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The North American competitive Dota 2 scene thrives on new talent. But where does new talent come from? We polled some of the best NA players to find out who the next big stars will be. Join us for an inside look into the depths of NADotA as we expose the hottest unknown talent on the scene. This is NADotA: Next Generation.
Arteezy
It all started in 6th grade when I was playing Runescape at an internet cafe. I only played games with my friends at the time so as I was playing Runescape my friend opened up Frozen Throne and started talking to me about the game. Being very young I became intrigued very quickly, the thought of controlling units and battling enemies in an intense scenario appealed to me I guess. Fast forward around two months and I found the 'custom game' button! I mainly played Footmen Frenzy until one of my best friends irl told me about Dota. I played Dota with my friends everyday after school and eventually my friends got bored of the game. I decided to keep playing and abandon Runescape.
Who was your biggest inspiration when you decided you wanted to play competitively?
Dendi was my inspiration for becoming a competitive player. I recall watching a VOD of Dendi's stream where he gave a play-by-play analysis on his games against top players. Specifically aimed at the laning phase. I watched this VOD over three times and that's when I decided I wanted to become a good mid player.
How did you break into the scene?
I've been playing for some time and I felt like I had what it takes to become a top player. I tried things out and I was fortunately supported by a few individuals in the pro scene. I'm still on the way to becoming something no one has ever seen before!
How often do you practice?
I actually practice a huge ass amount. I think I spend more time playing 1v1s than actual pubs/c9s and if there aren't any 1v1s to play I spend time in single player doing random shit. At the beginning, I watched a lot of replays with player perspective on and I just sat back on my chair and looked at it. I think watching your opponents POV in matches helps you understand your weaknesses and mistakes you made more than watching your POV. I always flame myself for allowing my opponent to get away with things when I'm in a dominating position. To answer your question, a fuck load.
Do you have plans to try and play profesionally?
I think once I finish high school, playing professionally will be no problem. However, as it stands it's very difficult to play professionally while attending high school. I'm trying to balance competitive Dota and school at the moment. it seems to be working out okay but I'd love to play in the morning every day instead of going to school.
What are you doing besides Dota?
Dota, gym, school stuff and sleep.
What are your goals outside of Dota?
Right now my goal is to graduate from high school with an notable average, high enough to be accepted into UBC Sciences.
Any shoutouts?
Shoutout to my team, envy, bulba, s4, mike and cv.
KZZ
I first heard about Dota through Starcraft: Brood War. I was never very good at BW, but I played occasionally on iCCup in my freshman year of college and watched a lot of games. Some of the casters I listened to mentioned Dota (or also casted Dota). Eventually I started watching Dota 1 and I read up on all the heroes and items. A couple years later I got a Dota 2 beta key from my brother and started playing.
I did try to play Dota 1 on Battle.net one time, but I couldn’t get Warkeys to work so I quit after one game.
Who was your biggest inspiration?
Initially my biggest inspirations were a couple russian players -- pgg and Vigoss. I remember watching a Dota 1 replay of Vigoss where he was Lion vs some dual mid and he completely ignored the creeps and just attacked the enemy heroes from level 1. He died 2-3 times in lane but his team won the game because they played really well together. I don’t think I have to elaborate about pgg -- I believe he’s well known as one of the best (if not the best) Dota players of all time.
The players I love to watch now are Bulba, God, and Dendi. All three are solo players who play really unselfish Dota. They prioritize helping their team over farming creeps, which is how I try to play.
How did you break into the scene?
I think people recognize my name from my forum posts on this website. Being loud and outspoken -- regardless of whether you’re right -- always attracts a lot of attention.
People started to recognize me as a player rather than as forum poster after I started playing c9. I got into c9 when Bulba messaged me on steam out of nowhere and told me about it.
How often do you practice?
I haven’t played matchmaking lately and I’ve only scrimmed occasionally. I play 3-5 league games a day and spectate other games while I’m doing my homework.
When I was new to Dota 2 I watched a lot of replays to see how really strong players approached laning and ganking. To anyone who is new to Dota or wants to improve, I think watching replays from player perspective and thinking about why that player makes the decisions he makes is really helpful.
Do you have plans to try and play professionally?
I think playing professionally, or at least being successful at professional Dota, takes a lot of work. You need to know how to play a wide variety of heroes -- I can’t do this -- and make certain sacrifices (for example, scrimming in the morning against European teams). I don’t mind playing serious games occasionally, but I don’t have any plans to try to make it as a professional player.
What are you doing besides Dota?
I’m in the last semester of my senior year of college. I’m a history major and I’m learning Arabic on the side. I also watch a lot of movies and read history/current events/novels in my spare time.
What are your goals outside of Dota?
I’m planning on spending a year abroad after I graduate, either in Israel or an Arab country (probably Jordan). I’d like to get a job based on knowing Arabic in the future.
Any shoutouts?
Shoutout to bulba, broodstar, ixmike, lust, demise, sulli, inphinity, jubei, febby, and arteezy.
Febby
My IRL friends and I used to go LAN centers once a week when we were in middle school, and one of them introduced me to Dota. I hated everything about it. It was an hour long RPG with no sense of accomplishment afterwards! How could anyone find this attractive at all? In Starcraft you get to show off your wins to your friends, but there's nothing to look forward to from Dota. The main reason was that I was 0-100 against my IRL friends. I am a fairly competitive person, and I guess I found a drive to beat my undefeated friends. I took a liking to it when I finally beat my IRL friends and gradually extended my hero pool from a sole Zeus and bought items other than Aghanims.
Who was your biggest inspiration when you decided you wanted to play competitively?
That would be TidesofTime and March. I didn't play games a lot until I had to live by myself due to family problems, that put me in a depression. I fiended DotaCash tier2 during those dark times and I could not beat TidesofTime no matter what I tried. My goal was to beat him just once and to improve, I started watching competitive Dota (my favorite team was and always will be EHOME2010). He disappeared before I could beat him and that's when March took me under his wing and taught me how to play captain's mode. He did not just teach me the mechanics of the game or help me improve my game sense, but the value of Dota in general and how to act responsibly. He is and always will be the number one Korean Dota player in my heart.
How did you break into the scene?
I played DCIHL and it had a lot of NADotA players in it, so I guess that's how I made my first impression. I established healthy friendships there with the likes of Lust, ixmike88, and Jubei.
How often do you practice?
I used to theorycraft the best ways to win c9s a month ago and the most effective were pick myself QoP or level 1 Roshan. I usually play from dawn till the sun comes up since midnight is when I don't have lag.
Do you have plans to try and play profesionally?
I have been in several teams in Dota1 and Dota2 but I was never able to put my heart into it since I'm not friends with my ex-teammates hence not being able to fully open up. I will start trying once I feel I'm ready for it.
What are you doing besides Dota?
Work, read, beatbox, watch sc1 and soccer, and I've been working out again to fend myself against the people I flamed who will attend ETS.
What are your goals outside of Dota?
To have a steady income to feed and shelter Jubei till he dies.
Any shoutouts?
Shoutout to mg, ae, murs, lust, kzz, tides, tenbird, and Korean Dota players out there.
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