April 19, 2026

I recently scripted and recorded a video on team philosophies and why many teams fall apart because they lack them.

I was also inspired by a recent chat with Blu, so I wanted to make my own “manifesto” of sorts. Something that is the thesis of my reason for being in the scene and how I interpret Meso’s team philosophy. Not a lot of teams can say that they’ve been together as long as we have, and with all of the roster changes and difficulties we’ve gone through, I’d say it’s shocking we’ve stuck around for so long.

It’s my ideal that Mesopelagic will continue to stick around even after all of the original members have left. Passing the torch to the next generation, so to speak. For this to happen, I think a team manifesto is required.

That being said, I believe the reason for this has to do with the following:

1. Team Identity & Purpose

• We are Mesopelagic, a low-level team established in March of 2025*.
  • With a slight caveat: we were conceptualized in February of 2025 as a pickup for Season 16 of Leagues Under the Ink.
• We differentiate ourselves from other teams by our shark-themed branding, our ideals, and our values.
• We embrace the concept of “fuck it, we ball”.
  • In more refined terms: we roll with the punches as they come to us. We are not easily beaten down.

2. Core Values & Philosophy

• Cohesion Through Individuality — A member of Mesopelagic is one part of the greater whole. All members bring something unique to the team, and all members should be treated with respect, dignity, and kindness. It is a privilege to be on the team, not a right.
• Reinforcement Through Adaptability — A member of Mesopelagic is clever and perceptive. They are able to learn from wins and losses alike, and they use those matches as data in order to find the best way to improve. A member is able to adjust not just in the middle of a match or set, but also through various metas.
• Improvement Through Innovation — A member of Mesopelagic is not afraid to innovate, whether it be through strategy or weapon choice. Members of Mesopelagic will never be forced to play a weapon they do not like, but they are expected to understand the weaknesses of their weapons and articulate how they plan to overcome said weaknesses.
• Development Through Resilience — A member of Mesopelagic is able to handle their losses, their tilt, and are expected to work together under pressure. There is no shame in disappointment, but a member of Mesopelagic will not let that stop them.
• Refinement Through Discipline — A member of Mesopelagic practices discipline through consistent practice, communication, review, and punctuality. Members of Mesopelagic are accountable: they own up to their mistakes without excuses.

3. Competitive Mindset

• Team approach to the game:
  • Mesopelagic follows the idea of thoughtful aggression and taking risks, with the aim of winning by working as a cohesive unit. There is no focus on what is meta at the time, purely on synergy between the members.
• Team approach to improvement:
  • Mesopelagic views improvement through the process, not necessarily results. Improvement—while a nebulous concept—is defined by each member individually, but it is generally understood as the concept of gaining greater consistency and control over individual behavior (such as decision-making, callouts, mechanics, etc.)
• Team mentality in matches:
  • The team should work on staying calm under pressure, and should also recognize the difference between playing to win vs. playing to not lose.
    • “Playing to win” is defined as taking risks within a match and aiming to take gold. “Playing not to lose” is defined as refining one’s skill and mentality and not losing sight of the potential you carry.

4. Team Roles & Responsibilities

• Each member of Mesopelagic is expected to communicate clearly at all times.
• The captain(s) of Mesopelagic are required to organize scrims against other teams and sign them up for tournaments.
• There is an expectation that all members should trust each other. All members should own up to mistakes and hold themselves accountable, instead of blaming their teammates.

5. Communication Standards

• In matches, callouts should be concise, relevant, and not clutter communication. Information should be prioritized.
• Between matches members should feel comfortable enough to give honest feedback without blaming each other. Feedback should be constructive and never toxic.

6. Practice & Improvement

• Team members should be committed to structured practice such as scrims, VOD reviews, and soloQ. That being said, personal health should always take priority over the game.
• Members of Mesopelagic should openly embrace feedback and critique, instead of shying away from it.
• The team should have a section (individually or as a group) to track their progress and setting goals. Goals should not be spoken about once and then never brought up again, it should be a constant conversation.

7. Adaptation & Strategy

• The team should be willing to change comps and try unconventional strategies. Members of the team should not be discouraged from trying out new things.
• The team should not focus exclusively on set strategy, rather on unpredictability and the willingness to adapt.

8. Mentality

• The team is not expected to handle pressure and high-stakes moments without difficulty. They should be encouraged to embrace their frustration, but there will be zero tolerance for toxicity or defeatism.
• Members of Mesopelagic should build confidence without giving in to ego.

9. Commitment & Standards

• Members of Mesopelagic are expected to communication if they are available for practice. Attendance is not mandatory, but it is required for members to put in some effort to show up to practice on time.
• The team should put in effort for the team, whether it be during scrims, tournaments, or practicing solo. Everyone should be on the same page.
• Members of Mesopelagic should remember that they represent the team, and hold each other to high standards. They should always show respect towards opponents and tournament organizers, and there will be zero tolerance for toxicity, blame-shifting, or unsportsmanlike behavior.
• Each member should support each other beyond the game.
• There may be consequences for the lack of commitment.