SabeRLight- on Leaving Shopify Rebellion: "my voice and opinions were met with backlash"

Dota 2

27 May

Ahmed Alghanim

Jonáš "SabeRLight-" Volek took to X to shed light on his departure from Shopify Rebellion. The offlaner expressed disappointment that he couldn't get along with a certain teammate, as well as sharing his plans for the future.

SabeRLight- is one of the most sought-after players in North America, contributing greatly to the success of Shopify Rebellion and TSM, his former squad.

SabeRLight-'s Arrival and Early Successes

Not quite the show-stealing performance we expected. (Credit: Shopify Rebellion)

SabeRLight- joined Shopify Rebellion as an Offlaner in December 2022, quickly becoming a fan favorite due to his charismatic personality and exceptional individual talent. His arrival marked a promising era for the team, with early successes showcasing their potential. SabeRLight- was seen as a key addition that could elevate Shopify Rebellion to new heights. At the time, the team was striving to cement its place among the elite in the competitive Dota 2 scene, and his recruitment brought a wave of optimism and high expectations.

His arrival quickly yielded promising results, Shopify Rebellion achieved notable placements, finishing 4th at the Lima Major 2023, 3rd at DreamLeague Season 19, and securing 2nd place at DreamLeague Season 21, where they narrowly lost to Team Spirit.

Challenges in Prestigious Tournaments

Thiolicor leaves Shopify Rebellion

Despite these impressive early achievements, Shopify Rebellion faced significant challenges in the most prestigious tournaments. At The International, they were eliminated in the lower bracket by TSM, finishing 13th-16th.

Their performance at the Riyadh Masters also fell short, failing to advance past the Group Stage. Subsequent tournaments mirrored these struggles, with the team placing 7th at DreamLeague Season 22 and not progressing beyond the group stage in DreamLeague Season 23.

Internal Dynamics and Chemistry Issues

What lurks behind that smile? (Credits: Valve).

These setbacks underscored persistent issues within the team, particularly a lack of chemistry, which hindered their ability to reach their full potential. SabeRLight- openly addressed these challenges:

"As much as I believe in the individual talents of the players, my chemistry with a key member of the team was too mismatched to make it work, and it felt like it was getting worse over time."

While he did not explicitly name the "key member," speculation suggests that it might be Artour "Arteezy" Babaev with whom he experienced communication difficulties. Nonetheless, it's crucial to understand that such challenges often stem from a combination of factors, including differing playstyles and team strategies. SabeRLight- elaborated on the internal dynamics:

"I found it very difficult and stressful to work together on improving and growing as a team. From my perspective, my voice and opinions often met with backlash, causing more harm than good. This realization led me to conclude that it wasn't a good fit."

Despite these internal conflicts, SabeRLight- emphasized his respect and gratitude towards the team and its members. He particularly highlighted his positive relationship with Erin Jasper “Yopaj” Ferrer, the team's midlaner:

"I especially want to highlight Yopaj, who has been incredible both in-game and outside of it. I am very grateful to have been his teammate. During my almost two years on this team, I have grown a lot as both a player and a person, and I am very thankful for that."

Stand-in Success with Team Liquid

SabeRLight- standing in for Team Liquid at ESL One Kuala Lumpur.
Credits: Twitter.@ESLDota2

Interestingly, it's worth noting that SabeRLight- served as a stand-in for Team Liquid during ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023, following The International 2023, and achieved commendable results. In the Kuala Lumpur Major, SabeRLight- replaced Neta "33" Shapira, helping the team secure a 3rd place finish.

This achievement is particularly impressive given the need for both SabeRLight- and the Liquid roster to quickly adapt to each other’s playstyles. This performance underscores his ongoing capability to excel both as an individually skilled player and as a valuable team member.

Looking Ahead: SabeRLight-'s Future Plans

SabeRLight-'s departure from Shopify Rebellion signifies the close of a notable chapter characterized by both triumphs and challenges. His contributions to the team will be fondly remembered, and his future endeavors will undoubtedly attract significant attention from fans and the esports community.

In his statement, SabeRLight- revealed his plans to return to streaming. Taking a brief step back to clear his mind and enjoy the game alongside his fans. He expressed his intention to focus on streaming Dota 2 pubs on Twitch, where he aims to share his gameplay, and insights, and engage with his community. This approach will allow him to stay connected with the game and his fans while waiting for a new competitive opportunity—a prospect that many eagerly anticipate.