The title comes from one not included section, where we found out, why LaaaaaN's internet connection is so bad. He stated, he lived under the mountains. Maybe to hide his girlfriend? Prepositions are one of the biggest differences between English and Spanish. Follow me on my second trip to Spain.
Welcome, LaaaaaN and Poxo as representation of Spain A in the upcoming Nations Cup. Spain has always had many AoE players and several teams in the Nations Cups, but you did not reach the top 8. Now with a 3v3 format, I could see that changing. I also already interviewed Memb from Spain and although I haven’t been there yet, I know a lot about it, so we can focus more on the competition side of the interview.
Who are you?
Poxo: Well, I'm Alejandro Casas, more known as Poxo. 24 years old Spanish guy, studying a Master in Industrial Engineering after my degree in Mechanical Engineering. Sounds good enough, but to be fair I'm not a good student, mostly due to damm AoE. My life right now is almost just that, Master, AoE and some sports & friends.
LaaaaaN: My name is Ruben and I’m 23. Currently finishing my law degree and working as a secretary for a local company.
LaaaaaN, 3 weeks ago in the Pyrenees.
Poxo, a month ago or so.
Why did you choose the AoE nicknames LaaaaaN and Poxo? What do they mean? LaaaaaN, why 5x a?
LaaaaaN: I was using this nickname with a friend in another game. It doesn’t mean anything and I’m thinking of changing it. Any suggestions?
Poxo: I got my nick back in 2005 or so, I was creating an Ogame account (Ogame is an online browser game) and my brother, one friend of him and I were thinking about a nickname. By that time (I was 10) I didn’t like taking baths that much, therefore we thought why not Poxo, it comes from pocho, something rotten/sick. By then I was like I don’t care that much and sounds ok, to this day it’s my nickname and all places. Whenever Poxo isn’t available I go for KasasPoxo (my surname is Casas and C and K sound the same in Spanish).
Since when do you play Age of Empires 2, have you played Age of Empires 1/3? What are your expectations and wishes for AoE 4? If you could add one thing from AoE 1 and one from 3 to add to AoE 2, what would it be? For the upcoming AoE 2 Definitive Edition, what are your hopes? Did you play in the beta?
LaaaaaN: I don’t remember the first time I played this game, I was a kid, probably 5 or 6 years old. My cousins were playing it on holidays and I was always watching them. We spent hundreds of hours playing campaigns and random maps doing stupid things like massing elephants inside a palisade prison instead of using them. In 2014 I started playing online on Gameranger, just BF no rush 40 games and then I found Voobly, but didn’t play too much till 2017. In 2017 I bought a new computer with a good mouse and keyboard and started to play for improving. I played AoE 1 because some friends were playing it, but I don’t remember anything about the game. Never played AoE 3. I’m more interested in AoE 2 DE than AoE 4. I hope that AoE 2 DE will unite all the AoE communities. Some people play on Voobly, others on Gameranger, Voobly China, AoE HD, etc… My only wish is AoE 2 DE can be good enough to attract more people and see 6000+ players online at least, on the same platform. Another thing that I would like to see in DE is the possibility to see who is online like on Voobly. (In HD you can’t unless you add the players in your friends list on Steam). I didn’t play the beta. To be honest, Age of Empires is not the kind of game that young people like to play, so I don’t know how it’s going to be. I feel like people will buy the game just to play campaigns and some **** instead of playing online or joining the competitive scene.
Poxo: I’ve played AoE 2 since it came out with many breaks, multiplayer I’ve only played since 2014. I played AoE 1 before AoE 2 came out, but just as a 4-year-old would play, you make units and move them around. Later on, I went back to it just for the nostalgia and the love for classic history, I tried playing the campaigns, but after the Babylonian one I left it there, that was too annoying for me. I played AoE 3 when it came out and even the demo back in the day, I played the campaigns and single player. I didn’t play AoE 3 multiplayer till recently since I’ve bought it on Steam, the game is another thing, with a different pathing from both units and game scale. The developers were a step ahead and introduced concepts that later on the industry copied on modern games, but I don’t think they fit that well on a “classic” RTS game. AoE 4 is being made by Relic, they made DoW 1 (great RTS), DoW 2 (good action/tactical game) and DoW 3 (not a good game) also CoH (good tactical game), I think they will follow the sample they are mostly known for, they will make a tactical game, fast paced with small groups of units. I don’t think most of the AoE 2 players will like it. I think AoE 2 could try to expand a little bit more on historical facts in the campaigns and less on the narrative, everything else is better in AoE 2. AoE 3 gives the map more importance by having the resources spread around the map (gold mines / hunt / forest / trade route), theoretically this would make turtling worse and benefit the aggressive/map control playstyles. I wish AoE 2 DE is good enough to close Voobly, not because I don’t like Voobly (not at all) but because it would mean it is a great thing. I’m part of the players playing in the Beta, things have been going up and down on the beta, till a day ago I couldn't play rated games but now seems fine.
In which clans have you been since you started to play AoE 2 online?
Poxo: I’ve been a member of what I call the ‘Spanish team’, it simply got different names during the years, CEA - DarTh - BeasTs - ByT. It’s just a clan with most of the Spanish players.
LaaaaaN: BlackS on Gameranger. ByT, Dreamers (_zZ) and Heresy AoE on Voobly.
Will you join Team Secret?
My manager doesn’t allow me to talk about other teams.
[The question was asked and answered before Nili's membership was announced.]
How would you describe your playstyle and how much has it changed during the last years?
Poxo: I barely micro my units, I mostly focus on the big numbers. I’m the kind of player that focuses on the economy, map control and army composition. I don’t have any problem if the game lasts for 2 hours, I’m not a rusher. And I also love scouts, even though they are not in their best moment right now.
LaaaaaN: I prefer focusing on economy rather than on microing units. I barely micro my units, unless it’s a tournament or I’m concentrated. I would say I'm an excellent boomer thanks to my experience on Black Forest. When I started to improve I was a micro nerd, and was always forgetting the economy (after the fights, I used to end with a **** unbalanced economy, like 800 wood, 500 food, 100 gold). After fixing that, I learned to do both things at the same time (micro and eco), choose fights at the right moment, and be more efficient. I love full Feudal games, but I’m better in the late game.
Poxo, you have reached a 2k 1v1 rating. What in your opinion is the difference between a 1.8-2k player, you and a 2k3-2k4+ player? How much do you see yourself improve in the upcoming months and year?
As most players point out, strategy choices, but I’d also like to point out reactions, a lower-rated player like me easily overreacts to a tower rush, or is overconfident about a situation. We also have harder times knowing if we are winning or losing a fight, maybe even telling which are the key units to kill under a certain situation. I’ve also encountered top players that simply kill me with a group of 10 xbow, but I’ve seen very good micro plays on my level and below too.
About increasing my rating, sadly I’m a person that focuses too much on numbers and creates a fake mental barrier on them. It took me years to get to 1800 and everyone thought I was the next Spanish rising star for years, later on LaaaaaN came up and in 4 months he reached 2k from 1600, probably that made me believe that I could also do it, 3 months later I reached 2k.
However, my next obstacle requires a big deal of continuity playing, and I can’t see myself playing for weeks/months concentrated on the matter without mental breakdowns, I do ragequit, a lot. I may take a month to increase by 100 points of rating and 1 day to lose it all.
LaaaaaN, your highest 1v1 rating is 2518. So there is no doubt about you currently one of the best of the best. Still you have to prove this in tournaments too. What are your goals and predictions for your further AoE II career?
Well, If I wasn’t an expert player I would still play AoE because I love the game. I’m not playing for money. I think I have potential to improve even more but I’m too lazy to change some things that could make me better. I study and work, AoE is my hobby and I only play it when I’m bored at home.
To be honest, I don’t see the moment to play more because our earnings are so small and investing too much time here is bad. Our profits (90% of the top players) are nothing compared to the amount of hours we play. That’s why I’m taking AoE as a hobby and not as 2nd job (at least for now).
If AoE 2 DE succeeds and the community grows, there is a chance to get my motivation back. Not only mine, I think almost all top players have lost their motivation for some time. We have been playing each other for years and it’s always the same, same players, same maps, same tournaments with a different name, when a tournament is different they make it invitational, etc… It’s not a criticism because I know the streamers/tournament hosts try their best to bring us the best tournaments possible and this year we have seen so many things like NAC, HC, MSC and DM which are “new settings tournaments” but it feels like the hype has gone. I remember the hype we all had in the KotD finals between Viper and Liereyy and I can’t remember any other matchup with the same hype. Maybe Max vs. Viper because it was a “surprise”. Even with the ECL, which is the best tournament EVER in AoC’s history I couldn’t feel the same. I wish DE brings us new top players or makes players just below top player level improve and reach 2k5 level. In my opinion, the competitive scene needs some refresh to be attractive again (of course players have to put their part/effort to be able to defeat current top players). After this thought, personally I think I would put more effort depending on whether DE succeeds.
