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Behind the Username is an interview series where I ask some questions of regular players I meet in and around SC2SEA and our tournaments.
Today I have a chat with Josh 'RunaMoK' McMillan, someone who once proxied a Battlecruiser just for me. After about an hour of non-stop nagging, sure, but he did it anyway. While that speaks volumes alone, I wanted to get to better know the man at the head of Ninth Legion Gaming and current member of Exile 5 Academy.
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Q: First of all, Josh, the obligatory questions: how long have you been playing Starcraft 2, and have you always played Terran?
A: I've been playing the game since wings of liberty and I have always been a terran player since even way back in broodwar
Q: Describe your playstyle in ten words or less.
A: He who attacks first controls the battlefield
Q: Whether watching you stream, playing in ACL, or in other online tournaments one thing has always struck me: your entertaining and aggressive style heavy with drop play. Has your choice of builds changed over time? Do you look towards particular progamers for inspiration?
A: Lately I've taken a more focused approach on builds to cater for the map pool but overall when I watch and study professional games and see something interesting I like to write it down and try it on my alt or on NA, I look to pros like MVP, MMA, Taeja and flash also forgg
Q: One thing which has really impressed me over time has been your relentless determination and passion for self improvement, which has currently manifested in your presence within the Exile 5 Academy. Would you share some thoughts on what keeps your passion going strong?
A: I've always had a competitive drive and when noticing how little terrans there are in SEA and made a decision I wanted to be an up-and-coming face of the scene for the lack of terrans, but my passion is really only just about becoming the best I can and hopefully I can strive to be a positive role model for any up-and-comers.
Q: Share with us some of your experiences in Exile 5 Academy: what kind of practice routines and regimens are you keeping? Any funny stories? Is it true JunO only teaches academy members Dank Builds?
A: So far my experience with academy has been the highlight of the end of 2014 going into 2015, the relationship is very much give n take, I'm not restricted in any way other than to act myself for exile 5 but if I put in more effort for them they'll scratch my back and help me out i.e for Pax last year which btw was an incredible experience.
For practice we have been given a practice routine throughout the week to suit our lifestyle which is for lack of better word play on kr then find each other and practice new builds then back to kr then we will revise strongest builds. We also have been breaking down maps and certain play styles that suit those maps the best and how to also counter those.
Q: Recently you played in the OSC and WSC qualifiers, defeating players such as [Fray] HuT, [ETL] Ravenflames, and [x5] Yours. What were your favourite moments from those qualifiers, and how did you prepare for the tournaments?
A: The qualifiers had no real specific preparation to be honest, since the reworking on my mechanics and keyboard/mouse layout; wcs and the osc have just been testing grounds for improvement and benchmarking. Admittedly I played some good games but I also played some horrible ones which I'm not proud of but we lose to learn
Q: A lot of us, whether in tournaments or on ladder, have games which stick in our memory above others as being distinctively fun and entertaining. Do you have a war story or favourite match you'd like to brag about?
A: The two that stick into my mind are; from ACL Brisbane last year where i executed a hilarious mass speed burrow mine drop play vs fray Eros on Frost and probably more recently pulling out a shock upset vs ttsyf Fighto at the domination lan where by I was using a mech strategy that people have been asking me to learn.
Q: Over all the games you've played, on ladder and in tournaments, who would you consider your greatest rival at the present time?
A: The 3 names that seem to stick out to me atm are Pezz, Arrival and Kingkong. I hit these guys more so than anyone in any sea tournaments so I guess I need to work on my tvz more to topple the king of SEA
Q: You've been playing SC2 a long time. Is there a particular moment in your career which you consider particularly important or formative for who you are as a player and person now?
A: Definitely the last 3 months have been a really big wakeup to me as someone trying to be a professional in what it is he does with his life and aspirations. I'm not only applying what I have been learning about what it takes to be a pro at sc2 but applying it to my life in terms of my health and fitness and essential to my working career.
Q: Finally, for a bit of fun: if there was anyone in the world you could challenge to a Best of Five match, who would it be, and why?
A: I really wish I could narrow a list down but its so hard, I've always wanted to get the chance to duke it out with the best in the world and I'd love to fight Taeja or even MMA mainly because even tho it would be the biggest reking it would be a great to see how quickly these level of players can find holes in my play.
Thank you again for answering these questions!
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It is my hope to see Josh start making deeper runs in tournaments over the coming year and really take on the title 'Based God of Terran' and make it his own. I personally predict a much more dangerous RunaMoK launching out of Exile 5 Academy in his medivacs of doom within six months.
Those who want to can follow Josh on Twitch and Twitter here:
http://www.twitch.tv/runamok
https://twitter.com/x5_RunaMok
GLHF!
