EPTBig Wood: Thank you Lady Hao for accepting 178's interview. You just defeated CDEC 2-1 in the [NESO] final. Which game gave you the biggest impression?
Hao: We discussed the second game the most. During the draft we didn't think too much, we third-picked DP. At first I was thinking Puck but because we didn't all agree, we still went with DP. And so they beat us around, verily DP is easy to kill. The opponent's wisp+PA laning advantage made us rather passive; also if we picked Puck we would have an additional tempo aspect.
Big Wood: With Puck there would also be less solo killed situations.
Hao: Not only the solo kill issue, but Puck is also better at escaping than DP. Once we got to the mid-game, gank and tempo aspects would be better. It also counters Wisp, Panda, and additionally they did not have point stuns.
Big Wood: In your opinion what does CDEC still not do well?
Hao: They still lack experience, they are still a new team. We've played so many years, they've been founded but one year. What they need is more competition experience, I believe they will play better and better. Two words: keep persevering, if you persevere there will be results.
Big Wood: Discuss Maybe a bit.
Hao: Maybe is a very gifted player, I see in him some of Mu's shadow. He still needs experience, time to cultivate himself and expand his hero pool, grasp more heroes. I believe he is the type of player who can get results, I view him favorably.
Big Wood: Lately CDEC, Tongfu, LV have been rated tier two teams that can have back and forth games with iG and LGD. Are the old being replaced by the new?
Hao: Old new replacement!? I think, this year, there won't be a replacement. They are still considered tier two teams on the threshold. How to say.. lately the domestic teams are still taking it easy, including IG, LGD.. actually they are really not practicing much. By next year, I think LV, Tongfu, CDEC still won't be able to compete with tier one teams, because they are constantly practicing and the tier one teams are not really practicing.
After TI, everyone is resting. You have to think, after TI everyone is exhausted. If you haven't experienced it you don't know. We've already played so many TIs, the months before them are very compact. Everyday sleep at 3 or 4, get up at 11 and practice laning.. constantly practicing. When you play matches you can only eat chocolate, can't eat meals because you worry it will affect your form in the match. During that stretch you might only eat one proper meal a day. People who aren't athletes don't know how difficult it is.
For now they can have back and forth, and occasionally win, but it's still only the year end, there are still a few months before the new year when we come back to practice and can have a conclusion. CDEC actually is not far from tier one teams, but they still need to accumulate experience.
Big Wood: Does Newbee practice with tier two teams? A lot of new teams long to practice with strong teams.
Hao: Not much, to be honest since we got back from TI we haven't really practiced. As for practice, maybe after the new year if we can't find any teams, we'll play with them a bit. If the opportunity arises we'll play for sure. Of course one wants to play with people better than oneself. This doesn't mean I look down on them, but of course I want to improve myself and practice new systems with teams of a similar level.
I think that practicing is still mostly to practice systems; it doesn't really matter who you practice with. But if you pick a new hero and crush a new team, you can't really judge the result. You still need to play a team that's closer to your level to see if the results are good.
Big Wood: Thus your lineups recently are missing variation, you still use unpopular heroes such as AA and Luna. It's because you don't practice?
Hao: AA is more suitable for us. AA can protect the carry, add a team buff and burst with cores.
Big Wood: Is there any story to share about Sansheng representing Chery?
Hao: I don't really know either..
Big Wood: Then if you were to buy a car which would you pick?
Hao: This is still in planning, I need to pass my license exam first. For sure I will buy, but buy what is not set yet.
Big Wood: Do you pay attention to forums? What kind of content attracts you?
Hao: Occassionally I may check out interviews.
There are foreign teams we don't quite understand. Match data, what they ban or pick. If players organize this data then I also go take a look.
Big Wood: After battle god 7 left Newbee has he received his rewards?
Hao: He certainly has received compensation for his efforts in the team, the club didn't shortchange anything. He left for a lot of reasons and we respect his decision. As players we can only give our blessing.
Big Wood: So now Li will also act as coach?
Hao: Li's position is leader, we don't have a coach at the moment. We'll find one after the new year, we don't have one picked yet.
Big Wood: Does a coach really benefit a team?
Hao: In reality a coach is not for their DOTA ability, the most important role of a coach is to harmonize the team atmosphere. For example after we lose, to tell us we need to keep our composure, encourage us. When we win tell us not to be arrogant and remain stable. This is the chief job, along with regularly encouraging us to practice. Organizing information and stuff like that they will do too, but honestly there's not much use. Dota tactics are in bursts, what you noted two months ago will be useless in two months.
Big Wood: Lady Hao do you have any hobbies?
Hao: I just watch some television shows, Korean shows, Canto shows, US shows.
Big Wood: Recommend what you've been watching lately for the fans?
Hao: "Walking Dead", "Z Nation"! I like stuff like this. Twice a week I will dream that I've been bitten awake by zombies. Then I'll be resurrected and feel very nice.
Big Wood: Finally anything to add to the fans?
Hao: Very grateful to the fans who have supported us, I believe we haven't caused any disappointment. I hope next year's TI5 can also bring good results. We will strive not to let the fans down. And thanks to our sponsors.
