The Finnish personification of TF2, Rauli 'Darn' Savela, steps under the spotlight for your examination
If our beautiful war-themed hat simulator and its small but feisty community were a rock band, there could surely only be one man to front the whole thing? Who within our scene fits the bill when it comes to excessive, raucous behaviour with little to no respect for the man?
The escapades of Team Dignitas captain and archetypal suicidal soldier Rauli 'Darn' Savela are legendary. The foul-mouthed, fire-haired Finn has probably done more to raise awareness of our LAN scene through his alcohol fuelled antics than any number of organisers and hack journalists.
The man should be getting a cut from Multiplay for ticket sales at any i-Series event he attends; put Mr. Savela on any main stage event and you’ve got yourself an instant classic. Who can forget the epic Darn versus Vallone taunt-off of i39 or his nerve-racking last second denial of Epsilon eSports title claims at i40?
Beyond the madness and the mischief (hilariously announcing the CSS tournament was cancelled at the i40 team leaders meeting anyone?) Rauli is a serious competitor, having played competitive Counter-Strike to a high level in his native Finland back in the day before getting involved with Team Fortress 2 in its infancy.
Although originally a fearsome scout his legacy to the game is as soldier where he has epitomised an aggressive play-style that has become the standard in the modern game, perhaps so much so that he is almost a parody of himself; teams waiting with baited breath for Darn to jump in.
For the next week you will have the chance to make such deep and meaningful enquires of the man himself. Maybe you are looking for some insight to the upcoming Assembly Winter 2011 or perhaps you have a morbid fascination with his (real life) hat collection? Do you share his passion for swearing and Metal? Don’t hold back, let it all out!
Originally published on Cadred.org on Sun, 30 Jan 2011 18:12:04 +0000 by James J. McDonnell.
Archived from Ask Darn as part of tf2esports.com's preservation of Cadred.org's TF2 coverage. All rights remain with the original author and Cadred.org; reposted for historical reference.