Poxo, you are not only known as a player, but also as a public figure in the Spanish community. Can you tell a bit more about it?
I met the Spanish community after the announcement of the NC 2014, I was so motivated that I thought I’d play on the A team. I’m extremely competitive and I always want to win, so I did what had to be done, I pretty much looked for all the big names and players from Spain and found out about DarTh, by that time it was just a ~10-player team under the ward of VN_Timer. A few months later it were around 60 players. By then I met TaToH, Moneimon, C3mbrich, Mitos, VN_Konfer and some others that don’t play anymore.
VN_Timer left the game so we created BeasTs, from then on I was kind of the ‘manager’ of the Spanish community and almost every year I organize a Spanish tournament and try to help anyone who asks about Spanish players or any Spanish player. Right now there are different groups of players, the biggest one of them but less active (each one of them plays less or is less known than the others) is TaToH’s Youtube/Twitch community, there is also a Discord channel with most of the active Spanish players and I also have another group with some older players (the ones from zone/IRC).
After years and years of loneliness in the game, I’ve always tried to make the biggest group of Spanish players that could ever be made, for the sake of being able to play between ourselves.
With which setup and at what place do you usually play? Would you add a photo of your gaming setup?
Poxo: I’d say is a standard pc with 2 screens, a Razer Blackwidow Ultimate keyboard (thanks TyRanT sponsor), Logitech G432 headphones (new) and a Drakonia Sharkoon mouse.
LaaaaaN: Standard pc with 1 curved screen. Mouse: Broken Razer Deathadder left handed from 2013 (I can’t find a new one, there aren’t stocks in Europe). Keyboard: Razer Blackwidow X Chroma. Headphones: Apple earpods.
What is broken?
The right click. I’m missclicking a lot. (Actually using a different mouse.)
Do or did you stream? What is your stream link, how often do you stream and what is special about your stream?
Poxo: I’ve streamed in the past, 2014-2015, and some other times, especially for Spanish tournaments and NC. I’ve recently started streaming again, mostly thanks to the motivation of my mates and the hand ralber is lending me with all the support. twitch.tv/kasaspoxo Don’t really expect anything fancy.
LaaaaaN: Unfortunately, my internet sucks and I can’t stream. But in the future I will if I can.
Which city do you come from/live in? What do you like/dislike about it and where would you like to move to?
LaaaaaN: I’m from Tamarite, a small town of 3.500 inhabitants. It’s placed in the North of Spain, close to the Pyrenees (mountains). The best thing about living here is that we all know each other in the town. I also like that we can go to the mountains (Pyrenees) and to the beach in less than one hour driving. You can go skiing in less than 1 hour driving (despite I’m not a fan). What I dislike is the lack of opportunities that we have here. It’s a small town where almost all the people live from agriculture or cattle. I’m finishing my law degree this year and currently working as a secretary. I don’t want to move because I really love my town but probably I will have to do it due to my future job, probably to Huesca or Zaragoza (or Barcelona depending the political situation).
Poxo: I’m from Las Rozas de Madrid, a town within the areas of influence of Madrid. It’s close to 100.000 inhabitants and it’s rather modern, with lots of parks and activities, mostly focused on new families. I really like the easy access to sport related activities and the variety of them. It’s a kind of a wealthy area in Madrid so you have pretty much anything you want. One bad point is that for such a ‘small’ city you need a car to do almost anything, since everything but schools and sport areas are too far away. Apart from that it has sports centers, shopping centers (one that attracts people all over the world), pubs, good restaurants, one of the biggest movie theaters in Madrid even a furniture shopping parade. It’s pretty much the trendy town for new families in Madrid.
What do you plan to be doing on 5/10/20 years? What did you want to be today 5/10 years ago?
Poxo: By 5 years I'd like to have my studies finished for good, and working and a company as an engineer and not on the most basic level. I'm not sure whether or not I'll be on Spain, Europe or somewhere farther from home, to be fair, I don't really care.
By 10 years I'd prefer that my life wasn't focused just on my personal career but on sharing it with someone else, I'm talking about having a family myself, you know, wife, kids and that staff, so far this project is not under work, 11.
By 20 years I'd like to keep some of my 20's friends. Some from school, some from uni and ofc, some from AoE.
10 years ago I was an *****, today as well, but I pretend I'm not anymore. I thought I'd be successful for no reason, without hard work. By that time I was good at everything, or at least at everything I bothered to try. 12-15 years old boys don't worry about nothing as life just goes great.
When I was 20, things were different, I got hit hard by the uni. Not only by studies, I thought I'd make huge friends with lots of people, I had very high expectations. I didn't really make a good group of mates at the uni . Probably it's my fault, I was focusing too much on AoE, I didn't notice what I was missing at all. 5 years ago I thought by today I'd have succeeded in my studies, damm I haven't learnt anything 242424.
As myself, I’m very shy and closed minded, however once open, I talk, a lot, 11. I value of myself my general awareness of my situation, what I have to do at each time and what deadlines I’ve ahead. I rarely panic in real life situations, and I’m usually a person to rely on when in need for help.
LaaaaaN: I don’t know what i’m going to do tomorrow so I can’t imagine in the far future.
[This question was added only 2 days ago on Poxo's request, so don't wonder why LaaaaaN's answer is much shorter.]
Now to your favourite things:
What is your favourite food and drink?
LaaaaaN: Huevos rotos con jamón. It’s broken eggs with Spanish serrano ham and potatoes. Despite 99% of players who know me here they would say gin with tonic, I’m going to say WATER or natural orange juice, 1111.
“Broken eggs” are just scrambled eggs or anything special to do with them?
It’s called broken because when you start to eat, you need to mix all.
Poxo: I like 99% of all food. I guess my favourite food is chocolate though (not good). If I can, I drink water, no need for other beverages.
Which foods from your home country/region and family background would you recommend?
LaaaaaN: Any kind of meat. Ternasco de Aragón. Delicious lamb, you can search photos.
Poxo: From Madrid, probably
LaaaaaN: I only cook when I’m alone at home. I just make fried eggs, omelettes, Spanish omelettes, spaghetti, chicken, salads or sandwiches.
Poxo: So far I’ve never had to live out of my family, therefore I’ve never really cooked much. Whenever I have to, I cook and didn’t have much problems with it. There is one dessert I often prepare, brownie, I do it once or twice a year, it’s not a Spanish dish at all.
What would you put on top of a pizza?
LaaaaaN: Tomatoes, some cheese, ham, spinach and oregano.
Poxo: Cheese, different meats, pineapple, olives, mushrooms, tuna, tomato, onion, I don’t know, don’t worry that much, I’ll mostly eat it anyway.
You combine all of that on one pizza?
No, 11, is just that I would eat It anyway, I'm not such a big fan of pizza.
What is your favourite colour? (Does not need to be one of the 8 AoE II colours.)
Poxo: I used to wear a lot of black when I was younger, in the recent times though, I’ve a predilection for vivid colors. For AoE I like green.
LaaaaaN: Yellow. For AoE teal or red.
What is your favourite animal?
LaaaaaN: Marsupilami (fictional animal from cartoons).
Poxo: Cats, right now I have two.
What/where is your favourite place on Earth?
LaaaaaN: I’m imagining living in a place with snow-covered mountains in the background, with pure nature around, into the woods, with a jacuzzi outside. That’s my wish for my future house.
Poxo: I don't think I've found the place, however I got some ideas on how it should be. Must be somewhere peaceful, with very few sounds. But not permanent just for a couple of months a year, and then back to the city center with lots of people and constant daily work to do.
What is your favourite song at the moment, of all time (can be top 5)?
Poxo: I like rock, progressive rock and also what is called 'epic music'.
Telegraph Road - Dire straits is clearly my favourite.
Buckethead - pike 65
Jo Blackenburg - Voyager
LaaaaaN: I don’t have a favourite song, all I can say is I like all kind of music, Rock, Reggaeton, EDM, etc... My favourite artist is Bruce Springsteen.
What is your favourite movie at the moment, of all time (can be top 5)? Who is you favourite actor?
Poxo: LOTR, Pulp Fiction, Gladiator, Saw, The Lion King.
I don't have a favourite actor.
LaaaaaN: I can’t compare any of the new movies with The Lord of the Rings. I also love all the movies from Christopher Nolan. And my favourite actor is Nicolas Cage.
What are your favourite books?
Poxo: ASOIF, I think I've read them 2 or 3 times each on different languages (english and spanish ofc) I stopped reading around 15 years ago and started It again 3 or 4 ago, reading is a must on today's society, and reading culture, not just Twitter or memes. Spread the reading too, sometimes fantasy, others drama, nowadays problems, educational readings etc.
