Hey, there! We popped by the gaming house of NAVI Dota 2 where the guys are bootcamping and playing the league.
I'm here with Bogdan Iceberg and we're going to chat about what the team and he personally have been up to.
- Hi, Bogdan. - Hiya.
First things first, which I believe people are curious about, how did you get through the roster change situation?
And what was it like for you personally?
The pressure from the community, getting ready for the league on a tight schedule, roster changes, how did all that affect you and how did you deal with it?
I didn't exactly feel any different - I had a goal in mind and was working towards it.
Other than that, I did get hateful comments but I simply ignored them.
Though I also came across some funny ones, and received a lot of support, which I'm grateful for.
Did you and the team get through it together? Did you bring it up and talk about it?
Or did you just pretend that nothing was happening and just rolled with it?
We did talk about it and even tried to joke it off to ease the tension.
Though I wouldn't say it affected us that much.
We're the kind of team that doesn't get pressured easily, except for one particular player.
All in all, we are good at keeping our emotions in check.
I think you were probably the one who caught the least flak - at least I didn't see any hate directed at you.
- It wasn't me who was behind the kick though. - Well, yeah.
Did it feel good to get a lot of support in that situation? You did get plenty of supportive comments on socials.
Yeah, but I only picked the worst stuff to read as always.
I know, right?
Do you keep in touch with GeneRaL?
We haven't spoken since the last time I messaged him.
It would be awkward considering we weren't exactly the best of buddies outside of Dota.
I mean, we did hang out at bootcamps, but it'd be really weird if we palled up after he got kicked.
- Let's touch on the last Major, which you missed because... - Of me.
Not you, COVID, everybody gets that.
What was it like watching the Major finally played on LAN?
I had quite mixed feelings since I wanted to be part of it, but I experienced it as a viewer.
Did it hit you hard or did it motivate you?
It actually motivated me - as I said, it made me feel the urge to play and see myself in action.
- You surely watched the Major. - I did.
The CIS teams didn't do too hot, and frankly, we've put the region over a barrel in terms of further invites and so on.
Why do you think it was the case?
- It's just words. - Is it? Do you think it won't happen?
- Even if it happens... - I mean handing one of our slots over to South America.
You can't base it on a single tournament.
It's only one event, and with the changes that the new patch has brought, we'll see how they'll do now.
Overall, what region impressed you the most?
Impressed? South America, clearly.
I had the highest expectations for the Chinese teams and they were met.
I was slightly surprised by EG's top 2 finish.
They were actually supposed to win the whole thing but I didn't expect them to get this far.
Watching those games, did you imagine how you would do if you were there and what result you would get?
No, I didn't look at it from this perspective - I was merely enjoying Dota.
I love watching top competition.
Do you think the players and you as a viewer get full experience of a LAN in a while?
- I don't think the viewers did as it wasn't really your typical LAN with stage walk-ups... - Spectators. - Top-notch production.
It didn't feature any of that so it basically an online tournament on LAN.
So you didn't miss much not going there?
Well, yeah, and I think the players weren't under this huge LAN pressure - except competitive pressure, when facing an opponent.
We've watched 3 of your official games so far, and you're evidently making progress.
No?
Well, based off the results, you clearly are, but what about teamplay and synergy, do you see improvement from game to game?
There are a lot of issues that take a while to get rid of, but yeah, the progress is there.
You looked super depressed at times on your webcam stream.
- I was cheerful, actually. - You were? - Yeah.
How did you get over the defeat in your league opener?
No biggie, we just brought up disbanding the team.
'It's been nice playing with y'all', huh?
We said it'd be nice if everyone packed their things ahead of the next game.
And then if we won it, we'd unpack.
Then repeat for the next game.
I don't know whether you've seen Dom 2 or similar reality shows, but that's actually how they do there.
Perhaps it motivates people.
- You must have watched it, so you know better. - Yeah, I have.
What's this show that's on TV now... Hold on a second...
The Bachelor.
- Took you no time. - I don't watch it, so I don't know what it is like there now.
Sure, that's why you thought of it.
I can read your mind, you know.
- Tell me... - That's not really hard.
What do you make of CIS teams and their form?
The patch has just come out, so it's unclear yet.
- Team Spirit are currently sitting at 3-0. - Yep.
- VP got a game in hand. - They have 1-2 strategies, heroes they're good with, and their teamplay.
Though it's hard to predict what happens if someone bans these heroes and drafts well against them.
For example, Winstrike played really well against Team Spirit,
and they should've won the third game, but they decided not to.
Let's talk about Roma a bit.
He was supposed to bring his leadership qualities and drafting insight to the table, but has he delivered yet?
Well, yeah. Every day it's, "Guys, guys, guys!"
So yeah, he's got leadership qualities.
What does your drafting process look like? Is Roma the one in charge making all the decisions, or do you go about it as a team?
No, there's also Andrey Mag Chipenko with his input.
He asks for advice and hero suggestions, but overall, yeah.
What are your plans? How do you think the patch will affect the teams and will it force some shiftings in the standings?
Anything can happen, it's hard to predict.
So your take is that the meta hasn't fully developed yet, right?
That's right. It's different from region to region, but overall, there are several heroes that are picked regularly,
and I think it'll take about two months to define a consistent meta.
- Wow. - Yeah.
Right in time for the next Major. It'll have its own meta.
- Not only Major. - It'll be over by then. - Right.
I guess the meta will get fully figured out at TI: most viable heroes, and so on.
The drafting pool will consist of 40 heroes. As always.
Okay. Looking forward to TI, then.
Good luck to you and the team in your next games!
- Thank you for the interview. - Thank you.
Guys, make sure to follow Bogdan on socials, subscribe to our YouTube channel, post a positive comment and drop a like! Cheers.
Alright, bring it on.
What's the question?
I'm going to hit you.
Okay, Bogdan, the question is...