EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/iQdsV.jpg)
In this interview, we sit down with Tianyu “Cty” Chen, the hard-carry of the team, who is already labeled as “The next BurNIng”. The 18-year-old player talks about the formation of the team, his debut in a major tournament, the performance of the team at G-League, his goals and much, much more…
Hello Cty. Thank you very much for accepting this interview with Team Liquid. Despite making a good impression at G-League, you are still a player that the community is not quite familiar with. Could you please take the time to introduce yourself to our readers and tell them more about your gaming background?
I started playing Dota 2 about 3 months ago; before that I played Dota. I’ve also played StarCraft way back.
The team was formed in late October notably thanks to former Pandarea Gaming player, Panpan. Could you please take the time to tell us more about the formation of the team? Who approached you and how were the players picked?
Panpan contacted me. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and the offer is appealing. Every teammate needs approval from Panpan and each other.
At the exception of Junjie “sydm” Tong — former captain of TyLoo E-sports Club — the team is composed of talented players from public games. Could you please take the time to introduce each player of the team? Which role do they play and who are they in real life?
sydm is our mid solo, very honest and frank in real life, haha. Xtt is the off-laner; he looks tough but is actually very reserved, similar to his play style. Fy and Fenrir are my roommates, so I can’t say much about them, or else.
As mentioned above, Junjie “sydm” Tong is the only player in the team having experience with a competitive team as he was the captain of TyLoo E-sports Club. What role does he have within the team?
He is the sort of the commander for the entire team.
Despite having a player of experience within the team, it is however Xu "fy" Linsen who is the captain and drafter. What are the reasons for having him as captain and drafter over sydm — who seems to have the knowledge and experience?
Back then whoever felt confident about Ban Picking just stood up for the job.
Your first major tournament was G-League — a tournament where you performed very well with the rest of the team. What are the main differences between playing high-level public games and competitive games? In your opinion, what do you think was the biggest adjustment you had to make?
Pub games are more casual; whereas competitive games require victory through stability, clarity on strategy and minimizing errors. To become a professional player I need to adjust my mentality and habits from playing pub games, as well as merge into the team.
To everyone’s surprise, the team qualified for the main event of G-League and made it to the playoffs. However, your debut in the tournament was chaotic as you were unable to compete with MUFC and Invictus Gaming — teams that you lost 0-2 against. How would you describe your debut in the tournament and what do you think are the reasons of the team’s underperformance?
Perhaps it’s because we are a new team, lack of experience and nervousness were huge factors. We can do better.
Following the team’s poor results in the first two matches, the community did not expect you to perform well against TongFu but surprisingly, you managed to take them down with a very convincing 2-0 victory which forced a three-way tie that you admirably passed. The team that played the first two matches and the one that played against TongFu and onwards was completely different. In your first two matches, the team lacked map-control, teamwork and so on but you managed to improve in these areas later on. What changed between your first two matches and the ones starting from TongFu?
Actually we didn't really change. It’s just that the first two matches we didn’t do our best, so it was an accurate read of our skill levels. The last match was a do or die so we didn’t have anything left to hold back.
Despite winning convincingly against TongFu in the group stage, you were not able to defeat them in the tie-breaker. In this match, the team decided to ban Lone Druid and TongFu picked Anti-Mage for Hao, two heroes that you excel with. Why did the team decide to ban Lone Druid while you had the first pick? What was the reasoning behind the Slardar pick?
We threw ourselves off with the ban pick error at the beginning, so in desperation we chose Slardar. We normally don’t use line-ups with both Shadow Fiend and Slardar, but MUFC does; however we still achieved what we had in mind.
You still managed to qualify for the playoffs following your victory over MUFC. In the first round, you had the hard task to face the Chinese roster of LGD-Gaming. What was the team’s reaction when you found out the draw? How did the team practice prior to this confrontation?
We do normally scrim against LGD; results back and forth. In this tournament all we wanted was to do our best.
LGD-Gaming completely dominated your team in the first game but the second and third game were completely different. What was the team’s state of mind prior to the second game?
At the moment I felt that we were still behind the stronger teams in terms of LAN experience. It was depressing and frustrating; but we also realized that we could’ve done better.
The third game is probably considered one of the best games in this season of G-League. In a few sentences, could you please tell us more about this game? What do you think are the reasons you lost it despite having a significant lead? What were your thoughts when LGD-Gaming picked Necrolyte for Sylar — a player who usually plays the same type of heroes than you do?
Because of the lack of LAN experience, we were a bit anxious about not being able to take raxes even though we had an advantage; team fights were also not so great. They had a strong point in the game when Necrolyte got his mek, but our perfect team fight set them behind even more. Necrolyte’s strengths didn't really show after that.
Despite playing very well, you were eliminated from G-League by LGD-Gaming. Retrospectively, what are your thoughts about your team’s performance in your first major competition? What conclusions do you draw from this experience? What do you think the team learned the most from this tournament?
