Just days before the kickoff of DreamLeague Season 22, we had the opportunity to chat with SabeRLight about the upcoming tournament, his downtime activities, and his ideal new mechanic in Dota 2!
Credit: Valve
Sophie McCarthy: DreamLeague Season 22 will see Shopify competing in a tournament of this scale after a significant hiatus.
How have you guys been spending the downtime between qualifiers and DreamLeague?
SabeRLight: After the qualifiers concluded, I took a break and went to Italy with my family to ski and enjoy some pizza and pasta. It was an amazing time. Then, I relaxed at home. Theo and Kitrak stayed in Toronto a bit longer before joining the boot camp early. They are grinding hard, playing pubs, and preparing for the tournament. Now, we are all together in the Netherlands, gearing up to dominate the competition.
Sophie: I have to ask, pizza or pasta?
SabeRLight: I’m a pizza guy, but the ski slope pizza wasn’t the best. You have to find a good restaurant for quality pizza.
Sophie: Getting back to Dota, the groups are out, and you’re in Group B with Team Spirit, Liquid, and Tundra, some tough competitors there.
If you could pick your first opponent, who would it be?
SabeRLight: Playing Liquid would be amusing if we beat them. But I’d probably start with an easier opponent like Team Secret. I don’t want to jinx it by picking a specific team now, but eventually, we’ll face off against Liquid.
Sophie: Tell me about the new members in Shopify and how you’ve built team synergy for DreamLeague.
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How have you guys built up a relationship and the synergy in the team ready for DreamLeague?
SabeRLight: We’ve been playing and working together every day. BuLba has been instrumental in helping the new players acclimate. We watch replays, discuss strategies, play scrims, analyze scenarios – we’re on the right path, though we may not be there yet.
How long have you guys been boot camping?
SabeRLight: We’ve been boot camping for about three days. We have a week-long boot camp before the tournament kicks off.
How much does the boot camp affect your performance? Is it really helpful or would you rather have that downtime?
SabeRLight: It’s important to strike a balance. Boot camping can be beneficial, especially in a pleasant environment like Utrecht. Playing too much Dota or spending excess time with the team can be draining. Finding that balance is key.
Sophie: With the absence of DPC, how do you feel about the new competitive structure?
Credit: Saberlight
Do you prefer this kind of structure?
SabeRLight: The new structure allows us to face stronger opponents and play more Dota. We’ve been constantly on the road, attending boot camps, tournaments, and qualifiers, which keeps things exciting.
Sophie: Predictions on the upcoming hero, Ringmaster?
Do you have any predictions about the hero? What role do you think he’s going to be in?
SabeRLight: I believe Ringmaster will be a disabler type hero, possibly in the mid or support role. It doesn’t seem like a carry hero to me. I’m looking forward to the update and trying out the new hero.
What new hero would you design?
SabeRLight: I’d create a hero with a unique mechanic, like a spell that induces vision loss, forcing players to rely on teammates for vision. Introducing new and innovative mechanics can spice up the game.
