The action has taken a break atThe International 2023.
The event has already seen its share of upsets and excitement.
One such storyline belongs toTalon Esports.
It isn’t the first time Talon overpowered Gaimin Gladiators in recent memory.
Until this point, GG had won all five premier Dota 2 tournaments of the 2022-2023 season.
They secured their place at TI with an 8th-place finish in the DPC with 1120 points.
Their next series is the upper bracket quarter-finals.
Can imagine how it would feel to overpower one of the favorites.
23Savage:I think it’s just normal.
I think we played all of the teams at the same level.
I feel like they are all pretty good teams, so we just play our own game.
23Savage:I think we changed the strategy we play.
Do you think Team Liquid will be a harder opponent than GG was?
Mikoto:For me, of course.
You have a different status at this years TI compared to last year.
Many see you as favourites given the strong year that you had.
Is this adding extra pressure on the team?
We are just comfortable.23Savage: Because we don’t hear anyone (laughs).
Talon is the only remaining SEA team at TI12.
Does that bring added pressure to represent the entire region and carry their hopes?
23Savage:Don’t care, we just play for ourselves.
What does SEA need to do to get back up there as one of the strongest regions?
Mikoto:Find a good captain and maybe also a good coach.
What would be a result that you would be content with here in Seattle?
23savage:Top 3?
I think I will be happy.Mikoto:Yeah, top 3.
So, I think coaches are really needed.
Do you like the meta right now?
Have the recent balance patches made a big difference?
Mikoto:I personally don’t like this patch.
What do you think of this years TI format?
Do you like the breaks, or would it be better to have the tournament in one go?
Mikoto:For me, I would prefer it in one go.
23Savage, this is your third TI overall, and first TI in Seattle.
You havent played your signature Morphling in the group stage until the very last game with Gaimin Gladiators.
Have you lost your faith in this hero, or why didnt you get to play it more?
23Savage:I think it’s just not so good in this patch.
It can be picked only on certain matchups.
How do you like the hero pool for the carry role in the current meta?
23Savage:I think it’s kind of boring.
I want the last patch like Void, Morphling, and Terrorblade.
Whos your Dota 2 role model player?
What’s your Behaviour Score?
I don’t mind the new system.
It makes the game much better.
Did you struggle with the new Behavior and Communication score system?
23Savage:Nope, I’m a nice guy.Mikoto:(laughing) Mmmm maybe.
you’ve got the option to not ping the people that died… its quite annoying.
What’s your take on smurfing?
What do you think of surfing?
23Savage:I think it’s normal.
It’s going to happen.
There are some people that are good at the game and they want to play with their friends.
But it’s not like you should always do that.
I think there is something that can be changed still.
Did you get a smurf account banned?
Mikoto:I haven’t.23Savage:I haven’t…
I haven’t played since the new patch
Do you think banning all smurfs worked in your games?
