Okay, ladies and gentlemen. I have treat for you all. The interview with Winter Brawl 9's Killer Instinct Champion, Mr. Paul Ramos! Better known as PaulB. PaulB graces us with his thoughts on Winter Brawl 9 and eyes on the prize.
Q&A With the Mr. Miss Riptor (you guys know what I mean), himself, Paul B!
Rotendo
You were recently at Winter Brawl last month held in New Jersey. Tell us, what goals and expectations did you have coming to the tournament?
PaulB
Simply - to win, and not in close sets, but to outright dominate. I remember the exact moment during a sprint in Spin class, heart rate at about 180BPM, where I realized I had trained incredibly hard and was ready to take my 2nd major. I was focused. I was prepared. I made a tremendous amount of mistakes against CDjr at Apex which allowed him to reset the bracket and put me in 2nd place. I studied the tapes and made sure to eliminate those bad habits from my game.
Rotendo
Did you come into the tournament with a chip on your shoulders given the (pre-patch) complaints about Riptors’ err… tech and that you couldn't win without it?
PaulB
No, not at all, and this is some of the best advice I can give to up and coming competitors: stop caring what other people think. You’ll hear lots of players complain about “broken” and “cheap” stuff, and how they would “never use it,” but I can tell you they’re all full of shit. Absolutely, completely full of shit.
When I spend $500+ on a plane ticket, $200+ on hotel expenses, and have to take time off from my career to compete at a tournament you can bet your *ass* that I’m going to do everything in my power to win. That includes using all the tools that are currently available to the characters I use.
Any player that refuses to use all of the tools at their character’s disposal because of some false sense of morality is quite simply putting himself at a competitive disadvantage. It’s not surprising that the most vocal opponents of “broken tech” aren’t winning majors and most of the time aren’t even placing Top 8 or competing at all.
People will take the moral high ground and get on their soap boxes about “broken tech” when their characters don’t have any, but history has proven that they fully exploit that shit the moment the characters they play get some.
examples: Orchids at TFC post-Season2-patch abusing double shadow uppercats, TJs at TFC abusing safe-tremor, Omens at WB9 abusing unbreakable medium auto doubles, Sadiras incessantly abusing safe counter-breaker setups and unbreakables, Wulf players abusing 20% damage boost in instinct and safe sweep CBs, Thunder players abusing all-manual-throw-link combos, Kan Ra players currently abusing completely unbreakable combos, Maya players doing dagger juggles to build meter, etc, etc. The list goes on and on.
The thing is, I’m guilty of this too. We all are, unfortunately. We try to minimize others’ accomplishments by criticizing their techniques. But we all know at the end of the day the only thing that matters is who takes home that medal.
So while I was extremely determined to win, the only person I wanted to prove something to was myself - that I could beat my demons who have way more experience than me in the FGC competitively and take home another major.
Rotendo
Agreed. The majority of us have been doing this since Super Turbo. It's fair game if it's in the game mechanics. CvS2 had roll-cancels, Urien from Third Strike had his infamous un-blockable Aegis Reflector setups, and MvC2 had so many 'fun' mechanics that it became normal for everyone to use them and seen in just about every MvC2 match at the high level. Infinites, un-blockables, fly-unfly combos, guard breaks, and more. I can continue to name more games, but we don't have time for that. lol
This tournament was stacked with a lot of Killers. Every pool had at least 3 really high profile players. Did you feel that your pool had a fair amount of challenges as the other pools did?
PaulB
Well firstly, I don’t agree there were 3 really high profile players in each pool. But I will admit that I felt a sense of relief when I looked at my pool compared to past majors. I generally end up in very challenging pools.
I guess that’s sort of the gift/curse of being seeded, which I had to earn. But I didn't avoid the killers. I had to play them on finals day.
Rotendo
You ended up advancing to Top 8 on Finals Day. Were there any matches that you were worried about if you ended up playing them? In particular, you had Floridian Demon, Rico Suave, and Tyrant on your side of the bracket. Your first match paired you with Floridian Demon and converted Glacius player who was using Kan-Ra. Then the winner between Rico Suave and Tyrant. A Swiss Army Knife when it comes to the select character screen and then a really strong Spinal. Arguably the best.
PaulB
To be honest the only matchup I really feared was Rico. He trained me a lot when I first started getting competitive in the FGC and as a result he knows all my tendencies - good and bad. He also mains enough characters that he can counter-pick both of my mains. That’s kind of scary. As a result I almost lost to him, and had to really pull out some craziness to overcome the life deficits he put me in early in our matches.
