tOfu: "It does feel satisfying when things go well."

Gaimin Gladiators was the most dominant team in the 2023 Dota 2 professional season. The team secured all the DPC Majors and took the runner-up spot at The International 2023. However in 2024, they only had a single runner-up finish at a tournament thus far.

tOfu with Gaimin Gladiators at The Riyadh Master 2023. Source: Gaimin Gladiator

Fortunately, that could all change at the ongoing DreamLeague Season 23. Despite being in a tough group, Gaimin took the top spot with three wins and a tie. Recently, after dominating the series against Team Liquid, Erik "tOfu" Engel, revealed how the gears have shifted in his team.

The Game

The series between Gaimin and Team Liquid was one of the most anticipated series of Group A. The rivalry between these two teams started last year when they both were titans in the Western European region. Gaimin Gladiators dominated the head-to-head match-up in the prior season. However, Team Liquid had been fighting back this year. In their recent head-to-head encounter at DreamLeague Season 23, Gaimin Gladiators came out on top.

The most badass Templer Assasin skin out there. (Credits: Valve)

In game 1, Gaimin Gladiators won the laning stage. They snowballed their advantage with their midlane Templer Assasin and their supports, Rubick and Shadow Demon, finding pick-offs across the map. Liquid made a couple of good plays, catching them off-guard. However, it wasn't enough, as Gaimin was too far ahead in the game. Gaimin closed out the first game at 44 minutes.

Leshrac is often known as space goat. (Credits: Valve)

Things went sideways for Team Liquid swiftly in the second game. Until 18 minutes, the game looked like it could go in either team's favour. However, Liquid's safelane Terrorblade got caught off guard near their midlane tier two tower, which allowed GG to take Liquid's tower.

Liquid attempted to defend its objectives. They were unsuccessful, and Gaimin Gladiators took the driver's seat. With GG having heroes like Clinkz and Leshrac, who can take objectives swiftly, they did not let go of their lead. Gaimin Gladiators closed out the second game at 25 minutes after a brilliant play from their offlane Dark Seer.

tOfu as one of the ESL One tournaments. Source: ESL

After the series, the team's support player, tOfu, revealed what Gaimin Gladiators have been cooking after their elimination from PGL Wallachia.

tOfu: "Everyone inputs in the draft"

tOfu with Gaimin Gladiators at PGL Wallachia. Source: GaiminGladiator

Gaimin was one of the early exits at PGL Wallachia. However, their performance at DreamLeague Season 23 has been mesmerizing thus far. tOfu admitted the team had worked on themselves during this time. The player also revealed the team's new approach towards their drafts.

" Everyone inputs in the draft, we're doing this draft together and all. More people are doing preps and having a bit stronger voices when the draft is on because everyone now did the prep. You usually suggest your hero, when is it good, what do you want to play. There needs to be a main role that keep the whole thing in check and has the bigger picture in mind always. Someone suggests two heroes, but knowing this hero is banned or Liquid likes X hero, okay this one is better and then you sorta go with it."

tOfu: "A change helped us a lot in a way"

Seleri at Riyadh Masters 2023 Credits: Gaimin Gladiator

One of the most noticeable changes Gaimin Gladiators made was drafting. The team's captain, Melchior "Seleri" Hillenkamp, used to be the go-to drafter. However, recently, tOfu has stepped up. In his interview, the player confessed that Gaimin Gladiators had not had good results and needed a change. Thus, he took on the role of the drafter. In doing so, he freed his in-game captain from some of their burdens, which reflected the positive change in their results.

"It's not like I'm big brain with that, it's more like we were not looking too hot for a while and was playing with the default for a bit and I think having something new, a change helped us a lot in a way that we don't care as much and play a bit carefree. In addition to me, drafting feels refreshing because something is new. I just freed up a spot for my star player so he doesn't have to think about all this draft."

tOfu on his drafting

tOfu signing a fan at The International 2023. (Credits: Valve)

The recent changes made by the Gaimin Gladiators appear to be working well. tOfu admitted that he is satisfied with the positive results. However, the player also acknowledges that there are some things he will need to learn.

" Overall, it does feel satisfying when things go well. There's going to be some mistakes always, and you do learn a lot also. Overall, the impact is not like it stresses me anything or I have worse sleep but like doing prep and thinking about it; it definitely take some extra time. I used to play a lot of pubs these days but since last three days I played like one because we have two series a day and it takes a lot of energy and then I'm tired and then I want to eat." 

tOfu on his heroes

tOfu at The International 2023. (Credits: Valve)

The player also reveals how he drafted his hero. He stated that although he suggested playing random heroes for himself, he enjoys winning. Thus, he does not force his ideas onto his teams. However, tOfu stated that Gaimin Gladiators are open to trying new ideas.

" I suggest random heroes sometimes, like XinQ plays a lot of randomass heroes, but I don't really force it on the team. We had for a while and I'm not really doing that. I'm just playing to win. We're more open to try things where we just picked this random Abaddon the other day or we did this Witch Doctor, Bristle. Things we haven't really tried as much or didn't even have a scrim on, but I don't want to be afraid or regret that we didn't try something. Who cares, we will just play it, whatever, the outcome."

The recent changes made by GG seemed to be working. Although Gaimin Gladiators had one more series for their group stages, they've already qualified for the playoffs of DreamLeague Season 23.

Featured Image Source: Valve

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