LaaaaaN: I don’t read books. I read some in school but I don’t even remember their names.
Do you have a favourite sports team and/or athlete? (football, basketball etc.)
LaaaaaN: I’m a Real Madrid and Espanyol fan. All my family supports RCDE Espanyol (the 2nd biggest team in Barcelona). This year they are competing in the UEFA Europa League.
Poxo: I'm not a big fan of teams. I like watching the competitions when they are eliminative, Champions League, World Cup, Euro Cup.
What are your favourite traits on a woman?
Poxo: Physically I'm a man of butts, 11, also long hair, not curvy. However that is not what matters, you have to find someone that respects you how you are. Someone with passion for fife willing to take me around, 11.
LaaaaaN: Beautiful face and being a good person.
What time do you usually go to sleep? What do you like doing before sleeping?
LaaaaaN: Around 11 pm if I work the next day. I always try to sleep 7 hours at least. Watching anime. I fall asleep in 3 seconds.
Poxo: Weekdays from 00 to 01 am, usually I end with some AoE related content, however I like reading some books in bed.
To both of you: Do you sleep during the day? I never read studies how many actually really do it, but the stereotype is that Spanish people sleep 1-2 hours in the early afternoon and then stay up later.
Poxo: I prefer not to, but if I'm very tired I may take a 15-25 min nap around 4 pm.
LaaaaaN: Yes. Since I work from 7 am to 3 pm (8 h non-stop), I try to sleep after eating around
4 pm like Poxo. If I have nothing to do I can sleep ~2 hours.
If there was anything you could tell your 16-year-old self, what would it be?
LaaaaaN: Don’t have a girlfriend till you are 30 years old, *****.
Poxo: Don’t be an *****, don’t procrastinate 24/7, there is time to do it all, but don’t spend it doubting what to do.
Which countries have you visited? And where would you like to go to? Why?
LaaaaaN: I’ve visited Andorra, France, Italy, UK (also Scotland), Norway (just a few hours), US. I would like to go to Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Norway again. I love exotic places.
Which ones of those are considered exotic for you/in Spain? I could only to a degree see Vietnam and Thailand, but what I have heard people call exotic are rather place were not many people go and those are all typical tourist destinations for Europeans.
Well, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam are exotic for me, 11. By exotic I mean different cultures.
Poxo: Mostly on family vacations, I’ve been to: Portugal, France, UK, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Croatia, Hungary, Turkey, South Africa, Costa Rica, Cuba and Canada (BC). Yep, quite a few.
I’d like to travel to the mid and midwest of the USA (I’m not interested on the East or West coast that much), and at some point travel the East too, don’t know if Japan, Korea, China, Southeast Asia or Oceania. It is likely that I’ll be traveling to Central Africa at some point soon (1-2 years from now).
What did you do in Costa Rica?
Rafting the Reventazon River, slide down through 1 km long zip lines, visit the Poas and El Arenal volcanoes, visit different national parks. And we also got time to stay a couple of days in a resort relaxing. We pretty much went everywhere there.
How do you know that you will go to Central Africa in 1-2 years? Which countries?
My parents want to go there as last big family trip. We haven't decided where yet, either the Okavango, Tanzania or the Mara River crossing in Kenya.
They are both rather considered as East Africa, so I was expecting something more unusual (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Africa).
Which languages can you speak and which would you like to learn?
LaaaaaN: Spanish, Catalan and English. I understand French because I studied it when I was younger and because it’s similar to Catalan. I don’t want to learn any, just more English for business situations.
Poxo: I can speak Spanish and English, although my writing isn’t good in any of those. I’ve been learning German for some time but never truly committed to it. In the future, once I can speak those three I’d like to learn Chinese.
What are your hobbies beside AoE?
LaaaaaN: Sports, mostly football and paddling, and going somewhere with friends. I have been playing football since I was 4 years old. When I was younger I was really good, now I’m playing for fun in a team with my friends, but still on a decent level, 11.
Poxo: Reading, doing sports (I go 3-4 times a week to the gym), playing football, I even run races once in a while. Doing puzzles (the ones that takes months/years to finish, it’s quite a relaxing activity). Ofc, I also like to go out with my friends, beer time at least once a week.
Who would you like to meet once, who you have not met? One AoE player and one other person.
LaaaaaN: I’d like to meet Bruce Springsteen and my Heresy teammates (especially Edie, Dogy and Miguefat). Poxo is the only AoE player I have ever met in person.
Poxo: I’d like to meet George R. R. Martin. I’ve met quite a few AoE players, but there are still some missing, I’d like to meet with VladvonCarstein (Spanish player) and Lanchi (Taiwan).
Do you have an AoE idol?
LaaaaaN: Not sure if I have had an idol. I discovered the competitive scene watching Chris vs. DauT on Youtube in 2012 or 2013. I really enjoyed Chris and DauT’s games. I thought I was better than them and I hadn’t played a single game online (11) until I saw a POV video from Viper. He impressed me, he was super fast.
Poxo: In terms of gameplay it has to be Viper, he is simply the best, one may argue who is the 2nd best player, but everyone agrees, Viper is the best. Other than that, St4rk. I know St4rk is a very controversial player inside the community, but you have to appreciate his gameplay, and specially his motivation whenever there is some quarrel between the players.
If people say TheViper, Chris, DauT, Halen, Arch_Koven etc. are their idol, I think for them it is a common and normal thing. How do you feel when someone says “LaaaaaN” is my idol?
It’s true I’m receiving more and more messages each time but I don’t think that I’m an idol. I try to help people who ask for coaching or who just want tips. Since I’m not doing coaching i just give tips to them and I made some friends due to this. I also think that many people have messaged me because I’m considered the “newest” top player and they are always asking what I did to become as good, 11.
What is your favourite civilisation, map and unit?
LaaaaaN: Chinese, Nomad, scorpion.
Poxo: Mongols, HC2_Arabia, AoC Elite Mangudai.
What is your favourite in-game sound? (e. g. farm, water buffalo, relic…)
LaaaaaN: Spanish villagers sound. I always repeat what they say.
Poxo: 167) Jijuiji - https://www.voobly.com/gamemods/mod/700/Spanish-Taunts-ByT-BeasTs
Popped (not housed) -> usually means winning/comeback.
If Arabia did not exist, which map do you think everyone would be playing as much as people play Arabia (and not Serengeti etc., which are just very similar to Arabia)?
Poxo: Nomad, and I’m so bad at it.
LaaaaaN: Scandinavia. I would say Nomad, but no TC start wouldn’t be the standard map. And MR is too random.
Who is your favourite and least favourite 1v1 opponent?
Poxo: Favourite opponent has to be Moneimon, I’ve been playing with him for many years, and for many of those he was clearly ahead of me. Later on (especially in 1v1) I’ve surpassed him, but mostly because I know too much how he plays. We play very similarly but I’m usually one small step ahead of him.
I hate playing smurfs that always go full tryhard, by this I mean the typical player that always walls by minute 4-8, if he sees a lonely vill in the starting minutes chopping wood or building a house will attack it, the typical player that will abuse any kind of limitation that the game has, such as sloppy units movement and cumpling units between a forest and a lake. MBL is probably the best-known lamer and tryhard among the top players, but he has too many fans in the lower ratings. Quickwalling and that stuff is fun when it happens once in a while in a tourney, not when it makes every melee unit in the initial minutes useless, I’d say the same for forced building (clicking over and over to build to make your walls stronger under units attacking them), simply this shouldn’t be allowed, walls should be strong/good defenses but they should be made in time, not in the last second. More than a least favourite opponent, it’s something I dislike for the game, I wish DE would fix it, but it won’t, it’s going to be worse.
So there are some aspects of AoE 3 you prefer, like forest being passable and buildings, especially walls not really being defensive structures? When I played AoE 3 after playing AoE 2, I stopped building walls, because they were so much weaker in AoE 3. It’s very difficult to change something which many people are comfortable with, but the slower build-time and lower HP in Feudal Age already has done something, I think. Some people have suggested that unfinished buildings should be passable, what do you think about that?
Making them walkable would chance the game too much, but something on the lines of less health/armor while building would be good. Also, not being able to repair while on melee combat.
LaaaaaN: Favourite opponent: I like to play vs.: Chinese guys, but the only problem is the lag. My style is good against them. I also like to play vs. Hoang because I have the best counter strat vs. his fc.
Of course my least favourite opponent is MbL. He would steal my girlfriend if he could.
Who is your favourite team mate for a 2v2?
For just playing:
LaaaaaN: For BF: c3mbrich. For serious games Dogy or Tatoh.
Poxo: For casual playing, C3mbrich. If I want to tryhard: LaaaaaN.
Also outside of the game:
LaaaaaN: I’ve only met Poxo.
Poxo: Ralber.
Would you live with him/her together in one apartment for a month or a year? With one bedroom or two?
