Over the course of the first season of Grandmasters, Team Genji is putting the rest of the competitive scene on notice. Fielding more Grandmasters than any other team, they have emerged as one of the strongest teams in competitive Hearthstone today.

So, what’s the story behind the organization? We sat down with Genji’s’s North American Champion Francisco "PNC" Leimontas, the team’s European runner-up Linh "Seiko" Nguyen, and Genji’s co-founder Faraz Barmpar to discuss the team’s recent victories and some simple tips aspiring Hearthstone pros can use to level up their game.

PNC's Big Win

When PNC won the North American Playoffs, he became the first Latin-American player to qualify for the Global Finals at BlizzCon. “It meant so much to me,” explained PNC, “to have my devotion to Hearthstone rewarded.”

“I really turned my performance in Grandmasters around,” said PNC. “I started the season really poorly. But some smart deck choices and a ton mentoring from Seiko really helped me elevate my game. I want to give a huge shout out to all my Genji teammates as well, who supported and tested with me. I couldn’t have done it without them!”

What advice does the newly crowned North American champion have for regular Hearthstone players looking to improve? “The biggest mistake I see new players make is swapping decks too frequently,” explained PNC. “When you pick a list, make sure it is good for the current meta by doing some research and then really spend the time to master it. Every deck you really learn is an investment, because when building a tournament line-up, it’s critical to know how to play multiple decks well.”

Seiko's Second Place

“It was a real joy to get as far as I did,” Seiko said about his runner-up finish in the European Grandmasters Playoffs. “I love Hearthstone, but obviously I love it more when I’m winning.”

Going forward, Seiko has just one goal: winning the European Championship in Season 2. “The competition is really fierce in Europe, but I have what it takes to be the best,” Seiko said. “A lot of pros get tilted, but I think one thing that sets me apart is my even mentality and long view. I am talented, I will get the title eventually.”

Team Genji's Big Vision

“We are absolutely committed to remaining the best team in Hearthstone, full stop.” explained Genji’s co-founder Faraz. “We believe Team Genji is the most competitive team in the world for CCGs, and with Hearthstone the most popular game in this genre, we have a long – and victorious – future together!”

You can follow Team Genji on Twitter. Be sure to check out Grandmasters Season 2 this weekend where PNC and Seiko will join Lucas "Rase" Guerra, Facundo "Nalguidan" Pruzzo, and Jerome "Monsanto" Faucher in representing the organization.