Draft Phase

Term from Esports industry explained for recruiters

The Draft Phase, also known as the "pick and ban phase," is a critical pre-game stage in competitive video games where teams take turns selecting and blocking characters or heroes. It's similar to sports teams picking players, but in esports, teams choose digital characters for each match. This process is important because it shows a person's understanding of game strategy, team composition, and their ability to adapt to different situations. You might see this term in job applications for esports coaches, analysts, or team managers.

Examples in Resumes

Led team strategy during Draft Phase and Pick/Ban Phase, resulting in 70% win rate in tournament matches

Analyzed opponent Draft Phase patterns to develop counter-strategies

Created educational content explaining Draft Phase strategies for professional teams

Typical job title: "Esports Analysts"

Also try searching for:

Esports Coach Team Analyst Strategic Coach Draft Specialist Team Manager Game Analyst Competition Strategist

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you build a drafting strategy for a team competing in a major tournament?

Expected Answer: The candidate should explain how they would research opponent patterns, prepare multiple strategies, and adapt to meta changes. They should mention working with players to understand their strengths and creating contingency plans.

Q: How do you evaluate the success of different draft strategies?

Expected Answer: Should discuss measuring win rates, analyzing team performance with different compositions, gathering player feedback, and adapting strategies based on data and results.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What factors do you consider when advising on draft choices?

Expected Answer: Should mention team strengths, current meta, opponent preferences, map/mode considerations, and player champion pools.

Q: How do you stay updated with changing draft meta and strategies?

Expected Answer: Should explain following professional matches, analyzing successful teams, reading patch notes, and maintaining connections within the competitive scene.

Junior Level Questions

Q: Can you explain the basic structure of a draft phase?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the alternating picks and bans, the importance of first pick vs counter pick, and basic draft phase timing.

Q: What makes a good team composition?

Expected Answer: Should discuss basic concepts like role balance, synergy between characters, and having clear win conditions.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-1 years)

  • Basic understanding of draft phases
  • Knowledge of current meta picks
  • Basic game knowledge
  • Communication skills

Mid (1-3 years)

  • Draft analysis and planning
  • Counter-strategy development
  • Match data analysis
  • Team coordination

Senior (3+ years)

  • Advanced strategic planning
  • Team management
  • Tournament preparation
  • Meta trend prediction

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No knowledge of current competitive meta
  • Unable to explain basic draft concepts
  • Lack of analytical skills
  • No experience watching professional matches
  • Poor communication skills