The Solo Leveling: ARISE Championship Korea Season 1 has successfully concluded, with GwangGwang emerging as the first National Level Hunter. Despite the ban on the popular Demonic Plum Flower Sword, GwangGwang managed to devise a unique strategy to claim victory. In an exclusive interview, he shared his thoughts on his win.
Q: How do you feel about your victory?
GwangGwang: I am immensely grateful to my parents and guild members for their support throughout the tournament. The unexpected popularity of the event has left me feeling elated. A special mention goes to our guild master for assisting me in refining my build.
Q: In the final round, all water attribute weapons were prohibited. How did you adapt to this challenge?
GwangGwang: I had anticipated the ban on the Demonic Plum Flower Sword from the beginning and had prepared by honing my skills with Vulcan’s Rage as a substitute. While I had hoped to execute my ultimate move, the absence of Plum Flower Sword led to some miscalculations towards the end, which was disappointing.
Q: Did you consider utilizing any SR weapons?
GwangGwang: Not at all.
Q: Among the four boss battles in the final match, which one left you most satisfied and which one do you think could have been better?
GwangGwang: The battle against Kargalgan was a highlight, although not my best. I believe it went smoothly. On the other hand, the Hobgoblin encounter was a bit challenging as I made some errors due to being a bit disorganized. That was a bit disappointing.
Q: What was your main focus while preparing your build for the tournament?
GwangGwang: I aimed to minimize retries as much as possible, focusing on efficiency in clearing without resorting to the ESC button.
Q: How accurately were you able to predict the weapon bans in the system? Did the bans impact your gameplay?
GwangGwang: I didn’t dwell much on the ban of Plum Flower Sword as I had already planned to exclude it. Considering the unique attributes of each boss, I assumed at least one weapon from each attribute would be banned, and my assumptions turned out to be mostly correct. Despite the bans, I prioritized selecting weapons that could enhance Sung Jinwoo’s abilities for the time attack.
The weapon bans significantly influenced the gameplay, particularly with the potential banning of a powerful weapon like Plum Flower.
Q: Do you believe the weapon ban system should be retained in future tournaments?
GwangGwang: Personally, I think maintaining the ban system would be beneficial.
Q: You opted for using Vulcan even against a fire attribute boss and incorporated The Commander’s Touch upgrade in a unique manner. Could you elaborate on that decision?
GwangGwang: The Upgrade weapon had limited effectiveness before a balance patch, struggling to handle mobs efficiently. However, post-patch, it exhibited improved damage output and range, making it more suitable for mob clearance, prompting me to include it in my strategy.
Q: Can you share the specifications of your account?
GwangGwang: My Battle Class is approximately 38, and my combat power is nearing 900,000.
Q: As the inaugural champion of the first Solo Leveling tournament, do you have any suggestions for future events?
GwangGwang: While I believe the tournament was well-coordinated, the seating arrangement for the audience felt cramped and uncomfortable. That aspect could be improved in the future.
Q: How do you feel about the time attack format used in the tournament?
GwangGwang: Personally, I thoroughly enjoy time attack games. When Solo Leveling: ARISE was introduced, I decided to focus solely on time attacks, leading to a rewarding experience that propelled me to success.
Q: What attracts you to time attack content?
GwangGwang: The sense of satisfaction derived from precise control and performance improvement adds to the enjoyment of time attack challenges.
Q: How do you develop your builds?
GwangGwang: While I occasionally refer to foreign videos and resources, I predominantly rely on my own methods initially. Feedback from my guild members aids in refining and optimizing my strategies.
Q: What motivated your participation in the tournament?
GwangGwang: Initially, I didn’t intend to participate seriously. However, encouragement from those around me, who had seen my time attack videos, instilled the confidence to compete. Their belief that I could emerge victorious spurred me to take on the challenge.
Q: Are you a fan of the original content?
GwangGwang: Absolutely. I delved into the novel, completing it five times, followed by reading the webtoon series in its entirety. Currently, I’m engrossed in the new Ragnarok series. The game holds special significance for me as it allows me to embody the protagonist I admire.
Q: The game aligns with the original narrative. Is there any specific content you eagerly anticipate?
GwangGwang: The Jeju Island arc holds immense appeal for me, and I know many players share this excitement. The anticipation for the Jeju Island storyline from Solo Leveling is palpable, and I hope it is executed effectively in the game.
Q: Are there any areas you believe could be enhanced in future tournaments?
GwangGwang: The unexpected balance patch during the tournament caught me off guard. Given ongoing discussions among players regarding certain skills, I had assumed the patch would occur post-competition. Moving forward, I hope future tournaments avoid implementing patches during the event.
Q: In the final Hobgoblin battle, you refrained from using Magnifying Slashes, considered a crucial skill. What influenced that decision?
GwangGwang: Initially, I had planned to incorporate a Magnifying Slashes strategy. In the Round of 16, where bans were absent, I successfully utilized it alongside the Demonic Plum Flower Sword. However, in the finals following the ban on Plum Flower, I opted for Upgrade: The Commander’s Touch, better suited for mob clearance.
Q: How do you envision the future development of Solo Leveling: ARISE?
GwangGwang: While the game stands strong, I believe improved communication between developers and players is essential. Addressing player feedback through enhanced communication, even if not all requests are fulfilled, would greatly benefit the game’s evolution.