I’m kind of still satisfied about this result, but about our performances I’d have to say so-so. I think our overall strength as a team, LAN experience, and control of the situation all have room for improvement, as well as staying calm when encountering different situations like ban pick phase errors.
The team managed to defeat teams like MUFC and TongFu not to mention that you stood up to LGD-Gaming. What do you think the team lacks to make it to the top four in Asia?
I think it’s still what I’ve said earlier, overall strength, experience and game control still need enhancement. But I believe we can do it!
You have the chance to have a former professional player as manager. Does he also serve as a coach for the team? What is his role as a manager?
He’s actually not a former pro-player. The manager takes care of our daily and financial needs.
Throughout the tournament, we saw you play five different heroes which are: Anti-Mage, Lifestealer, Lone Druid, Luna and Slardar. Anti-Mage and Lone Druid are the heroes that you play the most but teams tend to ban them more often when they play against you. LGD-Gaming’s Sylar was put in a delicate situation at The International 2 when his Anti-Mage and Morphling were banned which caused a lot of problems to the team as a whole. Now, he plays a wider range of heroes which makes him and the team more unpredictable. At the exception of the heroes I mentioned above, can we expect to see you play with more heroes in the future? If yes, which ones do you have in mind?
Of course, as long as the heroes are allowed in competitive games, there will be a chance. Maybe like Shadow Fiend, Phantom Lancer, and Alchemist.
Since the LGD-Gaming vs Team DK confrontation where BurNIng picked Phantom Lancer, we seem to see this hero played more often in competitive games. Why do you think Chinese teams start to pay attention to this hero?
Probably because of the adjustments to his stats gain for agility and the number of illusions; moreover he fits the current version very well, being a late-game carry who can also join team fights in mid-game.
Alchemist, Dragon Knight, Kunkka, Rikimaru, Spectre and more, are all heroes that were once regular picks. Do you think there are heroes that could be played at competitive level but are yet to be picked?
Alchemist and Spectre. Personally I think Alchemist is a hero with lots of potentials.
All these heroes are never or rarely picked in competitive games. What do you think Valve should do to change this?
I think every hero is useful in some way, just depends on the player’s item choices and line-ups. These heroes are all very creative and unique, all I can suggest is perhaps strengthen some skills.
Like all the professional Chinese teams, you are offered a good salary and play in a teamhouse. How does a normal day look for a ViCi Gaming player?
Monday through Saturday from 1pm to midnight is our training schedule, except for meal breaks. During that time we would find teams to scrim against beforehand, and then watch replays, practice laning against each other. We are required to sleep before 3am.
Following your performance in G-League, the community labeled you as “The Next BurNIng”. How does it feel to be compared to the best carry in the DotA history?
I feel that I still have many inadequacies and there’s still a long way in front of me; but of course there’s still a little joy inside (happy face happy happy).
A lot of fantastic players play and still play the game. Is there a player in particular that you admire? If yes, who and why?
No. I don’t know why, but it’s hard for me to admire someone.
You played against the best Chinese teams be it in practice games or in tournaments maybe at the exception of Team DK. In your opinion, which team plays the best Dota? Why?
iG. Their individual skills are very strong, their strategies are always changing, and they have a deep understanding of the game.
If you were to make your own team, which players would you pick and why?
I think iG is already a fantasy team for me, because to me, the way they play is already perfection.
Not too long ago, you won a 1vs1 DotA tournament organized by former LGD-Gaming’s captain, Wu "2009“ Sheng, and defeated the likes of Ferrari_430, Sylar and Hao. Have you ever considered switching roles with sydm so you could play the solo mid role?
I’ve seen people talking about it, but everyone around me including myself believe I’m better fit playing the carry position.
After Lunar New Year, the Chinese scene will probably be active again as G-League, G-1 League and ACE may host another season of their tournament. Will ViCi Gaming enjoy a break from Dota 2 or will you spend the time to practice in order to be prepared to play these tournaments?
There’s a small break for Chinese New Year then re-gather for training I suppose. Of course we will participate in all the tournaments we can.
Like any player playing the game competitively, you probably have goals. What is your ultimate goal? What would you like to achieve as a player and team?
I want to become an unprecedented player with achievements that can’t be compared. I like to exceed others. For the team I hope better achievements and world champion.
You recently turned 18 but you are already a professional player making a living from playing the game. Does it have any impact on your everyday life?
It’s affected in some ways, but I don’t think that matters anymore. I like this game and I have my goals.
Playing video games is hardly accepted by parents and this can be problematic for players wishing to play the game competitively. What do your relatives think about it?
My family is actually supportive of me; they feel that I can decided for myself.
Do you still study?
Unfortunately, no.
You mentioned that you love Badminton. Is it a sport that you play yourself?
Yes.
When you do not play Dota 2, are there other activities that you do by yourself or with your teammates?
Go out or watch movies.
Thank you very much for giving your first interview for a foreign website. Is there anything you would like to add?
I will do my best, and thank you for the interview.
Thank you to XiiTuzi for translating this interview!