Tyrant was in the back of my mind as well as he’s been a demon of mine in the past, but I was extremely prepared for the Spinal matchup and I’m not sure Tyrant would have known how to fight Riptor. Honestly, I was hoping to fight him because I wanted to prove to myself that I could beat him in tournament. Maybe next time. :)
Rotendo
You played BassNS in Winners Finals, another Spinal player. What was your game plan for this match?
PaulB
I honestly didn't expect him to make it that far so I didn't really consider a game plan to fight him, but I knew the Spinal matchup well and am well-versed in Bass’s weaknesses as a player from playing him in previous tournaments and sets.
Rotendo
In Grand Finals, you faced off against the Evo 2014 Champ, The Steam Co. CDjr. Tell me, how bad did you want to win this game? There seemed to be a lot of trash talking behind the scenes regarding previous results at another event.
PaulB
I wanted it, badly. I have to admit I focused heavily on this accomplishment, mentally. I came close a few times after Summer Jam where I beat CDjr in Grand Finals, but was never able to seal the deal again. The trash talking between JR and I gets heated because we’re passionate competitors but it’s always friendly in the end. We’re the same when it comes to this stuff so we’ll always have that to celebrate together even if you see us talking trash in public.
Things got pretty heated at the NEC Salty Suite where he tried to make a significant bet that I could not beat his Maya, so it was pretty gratifying to accomplish that feat the following day in a tournament setting.
Again, much respect to him. He was one of the reasons I took KI to the next level after ECT. My (awful) loss to him there pushed me to seek Rico out for training and focus to become a top competitor.
That’s also why it feels so damn good.
Rotendo
After winning Winter Brawl, you were in attendance at The Saucey Suite. How many KI Gold matches did you accept or denied and why?
PaulB
The night before pools I was chilling at the bar alone having dinner and Psychotica, his girl, and 8-Bit Zombie showed up. Psychotica was talking all sorts of mess about how trash I am, how he knows all my bad habits, etc. So during pools I was telling Rico about this whole fiasco and Rico straight up called him out in front of everyone to money match later that night. He accepted, albeit somewhat reluctantly haha.
Also, I think JMart sponsored Grief to MM me, which I accepted.
I challenged JaySlik because he’s always talking mess about me, but he denied.
I also challenged Junior’s Sadira, but he denied.
I think I might be missing someone. Anyway, Saucy Suite was a lot of fun. I was more entertained by the shit-talking on stream than the matches. So shout outs to Tristan for facilitating that.
Rotendo
With the new changes to Riptor in the Aganos patch 2.4, are you keeping Riptor as your main or will we be seeing a switch back to Sabrewulf?
PaulB
There were a LOT of changes. Basically, Riptor is a different character now. Her entire playstyle was centered around flame carpet lockdown and HP predator cancel setups. Both of those things are completely gone now. You can jump out of flame carpet, and HP predator cancel is completely removed. So I’ve basically been re-learning setups from the ground-up since the patch hit.
Honestly, I've been doing better with her, but she does require a lot more work and matchup awareness than she did before. I've been working really really hard to get her back up to speed after the patch. I think I’m almost there.
So yeah, I’ll be keeping her as a main along with Wulf, and hopefully Hisako / Cinder if they’re fun.
Rotendo
Who was your first main character?
PaulB
Sabrewulf.
Rotendo
Was it always Sabrewulf?
PaulB
Yes. First time I ever played KI was at the Microsoft Store before the X1 released with Sabrewulf and I fell in love. Since he was so fun I never really had any reason to pick a different character. Also, he was incredibly good in S1 so it wasn't much of a struggle to get really good until later on.
Rotendo
If Iron Galaxy told you that they’re giving Sabrewulf a new move, what would you hope that move would be and do you feel it would go back to using Sabrewulf?
PaulB
I've actually never given this question much thought. I think he’s fine the way he is. He’s still an insanely good, scary character. I’m surprised more people aren't doing work with him. People might be surprised to hear this, but Sabrewulf isn't an easy character to win with anymore. That backdash nerf really forces people to have to play carefully with him, and that’s a hurdle most players are unable to overcome.
I still use him, though. The only reason you’re not seeing him in tournament is because I’m forcing myself to use Riptor 100% of the time. Once I feel like I've exploited most of Riptor’s potential you’ll see more of a balance of use between the 2 chars with me. Riptor loses some matchups that Wulf doesn't so expect to see more meticulous char selection from me in the future.
Rotendo
I hear that you have this “Best Show in the World” on the internets. Care to give us the name of the show and how we can tune in? Does it require us to have popcorn, it’s so entertaining? The public wants to know!
