- You never expect to end up in loser bracket, but honestly it does not really matter. It feels good that my clan mates get a little kick in the ass and can try a little harder - that way it is good - but we can not afford to make any mistakes, which can be tough.
Photo: Kalaspuff for GosuGamers
- We will end up in loser bracket final and win with 2:1. After that we will see, it depends on who we will face in the grand final, I think it will be MYM. It will be tough, very tough. It is our first event, so there are a lot of nerves involved but we have a really big chance to fin, that's for sure.
Yeah, speaking about the first event, how does it feel with the team? How does the communication work with the new line-up?
- It has worked well even if we lost a little in the games versus SK. We might have played a little too long yesterday - the whole day - so we were a little tired in the evening. What we need to work on is to be able to focus at all times. Being hungry all the time and still wanting to win.
How did it feel to play versus SK?
- It is fun actually, it was no problem for me. I have talked a lot to them during the event, we are good friends and such. They are a kind of my favourites to play against - not the opposite. They are Swedish and I have played with them before so I think it is fun.
You should have a pretty good insight in their tactics, right?
- If you look at the picks from the first game, I almost cried when we lost, because we had very good picks there. But still I don't know if I have the upper hand, I have lead them for a pretty long time so it should most likely even it out.
Are you the leader in Mouz?
- I'm the daddy of this team! :D
Who is the new daddy in SK?
- I don't think they have a new one in SK. But it is Loda that pulls the strings and acts as captain, I believe.
The DotA tournament is pretty new if you compare to the StarCraft and WarCraft ones, even if it is not the first time. What do you think about the tournament so far? What is it like to play here?
- It sucks that we have to bring our own computers. If DotA gets bigger and better and more events pop up that do not require players to bring their own computer, then I think there is a chance that people might hesitate to go here, since it is a lot of work to get here, especially for players form Germany and Denmark. Other than that, I was thinking that the best out of three format might have started earlier in the tournament, but we have played bo3 anyway actually. It was not to show off or anything, but more to get good games. That is very important for DotA too.
About the teams, how does the opposition look? Is it like you expected? How would you want to have the tournament look?
- There are - I think - four really strong teams, and one pretty good team called IQ but else than that the skill level differs a lot from the rest of the teams. That makes you think that you are really good at DotA, but then it will be very rough when you actually stand there facing a good opponent. I want to see more teams.
And how to do to, in your eyes?
- I don't know, the prize pool is good already I believe. And DotA still grows and still has a lot to show for. If DotA can get a spot in WCG it will be settled after that. If not, I dont know how it will work if you want to focus only on this. It would be good if there was more events with money prizes.
How does it work for you to have a team without feeling as if there really are tournaments to go to all the time?
- Online is good these days, there are a lot of tournaments online. But that means you have to put a lot of time into it. The events are what is really fun, to get here and to meet everyone and such. But I'm not here to complain in this interview, after all we are included in the ESWC.
Photo: Kalaspuff for GosuGamers
I was thinking about StarCraft 2, what would you say about DotA running on that engine?
- I'm sceptical to those kind of things, sceptical to all such things. It should be the same old that I can understand. But why not?
As far as I've understood, while DotA reaches new levels of balance, new concepts, such as heroes and items, are introduced. Do you think there's a risk that after all the change, you would end up somewhere you don't want to be?
- I don't think so, because this is the way of DotA. You know, we're playing the same map at all time and in the end of that map's era the heroes remain somewhat the same. Change is good as you get a chance to show your skills. The best players will still remain because the concept doesn't change even though the game play may.
So you see it as variation adding richness to the game?
Yes, I see it as an advantage even though I don't scream out loud with joy when there's a new patch. In particular when it comes to strategies and hero picking.
Isn't that a new opening and opportunity to become the best?
- Of course, you get a chance to show your strength again. In particular I like the current version and it fits us well.
Tell us about the tournament so far. Have you been dominating?
- Well, yes, we have, but we did face a team who were very eager to win: Xspirit. They had good lanes and at that moment I was thinking 'uh-oh'. Because it is a team work. The team who are very eager to win can achieve very much in this game. It's like in football, you run and run until you get the ball and eventually you will.
Do you have any tips to share with those who wish to play on your level?
- You have to believe it's fun. I think you have to be a team person and enjoy winning. Being a bad loser is a positive sign. And it takes a lot of time, you shave to spend a lot of time and that requires a social network who can accept and respect that choice.
And ingame?
- I believe in focusing on stability/security, letting your opponents make the mistake and eat them when they do so. It's like in boxing, you cover for the blow and strike back. I'm not the one to first strike.
Any shoutouts to the community?
- I believe it's very fun that people are so interested in DotA and it's fun to answer when anyone asks me questions, all though I can't always answer. Everyone playing DotA is very, very important. And to GosuGamers I'd like to encourage you to step up the game, it's has become slacky.
