“Dota is not a 9-5 job. Dota is a state of being. Dota is Dota. And you are either Dota, or you’re not”. Arteezy goes deep in our interview from LimaExclusive

Artour “Arteezy” Babaev stands among Dota 2’s most recognizable competitive figures. During Lima Major, we conducted an extensive conversation with Shopify Rebellion’s primary carry player, covering multiple topics: the previous competitive season and separation from Evil Geniuses, his professional relationships with Cr1t and Bulba, while exploring deeper subjects including competitive drive, healthy interpersonal dynamics, and Arteezy’s individual challenges and aspirations.

This interview occurred following completion of the Group Stage matches.

— Your team advanced to the Upper Bracket from groups. How would you characterize your squad’s current form and tournament execution? Did this outcome align with your pre-event expectations?

— Our performance trajectory wasn’t entirely predictable based on pre-tournament preparations. We experienced numerous scrimmage losses throughout our bootcamp phase preceding the Major. While we lost more practice games than we won, each session involved substantial learning where we actively challenged one another, systematically resolving numerous Dota-specific issues. This intensive practice period built crucial team foundation despite the losing record.

Simultaneously, claiming I anticipated winning our group or achieving top-4 placement wouldn’t be accurate. However, I equally didn’t expect we’d land in the Lower Bracket either. Consequently, our positioning feels appropriate—neither group dominators nor elimination candidates.

— External observers note your squad appears liberated and comfortable competing at this event. Do you share this perspective internally?

— We’ve definitely adopted more exploratory approaches, particularly during group stages where we’ve validated multiple strategic hypotheses. Each match provided learning opportunities that we immediately tested against subsequent opponents. This systematic experimentation against varied team styles created continuous development cycles throughout the tournament.

While we tested certain concepts during scrimmages, occasionally implementing untested strategies during official matches proves valuable. Our execution of this methodology here contrasts sharply with The International preparation, where emphasis centered on refined, pre-practiced methodologies rather than in-tournament innovation.

— Do you attribute this liberated approach to organizational rebranding and potentially reduced competitive pressures?

— Fresh organizational beginnings inherently boost motivation, regardless whether restarting with EG or transitioning to Shopify. Surrounding yourself with fresh perspectives and management structures consistently benefits team development. For instance, selecting Canadian bootcamp locations over American alternatives created personal advantages, especially with my Toronto residence proximity. Consequently, my drive and engagement levels have increased substantially compared to previous seasons.

The environmental shift unquestionably inspired our squad significantly. New Shopify personnel like Dario [Dario “TLO” Wünsch, Head of Player Development at SR] provides close observational support and constructive feedback during events. His involvement from team inception fosters deeper personal connections beyond typical managerial relationships.

“At TI11 we had a really good strategy. But we really underperformed and choked”

— Let’s examine the previous competitive season, which presented significant challenges for EG. Your squad experimented with JerAx roster configuration, reintegrated Fly, demonstrated strong group stage performance at TI yet finished 9-12th place. Can you now provide comprehensive reflection on that season and your EG tenure?

— That period represented a confusing competitive year. We needed roster adjustments and extensively discussed post-TI10 organizational direction. We evaluated individual aspirations beyond collective team objectives, determining optimal pathways for each player’s development.

Consequently, we attempted strategic shifts for Tal [Fly], pursuing alternative game perspectives and focusing on different strategic dimensions. We believed JerAx could introduce compelling variables to our squad composition, addressing areas where we demonstrated weaknesses. Our collective respect for his competitive abilities remained extremely high during that period.

The transition ultimately proved unsuccessful due to underestimating position 4 to position 5 transition complexities and requisite skill set differences. Initially we assumed support role transitions would prove relatively straightforward. Reality demonstrated position five requirements differed substantially from position four responsibilities.

With Egor [Nightfall integration, we recognized offlane versatility across multiple functional roles, believing he could successfully fulfill those requirements. Generally, the year’s commencement proved difficult as JerAx required extensive catch-up efforts, significantly disrupting our team chemistry and necessitating prolonged reconstruction periods.

Eventually we established functional five-player coordination systems. Tal’s return facilitated improved strategic alignment between me and Egor regarding preferred gameplay methodologies. Initial periods featured divergent strategic visions that required reconciliation through systematic communication and compromise.

Approximately half the season elapsed before we determined optimal collaborative approaches. Once established, our TI11 preparation featured exceptionally solid fundamental strategic frameworks. However, during critical match situations, our execution levels dropped dramatically—we simply choked under pressure.

I don’t perceive the separation involved mutual dissatisfaction. Egor pursued Eastern European team opportunities, and we respected his decision to follow separate competitive pathways.

