Puptastrophe participated in the 2008 Spring and Summer leagues with Team HLC before moving on to play with Bleep Bloop for the 2009 Winter League and the upcoming Spring League.
1. How long have you been involved with the sport of Grifball?
I have been interested in it since the very first double XP weekend in Halo 3 matchmaking. I can’t even remember exactly when that was now. Not long after that I got involved with the league joining Team HLC (Hard Liquor Chasers) for the 2008 Spring League. After two seasons with HLC, I moved on to play with Bleep Bloop for the 2009 Winter League.
2. What kind of player are you?
A lot of people seem to refer to me as a tank, though I don’t think I necessarily have a consistent enough hammer to be considered a tank. I like to think I qualify more as hybrid/defender. I’m willing to take risks on defense to get to the ball carrier, which is certainly part of the reason why my kill/death ratio can be ugly sometimes. When the risks pay off though, don’t be surprised to see me pulling off an uber lunge on your ball carrier to make a huge goal line stop. That’s just how I roll.
3. If you could change one thing about Grifball or its community, what would that be?
I would definitely involve the community more in the different aspects of the league. There are plenty of talented people in the community willing to help, they just need to be allowed to.
4. Is there a player/team that has inspired your style of play?
Penguin (pwnguinmessiah/penguinocalypse) has probably been the main influence on how I play the game. I consider him not only an amazing grifball player but an outstanding friend as well. This community needs more people like him.
5. Name one player who always gives you fits when you play against them. What makes them so difficult?
Doc Status. There is no one in the league that I find more troublesome to hammer against than Doc. His timing is second to none. I rarely go positive (or even for that matter) against him, but when I do, I consider it a small victory.
6. Name one player you think is underrated by most. Why?
Halo3Dragon5. He’s been around the league for a long time, yet his name rarely surfaces when there’s talk of who the great players are. His sword skills can be downright frightening when he’s “on”. He’s also quite capable of pulling off some pretty crazy tricks with the ball in order to get the score.
7. Name one player you think is overrated by most. Why?
Dragon of Exile. Seriously, who let that guy into the league?
8. Besides Grifball, what other games/sports do you play?
I don’t play too many other games, though I do enjoy occasionally playing Left 4 Dead and Vegas 2.
9. In your opinion, do stats matter in Grifball?
Absolutely not. Look at a team like Cheap Ass Gamer. Chances are they’re rarely ever going to out tank you, but they’ll still find ways to win.
10. If you could offer words of advice to rookie players, what would they be?
Be respectful of others in the league. You’ll earn their respect much easier that way. You should also consider seeking out veteran teams willing to help. The only way to improve at this game is to constantly play against others that are better than you. When they beat you, ask questions. Find out what they think you could do to improve. Take that advice and apply it to your next game to the best of your abilities.
The following video features pup playing on his second gamertag, xII Jet Li IIx, during a recent Grifball double XP weekend.
[...] Puptastrophe [...]
Rock on Puppy. Your my main influence, and its cool to hear your take on the game. Keep doing what you do.
[...] Is there a player/team that has inspired your style of play? A combination of Thurmanator, and Puppy. Both of them I have had the great pleasure of playing with, and I like to think that I have taken [...]
[...] Pup also participated in and provided answers to the original ten questions which you can read here. [...]