PaulB
HAH! That’s what people keep telling me. I spend a lot of time thinking about unique things I can do on the show that other streamers aren't doing. Most guys just get in front of the camera, play games, avoid controversial topics, and try really really hard to be the “nice guy” so they don’t polarize people and potentially lose viewership.
If you say something controversial to an audience you can be sure some small percentage is going to take offense and never come back to your stream. I really don’t care about any of that. When you come to the PaulB Show you’re getting 100% unfiltered PaulB. I think that’s part of what people love about it, and that’s what makes it fun for me.
For example, the other day we had Keits on the show to do an interview, and instead of doing another boring interview where we ask safe questions about shit that’s already been talked about 1,000 times I told Keits to get off the mic and put his wife on because it was her birthday. I got her to tell us stories about how they met, how long it took Keits to ask her out, make his first move (a long time apparently haha), and it was really entertaining. Then we got into some really interesting details about the game that hadn't and still haven’t been talked about anywhere else.
Weave also done creative things like the KI News Network, Cuelight, and 3 Frames. Nickvicious recently tweeted that our subscriber celebration is pretty much the best on Twitch and that nobody even comes close. Our newest emote is a picture of Rico’s face on a dartboard with a dart in it. I mean, come on! LOL
It’s funny, now that I’m partnered I realize that all the KI streamers are doing exactly what Twitch suggests you do to be successful. Once you’re accepted into the partner program you get an e-mail from Twitch and it suggests exactly the following: subscriber tournaments, letting subs pick what game you play, sub-only chat days. Sound familiar? I’m really challenging myself to try and offer subscriber perks that are unique and set us apart. I might fail at first, but I’ll keep trying. We’ll come up with something good!
Oh, people always ask me if I’m high on the show because I act crazy and have lots of energy, but really I’m just having a lot of fun and being 100% myself. Goofy, crazy, controversial - it’s just me being me, and I think people appreciate that. It also helps that I’m pretty good at the game. I work hard. People appreciate that too, and they get a lot of good info and tips.
So it’s like, “hey, this dude acts like a complete idiot and I think he’s on drugs, but he’s really good.” It kind of messes with their heads hahah.
You can catch The PaulB Show 8pm-11pm EST every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday with Special Editions held occasionally on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at unscheduled times throughout the day.
Come get those emotes! Also, one of our sub benefits is that I’ll play a monthly set with you, if you want to be competitive, and we’ll do reply analysis. I’ll give you tips and stuff to work on and then reassess the next month when we play again. Sort of like a personal trainer. I’ve also got some other things in the pipeline I’m sure people will love.
http://twitch.tv/llpaulb
Rotendo
Thanks! I always make sure to share when you are streaming via Facebook and Twitter.
Okay, Paul. Here’s a tough one. Actually it isn't that tough. In your opinion who’s the best character in the game right now and who’s the worst. Pick one for each. (I hope you don’t say Glacius!) lol
PaulB
on paper…
Best: Fulgore
Worst: Aganos
in practice…
Best: Spinal/Maya
Worst: Aganos (poor guy, I hope someone focuses on him so this changes)
Rotendo
Alrighty. Time for the lightning round! Ready?
PaulB
OMG
Rotendo
Gibson or Fender?
PaulB
I hate both - give me a PRS
Rotendo
Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite or Uncle Ruckus from The Boondocks?
PaulB
I honestly have no idea what this means
Rotendo
lol It doesn't mean anything!
Dasani or Evian?
(Evian is naive backwards by the way :D )
*Here is where Paul flipped the script on me!
PaulB
Coffee or Red Bull?
Rotendo
I ask the questions here! lol
Android or iPhone?
PaulB
LOL
Rotendo
And stop! Now that wasn't so bad, was it?
Before I let you go. What’s with the letter ‘B’ in your name “PaulB”? Is it your middle initial? Do you even have a middle name? Does the government know that? Hell, does Ultratech?!
PaulB
It means whatever you want it to mean. Some have called me PaulBeast, PaulBae, PaulBitch. Consider it my gift to the community so I can always be the PaulB you want me to be.
If people wanted to follow you on social media, how can they go about doing so?
http://twitter.com/llpaulb
http://twitch.tv/llpaulb
http://youtube.com/paulbramos
http://facebook.com/paul.b.ramos (but I prob won’t accept you cause I’m too Hollywood)
Rotendo
Cool! Thank you so much for you time, Paul B and looking forward to watching you play at Final Round, and on your show!
PaulB
See you there!
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