“I wanted to do something lame, like SADBOYS, but no one else wanted to do it”

— Following TI11, did you receive alternative team offers?

— Yes, several organizations expressed interest during the post-TI roster shuffle period.

— What motivated your decision to remain with existing teammates?

— My confidence in each team member remains unwavering. Our extensive collaborative history provides deep mutual understanding of individual strengths and developmental areas. We’ve established effective communication protocols and mutual support systems that external observers frequently underestimate.

I believe organizational changes don’t automatically guarantee improved results. Despite historical inconsistencies, maintaining belief through challenging periods often yields eventual success. We’ve experienced both championship-contending moments and disappointing performances throughout our partnership—that’s the competitive process I respect fundamentally.

Skiter’s brother on playing Dota with him: “No-no-no, it’s impossible”

— Your transition from EG to Shopify occurred rapidly post-separation. How did this organizational partnership develop?

— Previous acquaintances mentioned Shopify’s organizational background from earlier Dota team engagements. Post-TI considerations following EG developments led to agent-mediated communications. The organization’s Toronto proximity—approximately 15 minutes from my residence—facilitated personal meetings with ownership and management personnel.

Following extensive discussions with Jeremy, Shopify Rebellion’s general manager, and subsequent conversations with Dario, the connection felt genuinely organic and mutually committed from initial interactions.

— What inspired your stack’s initial Alameda 2018 registration name? This referenced historical bootcamp experiences, correct?

— During TI8 preparations, our core four—myself, Fly, Cr1t, and Bulba—conducted bootcamp sessions in San Francisco. That training period represented one of our most productive and insightful bootcamp experiences. During that period, Sumail and s4 completed our roster configuration.

The name selection remained arbitrary since we anticipated Shopify partnership finalization. I preferred nostalgic references like SADBOYS references, but teammates declined that naming direction. Subsequent financial market associations with Alameda Research remained coincidental from our perspective.

“I’m not going to keep Cr1t attached to me while I’m sucking”

— Stream commentator Blitz mentioned intriguing Cr1t commentary. Quoting Blitz, “he stated that having his career linked with Artour would make him perfectly content to play professionally alongside him indefinitely”. Has Cr1t personally expressed these sentiments? Do you share similar perspectives?

— He’s never communicated such explicit sentiments directly. However, I reciprocate similar commitment levels. I don’t anticipate our professional partnership concluding shortly—we possess capacity for extended collaborative periods. I plan continuing competitive Dota participation until my performance deteriorates significantly or I lose competitive drive fundamentally.

Essentially, I’ll compete until either my skills decline or I cease caring about competitive excellence. Should that occur, I’ll transition from professional play rather than maintaining his attachment during subpar performance periods.

I believe we share mutual understanding: we’ll dedicate complete effort toward Dota, and if either demonstrates reduced commitment, we’ll provide constructive feedback ensuring maintained performance standards. This represents news to me personally!

Blitz: Liquid considered Arteezy and Stormstormer, while Topson rumors weren’t true

— Your relationship appears almost brotherhood-like with such mutual devotion. This seems unusual within Dota’s competitive landscape. What enables this exceptional chemistry?

— Perhaps interpersonal chemistry factors significantly. I rarely contemplate these dynamics extensively. Occasionally I reflect—like two years ago realizing “I’ve competed professionally for nine years!” Temporal perception accelerates dramatically throughout careers. This season marks my eleventh competitive year, yet I still feel relatively youthful competitively.

The primary observation involves encountering increasingly younger competitors. I notice unfamiliar faces among emerging talent pools consistently.

— So you don’t self-identify as Dota veteran despite extensive experience?

— Correct, that identification doesn’t resonate personally. The sensation feels peculiar—I don’t perceive myself as veteran-class competitor despite objective career length.

— You and Bulba represent iconic competitive partnership. What significance does he hold for team dynamics and you individually?

— He ranked among my closest friends even preceding MLG Columbus championship with Speed Gaming. Previously I practiced 1v1 scenarios with him regularly. I consistently trained with s4, Bulba, and Scandal. That foundation established our relationship’s initial framework.

I knew him during earlier developmental phases when he demonstrated less maturity, and obviously both of us have evolved significantly since those periods.

— Throughout your career you’ve collaborated with diverse players. Which individuals most significantly influenced your development as competitor and person?

— During initial pre-professional development phases, Dendi substantially impacted my early competitive development. I studied his Dota 1 replay analyses extensively. Early Dota 2 career phases featured EternaLEnVy influence. Him, pieliedie and Aui_2000, original Kaipi and Speed Gaming squad members fundamentally shaped my strategic understanding and gameplay methodologies.

