EPT
VP.God interview by Olesami 26.09.13.
![[image loading]](/staff/dfs/photos/LGDint_G_001.jpg)
Original article - http://dota2.starladder.tv/news/4013
- Name: Sergey Bragin
- Nickname: God
- Hometown: Saint Petersburg
- Role: Mid, Carry
- Ex-Teams: TR, DTS, M5, Darer, aL, LGD.int
Hello Sergei, thank you for finding the time for our readers.
-Hello
You are an experienced player who started it's way in Dota back in 2008. You played in The Retry, DTS, Moscow Five, Garaj, Darer, Absolute Legends and, of course, in LGD.int. Which one of the listed teams evokes the most bright memories?
-Clearly LGD.int. 9 months under one roof, a lot of bugs in our heads that we fought day and night. It was a puzzle that I couldn't solve in time to TI3.
Which captain of one of those teams you had the hardest time getting along with? On the other hand, with who you would have liked to play again?
-As I can remember I was finding common ground with any captain easily. Although, finding common ground and being satisfied with his work are two different things for me. So, I can not pick someone good or bad. Every men has his own approach to being a captain, and as far as I know there is no book like "How to become a true captain for a Dota team". I might add that there are no perfect people and therefore no perfect captains.
Everybody are interested in your life during the LGD.int. You played and lived in China. What emotions did you feel at the beginning, after you arrived in China?
-At first, everything was very interesting: people, food, bugs crawling in the shower. After 2 weeks in China I started to get bored. I get quickly bored everywhere, I don't like to sit on one place. Anyway, the feeling of the uncertainty, when you make a step towards something and you have no idea how it will turn up - is unforgettable.
Was it hard to adapt to living in there? What did you had to change in your life, what did you had to let go? What new did you find for yourself?
-I get easily accustomed to any changes. I stopped seeing my friends and acquaintances in person, changed my diet (I couldn't find borsch in China, obviously). When I needed to relax, then I relaxed no worse than in Russia.
How quickly did you reach understanding with your teammates? Describe them in a few words.
-We reached understanding in about 2 months. Although, I can not say that it was enough for us. 5 people from 5 different countries. To reach something really meaningful, as a team, we would have needed a few years.
Pajkatt - Swedish alcoholic
Misery - Danish retard
1413 - tidy Canadian
Brax - American sleeping beauty
With whom you established warm relations and with whom it didn't work out? Not including TI3 and it's aftermath.
-Dota aside, I can say that I developed warm relations with everybody. If someone will need some help from me in the future, then I will try my best to do everything to help (without rising my ass off the chair, obviously, I'm a nerd, I don't leave the room.)
Let's talk about Chinese teams a bit. Compare Asian and European mentality in the process of preparing to important tournaments.
-You could compare them two years ago, when China was training for 10 hours minimum for the upcoming tournaments, when Europeans were arguing how many pubs they want to play today. Now European teams became much more serious when it comes to the training process, I can not note any strong differences. Well, except that Asians are trying much harder in their practice.
A question about fans. Everybody knows that the differences between Asian and non-Asian fans are striking. Were you recognized on the streets? Any pros and cons of Asian fans in comparison to European ones?
-I am very neutral towards all this, so I'm not going to make pros and cons. I can point out that we were recognized on the streets indeed: some guy recognized us in the gym and was tailing Misery for half an hour, or, for example, someone took a picture of us buying something that looked like fried rats on the street and posted it in Chinese Twitter.
What about Chinese girls? Can you share a story about it?
-Everything that happens in China, stays in China
What was the reason of your unsuccessful performance on TI3 and your departure from LGD.int?
-We never found a strict game plan. Our, so called, "team chemistry" wasn't good, clearly. A lot of "bugs" in our heads, we were solving problems just for new ones to arise on their place. It was hard, but very interesting. I planned to leave LGD.int long before TI3, I wanted to change the scenery, to play with Russian players. In my point of view, LGD.int required some serious changes since February-March 2013.
Why did 1437 left LGD.int and where do you think he will go? How will the new LGD.int roster do, in your opinion?
-At first LGD.int simply disbanded. Everyone was a free agent and could do anything he wants. I joined VP. 1437 joined Dignitas. The other guys, after playing with other teams, realized, that what we had in LGD.int was really good in comparison to what they could have had in other teams. I'm not talking about financial side. The fact that they didn't take 1437 back is their business. Freedom, as far as I know, is just a stand-in for the Chinese tournament. It will be interesting to watch them. The only prediction that I can make, is that it will be difficult in China. It is always difficult in China, despite whatever people say...
