Southeast Asia is called a hub for MOBA and cellular video games, however the area had a really blended exhibiting within the 2023 Dota 2 Professional Circuit with just one staff being thought of an actual contender on The Worldwide stage. Based on Talon Esports head coach Lee “SunBhie” Jeong-jae, European Dota at all times makes up the baseline for the way groups play and SEA is presently “the weakest it has ever been.”
SunBhie is a well-regarded coach who has coached a number of prime groups in several areas, together with stints with MVP HOT6ix and Workforce Secret. Now, after spending the final 4 years again in SEA, he says the area has potential however isn’t “dwelling as much as the [Dota 2] customary” proper now.
“SEA was a robust area. The outcomes by no means mirrored this however there have been quite a few occasions that the area was fairly succesful,” SunBhie mentioned to Dot Esports. “I feel SEA lacks fundamentals. Dota 2 is nearly 13, there are fundamentals that matter now, and SEA has at all times been chaotic.” He added that Dota 2 is so established with a baseline of fundamentals for staff success—fundamentals he believes the area doesn’t respect.
Whereas SunBhie does suppose there are benefits to enjoying and coaching in SEA, he thinks that the area is presently very weak and hopes that “SEA groups and gamers get up to that truth and come clean with their shortcomings.”
For his staff’s strategy to the sport, SunBhie thinks Talon does have sturdy fundamentals however he and his gamers are cautious in how they construct their methods. It begins with taking a look at what groups in EU are doing since they’re at all times probably the most dominant and dealing “backward” to isolate what they suppose will work for them.
“What works in EU Dota makes up the baseline,” SunBhie mentioned. “I examine what they choose and so they do in any other case—that doesn’t imply that you have to be spineless and baseless. You must nonetheless consider in what you consider in and see how that aligns with what different groups are doing.”
After taking notes, the staff depends on their very own strategy to Dota and expertise to evaluate what heroes or methods to take into pubs and scrims to pursue. Talon’s whole purpose was to peak round TI 2023 by constructing their fundamentals and chemistry, whereas additionally pacing themselves to keep away from burnout or well being issues which have plagued different groups.
The staff took a six-week break earlier than DreamLeague Season 21 and was the one SEA staff to make it into the TI 2023 playoffs as Workforce SMG fell within the group stage. Subsequent 12 months will see a shift within the area as Valve disbands the Dota Professional Circuit, however it’ll take lots for SEA to “come again with that [competitive] hearth” that was lacking this season.
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