Subsequently, following separation from those players across multiple seasons, I developed independent competitive approaches. Then I began drawing inspiration from MATUMBAMAN’s late-career performances. Currently, the competitor inspiring me most significantly remains Matu followed by “mini-Matu” designation, specifically miCKe. I’m confident Matu’s gameplay methodologies influenced his team substantially, consequently I appreciate miCKe’s playing style similarly.

“You are either Dota, or you’re not”

— With eleven competitive years completed, have you experienced moments contemplating professional retirement?

— I’ve never experienced sufficiently powerful urges to retire completely. During periods experiencing gameplay boredom, I implemented competitive breaks through reduced seasonal participation intensity. Thus I’d perform below typical levels for partial or full seasons—technically resting while maintaining active competition. Consequently I haven’t required extended competitive hiatuses.

Certain seasons featured reduced motivation compared to others. Historically, post-TI periods frequently involved decreased effort levels—essentially functioning as recovery phases. Currently I feel substantially reinvigorated competitively. The sensation resembles fresh career commencement despite extensive competitive history.

— What underlying factors drive this renewed engagement? New chapter development?

— Environmental changes likely drive this shift since I cannot identify alternative significant alterations. My mental framework has probably evolved across multiple dimensions. I feel increasingly challenged pursuing performance excellence. Self-generated motivation typically proves most powerful driving force.

Personally I implement numerous behavioral modifications. For instance, I’m currently undergoing smoking cessation—eight weeks completed—though my Dota performance temporarily suffered throughout this transition. I’ve experienced significant feeding episodes throughout recent scrimmage sessions. However I’m developing willpower resources pushing performance boundaries. Multiple initiatives aim toward competitive improvement.

— During TI11 I conversed with Puppey where he stated “You must embrace degeneracy winning this game”, sacrificing personal development, recreational activities, and lifestyle balance. Can you relate personally? What sacrifices have you made throughout your career?

— Some validity exists within his commentary. I wouldn’t advocate complete lifestyle degradation. However his underlying message contains reasonable competitive insights. Fortunately I maintain extremely supportive romantic partnership providing stability. She consistently challenges complacency or reduced effort levels—sometimes offering constructive criticism. This supportive dynamic helps maintain competitive focus during challenging periods.

However competitive Dota unquestionably demands substantial temporal investments. Time represents potential alternative activities—entertainment consumption, social interactions, leisure activities. When committing to professional Dota, you must consistently prioritize Dota above alternative pursuits. Dota transcends conventional employment—it represents existential state. Dota embodies Dota fundamentally. You either embody Dota completely, or you don’t.

Consider post-TI periods—many competitors immediately resume gameplay. They complete professional matches then return home streaming additional Dota content. Others participate available online tournaments consistently. This represents fundamental state: you embody Dota. However some competitors implement extended breaks following major tournaments.

Personally, competitive breaks present significant challenges since I dislike feeling developmentally behind. Even two-day hiatuses create performance deterioration sensations. Consequently I maintain daily gameplay routines minimum. When skipping public matches, I minimum review replay analyses, maintaining keyboard contact. I need feeling continuous Dota engagement, otherwise experiencing disorientation. I consistently sense internal voice prompting: “What are you doing? Start playing. Analyze this situation or implement that strategy”. I believe this represents healthy competitive mentality. However Dota inherently promotes unhealthy lifestyle balances since you sacrifice environmental elements substantially. Alternative activity time becomes severely limited.

— You mentioned smoking cessation—any additional personal development objectives?

— I’ve established personal objective: post-cessation gym integration. Smoking termination frequently triggers compensatory eating and weight gain—I’ve accumulated significant mass throughout this process, thus subsequent fitness facility engagement becomes necessary.

Generally my historical behavioral patterns maintained reasonable health standards. I’ve substantially reduced social media engagement. I minimize temporal waste through phone usage. Currently I’m addressing smoking cessation while planning gym participation simultaneously.

I perceive these initiatives collectively support my primary life focus—competitive Dota. Mental clarity enhancements will improve my gameplay quality substantially. Essentially I’m positioning Dota centrally while implementing environmental optimizations amplifying competitive performance. Post-competitive career transition planning remains undefined currently.

“You need to be a degenerate to win this game, I’m sorry”. Puppey’s sincere talk on what it takes to be good at Dota 2, and being the only player attending every TI
The Captain’s Speech.

— You made it out of the group to the Upper Bracket. How do you evaluate the team’s performance and form? Did you expect this result?

