Tundra Esports pulled off a shock transfer, recruiting the legendary Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen on the eleventh hour in Sept. 2023. However because the crew gears up towards The Worldwide 2023, questions encompass this surprising alliance and the measures that it dropped at the crew. Will Topson’s Tundra stint be a short blaze or a long-standing partnership? Has Tundra discovered its rhythm with a brand new participant and 9 on place 4?
Successful in Dota 2 comes with its personal set of issues. After successful The Worldwide 2022, Tundra Esports’ battle with burnout compelled the champions into unorthodox approaches like sending all gamers to their properties whereas taking part in within the DPC.
This unconventional strategy paid off for Tundra, and after inserting third on the Bali Main, many anticipated Tundra to be again on monitor to develop into a prime contender at TI 2023. Nevertheless, the crew suffered a setback after having to move a key player, Saksa, to its inactive roster. This transfer compelled mid-laner Leon “9” Kirilin out of his consolation zone as two-timer Topson joined the crew.
9 has since shared the finer particulars of Tundra’s Topson signing with Dot Esports. Although including Topson to the squad regarded like an influence transfer, 9 has revealed the OG legend wasn’t really Tundra’s first alternative.
“Out of all of the free brokers, we couldn’t discover a place for 4 gamers that we have been proud of,” 9 informed Dot Esports. “So we thought perhaps we may play with Aui_2000 as we worth him extremely as a participant.”
As a TI winner, Aui_2000 has been teaching Tundra since 2021 and made a number of sense. Nevertheless, per Dota 2 aggressive guidelines, Tundra couldn’t signal a participant who had performed in TI12 qualifiers or was certified for TI, narrowing choices even additional.
Typically, Dota 2 groups convey of their coach to play once they don’t have any alternative. Asking a coach to play sees them go away the teaching place or doubles that coach’s obligations, so the entire Tundra group was relieved they didn’t need to go down that path after discovering out that Topson was fascinated with taking part in with them.
Round Aug. 13, OG greenlit the Topson swap, and Tundra abruptly had a two-time TI winner in its roster. Topson’s arrival meant Tundra had two mid laners on its roster, leaving 9 because the eventual sacrificial lamb.
“I believed I could possibly be an honest place 4 and make means for Topson.” 9 mentioned. “We have been actually excited that we may remedy this roster drawback by leaving time to apply for TI.”
Such a change got here with new challenges, however 9 had a private problem too; adapting to a brand new position. Fortunately, he had a number of assist from Aui_2000 and Saksa.
“Once I began taking part in place 4, Aui went over my replays with me and gave me suggestions.” 9 mentioned. “Each Aui and Saksa coached me through the course of, and their assist eased the transition.”
Regardless of discovering his new position overwhelming at occasions, 9 has been getting extra snug at place 4 as he performs the position extra. The skilled former mid laner additionally labeled the method “refreshing” as he loved studying one thing totally new in Dota 2.
Including a brand new participant and reshuffling roles inevitably introduces uncertainties. Nevertheless, Tundra managed to take care of its core id since Topson has an analogous model to 9 within the mid lane. With 9 additionally coming via together with his position transition, Tundra continues to function on its current foundational pillars.
Although Tundra might need discovered its roster issues, Dota 2 followers are already questioning whether or not Topson will probably be a everlasting crew member after TI 2023, and by the sounds of issues, there’s nothing set in stone for anybody simply but.
“We didn’t make any long-term plans,” 9 mentioned when requested about if Topson would keep on after TI 2023. “[We’re] simply specializing in TI for now, and what comes afterward is anybody’s guess.”
This implies Tundra will attempt to seize the day at TI 2023, however an unsure future nonetheless awaits the crew. Whereas the crew can all the time welcome again Saksa to its rank, the org may additionally go on one other participant hunt if its former star doesn’t get better totally by then.
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