LaaaaaN: For some weeks, he will leave the apartment after my parties, 11.
(Poxo: I'm not a party boy, sorry :| .)
Poxo: Yes, he takes care of people like a grandma.
In the new expansions (after AoC), what is your favourite new civilisation and unit?
LaaaaaN: Slavs, Magyar Huszar.
Poxo: Slavs, Castle Age eagle warrior (they really nerfed Meso civs, 11111).
Which 4-5 players from your country do you think will form the A team in the upcoming Nations? Which maps would you like to be included apart from Arabia, Nomad, Islands? Would you prefer the Nations Cup to be on Voobly or on the new Definitive Edition?
Poxo: TaToH, LaaaaaN, Moneimon, VladvonCarstein, Tomate and me, maybe some others. Many maps that are being played on nowadays in team tournaments (EULC, RtG) are good enough maps, I don’t really want more than 1 or 2 water maps. It should and must be played on Voobly, there is no community feeling on a server based scenario, we need game lobbies.
LaaaaaN: TaToH + LaaaaaN + whoever reaches 2100+. Black Forest. New DE with Microsoft support.
What is your goal for the 2020 Nations Cup? Which teams do you think will reach the top 8? Do you think Spain has a better chance in 3v3 than 4v4?
Poxo: Spain hasn’t done a good job on the latest NC (2014, 2015 and 2017), where we reached play-offs (twice) and the group stage once (to end up 17-20th). Just by the numbers, with TaToH and LaaaaaN and some training (maybe for once) we can reach top 8. Ofc better in 3v3, there is a bigger difference between the 2nd and 3rd best Spanish player than between the 3rd and the 16th.
Top 8: Finland, Brazil, China, Vietnam, that should be 5 teams (A&B), maybe 6. Then depends a lot, since is 3v3 it gives a lot of opportunity for Europe teams, but the higher sling tax makes it worse for them. Teams that have potential to be there are Canada, USA, Argentina, Norway, Germany, France, Japan, Australia and Brazil C (The one without f1re/riut/dogao/miguel on their rooster).
LaaaaaN: I won’t play the Nations Cup if any of the Spanish players reach at least 2100. There are like 5 19+ players but they don’t have the level to compete for anything yet. I’m here to help them but they simply don’t want to learn. I can only say Finland, China, Brazil, Vietnam and maybe Canada. But being 3v3 any of those can lose to Norway, to us, or any country with 2 top players (if sling is allowed).
You have just to read LaaaaaN’s answer to understand why Spain A won’t be a good team. Most of the AoE players play for fun, maybe 2 hours a week or 20, but at the end of the day, it's just a hobby. We play to have some fun, if you just want to play for money, well, AoE is not the most profitable thing to do. It feels humiliating when I’m playing a tournament and my teammates keep more attention on the Twitch chat than on the rest of the team while playing the tourney games. I’ve been taking care of all the jobs out of the game for so long, always willing to train, change schedule, study the opponents and most of the time those that you know just ignore it, then we wonder why we have such bad results 11, why ‘weaker’ teams beat such good players. Well, it is just about money for some players, my best tourney, ever, NC 2014 with Spain B, we played for fun, we trained, and we did great.
So, Poxo and Ralber, it’s your job to reach and stay at 2k1 now.
Poxo: I am afraid as LaaaaaN says, neither Ralber or me have the motivation to be as good. If I were to train for something, is either do it right or don’t bother, with a schedule and set up ‘lessons’, I’ve been a teacher myself and being wise is not good enough to teach someone, showing up after a couple of games and asking why I didn’t make x unit is not teaching.
Which 4 players would you like to see forming a team? (can include inactive players)
LaaaaaN: Ruso + Rukie + Ralber + TaToH + LaaaaN.
Poxo: (Roberto) TaToH + (Rubén) LaaaaaN + Ruso + old days ralber. Spain has had very talented players!!
Which 8 players would you invite for Nili’s Apartment Cup 3? [Was asked and answered before the announcement.]
LaaaaaN: Villese, _XD_xiaofan, Miguel, slam, dogao, Rubenstock, Hera and I. Would like to see ACCM, chart or Daniel too.
Poxo: TheMax, ACCM, MrYo, Vivi, LaaaaaN, dogao, Edie to be the party manager and TheViper, because there has to be a winner.
When you visit AoEZone and Voobly, is there something you really like or would like to have improved?
Poxo: Fix the recorded game viewer, we still don’t have a working researches section. Fix the old tournaments, this is something that’s been in progress from some time now, thanks to Pumukel, Lanchi and Marciocolombia.
LaaaaaN: Everything is fine.
What is the funniest moment in your life you experienced because of AoE?
Poxo: It's quite hard to pick a particular moment. I had very good times and all of them were while a bunch of us where on ts, sometimes playing and other spectating. I remember once, we were playing a 4v4 arena, Er_Nachij asked what to do vs. Japanese, and people on ts told him to make halbs (trolling ofc), however he did so. Later on one of his teammates was looking for Nachij's army and he was wondering why did he make halbs, 111, the guy that suggested it and some others were laughing their asses off.
LaaaaaN: Last summer I was at a party with my friends. Before the party started, we were sitting outside and drinking. We started to talk about games (Fortnite, LoL basically) because my friends play that. They are always saying to me that AoE sucks, it’s too old, etc… I don’t remember what they said exactly but it was like “Age of Empires is ****”. A group of guys behind listened to us and they came to ask if we were playing AoE. I said “YESSSS”, I told them I was Lan and when my friends saw that they knew me, we started to laugh, 111. After that, I got invited to drink gin. It was funny.
Choose:
Chris or DauT?
LaaaaaN: DauT
Poxo: DauT
Tim or TheViper?
LaaaaaN: TheViper
Poxo: TheViper
Edie or Terror?
LaaaaaN: Edie
Poxo: Edie
Metal or DraCoNT?
LaaaaaN: Metal
Poxo: Metal
FeAge or Lavie_Head?
LaaaaaN: FeAge
Poxo: Feage
T90 or Nili?
LaaaaaN: T90
Poxo: T90
Lumberjack or Farmer?
LaaaaaN: Lumberjack
Poxo: Lumberjack
Turkey or water buffalo?
LaaaaaN: Water buffalo
Poxo: Turkey
1v1 or 4v4?
LaaaaaN: 1v1
Poxo: 1v1
Feudal Age or Imperial Age?
LaaaaaN: Imperial Age
Poxo: Imperial Age
Nomad or Islands?
LaaaaaN: Nomad
Poxo: Islands
What would you do to make the world a better place?
LaaaaaN: Plant a tree for each game that MbL and Memb play. Donations accepted.
Poxo: I could fantasize about spreading messages of world peace and respect over different races. However we live simple lives with small influence in our surroundings, instead of trying to make the world a better place, I'd try to make my world a better place, respect different persons and preferences, be thankful for the world we have and leave it better if possible.
If you were not in a relationship, and could date anyone, who would it be?
Poxo: I don't think I fully understand your question. Don't know if you are asking about the perfect body or the perfect person. In either case I don't know, 11, someone like 10 years younger Natalie Dormer, 111. In case of the perfect person neither you or me know her.
LaaaaaN: Ester Exposito. An actress.
Write a poem/rap of 8 lines (or more) about something AoE-related, either in English or your native language.
LaaaaaN: I’m 11xx in poem/rap.
Poxo:
You play AoE, like back in 99
You stream everyday, life goes great
The team makes money, it's all just sunshine
There goes Baldy, to lure with another bait
But Pixiu knows his towers, he is the big one
Now the game is over, the team got outrun
6 years past, still no charm
It's all funky boys everything is dank
There’s a new extend underarm
Money rules the books is just a fact
The bollycao flows big numbers is all that matters
Goodbye to the monk and the game shutters.
The robot goes for it for, maybe here it ends?
You got the players but not the attitude
The dream of spring is now all tears
Ain't a problem, you want it just for the Youtube
Gravy is gone and now I’m not the one to wheep
For me it's fine I’ve never played for greens
Add one more comment or question for me or someone else.
Poxo: I know this is an AoE forum, but I'd change the first question to: Who are you? What do you do? What do you plan to be doing on 5/10/20 years? What did you want to be today 5/10 years ago? What do you value of yourself?
LaaaaaN: I agree with Poxo. Can you interview Hoang or Fox_RuyLopes in the future?
If I somehow can get Hoang, I would love to. Does anyone know about his English skills? Because I know no Vietnamese and have no translator for that, I could only ask ACCM to help.
Thanks for the interview, cu. <3
Thank you both for the interview and good luck with forming a team.
Welcome, LaaaaaN and Poxo as representation of Spain A in the upcoming Nations Cup. Spain has always had many AoE players and several teams in the Nations Cups, but you did not reach the top 8. Now with a 3v3 format, I could see that changing. I also already interviewed Memb from Spain and although I haven’t been there yet, I know a lot about it, so we can focus more on the competition side of the interview.
