season 3 finals?

Taara: Well, we didn't have meltdown like in the finals of last season, where we had 1 person sick, two on holidays, and two with connection problems
Taara: but besides that I think our team chemistry has improved
ocun: Yes, i think so too
axeto: Compared to season 2 .. the thing we got going for is synergy, we have gotten used to each other a lot more, especially because the team is a bit smaller.
the funkmaster: Well all round you have had a pretty good third season, with most matches on number 1 for example.
Taara: And our map selection has been a lot better
ocun: The lineup is much more consistent as well
Taara: Yes, and that's probably the main reason for our success in the tourney this time around. Especially after the early loss to Kaya, we were able to rally back from that because of our consistent lineup

the funkmaster: The map selection for the final matches now must seem good for you, one map you've beaten Tank on just two months ago and if you win that, one map they've lost to PsY on - and which you have a good history on. How much do you think your longer life as a clan has helped into map versatility? And, given how much the map selection - at least in my eyes - seems to have fallen into your hands: Are you worried at all about the match tonight?

Taara: Well, I think that has definitely been a factor. And of course we have to be worried. It'll be an uphill battle
axeto: (one thing is for sure, longer life as a clan doesn't help us on vaccine)
Taara: beating a clan two times in a row, as talented as tank, will be quite difficult
axeto: I'd be worried if I were tank, they're dedicated guys and ISM, but if i were them and lose the 1st map moods will be down

the funkmaster: Have you been monitoring Tanks change of tactics on detonate since their loss against you? They made some pretty evident mistakes in that game, if I remember.

axeto: I guess we have not
axeto: don't tell them
axeto: Well i know taara and war have been busy, too busy to spy on tank matches and scrims
axeto: And seeing as I'm a flaming european I can hardly stay up late enough to spy on them.
Taara: I can't say I have kept up with tanks changes, but I think one of our best advantages as a team is to have good strategic minds on the field, and adapt to new circumstances
axeto: Taara is right, our matches tonight will depend on adaptation, significantly.


ocun: When we asked Tank's opinion on Null Byte, one of the things that was mentioned is "they are basically the pioneers to sitting down and thinking about tactics for new maps". How much of that is true?

axeto: That's quite funny actually. We're so comfortable with cybernetic and detonate, we're not considering changing much.
axeto: But when we lose a match badly we sit down and discuss. Which we would've done for infect if that we're the map for tonight
axeto: Our strats didn't quite work last time
axeto: But Detonate and cybernetic work for us, so we're not gonna revamp our strats on it. Tooo risky.
Taara: Well, I appreciate their compliments. We have worked hard to come up with strategies for new maps, and i think it has paid off

the funkmaster: Were Tank the team you expected would make it to the final, with you as an opponent, going into the season start way back?

Taara: I think so, actually.
axeto: I expected them to be top 5 but not this far.
Taara: I thought they would go really far
Taara: It felt like an all-star team to me when I first saw it
axeto: Top 5 is really far for a new team.


ocun: To me, one of the rare weaknesses of Null Byte have always been the lack of a good ion heavy. Do you have any plans on elevating this issue? Perhaps not play with a heavy at all?

Taara: Lack of a good ion?! Excuse me!
axeto: Tell taara to listen to me, that's what my plan is.
Taara: yes our plan is to listen to axeto
axeto: Well, we miss bob the avenger, he used to be our ion. Not a good bunnyhopper, hell he didn't bhop at all, but he left last season
the funkmaster: And trigger hurt back in PI too
Taara: Yeah, his fist was actually a lot better than his ion
Taara: Which is what made his 1st vaccine defense so good


That concludes the second part of our pre final match interview! We wish both teams good luck, and may the best win!
Tank vs NB will be played this sunday at 21GMT = 1PM PST = 3PM CST = 4PM EST
You will be able to watch it on SourceTV (DGL US Chicago server) and tune in for a live shoutcast using the applet on the website: http://dystopia-league.net/live