Brendan “Falconer” Falconer qualified for the Fortnite World Cup in Week 2 with his duo partner Arkhram1x. The duo plays in the West region and also finished in first place for Week 10. They compete weekly and play high-level Fortnite together and in Solos. In a difficult region, Falconer and Arkhram managed to take the top spot twice. The first time they had only been playing together for three days. Falconer recently took some time out to do an interview with Daily Esports. We discussed discuss how he qualified, his history in gaming, and his plans for the future.
Getting to know Falconer
Falconer grew up with three siblings in Rodato Beach, CA. He loves the beach, surfing, body surfing. Currently, he studies at Arizona State University with a focus on Supply Chain Management but might switch to Business Management. Falconer is 20 years old and looking to continue pursuing his degree while competing in Fortnite tournaments.
Before Fortnite, Falconer started on the PS2 with Star Wars Battlefront and Battlefront 2. Next, he began gaming on a PC and enjoyed playing Combat Arms. Counter-Strike: Source and H1Z1 guided him to competitive gaming. Ultimately, Falconer made the switch to Fortnite and continues to compete there.
Q&A with Falconer
Daily Esports: Did you have aspirations to be a pro gamer? If so, when?
Falconer: No, not at all. I love to be outside and on the beach. Once I moved out to ASU, the beach was too far away.
When did you start playing Fortnite?
I started at the end of season 3.
What made you want to compete?
I was able to compete and win in the pro scrims. Those games have the best players in the U.S. in them, and I was able to beat them.
What did you wish you knew before you began competing?
Nothing. I was going through the same process as other players. I started out earlier and needed to improve my mechanical skills.
What are your favorite drop spot and weapon?
In Duos, we drop Westworld. In Solos, I like Dusty Divot. I might need to switch it up since I have yet to qualify. The Combat Shotgun is my favorite weapon. I did not like the Pump Shotgun vault initially, but the Combat Shotgun has grown on me.
What does your training entail?
I am in a group called Bloom. Players in the group are “Cented” and “Riversan.” The manager is “bbfloris” from T1 [SKT1]. He takes the game very seriously and is constantly pushing us to improve. The group does VOD reviews to learn from one another and point out mistakes. River “Riversan” Handley is one of the best players to watch and learn from in Solos.
Additionally, I play scrims from 3 p.m. PST to 8 p.m. PST. I try to play as many games as possible during that time. The scrims in the West region are not the smartest group of players but still maintain a certain level of mechanical skill.
How did you meet you duo partner (Arkhram)?
We met in a Discord group with some players in TSM and x1. There was a test event and we both needed a partner. We crushed the test event and decided to play together. Interestingly, we played for three days together before qualifying for the World Cup.
What did you do after you qualified?
The Bloom boys were excited and yelling at me to turn my stream on. I was nervous but turned on my stream anyway. I noticed it had a lot more viewers than usual. At the same time, my homies are banging on my apartment door. It was a combination of nervousness and excitement. Then, the official Fortnite stream announced I won. I opened my door to let my friends come in. They were super excited for me. It was awesome to have their support. Finally, we went out to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner. Nothing over the top. It was a weird feeling that I had never felt through a video game.
Is there anything you are looking forward to doing outside of competing in New York City?
I want to visit my uncle who lives out there. I will be bringing my family and some friends. Lastly, I want to explore the city and see everything there.
Have you ever been to New York?
Not since I have grown up. I went twice as a kid but do not remember the experience well.
What has been your favorite experience so far?
Qualifying for the World Cup by far. This must be the greatest achievement of my life thus far. Even though there is a certain amount of luck involved, Arkhram and I have proved this is no fluke and we are consistently on the top of the leaderboard.
Do you think there is a difference in play in different regions?
The West region is full of players that W-key. I believe it prepared us better for the World Cup. Players in the West region do things that do not make sense. The East region has a lot more players who play with their brains as opposed to their mechanics.
Who is your favorite player/gamer?
Shroud is a great player and interesting to watch. Also, Dr. Disrespect is one of the funniest people to watch.
What’s next?
Falconer looks to continue his impressive run in the Fortnite World Cup Finals. His duo crushed the final week of the online qualifiers. They take their momentum earning the top spot in Week 10 into the upcoming competitions. With school finished for the year, Falconer has more time to focus on Fortnite and improving his abilities. The summer frees up his time from studying to enjoy the beach too. The grind does not stop — it simply rotates towards a different challenge.
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[This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.]
