We are happy to announce that our interview series The Big 10 returns today, and what a return it is! Shout out to legendary ARMS streamer and tournament organiser Schkrimps for taking part! You don't want to miss this one!
Question 1
APC: Please tell the community a little bit about yourself.
S: Hey, I’m Schkrimps! In my life I’ve done many things including: college, semi-pro athletics, military, music production and most recently, Twitch streaming. I have been gaming since before I could walk. I had two older brothers growing up so I have been fortunate enough to play every major console since the NES. I’ve also been fortunate enough to have older brothers who beat me in every single game for years on end. That is, until Super Smash Bros for N64. You have to learn what the feeling of defeat is like so that you have a desire to avoid that feeling in the future! I love games because they have always brought me closer to people. Now, with Twitch, it is easier than ever to game with other people. Over the last 6 months I started my Twitch channel and it has grown into a really fun community for ARMS. I couldn’t be happier with where the community is now. It’s the most kind online unit I’ve ever been a part of. I can’t wait to see what will happen for ARMS in 2018!
Question 2
APC: What drew you to ARMS in the beginning?
S: ARMS caught my eye the very first time I saw it. I am a HUGE Smash Bros. fan so a new Nintendo fighting game is something I was very much looking forward to. I preordered the game immediately after I saw the first gameplay trailer. I saw the potential in being able to switch your ARMS to any loadout you want. I thought an element like that would certainly make the game more balanced than a traditional fighter. The 3D aspect, customizable load-outs and the ability to curve your ARMS after punching had me hooked before the game even launched!
Question 3
APC: Out of all the new features added to ARMS post-launch which one do you like the most?
S: I really enjoyed the new character launches. I enjoyed the new maps and ARMS but, no addition was as important as the saved stage list! I run a lot of tournaments and we used to have to change the stages and rules every time we started a new arena.
Question 4
APC: Competitive games like ARMS can be both mentally and emotionally taxing, how do you go about overcoming frustrations and challenges so that you can get your head back in the game again?
S: Most of the time when I’m on ARMS, I’m streaming other players matches. I know all about being mentally and emotionally drained but it’s usually not even from playing! I’ve only recently started taking my play seriously with the formation of Shrimp Squad, the pro team I started. I’ve been in athletics my whole life. I’m a military veteran and I grew up with 2 older brothers… There isn’t a lot that can phase me. I think a lot of “salt” from players comes from the fact that most are either young or inexperienced with competition in general.
The major thing players should keep in their head is “learn and adapt”. There is something to be learned from every lost exchange, round or match. Ok, so that janky Slapamander hitbox got you again? What can you do to put yourself in a better position next time? Could you have just used your shield instead of trying to evade? Do you need to use different ARMS? Taking experiences like these and training to avoid them is very important. The players at the very top of this game PRACTICE. When I say practice, I don’t mean they pick their best character and fight each other. They practice very specific matchups with characters and ARMS they have trouble with. Each new style you fight can be added to your mental library and used at a later date to help you form a strategy.
Question 5
APC: What attracted you to your current main and why did you stick with them?
S: Helix’s character design is what initially drew me in. Then, once I learned he could dodge and weave like Mayweather, I was hooked. So hooked in fact that I can’t play any other character in the game without trying to stand up in tower-mode. He has broken me in the best of ways. I daydream about his gooey movements when I’m away from the game.
Question 6
APC: What is your favourite stage and why?
S: Favorite is a funny word. My BEST map is Sparring Ring so I like that one a lot when I’m using Clapback. That being said, I think my favorite stage is DNA Lab. It allows me to tower behind the tubes and use my gooeyness to my advantage.
Question 7
APC: What is your current arm load-out and why did you choose it?
S: I use Clapback/ Funchuk/ Slamamander on Helix. I didn’t choose these ARMS. After 500 hours of play, they chose me. The Clapback is a great tool for Helix because his movements often leave him vulnerable either in mid-air or when landing. I almost never use my actual shield button so it’s necessary for me to have one equipped. Funchuk allows me to stay in tower mode longer than any other arm because it is excellent at punching down other ARMS. Much like Clapback, the Funchuk allows me to make up for vulnerable positioning. Funchuk has a really fast retraction time if you contact another ARM, enabling it to mow down several punches with just one ARM.
With Helix, you’re always on the move. I’m always leaning, dropping or puddling around the map. The quickness of the Funchuk combined with its ability to stun make it an ideal ARM for creating and keeping space. The Slamamander is brand new for me. I actually picked this ARM up because I kept losing to it... It rounds out my set because it’s a curve arm with the wind element. Wind helps take care of pesky heavy characters who are largely unaffected by Funchuk. Also, the varying attack angles and big hitbox of the Slamamander really benefit Helix who can lean and bend his body in strange ways.
Question 8
APC: What advice would you give to other players who main your character?
S: DON’T PLAY ANYTHING LIKE ME!! Go watch some Gore highlights. Go learn a different character first so that you don’t get stuck using tower/puddle modes as a crutch. The great thing about Helix is that you can really use any ARMS you want. His movement options are great and his ability to permacharge ARMS while in tower-mode lets you take advantage of almost any loadout.
Question 9
APC: With so many different fighting games on the market what is it about ARMS that keeps you coming back?
S: ARMS is different than any other fighting game on the market. The ability to swap any ARM onto either side of your character is the most intriguing part of this game. You can completely design your own gameplay, for better or for worse. It’s beautiful seeing a new person pick up this game, figure out a character with an ability they like and then experiment with ARMS for the rest of eternity. This game is special because even if you’re bored with your character, you can switch the ARMS and achieve a brand new playstyle. The counterpicking and customization definitely keep me coming back.
Question 10
APC: Where can people find more about you?
S: I am a streamer on Twitch.tv/schkrimps . My main events are:
Mega League Monday: A two-stage tournament, similar to the World Cup format. Players fight in a 4 man group stage. Top two move on to final stage which is a traditional bracket. Players fight best-of-threes, single elimination until we have a champion. This is held every Monday at 6pm est.
Fight Club: Invite only, round-robin style tourney with the best players in the world. This tourney is really fast paced and allows some of the top players to use new load-outs and adjust on the fly. This is held every Wednesdays at 7pm est.
I’m also all over social media:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Schkrimps
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdN8E98gzcJtJNifhMYj1Qw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/detlip.schkrimps.1
Discord Server: https://discord.gg/mFUhmmZ
Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/schkrimps