The second annual Milk Cup all-women’s Fortnite event will take over TwitchCon later as we speak, showcasing younger feminine expertise who’re hoping to make it to the Fortnite Championship Sequence.
With $300,000 (~£223,000) on the road, that is the biggest all-women esports prize pool in North America. Whereas intimidating, the rivals are feeling assured and excited concerning the alternative.
Forward of the occasion on October 18th, Esports Insider was capable of converse to the Duos forward of the motion.
This partnership between Gonna Want Milk and Twitch is a uncommon alternative for younger girls in esports to take part in a high-stakes, professionally produced LAN with a built-in fanbase of conference goers that watch their streams on Twitch.
“It feels surreal to be again this 12 months. Final 12 months, it felt like a primary step of one thing new we’re entering into. We’re extra ready this 12 months. It feels wonderful,” stated Jaya ‘Fraanticc,’ an 18-year-old participant who has been dominating this season alongside together with her teammate Kanary, who simply turned 16.
However, dieyuhs and Yqzmin had a troublesome run-up till the Milk Cup this 12 months, with placements as little as sixth in among the occasions main as much as TwitchCon. However that didn’t deter these younger ladies both.
“It was good in a way for us to get sixth,” stated dieyuhs. “It means we’re doing one thing incorrect, but it surely helped us study what we wanted to do and put together this time.”
A smaller iteration of the Milk Cup was held at Los Angeles Comedian Con in 2024, however the competing girls felt that it ready them for the bigger Milk Cup over the weekend. They have been capable of get a style of LAN motion and begin to realise that being a professional esports athlete wasn’t only a one-time incidence — it’s a part of their life, one thing to really feel assured about.
Switching from Trios to Duos
Fortnite is a sport that’s all the time switching up its content material, gameplay, meta, and loot pool, which already creates fairly the problem for younger gamers. Nevertheless, essentially the most important change is switching from Trios to Duos. This cut up up a variety of Trios from the earlier 12 months.
Whereas many of the rivals most well-liked Duos, they couldn’t assist however really feel conflicted about dropping certainly one of their teammates — and even competing in opposition to them.
“Duos is extra aggressive than Trios,” famous 20-year-old Nina ‘ilyynina’ Fernandez, who’s now competing with Duo accomplice Vader, 18 years previous. “It’s more durable in a variety of elements, but it surely’s simpler to construct chemistry with one teammate quite than two.”
Making ready For Milk Cup 2025
Whereas the competitors is larger and has a special format, the Milk Cup rivals have felt assured all through this season. With the assistance of XSET, the organisation that signed lots of the younger gamers competing, there have been scrims with 100 feminine gamers virtually day by day to maintain them practising with their Duo accomplice.
“We’re ready,” stated 21-year-old Moxie. “This time, we don’t have a coach, however we’ve got a participant who helps us. They’ve the in-game data. He has actually helped us. We’re able to play. I’m excited.”
The rivals are additionally followers of the Chapter 6 meta, which they really feel is balanced and aggressive, with only a few OP choices that take away from the talent required to win. Kanary admitted it’s her favorite loot pool of all time.
“I personally find it irresistible proper now,” added Vader. “I’m glad they introduced again Crash Pads. Understanding it’s going to be Crash Pads, which I’m used to utilizing, provides one other stage of confidence. I’m blissful they introduced it again.”
Nevertheless, the hardest a part of making ready for a battle royale event remains to be its unescapable RNG. Kanary defined: “If you may get Crash Pads, FlowBerry Fizz… It’s doable with out it, but it surely’s more durable to carry out nicely. You’re all the time hoping you get a type of objects. If not, you gotta make a play to get one.”
The opposite problem of competing in opposition to the identical group of proficient gamers is understanding how one another performs. Which means needing to plan for the way they consider one other Duo will behave, but additionally attempting to shake up their very own technique to keep away from being too predictable. Nonetheless, each crew has their very own strengths and playstyle.
“For my crew, whoever exhibits up in our space is getting blasted,” stated Fraanticc with fun. “We’re a really aggressive crew and we combat loads. I’ve confidence — we’re the 2 greatest fighters within the foyer. We now have a variety of confidence in fights and by no means again down.
“If you wish to come get it, come get it.”
In the meantime, Yqzmin stated her crew is a little more defensive: “It’s not all the time the most effective concept to combat anybody you see. You don’t understand how they’re going to play. They could even stall you out and spoil your complete sport in the event that they know they’ll’t combat — so it’s good to not let anybody management your sport.”
Whereas the ladies all had their very own opinions and methods, the respect between them was actual. These gamers have all grow to be shut mates. This may typically make competing in opposition to each other onerous, but it surely’s all simply a part of the sport.
The Milk Cup 2025 will happen on October 18th at 11:30 PST / 7:30 PM BST. Followers not attending TwitchCon may also watch the occasion on Twitch right here.