Who are you?
Poxo: Well, I'm Alejandro Casas, more known as Poxo. 24 years old Spanish guy, studying a Master in Industrial Engineering after my degree in Mechanical Engineering. Sounds good enough, but to be fair I'm not a good student, mostly due to damm AoE. My life right now is almost just that, Master, AoE and some sports & friends.
LaaaaaN: My name is Ruben and I’m 23. Currently finishing my law degree and working as a secretary for a local company.
LaaaaaN, 3 weeks ago in the Pyrenees.
Poxo, a month ago or so.
Why did you choose the AoE nicknames LaaaaaN and Poxo? What do they mean? LaaaaaN, why 5x a?
LaaaaaN: I was using this nickname with a friend in another game. It doesn’t mean anything and I’m thinking of changing it. Any suggestions?
Poxo: I got my nick back in 2005 or so, I was creating an Ogame account (Ogame is an online browser game) and my brother, one friend of him and I were thinking about a nickname. By that time (I was 10) I didn’t like taking baths that much, therefore we thought why not Poxo, it comes from pocho, something rotten/sick. By then I was like I don’t care that much and sounds ok, to this day it’s my nickname and all places. Whenever Poxo isn’t available I go for KasasPoxo (my surname is Casas and C and K sound the same in Spanish).
Since when do you play Age of Empires 2, have you played Age of Empires 1/3? What are your expectations and wishes for AoE 4? If you could add one thing from AoE 1 and one from 3 to add to AoE 2, what would it be? For the upcoming AoE 2 Definitive Edition, what are your hopes? Did you play in the beta?
LaaaaaN: I don’t remember the first time I played this game, I was a kid, probably 5 or 6 years old. My cousins were playing it on holidays and I was always watching them. We spent hundreds of hours playing campaigns and random maps doing stupid things like massing elephants inside a palisade prison instead of using them. In 2014 I started playing online on Gameranger, just BF no rush 40 games and then I found Voobly, but didn’t play too much till 2017. In 2017 I bought a new computer with a good mouse and keyboard and started to play for improving. I played AoE 1 because some friends were playing it, but I don’t remember anything about the game. Never played AoE 3. I’m more interested in AoE 2 DE than AoE 4. I hope that AoE 2 DE will unite all the AoE communities. Some people play on Voobly, others on Gameranger, Voobly China, AoE HD, etc… My only wish is AoE 2 DE can be good enough to attract more people and see 6000+ players online at least, on the same platform. Another thing that I would like to see in DE is the possibility to see who is online like on Voobly. (In HD you can’t unless you add the players in your friends list on Steam). I didn’t play the beta. To be honest, Age of Empires is not the kind of game that young people like to play, so I don’t know how it’s going to be. I feel like people will buy the game just to play campaigns and some **** instead of playing online or joining the competitive scene.
Poxo: I’ve played AoE 2 since it came out with many breaks, multiplayer I’ve only played since 2014. I played AoE 1 before AoE 2 came out, but just as a 4-year-old would play, you make units and move them around. Later on, I went back to it just for the nostalgia and the love for classic history, I tried playing the campaigns, but after the Babylonian one I left it there, that was too annoying for me. I played AoE 3 when it came out and even the demo back in the day, I played the campaigns and single player. I didn’t play AoE 3 multiplayer till recently since I’ve bought it on Steam, the game is another thing, with a different pathing from both units and game scale. The developers were a step ahead and introduced concepts that later on the industry copied on modern games, but I don’t think they fit that well on a “classic” RTS game. AoE 4 is being made by Relic, they made DoW 1 (great RTS), DoW 2 (good action/tactical game) and DoW 3 (not a good game) also CoH (good tactical game), I think they will follow the sample they are mostly known for, they will make a tactical game, fast paced with small groups of units. I don’t think most of the AoE 2 players will like it. I think AoE 2 could try to expand a little bit more on historical facts in the campaigns and less on the narrative, everything else is better in AoE 2. AoE 3 gives the map more importance by having the resources spread around the map (gold mines / hunt / forest / trade route), theoretically this would make turtling worse and benefit the aggressive/map control playstyles. I wish AoE 2 DE is good enough to close Voobly, not because I don’t like Voobly (not at all) but because it would mean it is a great thing. I’m part of the players playing in the Beta, things have been going up and down on the beta, till a day ago I couldn't play rated games but now seems fine.
In which clans have you been since you started to play AoE 2 online?
Poxo: I’ve been a member of what I call the ‘Spanish team’, it simply got different names during the years, CEA - DarTh - BeasTs - ByT. It’s just a clan with most of the Spanish players.
LaaaaaN: BlackS on Gameranger. ByT, Dreamers (_zZ) and Heresy AoE on Voobly.
Will you join Team Secret?
My manager doesn’t allow me to talk about other teams.
[The question was asked and answered before Nili's membership was announced.]
How would you describe your playstyle and how much has it changed during the last years?
Poxo: I barely micro my units, I mostly focus on the big numbers. I’m the kind of player that focuses on the economy, map control and army composition. I don’t have any problem if the game lasts for 2 hours, I’m not a rusher. And I also love scouts, even though they are not in their best moment right now.
LaaaaaN: I prefer focusing on economy rather than on microing units. I barely micro my units, unless it’s a tournament or I’m concentrated. I would say I'm an excellent boomer thanks to my experience on Black Forest. When I started to improve I was a micro nerd, and was always forgetting the economy (after the fights, I used to end with a **** unbalanced economy, like 800 wood, 500 food, 100 gold). After fixing that, I learned to do both things at the same time (micro and eco), choose fights at the right moment, and be more efficient. I love full Feudal games, but I’m better in the late game.
Poxo, you have reached a 2k 1v1 rating. What in your opinion is the difference between a 1.8-2k player, you and a 2k3-2k4+ player? How much do you see yourself improve in the upcoming months and year?
As most players point out, strategy choices, but I’d also like to point out reactions, a lower-rated player like me easily overreacts to a tower rush, or is overconfident about a situation. We also have harder times knowing if we are winning or losing a fight, maybe even telling which are the key units to kill under a certain situation. I’ve also encountered top players that simply kill me with a group of 10 xbow, but I’ve seen very good micro plays on my level and below too.
About increasing my rating, sadly I’m a person that focuses too much on numbers and creates a fake mental barrier on them. It took me years to get to 1800 and everyone thought I was the next Spanish rising star for years, later on LaaaaaN came up and in 4 months he reached 2k from 1600, probably that made me believe that I could also do it, 3 months later I reached 2k.
However, my next obstacle requires a big deal of continuity playing, and I can’t see myself playing for weeks/months concentrated on the matter without mental breakdowns, I do ragequit, a lot. I may take a month to increase by 100 points of rating and 1 day to lose it all.
LaaaaaN, your highest 1v1 rating is 2518. So there is no doubt about you currently one of the best of the best. Still you have to prove this in tournaments too. What are your goals and predictions for your further AoE II career?
Well, If I wasn’t an expert player I would still play AoE because I love the game. I’m not playing for money. I think I have potential to improve even more but I’m too lazy to change some things that could make me better. I study and work, AoE is my hobby and I only play it when I’m bored at home.
To be honest, I don’t see the moment to play more because our earnings are so small and investing too much time here is bad. Our profits (90% of the top players) are nothing compared to the amount of hours we play. That’s why I’m taking AoE as a hobby and not as 2nd job (at least for now).
If AoE 2 DE succeeds and the community grows, there is a chance to get my motivation back. Not only mine, I think almost all top players have lost their motivation for some time. We have been playing each other for years and it’s always the same, same players, same maps, same tournaments with a different name, when a tournament is different they make it invitational, etc… It’s not a criticism because I know the streamers/tournament hosts try their best to bring us the best tournaments possible and this year we have seen so many things like NAC, HC, MSC and DM which are “new settings tournaments” but it feels like the hype has gone. I remember the hype we all had in the KotD finals between Viper and Liereyy and I can’t remember any other matchup with the same hype. Maybe Max vs. Viper because it was a “surprise”. Even with the ECL, which is the best tournament EVER in AoC’s history I couldn’t feel the same. I wish DE brings us new top players or makes players just below top player level improve and reach 2k5 level. In my opinion, the competitive scene needs some refresh to be attractive again (of course players have to put their part/effort to be able to defeat current top players). After this thought, personally I think I would put more effort depending on whether DE succeeds.
Poxo, you are not only known as a player, but also as a public figure in the Spanish community. Can you tell a bit more about it?
I met the Spanish community after the announcement of the NC 2014, I was so motivated that I thought I’d play on the A team. I’m extremely competitive and I always want to win, so I did what had to be done, I pretty much looked for all the big names and players from Spain and found out about DarTh, by that time it was just a ~10-player team under the ward of VN_Timer. A few months later it were around 60 players. By then I met TaToH, Moneimon, C3mbrich, Mitos, VN_Konfer and some others that don’t play anymore.