Where there other offers from European teams after TI3? Why did you choose Virtus.pro?
-There were other offers. Virtus.pro's terms were really respectable.
Besides the financial part, what else did they offer? Any bonus system, foreign travels norm, bootcamps?
-Of course we have all that. That's what I meant behind "respectable terms"
Let's switch to present time. Haw can you evaluate your current roster? What do you lack and how much time will you need to find your game and get into European top?
-Our level of play is low. We can't make a lot of ingame decisions simply because we are weak as a team. My own opinion of the ways to solve the problems of our low level of play I will better leave to myself.
What about mutual understanding inside the team? Your first matches in SLTV StarSeries did no go smooth. How do you perceive your victories and defeats?
-Well, mutual understanding also affects the level of play, as for now it leaves much to be desired. We perceive our defeats adequately.
Did you finally determined who is the leader of your team? Do you have any misunderstanding during practice?
-I can say that not everything is finalized yet. There are some misunderstandings, but from my point of view there is nothing bad about it, I am always for adequate discussions.
You are playing mid for your almost entire career. Is it your favourite role in Dota? Recently you switched roles with Resolut1on, how do you like carry role? Any reasons behind the switch, is it an experiment or is it finalized?
-I like mid role. I switched to carry, because I don't really care what to play, and my team needed the change.
A few words about your plans - what closest tournaments do you plan to attend?
-The questions is different - which tournaments will invite us? We are ready to play anywhere, but far from everybody want to see us
Can you compare the competitive Dota 1 and Dota 2 scenes? Did Dota 1 had something that Dota 2 lacks right now?
-I like to nostalgia about Dota 1 sometimes. It was a different game, after all, it was more difficult, every LAN tournament was a holiday. Exactly a holiday, guys who remember "ASUS" can confirm. People behaved well, like on a holiday, not like on a tournament. If you want, you can drink, you can sing. Right now... these professional tournaments, interviews, pff...
Do your remember your first team and your first tournament? What were your feelings?
-My first LAN was in my native city, great and mighty Saint Petersburg. It was a mix-tournament you didn't not need a team. I won that, actually.
What motivates you the most? Where do you find it when you lack it?
-I like what I do. I do not need additional motivation.
Many players mentioned that they express special passion, when they perform on big tournaments. Do you have anything similar?
-Of course I do, but this feeling was stronger before, sometimes it even didn't let me collect myself. I am more collected right now, but the fire in the eyes dimmed a bit. ONLY A BIT!
What are two qualities of a good mid and carry player?
-Confidence in yourself and in your team. It's a good quality for any role, actually
What distinguishes a pro from a regular player?
-It may sound corny, but - EXPERIENCE
What hero in Dota 2 are you waiting for the most?
-Techies
A few words on current playstyle. Do you think that we will see a change in the playstyle in the near future once again? Can you predict what unusual heroes will appear in picks more often?
-Usually playstyles change because of new version of Dota. Players themselves will not change anything globally in the near future. Only Valve and IceFrog can affect this. I can't even tell who are the unusual heroes right now
Although, Elder Titan should be picked more often.Do you talk with IceFrog? Did you meet him? Is it true that one of the player of your current roster talks with him a lot?
-I talk with him online. Sometimes he asks for my opinion about new patches. I never saw him. Goblak did
.Very trite question and very popular question in the social networks. How to become pro? What is your formula?
-I think that everyone should have his own way. The ones who want to break to the top will do so eventually.
Does God have private life? In the TI3 interview you said that women are evil.
-Am I wrong??? :D Private life is private to stay private.
What do you do in your free time? What's your hobby?
-Free t... what? What is that? :D I relax in different ways. I relax with friends, I can read a book and I can relax in Dota.
Lastly, any shoutouts, gratitudes?
-Shoutout to everyone, especially to Virtus.pro.
Blitz poll:
- Last book you read: Great Gatsby
- Best player 2013: Dread
- Best team 2013: Alliance
- Favourite actress: Olivia Wilde
- Favourite superhero: Judge Dread
Interview by: Olesia "Olesami" Denysenko
Translated by: dfs