— Our performance was difficult to predict given our scrim results. During pre-Major bootcamp, we experienced more losses than victories, which created uncertainty about our tournament prospects. However, this challenging practice period forced us to address fundamental gameplay issues and develop better team coordination.

At the same time, I maintained realistic expectations—neither anticipating group stage domination nor fearing elimination. Our positioning reflects exactly where we should be competitively: demonstrating competence without dominance.

— From the outside, it seems as if you guys are feeling free and relaxed playing this Major. Do you feel the same?

— We’ve adopted a highly experimental mindset throughout this tournament. The group stage became our testing ground for various strategic theories we’d developed. Each match presented opportunities to validate new concepts against different team styles.

We’re actively implementing lessons learned from observing other teams’ playstyles. This represents a significant departure from our TI approach, where we relied on meticulously practiced, refined strategies rather than in-match innovation.

— Do you think it stems from the fact that you changed your tag and are now playing with less pressure?

— Starting fresh with a new organization naturally boosts motivation levels. Environmental changes—whether with EG or now Shopify—consistently reinvigorate competitive drive. For instance, relocating bootcamp to Canada instead of the United States provided fresh perspective and renewed enthusiasm.

The Canadian setting feels particularly invigorating since my Toronto residence is conveniently close. New management personalities like Dario [Dario “TLO” Wünsch, Head of Player Development at SR] actively monitor our performance and provide constructive feedback, creating stronger personal connections from the team’s inception.

“At TI11 we had a really good strategy. But we really underperformed and choked”

— Let’s go back to the previous season, which wasn’t easy for EG. You tried a roster with JerAx, brought Fly back, performed well in the group stage at TI but placed only 9-12. Could you now summarize the season, your time in EG?

— That period represented a confusing transitional phase for our squad. Following TI10, we engaged in extensive discussions about individual career trajectories and optimal team composition moving forward.

We attempted strategic diversification by integrating Tal [Fly] back into the lineup, seeking alternative gameplay perspectives. We believed JerAx could introduce valuable strategic variables and address team weaknesses, given our immense respect for his competitive pedigree.

The position 4 to 5 transition proved more challenging than anticipated. We initially underestimated the significant skill set differences between support roles. This miscalculation severely impacted our team chemistry, requiring substantial time to rebuild cohesive dynamics.

With Egor [Nightfall], we recognized offlane role versatility but struggled with communication alignment and gameplay vision synchronization.

Eventually, we established effective five-player coordination. Tal’s return facilitated better strategic alignment, and Egor and I eventually developed shared gameplay understanding.

By TI11, we had developed fundamentally sound strategic frameworks. However, critical match performances revealed significant execution failures and psychological pressure management issues.

The separation involved no animosity—Egor pursued EEU team opportunities while we respected each other’s career directions.

The season demanded immense personal sacrifice from all members, creating mutual respect despite the challenges. SabeRLight- brings different strategic perspectives and demonstrates greater open-mindedness.

— Is it because how super-confident Egor is in himself and his vision of Dota?

— Communication and gameplay alignment challenges stemmed from his comfort preference with EEU teams and possible language communication dynamics.

— What did you feel when Evil Geniuses told you about their decision? You played for them for many years, was it hard for you?

— The organizational transition felt surprisingly manageable despite EG’s long-term significance in my career. While the organization represented home for many years, their strategic redirection toward other gaming scenes made complete business sense.

Environmental change benefits both parties—they reallocate resources while we gain fresh competitive environments. Their consistent support throughout my tenure created positive memories and professional development opportunities.

— Did you get more motivation and a desire to prove yourselves after it?

— Honestly, the change ignited significantly increased competitive drive. Compared to post-TI periods in previous years, my current effort level demonstrates marked improvement.

This year’s start demanded solid foundational positioning. Despite personal dissatisfaction with current gameplay patches, I anticipate this representing the final iteration of this meta. This perspective creates urgency: “This final patch demands maximum effort before anticipated significant changes.”

“I wanted to do something lame, like SADBOYS, but no one else wanted to do it”

— Did you get invited to another team after TI11?

— Yes, multiple opportunities emerged during the offseason.

— Why did you stay?

— Team cohesion and mutual understanding form the foundation of our continued partnership. Years of collaboration have established deep comprehension of individual strengths, weaknesses, and optimal communication methods.

Constant roster changes don’t necessarily improve competitive outcomes. Sustained belief through challenging periods often yields better long-term results than frequent restructuring.

Competitive journeys naturally involve performance fluctuations—moments of brilliance alternating with disappointing outcomes. This natural process deserves respect, and I maintain stronger commitment to established partnerships than starting anew.