VN_Timer left the game so we created BeasTs, from then on I was kind of the ‘manager’ of the Spanish community and almost every year I organize a Spanish tournament and try to help anyone who asks about Spanish players or any Spanish player. Right now there are different groups of players, the biggest one of them but less active (each one of them plays less or is less known than the others) is TaToH’s Youtube/Twitch community, there is also a Discord channel with most of the active Spanish players and I also have another group with some older players (the ones from zone/IRC).
After years and years of loneliness in the game, I’ve always tried to make the biggest group of Spanish players that could ever be made, for the sake of being able to play between ourselves.
With which setup and at what place do you usually play? Would you add a photo of your gaming setup?
Poxo: I’d say is a standard pc with 2 screens, a Razer Blackwidow Ultimate keyboard (thanks TyRanT sponsor), Logitech G432 headphones (new) and a Drakonia Sharkoon mouse.
LaaaaaN: Standard pc with 1 curved screen. Mouse: Broken Razer Deathadder left handed from 2013 (I can’t find a new one, there aren’t stocks in Europe). Keyboard: Razer Blackwidow X Chroma. Headphones: Apple earpods.
What is broken?
The right click. I’m missclicking a lot. (Actually using a different mouse.)
Do or did you stream? What is your stream link, how often do you stream and what is special about your stream?
Poxo: I’ve streamed in the past, 2014-2015, and some other times, especially for Spanish tournaments and NC. I’ve recently started streaming again, mostly thanks to the motivation of my mates and the hand ralber is lending me with all the support. twitch.tv/kasaspoxo Don’t really expect anything fancy.
LaaaaaN: Unfortunately, my internet sucks and I can’t stream. But in the future I will if I can.
Which city do you come from/live in? What do you like/dislike about it and where would you like to move to?
LaaaaaN: I’m from Tamarite, a small town of 3.500 inhabitants. It’s placed in the North of Spain, close to the Pyrenees (mountains). The best thing about living here is that we all know each other in the town. I also like that we can go to the mountains (Pyrenees) and to the beach in less than one hour driving. You can go skiing in less than 1 hour driving (despite I’m not a fan). What I dislike is the lack of opportunities that we have here. It’s a small town where almost all the people live from agriculture or cattle. I’m finishing my law degree this year and currently working as a secretary. I don’t want to move because I really love my town but probably I will have to do it due to my future job, probably to Huesca or Zaragoza (or Barcelona depending the political situation).
Poxo: I’m from Las Rozas de Madrid, a town within the areas of influence of Madrid. It’s close to 100.000 inhabitants and it’s rather modern, with lots of parks and activities, mostly focused on new families. I really like the easy access to sport related activities and the variety of them. It’s a kind of a wealthy area in Madrid so you have pretty much anything you want. One bad point is that for such a ‘small’ city you need a car to do almost anything, since everything but schools and sport areas are too far away. Apart from that it has sports centers, shopping centers (one that attracts people all over the world), pubs, good restaurants, one of the biggest movie theaters in Madrid even a furniture shopping parade. It’s pretty much the trendy town for new families in Madrid.
What do you plan to be doing on 5/10/20 years? What did you want to be today 5/10 years ago?
Poxo: By 5 years I'd like to have my studies finished for good, and working and a company as an engineer and not on the most basic level. I'm not sure whether or not I'll be on Spain, Europe or somewhere farther from home, to be fair, I don't really care.
By 10 years I'd prefer that my life wasn't focused just on my personal career but on sharing it with someone else, I'm talking about having a family myself, you know, wife, kids and that staff, so far this project is not under work, 11.
By 20 years I'd like to keep some of my 20's friends. Some from school, some from uni and ofc, some from AoE.
10 years ago I was an *****, today as well, but I pretend I'm not anymore. I thought I'd be successful for no reason, without hard work. By that time I was good at everything, or at least at everything I bothered to try. 12-15 years old boys don't worry about nothing as life just goes great.
When I was 20, things were different, I got hit hard by the uni. Not only by studies, I thought I'd make huge friends with lots of people, I had very high expectations. I didn't really make a good group of mates at the uni . Probably it's my fault, I was focusing too much on AoE, I didn't notice what I was missing at all. 5 years ago I thought by today I'd have succeeded in my studies, damm I haven't learnt anything 242424.
As myself, I’m very shy and closed minded, however once open, I talk, a lot, 11. I value of myself my general awareness of my situation, what I have to do at each time and what deadlines I’ve ahead. I rarely panic in real life situations, and I’m usually a person to rely on when in need for help.
LaaaaaN: I don’t know what i’m going to do tomorrow so I can’t imagine in the far future.
[This question was added only 2 days ago on Poxo's request, so don't wonder why LaaaaaN's answer is much shorter.]
Now to your favourite things:
What is your favourite food and drink?
LaaaaaN: Huevos rotos con jamón. It’s broken eggs with Spanish serrano ham and potatoes. Despite 99% of players who know me here they would say gin with tonic, I’m going to say WATER or natural orange juice, 1111.
“Broken eggs” are just scrambled eggs or anything special to do with them?
It’s called broken because when you start to eat, you need to mix all.
Poxo: I like 99% of all food. I guess my favourite food is chocolate though (not good). If I can, I drink water, no need for other beverages.
Which foods from your home country/region and family background would you recommend?
LaaaaaN: Any kind of meat. Ternasco de Aragón. Delicious lamb, you can search photos.
Poxo: From Madrid, probably
- Cocido, traditional stew with different meats (pork, beef, chicken, mutton), embutidos (chorizo), different vegetables (potatoes, cabbage, turnips, parsnips) and always garbanzos (chickpeas)
- Bocata de calamares (Squid sandwich), served traditionally in the city center of Madrid, fried with olive oil and served with Spanish bread (similar to French bread)
- Patatas bravas, fried potatoes (not french fries shape) with a spicy sauce. It’s not a meal but a side dish, a ‘tapa’ that we say.
- Aceitunas, another tapa, is not a real dish though, this are simply olives, but green ones with some dressing.
- Churros, fried dough pastry, mostly for breakfast and served with hot chocolate. They can either be thin (churros) or thick (porras).
LaaaaaN: I only cook when I’m alone at home. I just make fried eggs, omelettes, Spanish omelettes, spaghetti, chicken, salads or sandwiches.
Poxo: So far I’ve never had to live out of my family, therefore I’ve never really cooked much. Whenever I have to, I cook and didn’t have much problems with it. There is one dessert I often prepare, brownie, I do it once or twice a year, it’s not a Spanish dish at all.
What would you put on top of a pizza?
LaaaaaN: Tomatoes, some cheese, ham, spinach and oregano.
Poxo: Cheese, different meats, pineapple, olives, mushrooms, tuna, tomato, onion, I don’t know, don’t worry that much, I’ll mostly eat it anyway.
You combine all of that on one pizza?
No, 11, is just that I would eat It anyway, I'm not such a big fan of pizza.
What is your favourite colour? (Does not need to be one of the 8 AoE II colours.)
Poxo: I used to wear a lot of black when I was younger, in the recent times though, I’ve a predilection for vivid colors. For AoE I like green.
LaaaaaN: Yellow. For AoE teal or red.
What is your favourite animal?
LaaaaaN: Marsupilami (fictional animal from cartoons).
Poxo: Cats, right now I have two.
What/where is your favourite place on Earth?
LaaaaaN: I’m imagining living in a place with snow-covered mountains in the background, with pure nature around, into the woods, with a jacuzzi outside. That’s my wish for my future house.
Poxo: I don't think I've found the place, however I got some ideas on how it should be. Must be somewhere peaceful, with very few sounds. But not permanent just for a couple of months a year, and then back to the city center with lots of people and constant daily work to do.
What is your favourite song at the moment, of all time (can be top 5)?
Poxo: I like rock, progressive rock and also what is called 'epic music'.
Telegraph Road - Dire straits is clearly my favourite.
Buckethead - pike 65
Jo Blackenburg - Voyager
LaaaaaN: I don’t have a favourite song, all I can say is I like all kind of music, Rock, Reggaeton, EDM, etc... My favourite artist is Bruce Springsteen.
What is your favourite movie at the moment, of all time (can be top 5)? Who is you favourite actor?
Poxo: LOTR, Pulp Fiction, Gladiator, Saw, The Lion King.
I don't have a favourite actor.
LaaaaaN: I can’t compare any of the new movies with The Lord of the Rings. I also love all the movies from Christopher Nolan. And my favourite actor is Nicolas Cage.
What are your favourite books?
