Name:  Fua Hsien 'Lance' Wan
Age: 20
Country: Malaysia
Team: Arrow Gaming
Position: Carry
Favorite heroes: Morphling, Invoker, Shadow Fiend

Arrow Gaming has been making a name for themselves in the recent months. Coming from a country with a number of recognized e-Sports teams and individuals, the team has stepped up and transformed from a virtually unknown team into a top contender.

One of the many reasons of their recent success is the solid and consistent play of their main carry, Fua Hsien 'Lance' Wan. Lance has been showcasing his talents, displaying excellent map awareness and sound positioning as he carries his team on late-game team battles. Worth noting is that he is doing that on a wide array of farming heroes, from Anti-Mage to Wraith King.

GosuGamers was able to get an exclusive interview with Lance. Read on and see what he has to share about his career and his team, as well as his thoughts on various topics on the SEA region and on the game.

Hi Lance. Thank you for sparing time for us, you guys must be busy. How are you?

Very fine , thank you.

Are you at the gaming house at the moment?

Nope, I am currently at a friend's house. I have been studying. I go to the gaming house for practices and tournament games.

Ah, I see. So how is your schedule like, you have a schedule for school and training?

At weekdays, I generally spend time around my University, and then spend my weekends on the gaming house. 

Makes sense. What about on weekday tournaments and practices then?

If my schedule isn't tight, I go to the gaming house so we can play together. If its busy, I stay at my place and we just use Skype to communicate.

Is that schedule similar to the others, or are they staying at your gaming house?

The four of them stay at the house. Basically, only I move around, because of my busy schedule.


"We are training five days a week, and we are really trying to improve ourselves and be better."


How has the gaming house helped your team?

It really helps us to improve our skills, because we are having lots of discussions before and after matches when together here. We sort of bond together, and we learn faster because of it.

Unknown to many, you guys have been around for a while now. Lowyat, your previous team name, actually placed third on GMGPL MY the entirety of last year, only behind Orange and MUFC. What were the main differences of the team this year and last year?

I think the difference is  we have been training with more teams and we have also gained experience from all the tournaments that we have joined. Now, our training time is more consistent. We are training five days a week, and we are really trying to improve ourselves and be better.

Obviously, the team has stepped up and is now considered one of the best teams in SEA. If you are to evaluate SEA now, what can you say about it?

Well, we don't see ourselves as one of the best yet. However, I do think there is potential for us as well as the other SEA teams.

Ever since taking up the name Arrow gaming, you guys haven’t lost much on official matches. Among your few losses however, came at the hands of LGD. What can you recall on that game?

One of the biggest factor on why we played poorly on the LGD match is the unstable line. It was an exciting moment, because we were given the chance to compete against top teams. On the other hand though, I think our level is not yet there yet nonetheless.

Considering SEA has had two podium finishers on the three-year history of The International, do you think SEA can rise up and compete against the Chinese and the Western teams on this coming TI?

Actually, yes. I think SEA has the potential, particularly Titan and Scythe.

What do you feel about China recruiting Southeast Asian players?

Well, while SEA teams lost players, these players are improving there. Also, the offer there is much better.

So do you think its a bad thing or a good thing?

Its kind of good and bad at the same time. As players, the offers are also important for our advancement.

Going back on your match history, while you are mostly successful, your two defeats agianst SEA teams were crucial matches. (Orange on the finals of AoC i think and Xctn on top 8 of ACG). Do you think this is because they played good or because you played bad, or is it your nerves getting the better of you?

We had a mistake in drafting in our game against Orange. We also had a small mistake against Execration on which we didn't expect the early Roshan. I am not taking the credit away from both teams, they are both good.

What can you say about the current metagame?

It is really good. There are a lot of potential strategies, and the drafting is very exciting. I think Invoker is the strongest hero (on the current meta).

Well, most of your team has been together for a long time. do you think the team still needs more bonding to work together?

Yes, we still lack teamwork compared to other teams. We need it to be better.

How long have you guys been together (aside from Johnny)?

Around three years now.

"I used to play for fun only and I never expected to reach this level"

So given that, you still think you need more teamwork?

Yes. While we were together for a long time,  we didn't really expect to play at this kind of level. Before we only play for fun and small tournaments.

 

I see. so let's talk about your newest member. How did Johnny join the team, how was he chosen?

We invited him over as he used to play with China's team Rattlesnake. He has a lot of experience, and we believe he is very skilled.

So, how did he change the team/style?

We now train more and better. We practice playing with and against different playstyles now, and he also has very good insight on the drafting.

I assume TI is also the goal? Are you guys confident that you can join?

I don't know because we are still very inexperienced on the international level. However, we will try our best.

Different topic, What do you think of MMR? Do you think its a good thing and it makes games better?

I like it. We kind of know where we stand, and we also get to fight against people who has more or less similar skills with us.

I assume you have seen Free To Play. What can you say about it?

Its good, it encourages people to join e-Sports and it motivates us gamers.

What about yourself, how did you get into gaming?

Actually, I used to play for fun only and I never expected to reach this level. That changed when I started a team and I began competing on tournaments.

How long have you been playing?

Around seven years, dating back from DotA 1.

Alright, thank you very much again. Any shout-outs?

Thank you for my sponsors, AvF, AMD, AoC and TTeSport. I would also like to thank my manager, Mr. Ramen. Also, to my team and to everyone who supports us.



>> April 2014 - Place GosuBets on Dota 2 matches, win Lockless Luckboxes!