Guild Esports’ New VALORANT Coach and Roster
Guild Esports has entered the competitive VALORANT circuit for 2021 with a complete roster and the addition of André “BARBARR” Möller as the team’s coach.
BARBARR, a former CS:GO pro, is joining Guild Esports as their first VALORANT coach. He will work with the team’s players, including Malkolm “bonkar” Rench, Yacine Laghmari, Leo “ziz” Jannesson, William “draken” Sundin, and Saif “Sayf” Jibraeel, to prepare for the VALORANT Champions Tour.
Experienced Players and New Coaching Role
These five players have varying levels of experience in VALORANT, having played together in their old stack and with Ninjas in Pyjamas. BARBARR, who previously played CS:GO, is transitioning into coaching for the first time and facing the challenge head-on. The team has already competed in Red Bull Home Ground and is currently playing in the EU VCT Challengers.
Ahead of their games in Red Bull Home Ground, BARBARR spoke with about the challenges of switching to VALORANT, the impact of the pandemic on his work, and Guild’s expectations for the future.
A New Game and Higher Ambitions
BARBARR:
What made you decide to switch from CS:GO to VALORANT after being involved in CS competitively since 2008?
BARBARR explains that he saw an opportunity to be a talent developer and support players who were not given the chance to reach the top due to financial reasons. After coaching Ancient and almost signing with [Team] NIP, he coached a Spanish team to gain more experience working in the background. He felt that after all these years, it was time to try something new and took the jump to VALORANT.
Transitioning to VALORANT and Preparing for Tournaments
How has the transition been from CS:GO to VALORANT and preparing the team for Home Ground?
BARBARR mentions that the transition has been fast, but he still has a lot to learn about VALORANT since the players have been practicing extensively. He emphasizes the importance of quick learning and mentions that the team is preparing for both the Red Bull Home Ground and the Champions Tour Challengers, with little time in between.
Coaching in VALORANT vs. CS:GO
What do you think is the biggest difference between coaching in VALORANT compared to CS:GO?
BARBARR explains that VALORANT requires consideration of many factors in each round, such as enemy abilities and ultimates. In CS:GO, rounds are more straightforward to predict, while VALORANT rounds can switch quickly and abilities play a major role. He notes that adapting to these differences and staying on top of patches is crucial as the game evolves rapidly.
The Challenge of Adapting to Frequent Metagame Changes
Does the frequent changes in VALORANT’s metagame compared to CS:GO add more to your workload? How do you stay on top of it as a coach?
BARBARR acknowledges that Riot patches VALORANT frequently, which brings significant changes to the game. Staying up to date with patches is essential for adapting coaching strategies. He compares the experience to coaching in League of Legends, where frequent changes also require continuous adjustment.
Teaching and Communication with the Roster
Who on the roster is the most coachable and receptive to your messages?
BARBARR points out that all the players, except bonkar, come from a CS:GO background and have a good understanding of rotations and timings. He believes that all of the players listen to him well, but he doesn’t want to impose his CS:GO history on them. He aims to show his value as a VALORANT coach and expects a mutual exchange of knowledge until he has fully grasped the game.
The Impact of the Global Pandemic on Coaching
Has the global pandemic affected your coaching methods? What has been the biggest change?
BARBARR shares that he has been living in Spain, where the pandemic has had a significant impact, but as an online coach, his day-to-day work hasn’t changed much. However, the inability to have in-person boot camps and face-to-face interactions with the players is a challenge. Despite the limitations, he emphasizes the importance of adjusting and making the best of the situation.
Goals for Guild Esports in the VALORANT Champions Tour
What is a realistic goal for Guild Esports in the VALORANT Champions Tour?
BARBARR states that their goal in the Red Bull Home Ground is to warm up for the Challenger qualifiers. He wants to see the first impressions of the players under pressure and stress. The focus is on doing their best in Home Ground and the Challengers, with Guild aiming for victory.
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