Poxo: ASOIF, I think I've read them 2 or 3 times each on different languages (english and spanish ofc) I stopped reading around 15 years ago and started It again 3 or 4 ago, reading is a must on today's society, and reading culture, not just Twitter or memes. Spread the reading too, sometimes fantasy, others drama, nowadays problems, educational readings etc.
LaaaaaN: I don’t read books. I read some in school but I don’t even remember their names.
Do you have a favourite sports team and/or athlete? (football, basketball etc.)
LaaaaaN: I’m a Real Madrid and Espanyol fan. All my family supports RCDE Espanyol (the 2nd biggest team in Barcelona). This year they are competing in the UEFA Europa League.
Poxo: I'm not a big fan of teams. I like watching the competitions when they are eliminative, Champions League, World Cup, Euro Cup.
What are your favourite traits on a woman?
Poxo: Physically I'm a man of butts, 11, also long hair, not curvy. However that is not what matters, you have to find someone that respects you how you are. Someone with passion for fife willing to take me around, 11.
LaaaaaN: Beautiful face and being a good person.
What time do you usually go to sleep? What do you like doing before sleeping?
LaaaaaN: Around 11 pm if I work the next day. I always try to sleep 7 hours at least. Watching anime. I fall asleep in 3 seconds.
Poxo: Weekdays from 00 to 01 am, usually I end with some AoE related content, however I like reading some books in bed.
To both of you: Do you sleep during the day? I never read studies how many actually really do it, but the stereotype is that Spanish people sleep 1-2 hours in the early afternoon and then stay up later.
Poxo: I prefer not to, but if I'm very tired I may take a 15-25 min nap around 4 pm.
LaaaaaN: Yes. Since I work from 7 am to 3 pm (8 h non-stop), I try to sleep after eating around
4 pm like Poxo. If I have nothing to do I can sleep ~2 hours.
If there was anything you could tell your 16-year-old self, what would it be?
LaaaaaN: Don’t have a girlfriend till you are 30 years old, *****.
Poxo: Don’t be an *****, don’t procrastinate 24/7, there is time to do it all, but don’t spend it doubting what to do.
Which countries have you visited? And where would you like to go to? Why?
LaaaaaN: I’ve visited Andorra, France, Italy, UK (also Scotland), Norway (just a few hours), US. I would like to go to Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Norway again. I love exotic places.
Which ones of those are considered exotic for you/in Spain? I could only to a degree see Vietnam and Thailand, but what I have heard people call exotic are rather place were not many people go and those are all typical tourist destinations for Europeans.
Well, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam are exotic for me, 11. By exotic I mean different cultures.
Poxo: Mostly on family vacations, I’ve been to: Portugal, France, UK, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Croatia, Hungary, Turkey, South Africa, Costa Rica, Cuba and Canada (BC). Yep, quite a few.
I’d like to travel to the mid and midwest of the USA (I’m not interested on the East or West coast that much), and at some point travel the East too, don’t know if Japan, Korea, China, Southeast Asia or Oceania. It is likely that I’ll be traveling to Central Africa at some point soon (1-2 years from now).
What did you do in Costa Rica?
Rafting the Reventazon River, slide down through 1 km long zip lines, visit the Poas and El Arenal volcanoes, visit different national parks. And we also got time to stay a couple of days in a resort relaxing. We pretty much went everywhere there.
How do you know that you will go to Central Africa in 1-2 years? Which countries?
My parents want to go there as last big family trip. We haven't decided where yet, either the Okavango, Tanzania or the Mara River crossing in Kenya.
They are both rather considered as East Africa, so I was expecting something more unusual (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Africa).
Which languages can you speak and which would you like to learn?
LaaaaaN: Spanish, Catalan and English. I understand French because I studied it when I was younger and because it’s similar to Catalan. I don’t want to learn any, just more English for business situations.
Poxo: I can speak Spanish and English, although my writing isn’t good in any of those. I’ve been learning German for some time but never truly committed to it. In the future, once I can speak those three I’d like to learn Chinese.
What are your hobbies beside AoE?
LaaaaaN: Sports, mostly football and paddling, and going somewhere with friends. I have been playing football since I was 4 years old. When I was younger I was really good, now I’m playing for fun in a team with my friends, but still on a decent level, 11.
Poxo: Reading, doing sports (I go 3-4 times a week to the gym), playing football, I even run races once in a while. Doing puzzles (the ones that takes months/years to finish, it’s quite a relaxing activity). Ofc, I also like to go out with my friends, beer time at least once a week.
Who would you like to meet once, who you have not met? One AoE player and one other person.
LaaaaaN: I’d like to meet Bruce Springsteen and my Heresy teammates (especially Edie, Dogy and Miguefat). Poxo is the only AoE player I have ever met in person.
Poxo: I’d like to meet George R. R. Martin. I’ve met quite a few AoE players, but there are still some missing, I’d like to meet with VladvonCarstein (Spanish player) and Lanchi (Taiwan).
Do you have an AoE idol?
LaaaaaN: Not sure if I have had an idol. I discovered the competitive scene watching Chris vs. DauT on Youtube in 2012 or 2013. I really enjoyed Chris and DauT’s games. I thought I was better than them and I hadn’t played a single game online (11) until I saw a POV video from Viper. He impressed me, he was super fast.
Poxo: In terms of gameplay it has to be Viper, he is simply the best, one may argue who is the 2nd best player, but everyone agrees, Viper is the best. Other than that, St4rk. I know St4rk is a very controversial player inside the community, but you have to appreciate his gameplay, and specially his motivation whenever there is some quarrel between the players.
If people say TheViper, Chris, DauT, Halen, Arch_Koven etc. are their idol, I think for them it is a common and normal thing. How do you feel when someone says “LaaaaaN” is my idol?
It’s true I’m receiving more and more messages each time but I don’t think that I’m an idol. I try to help people who ask for coaching or who just want tips. Since I’m not doing coaching i just give tips to them and I made some friends due to this. I also think that many people have messaged me because I’m considered the “newest” top player and they are always asking what I did to become as good, 11.
What is your favourite civilisation, map and unit?
LaaaaaN: Chinese, Nomad, scorpion.
Poxo: Mongols, HC2_Arabia, AoC Elite Mangudai.
What is your favourite in-game sound? (e. g. farm, water buffalo, relic…)
LaaaaaN: Spanish villagers sound. I always repeat what they say.
Poxo: 167) Jijuiji - https://www.voobly.com/gamemods/mod/700/Spanish-Taunts-ByT-BeasTs
Popped (not housed) -> usually means winning/comeback.
If Arabia did not exist, which map do you think everyone would be playing as much as people play Arabia (and not Serengeti etc., which are just very similar to Arabia)?
Poxo: Nomad, and I’m so bad at it.
LaaaaaN: Scandinavia. I would say Nomad, but no TC start wouldn’t be the standard map. And MR is too random.
Who is your favourite and least favourite 1v1 opponent?
Poxo: Favourite opponent has to be Moneimon, I’ve been playing with him for many years, and for many of those he was clearly ahead of me. Later on (especially in 1v1) I’ve surpassed him, but mostly because I know too much how he plays. We play very similarly but I’m usually one small step ahead of him.
I hate playing smurfs that always go full tryhard, by this I mean the typical player that always walls by minute 4-8, if he sees a lonely vill in the starting minutes chopping wood or building a house will attack it, the typical player that will abuse any kind of limitation that the game has, such as sloppy units movement and cumpling units between a forest and a lake. MBL is probably the best-known lamer and tryhard among the top players, but he has too many fans in the lower ratings. Quickwalling and that stuff is fun when it happens once in a while in a tourney, not when it makes every melee unit in the initial minutes useless, I’d say the same for forced building (clicking over and over to build to make your walls stronger under units attacking them), simply this shouldn’t be allowed, walls should be strong/good defenses but they should be made in time, not in the last second. More than a least favourite opponent, it’s something I dislike for the game, I wish DE would fix it, but it won’t, it’s going to be worse.
So there are some aspects of AoE 3 you prefer, like forest being passable and buildings, especially walls not really being defensive structures? When I played AoE 3 after playing AoE 2, I stopped building walls, because they were so much weaker in AoE 3. It’s very difficult to change something which many people are comfortable with, but the slower build-time and lower HP in Feudal Age already has done something, I think. Some people have suggested that unfinished buildings should be passable, what do you think about that?
Making them walkable would chance the game too much, but something on the lines of less health/armor while building would be good. Also, not being able to repair while on melee combat.
LaaaaaN: Favourite opponent: I like to play vs.: Chinese guys, but the only problem is the lag. My style is good against them. I also like to play vs. Hoang because I have the best counter strat vs. his fc.
Of course my least favourite opponent is MbL. He would steal my girlfriend if he could.
Who is your favourite team mate for a 2v2?
For just playing:
LaaaaaN: For BF: c3mbrich. For serious games Dogy or Tatoh.
