EPT
Jonathan "Loda" Berg
Jonathan "Loda" Berg is currently a member of the No Tidehunter Dota 2 squad. Following their win at Dreamhack Winter and a second place finish in the Thor Open 2012, No Tidehunter came to be regarded as one of the top teams in the Western Dota 2 scene. So far in 2013 they have won three straight EMS Cups and are ready to take on the competition in the main tournament. As one of the leading members of No Tidehunter, and indeed as one of the most experienced DotA players on the scene today, we wanted to delve deeper into the thoughts of Loda with this interview + Q&A. Today, we learn more about his new teammates, their current run, and his general thoughts on the scene.
Then tomorrow, you get to ask him whatever you like, in our Community Q&A.
First off, your team has been riding a hot streak recently, leading StarLadder and winning multiple EMS Cups (thus securing the top seed in the group stage). What can you attribute the team's recent play to?
Loda
I would say our recent success is a combination of hard work, great team spirit, and good ingame synergy. We have the perfect combination of personalities on our team. This is what I've always been striving for. We are a team of friends, we have fun when we play, we handle losses well and we don't flame each other when we make mistakes ^^. It is also a huge plus to be able to speak Swedish within the team.
You brought up being able to communicate in Swedish. What else has EGM been able to bring to your team? Also, how did you end up adding him to the mix?
Loda
Well, I've been playing with EGM for quite some time, I guess after niqua introduced him to me sometime last year. EGM is an awesome addition; he has high individual skill and he fits really well into the team, not only as a player but also as a person. He is confident in himself and the calls he makes and works well with me and Akke. I mean, what doesn't he add to the team? :D
Teams have been experimenting with lots of different heroes recently, including your recent dominating performance on Spectre. What do you think we can expect over the next couple months?
Loda
Well I'm not sure if I would call it experimenting. I mean, we pick heroes that we believe are the best in the situation. The Spectre pick was kinda my suggestion, and s4 asked me if I was confident in it and I am, so ^^. I honestly feel that most heroes are viable in the current meta. I feel teams are too afraid of practicing rarely picked heroes. Usually they try it once, fail and then give up on the hero. Most of the carries at the moment are very situational, but that doesn't mean they don't work.
Your team has recently been seeded into the second phase of the G-1 Champions League West Qualifiers. How do you feel about their outreach to Western teams? Do you think Western teams stand a good chance in the tournament?
Loda
I feel it's great of them. By reaching out to Europe and North America they help all the regions improve their play and make the competition more interesting. I think there should be more tournaments where the West can play vs China, so this is a great step in the right direction. I think it's up to every team individually ^^.
First of all we have the qualifier. After that, well then we can focus on analyzing China.
First of all we have the qualifier. After that, well then we can focus on analyzing China.
Fair enough, one step at a time. I have to ask this, as I know if I don't, many members of the community will: Is there anything you can reveal about your still mysterious sponsorship?
Loda
Haha, nothing much yet. We are close to announcing it though. Not even Blizzard soon, it's seriously soon. :D
I'm sure that will make everyone pretty excited. My last question is something a few of the staff have been wondering, and we need some of your expertise on. How did Gollum get out of Moria and continue to follow the Fellowship after Gandalf destroyed the Bridge of Khazad-Dum?
Loda
HAHA... Sigh... Well you should all know that Gollum is an expert wall/mountain climber, and most likely he just climbed on the ceiling :D
Seems like my past still haunts me...
Seems like my past still haunts me...
It all makes sense now.
Thanks for the interview! See you again on Saturday to answer the community's questions!
Thanks for the interview! See you again on Saturday to answer the community's questions!
Loda
Npnp.
Community Q&A
By the TL Community
![[image loading]](http://wiki.teamliquid.net/dota2/images/3/30/Loda_TI2.png)
Loda will be back tomorrow to talk directly to you. Starting at around Saturday, Mar 23 1:00pm GMT (GMT+00:00), No Tidehunter's Loda will answer your questions right here in this thread.
Have a question you'd like to ask him? Just go ahead and post it right here!
Questions and Answers
- You have often been critisised of being the weak link of nth...?
- how did you meet KellyMilkies?
- What do you think about SK gaming in the future?
- Can someone explain the LOTR reference?
- When you say "Most of the heroes are viable", do any jump out as never being viable?
- how can you be so beautiful and still so good at dota?
- Why do you think Midas is so good? Also, will we ever see Necrolyte?!
- Following the great success of your first single, when can we expect the next one to come?
- You feel that Western teams have too much respect for the Chinese, when facing them, thus losing a bit confidence in their own abilities? (and other Qs)
- How much have the all-swedish roster conrributed to your results??
- you going to try the epic terrorblade in dota2 like u tried in dota1?
- Do you like cats?
- What games did you play as a child that lead to your current passion for team-based strategy games?
- Thoughts on the current direction Valve is taking the game and how it affects the growth of the scene?
- What do you think of the importance of optimizing your play with little things?
- Do you think there are any teams in the EU/NA scene with higher potential then their results?
