In an interview with foreign media, HooXi discussed Astralis's transition to an international roster, the differences between in-game leading in Danish versus English, and his role in building the new lineup. He also explained why the team chose ryu and phzy, reflected on his future as a player, and compared how the current lineup operates compared to the previous Danish roster.
Q: Which environment would give you better opportunities for growth: an international lineup or a purely Danish-speaking team?
HooXi: I think it's quite clear—just look at the overall CS scene, and you'll see that international CS is the right direction. I really enjoy playing in a pure Danish roster because of the atmosphere, and sometimes communication is faster and more intricate, but the benefits it brings don't outweigh the drawbacks.
Q：Does using English for commands change your reporting methods compared to using Danish?
HooXi：Maybe a tiny bit, but not really. I try to play the same way, and I've spent most of these years in international lineups, so now it feels very natural to me.
Q：If Astralis decides not to formally sign you in 2025, do you have a Plan B, or are you still 100% committed to continuing your career as a player?
HooXi: No, I don't have a Plan B, and I have great confidence in my own abilities, believing that I can turn Astralis into a stronger team than before I joined. I haven't thought about coaching yet; as a player, there's still so much I want to achieve.
Q: What is the process of selecting players for an international lineup?
HooXi: Basically, I have some say in who should come here, but not the final decision. Making such decisions involves many factors, and ultimately, it's up to management to decide.
Q: Why did you choose ryu and phzy for this brand-new Astralis project?
HooXi: I think both of them have outstanding individual skills, and they're still very young with a lot of potential. When you bring in inexperienced or unproven players, it's always a bit of a gamble, but I feel it's worked out well for us.
Q: What's the biggest difference in-game between the previous Danish lineup and the current international lineup?
HooXi: It's just that the players are very different, and their personalities are also very different. I find it hard to pinpoint specific things, but when you bring in 3 to 4 newcomers, compared to our original Danish lineup, the whole way it works naturally changes.