Poxo: For casual playing, C3mbrich. If I want to tryhard: LaaaaaN.
Also outside of the game:
LaaaaaN: I’ve only met Poxo.
Poxo: Ralber.
Would you live with him/her together in one apartment for a month or a year? With one bedroom or two?
LaaaaaN: For some weeks, he will leave the apartment after my parties, 11.
(Poxo: I'm not a party boy, sorry :| .)
Poxo: Yes, he takes care of people like a grandma.
In the new expansions (after AoC), what is your favourite new civilisation and unit?
LaaaaaN: Slavs, Magyar Huszar.
Poxo: Slavs, Castle Age eagle warrior (they really nerfed Meso civs, 11111).
Which 4-5 players from your country do you think will form the A team in the upcoming Nations? Which maps would you like to be included apart from Arabia, Nomad, Islands? Would you prefer the Nations Cup to be on Voobly or on the new Definitive Edition?
Poxo: TaToH, LaaaaaN, Moneimon, VladvonCarstein, Tomate and me, maybe some others. Many maps that are being played on nowadays in team tournaments (EULC, RtG) are good enough maps, I don’t really want more than 1 or 2 water maps. It should and must be played on Voobly, there is no community feeling on a server based scenario, we need game lobbies.
LaaaaaN: TaToH + LaaaaaN + whoever reaches 2100+. Black Forest. New DE with Microsoft support.
What is your goal for the 2020 Nations Cup? Which teams do you think will reach the top 8? Do you think Spain has a better chance in 3v3 than 4v4?
Poxo: Spain hasn’t done a good job on the latest NC (2014, 2015 and 2017), where we reached play-offs (twice) and the group stage once (to end up 17-20th). Just by the numbers, with TaToH and LaaaaaN and some training (maybe for once) we can reach top 8. Ofc better in 3v3, there is a bigger difference between the 2nd and 3rd best Spanish player than between the 3rd and the 16th.
Top 8: Finland, Brazil, China, Vietnam, that should be 5 teams (A&B), maybe 6. Then depends a lot, since is 3v3 it gives a lot of opportunity for Europe teams, but the higher sling tax makes it worse for them. Teams that have potential to be there are Canada, USA, Argentina, Norway, Germany, France, Japan, Australia and Brazil C (The one without f1re/riut/dogao/miguel on their rooster).
LaaaaaN: I won’t play the Nations Cup if any of the Spanish players reach at least 2100. There are like 5 19+ players but they don’t have the level to compete for anything yet. I’m here to help them but they simply don’t want to learn. I can only say Finland, China, Brazil, Vietnam and maybe Canada. But being 3v3 any of those can lose to Norway, to us, or any country with 2 top players (if sling is allowed).
You have just to read LaaaaaN’s answer to understand why Spain A won’t be a good team. Most of the AoE players play for fun, maybe 2 hours a week or 20, but at the end of the day, it's just a hobby. We play to have some fun, if you just want to play for money, well, AoE is not the most profitable thing to do. It feels humiliating when I’m playing a tournament and my teammates keep more attention on the Twitch chat than on the rest of the team while playing the tourney games. I’ve been taking care of all the jobs out of the game for so long, always willing to train, change schedule, study the opponents and most of the time those that you know just ignore it, then we wonder why we have such bad results 11, why ‘weaker’ teams beat such good players. Well, it is just about money for some players, my best tourney, ever, NC 2014 with Spain B, we played for fun, we trained, and we did great.
So, Poxo and Ralber, it’s your job to reach and stay at 2k1 now.
Poxo: I am afraid as LaaaaaN says, neither Ralber or me have the motivation to be as good. If I were to train for something, is either do it right or don’t bother, with a schedule and set up ‘lessons’, I’ve been a teacher myself and being wise is not good enough to teach someone, showing up after a couple of games and asking why I didn’t make x unit is not teaching.
Which 4 players would you like to see forming a team? (can include inactive players)
LaaaaaN: Ruso + Rukie + Ralber + TaToH + LaaaaN.
Poxo: (Roberto) TaToH + (Rubén) LaaaaaN + Ruso + old days ralber. Spain has had very talented players!!
Which 8 players would you invite for Nili’s Apartment Cup 3? [Was asked and answered before the announcement.]
LaaaaaN: Villese, _XD_xiaofan, Miguel, slam, dogao, Rubenstock, Hera and I. Would like to see ACCM, chart or Daniel too.
Poxo: TheMax, ACCM, MrYo, Vivi, LaaaaaN, dogao, Edie to be the party manager and TheViper, because there has to be a winner.
When you visit AoEZone and Voobly, is there something you really like or would like to have improved?
Poxo: Fix the recorded game viewer, we still don’t have a working researches section. Fix the old tournaments, this is something that’s been in progress from some time now, thanks to Pumukel, Lanchi and Marciocolombia.
LaaaaaN: Everything is fine.
What is the funniest moment in your life you experienced because of AoE?
Poxo: It's quite hard to pick a particular moment. I had very good times and all of them were while a bunch of us where on ts, sometimes playing and other spectating. I remember once, we were playing a 4v4 arena, Er_Nachij asked what to do vs. Japanese, and people on ts told him to make halbs (trolling ofc), however he did so. Later on one of his teammates was looking for Nachij's army and he was wondering why did he make halbs, 111, the guy that suggested it and some others were laughing their asses off.
LaaaaaN: Last summer I was at a party with my friends. Before the party started, we were sitting outside and drinking. We started to talk about games (Fortnite, LoL basically) because my friends play that. They are always saying to me that AoE sucks, it’s too old, etc… I don’t remember what they said exactly but it was like “Age of Empires is ****”. A group of guys behind listened to us and they came to ask if we were playing AoE. I said “YESSSS”, I told them I was Lan and when my friends saw that they knew me, we started to laugh, 111. After that, I got invited to drink gin. It was funny.
Choose:
Chris or DauT?
LaaaaaN: DauT
Poxo: DauT
Tim or TheViper?
LaaaaaN: TheViper
Poxo: TheViper
Edie or Terror?
LaaaaaN: Edie
Poxo: Edie
Metal or DraCoNT?
LaaaaaN: Metal
Poxo: Metal
FeAge or Lavie_Head?
LaaaaaN: FeAge
Poxo: Feage
T90 or Nili?
LaaaaaN: T90
Poxo: T90
Lumberjack or Farmer?
LaaaaaN: Lumberjack
Poxo: Lumberjack
Turkey or water buffalo?
LaaaaaN: Water buffalo
Poxo: Turkey
1v1 or 4v4?
LaaaaaN: 1v1
Poxo: 1v1
Feudal Age or Imperial Age?
LaaaaaN: Imperial Age
Poxo: Imperial Age
Nomad or Islands?
LaaaaaN: Nomad
Poxo: Islands
What would you do to make the world a better place?
LaaaaaN: Plant a tree for each game that MbL and Memb play. Donations accepted.
Poxo: I could fantasize about spreading messages of world peace and respect over different races. However we live simple lives with small influence in our surroundings, instead of trying to make the world a better place, I'd try to make my world a better place, respect different persons and preferences, be thankful for the world we have and leave it better if possible.
If you were not in a relationship, and could date anyone, who would it be?
Poxo: I don't think I fully understand your question. Don't know if you are asking about the perfect body or the perfect person. In either case I don't know, 11, someone like 10 years younger Natalie Dormer, 111. In case of the perfect person neither you or me know her.
LaaaaaN: Ester Exposito. An actress.
Write a poem/rap of 8 lines (or more) about something AoE-related, either in English or your native language.
LaaaaaN: I’m 11xx in poem/rap.
Poxo:
You play AoE, like back in 99
You stream everyday, life goes great
The team makes money, it's all just sunshine
There goes Baldy, to lure with another bait
But Pixiu knows his towers, he is the big one
Now the game is over, the team got outrun
6 years past, still no charm
It's all funky boys everything is dank
There’s a new extend underarm
Money rules the books is just a fact
The bollycao flows big numbers is all that matters
Goodbye to the monk and the game shutters.
The robot goes for it for, maybe here it ends?
You got the players but not the attitude
The dream of spring is now all tears
Ain't a problem, you want it just for the Youtube
Gravy is gone and now I’m not the one to wheep
For me it's fine I’ve never played for greens
Add one more comment or question for me or someone else.
Poxo: I know this is an AoE forum, but I'd change the first question to: Who are you? What do you do? What do you plan to be doing on 5/10/20 years? What did you want to be today 5/10 years ago? What do you value of yourself?
LaaaaaN: I agree with Poxo. Can you interview Hoang or Fox_RuyLopes in the future?
If I somehow can get Hoang, I would love to. Does anyone know about his English skills? Because I know no Vietnamese and have no translator for that, I could only ask ACCM to help.
Thanks for the interview, cu. <3
Thank you both for the interview and good luck with forming a team.
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