Team Pandemic - News - Pandemic.TF2 Announces its Newest Member

Days after their CEVOp Championship win, Pandemic needed to replace a key member of the team as Soldier Aaron “Perfekt” Qayeum has decided to retire from active play to pursue other interests. That left an opening that was easy to fill for Pandemic, considering former Comedy Option captain Mike “axe” Divi had already joined the ESL EMS roster as a fill-in.

A mainstay on the team since he founded Experiment at the launch of TF2, Qayeum and his ability to make big solo plays was a key part of the CEVOp and Shotgun Shootout championship teams and will be sorely missed. He will always be remembered as one of the guys who brought Pandemic TF2 their first biggest victories.

Divi, though, is certainly up to the challenge of taking over for one of the strongest soldiers in the game and has plenty of experience playing with talented teammates from his days in Comedy Option back when they challenged teams like the Doctors, the Experiment (Pandemic). Since Comedy Option called it quits after the CEVO $5,000 tournament, he’s been in and out of action, but the Canadian native was ready to return when Pandemic came calling.

“Even though I wasn't around the in the community the past few months I still kept up with its happenings. The competitive leagues finally removed crits and I did my best to try and bring Comedy Option back, but there wasn't enough interest,” said Divi, “I noticed Pandemic had a slot opening, and took the opportunity to give TF2 another chance.”

Pandemic.TF2’s newest member, Mike “Axe” Divi.

With Qayeum’s activity dropping near the end of the season, the former Comedy Option standouts Divi and Garrett “Nadagast” Mitchell were the first place to turn, said team captain Adam “Reptile” Dopko.

“Axe has some big shoes to fill, but if anyone can do it, it’s him,” stated Dopko, “he's one of the best soldiers in Team Fortress 2. I've played with him and against him, so I know he has great comms and is a skilled an amazingly intelligent player.”

It’s been a while since Divi has played at the highest level, but he’s been involved with 8v8 teams like Mortal Wounds in his off time and hasn’t lost too much of his edge.

“I think from a teamwork perspective I'm on key and doing fine,” he explained, “but it's been quite awhile since I've had to out-think the always dangerous CEVOp scouts, so there's plenty of room for improvement and rust to dust off. It's good that Pandemic has a fairly disciplined practice schedule. I will be more than prepared come next season.”

“Since chemistry and teamwork is so important in TF2, it will take some time before I adjust my game to match their strategies and playstyles,” he continues, “It's obvious they know the game very well and are constantly finding new ways to get an edge on their opponents, so I think we'll mesh well together.”

So far, Divi has played one official game with Pandemic, the ESL EMS Qualifying Round 2 game against the Polish team Forever Gaming, and he’s had little trouble fitting in. Still, he says it’ll take him a little while to finally shake off the last bit of rust to return to his Comedy Option form, and that’ll be just in time for Pandemic with the ESL EMS group stage starting this weekend against the Swedish wizards Kompaniet.

“Besides an uglier mugshot than oPlaiD,” laughed Divi, “I think I bring a new outlook and unique perspective at ways to break down and evaluate strategies, and maps. I'm very honest when it comes to performance and am always looking for ways to improve everyone’s game.”

Perfekt was a big part of Pandemic’s success last season, and it’ll be tough for anyone to replicate the impact he made. If anyone can do it, though, it’s definitely Pandemic’s newest member.

Please welcome Mike “Axe” Divi!