Interview with Purge at TI12: "I’m looking forward to Blade Mail and tanky heroes getting nerfed"

Kevin Purge Godec has been a popular analyst in the Dota 2 scene for a long time.

*This interview was done in the days between the TI12 group stage and playoff weekend.

Thanks for talking with us Purge!

How are you liking the return of The International to Seattle?

The first TI I went to was TI2.

It definitely feels nostalgic to see familiar sights.

What do you think about the TI format?

How is it from a player, talent and viewer perspective?

The best thing about this format is that we get to the best-of-3s relatively quickly.

After that was over and we got to the bo3s, it just felt easier for me to focus.

The downside is that there is a possibility of teams getting worse placement than they might deserve.

But, it doesn’t have to be perfect every time.

Having seen the group stage, what team(s) have impressed you the most?

I was impressed bynouns upset win [overTundra Esports].

I was happy for them.Virtus.probeatingTSMwas surprising; they werent on my radar.LGDhave been playing amazing [Dota 2].

All the top teams look good.

I was going to pick one of them (laughs).

Other than them, LGD look quite good.

Team Spirit looks like the strongest team right now.

What do you think of the current Dota 2 meta?

Do you like playing and watching it?

Is it a good TI meta?

Playing the meta is fine, because it isnt as refined as it is on the professional level.

In terms of watching it, the games are really long.

At DreamLeague Season 21, the average game length was seven minutes longer than the previous season we had.

Its hard to say.

Im looking forward to Blade Mail and tanky heroes getting nerfed a little bit.

Has a significantly lower prize pool than the previous years reduced the excitement that typically comes with The International?

I thought about the prize pool reduction a lot during the group stage.

Now, the latter part isnt there.

The majority of the seasons prize pool being TI centric was bad for the scene anyway.

As a long time analyst, do you think that is the case?

Is there more farm than there used to be?

In a way there is, because as players get better at farming, everyone has to match that.

But that doesnt mean you cannot end the game early.

It feels like strength heroes have a lot of value strength gives too much HP per point.

Maybe it is related to kill bounty, but Im not completely sure.

There wont be any DPC Leagues from next season.

What are your thoughts on that?

Did the DPC Leagues serve their purpose?

I think the DPC Leagues had their positives and negatives.

They were really good for tier 2 and tier 3 players that needed stability.

I would say the DPC served its purpose, but it definitely hurt third party tournaments.

As an North American resident, are you supporting one of the NA teams?

Im not the most nationalistic NA person.

Watching the two magic reducing heroes with Lina made sense for that draft.

That is kind of stuff that gets me excited!

Can nouns be this years OG with their weird off meta drafts?

That is the only time I will leave the hotel.

For you, which was the best and worst TI?

TI6 was the best one for me that was the first time we did the weatherman Purge segment.

But across the board, the production was amazing.

Worst TI in terms of the games was TI4.

TI10 was sad as there was no crowd.

But if I had to pick one, Id go with TI4.

What is your favourite Dota 2 team of all time?

It would have to be the OG roster from TI8 and TI9.

It makes me biased towards them.

And what about the current favourite Dota 2 team?

I definitely like Team Liquid a lot.