Thank you for taking the time to do this interview.
Hopefully everyone is healthy and well.
How is the team feeling?
33:The team is feeling great.
Has the realization of being top 3 at TI11 sunk in yet?
Entering the tournament, what were your realistic expectations at TI11?
Did you always feel you would make it to the last day of the tournament?
Nine:We really did not have any expectations coming into TI11.
None of the other teams had their eyes on us, and we didn’t feel any pressure.
All of us know we are good players and we focused on performing without expectations.
Was the change in meta a big factor in your ascent?
Do you think you figured out the meta around patch 7.32 better than the other teams?
33:The meta is what you make it to be.
But I do think our idea of the patch is definitely better than most teams.
33: The meta is what you make it to be.
As long as youre confident in your ideas and heroes, you could play whatever feels strong.
You face Team Secret up next, a team you have faced multiple times throughout the year.
What do you think has brought on their resurgence?
Aui:I think Team Secret greatly increased their synergy with their roster changes.
Aui: Team Secret greatly increased their synergy with their roster changes.
Nine:I do not think anything is set in stone, and for sure there are unrevealed strats.
Some heroes popped up during this tournament and it usually takes some games to figure them out.
Aui:No, I think RNG had several separate win conditions and didnt think of any of them.
The backdoor protection buff is at a good level right now.
Aui:It is a mixture of both.
Id say we favor picking to our strengths if its one or the other.
How tedious is the process of working on drafting for a particular encounter?
How long does that take?
Saksa:During the group stages, it doesnt take that long.
It can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or two.
During the main stage, its a much longer process.
Usually Aui or Sneyking will come up to people and ask questions on certain matchups and hero priorities.
If you could pick a highlight of your TI11 run till now, what would it be?
What is the best memory that you have from this year?
Skiter:For me, it would have to be the series against Team Aster on the main stage.
Everyone brought their A-game, and it all just clicked.
What have you been doing in your week off?
Has the team gone sightseeing in Singapore, or has it been just concentrating on Dota 2?
The usual stuff playing pubs, scrimming and reviewing game replays.
Saksa:It is definitely better to have the playoffs in one week.
Hopefully, this was a one-time thing and we wont see it again.
Saksa: It is definitely better to have the playoffs in one week.
Thank you for your time, and all the best for the games ahead.
