What's going to be the new mTw roster?
Troels 'syndereN' Nielsen: syndereN from Denmark, Matrim from Sweden, Tulex and Warlog from Slovakia and Dutch_Freak from the Netherlands.
What was most important for you when you selected the players? Individual skill or did you want to collect players who already know each other well?
The most crucial thing for me was to gather a group of personalities that work well together to avoid drama and maintain focused on the game itself, while still having a high individual skill. Having played with Matrim and Tulex in the past, I know their personalities and skills very well. Warlog, Tulex' brother, I have also met on a few occasions at LANs, so I know his personality and skill from several games as well. Finally, Dutch_Freak I recalled playing against him in scrims some time back and being impressed by his ability to play position 4. I believe we have the working recipe for a long-lasting team in this roster: Ambitious and skilled players with the right mind-set, and a good team composition in terms of role distribution.
![60e49eab6e009f59da14505306f2ab8a25517ddc37871165abd1678d10.jpg]()
At first, it was said that mTw is not in a hurry to find a new set of players and it might take "until December". Now you can already present the new team. What are you going to pursue with this team? DreamHack? StarLadder? GosuLeague?
The first major event that we are aiming for is DreamHack, but we also have our eyes on Thor Open as well as other tournaments in the future.
You already mentioned Dutch_Freak playing a good position 4, could you describe what other roles the other players most likely will take? Are you still playing solo mid preferably?
I am still playing solo mid, yes, and working on developing my individual skill in that position, as I wasn't satisfied with my individual performance at TI2. Tulex will be playing position 1, Warlog position 3, and Matrim position 5. They are all very experienced with their individual roles.
This is probably something many people would like to copy: How do you try to increase your solo mid skill? What do you have to improve on? And are meta-game changes helping you out with this problem?
Practice, practice, practice... Pay attention to your position on the lane, when you attack, how you harass, when you push to gain rune control, when you see openings on the map to move for. All of these things come into play, and it's all about maximising your impact on the game. Meta-game changes don't really have any impact, apart from opening up for new solo mid heroes, I feel.
Troels 'syndereN' Nielsen: syndereN from Denmark, Matrim from Sweden, Tulex and Warlog from Slovakia and Dutch_Freak from the Netherlands.
What was most important for you when you selected the players? Individual skill or did you want to collect players who already know each other well?
“
We have the right recipe for a long-lasting team.”
At first, it was said that mTw is not in a hurry to find a new set of players and it might take "until December". Now you can already present the new team. What are you going to pursue with this team? DreamHack? StarLadder? GosuLeague?
The first major event that we are aiming for is DreamHack, but we also have our eyes on Thor Open as well as other tournaments in the future.
You already mentioned Dutch_Freak playing a good position 4, could you describe what other roles the other players most likely will take? Are you still playing solo mid preferably?
“
I wasn't satisfied with my individual performance at TI2.”This is probably something many people would like to copy: How do you try to increase your solo mid skill? What do you have to improve on? And are meta-game changes helping you out with this problem?
Practice, practice, practice... Pay attention to your position on the lane, when you attack, how you harass, when you push to gain rune control, when you see openings on the map to move for. All of these things come into play, and it's all about maximising your impact on the game. Meta-game changes don't really have any impact, apart from opening up for new solo mid heroes, I feel.
Looking back on the past year of Dota 2, winning DreamHack twice, qualifying for DreamHack, but being unable to stabilize or sustain the teams, is that what you'd call a successful year nevertheless?
Winning DreamHack twice as well as qualifying to The International 2 were major achievements, and for me personally--in particular compared to previous achievements--it has been a very successful year. I would, however, love to not change rosters at all or keep it at a minimum, much like Na`Vi has managed to do. That is my ideal.
![88c6ff5d79650ed68a4e5f5b254327bbac22008c4f8a5b50da170f35b1.jpg]()
Do you think you can improve or repeat this record with your new team?
Yes.
Because the teamspirit seems to be working out better than before?
We have the right mentalities, personalities and skill. If we practice with dedication, I don't see why we wouldn't be able to produce results.
'Practice with dedication', was that something you feel mTw missed out sometimes in the past?
No, definitely not. I just believe that the new roster will be able to go places with dedicated practice, just like the previous one.
This brings us to the question of the definition of success: This does not sound like you shifting focus towards studying or similar at all. Do you consider yourself as a professional full-time gamer?
I never considered myself a full-time gamer, as that would disallow me from studying. I keep a balance.
During these past weeks of uncertainty in which you were officially the sole member of mTw, have you ever felt any doubt or pressure?
![2acec6e14860d4e8d8cc81a98d51f7d4baa9b31afe86524a57a2e9ce1c.jpg]()
I've just slowly but steadily put the roster together with the main goal of attending DreamHack as the first major event--the roster has been complete for some time now, we just haven't made it official until now.
Did you feel getting supported by mTw? What does their support mean for you?
mTw has been supportive of me and my projects right from the beginning back when they picked up WHB. I'm really thankful that they keep believing in the potential of rosters I put together, although, like I said, there have been way too many changes to my liking. These changes have, however, sadly been necessary.
“
I would love to not change rosters at all.”
Yes.
Because the teamspirit seems to be working out better than before?
We have the right mentalities, personalities and skill. If we practice with dedication, I don't see why we wouldn't be able to produce results.
'Practice with dedication', was that something you feel mTw missed out sometimes in the past?
No, definitely not. I just believe that the new roster will be able to go places with dedicated practice, just like the previous one.
This brings us to the question of the definition of success: This does not sound like you shifting focus towards studying or similar at all. Do you consider yourself as a professional full-time gamer?
“
I never considered myself a full-time gamer.”During these past weeks of uncertainty in which you were officially the sole member of mTw, have you ever felt any doubt or pressure?
Did you feel getting supported by mTw? What does their support mean for you?
mTw has been supportive of me and my projects right from the beginning back when they picked up WHB. I'm really thankful that they keep believing in the potential of rosters I put together, although, like I said, there have been way too many changes to my liking. These changes have, however, sadly been necessary.