— You didn’t stay without the team for long after parting ways with EG, and ended up with Shopify. How did you find each other?

— Previous Shopify Dota team attempts with friends occurred 1-2 years prior without successful outcomes. Post-TI organizational changes prompted reconsideration of this partnership opportunity.

My agent initiated contact, and geographical proximity—15 minutes from my Toronto home—facilitated personal meetings with ownership and management.

Conversations with Jeremy, Shopify Rebellion’s general manager, felt remarkably organic and mutually committal.

— Why was your stack called Alameda 2018 when you registered at first? It was related to old bootcamp or something, right?

— Our TI8 San Francisco bootcamp with Fly, Cr1t, and Bulba represented one of our most productive and enjoyable preparation periods.

The name selection was arbitrary—we needed temporary registration identification before finalizing Shopify partnership. I preferred nostalgic naming like SADBOYS, but teammates rejected this approach. Stock market association was completely coincidental and unrelated to our decision-making process.

“I’m not going to keep Cr1t attached to me while I’m sucking”

— On stream Blitz mentioned one interesting phrase of Cr1t. Quoting Blitz, “he said that if his career was to be attached to Artour, he is perfectly happy to play the rest of his career with him”. Has Cr1t ever said this to you personally? Do you feel the same?

— He never expressed such sentiments directly to me. However, I share identical commitment levels. Our competitive partnership extends indefinitely—we’ll continue collaborating until performance deterioration or motivation loss occurs.

I refuse to maintain partnership while underperforming. Mutual dedication involves maintaining performance standards and calling out complacency when detected.

— It looks almost like a brotherhood, you are so devoted to each other. It’s pretty unusual in Dota. What’s the secret? You match so well in terms of chemistry?

— Natural chemistry likely explains our sustained collaboration. I rarely analyze these dynamics consciously, though recognizing my eleventh competitive year highlights how rapidly time progresses.

— So you don’t consider yourself a Dota veteran?

— Surprisingly, I don’t perceive myself as seasoned despite objective career length.

— You and Bulba are kinda an iconic duo. What does he mean for a team and you personally?

— Our friendship predates competitive success with Speed Gaming at MLG Columbus. Early practice sessions with s4, Bulba, and Scandal established foundational relationships.

We’ve both matured significantly since initial collaboration. Strong gaming connections evolved into meaningful personal friendships through shared competitive experiences.

— You played with different players during your career. Who influenced you the most as a person and as a player?

— Early career development involved significant influence from Dendi through Dota 1 replay analysis. During initial Dota 2 professionalization, EternaLEnVy, pieliedie and Aui_2000 from original Kaipi and Speed Gaming shaped fundamental gameplay understanding.

Later career inspiration derives from observing MATUMBAMAN’s gameplay approach during his final competitive years. Currently, miCKe’s playstyle demonstrates similar strategic elegance.

“I felt the direction the mid was going was very low skill, so I didn’t want to play it anymore”

— Back to the early years of your career, there were a lot of opinions, especially in EEU, that you were the best midlaner in the world. What do you think about it?

— My role transition resulted from teaming with Sumail. At that time, substantial ego and confidence characterized my competitive mindset. I believed if anyone could surpass my midlane proficiency, it would be him.

Creating super-team dynamics similar to Team DK inspired my strategic thinking. Playing carry position for such talented midlane talent seemed optimally powerful.

Midlane gameplay changes—terrain modifications, rune system alterations, even temporary duo-lane mid strategies at Frankfurt Major—diminished role appeal.

Constant meta shifts created perception that midlane was becoming less mechanically demanding. The role required considerable time to regain its high-skill identity. Current midlane matchups demonstrate renewed mechanical depth and strategic complexity.

— Do you think it paid off?

— Definitely—our team achieved numerous tournament victories between 2015-2018. Recent competitive results haven’t matched previous success levels, but I appreciate the role’s strategic versatility.

Current laning preferences favor sidelane mechanics over midlane dynamics. Side lanes demand completely different skill sets beyond last-hitting proficiency. Six years of safelane experience developed specialized capabilities that complement my playstyle strengths.

— Every time EEU teams were eliminated and your team was still in the tournament, this joking expression was emerging again: “Arteezy is the last hope of CIS”. Do you feel this connection to the region, or for you it’s more of a joke that has gone too far?

— Shouldn’t Team Spirit represent EEU’s primary hope?

— Usually it’s Spirit, and if they are done, you are next.

— EEU community support feels genuinely rewarding. Carrying competitive expectations from both North American and Eastern European regions creates additional motivation.

— You played with different EEU players like RAMZES and Nightfall in EG. From your experience, is there something that makes EEU players different from others?

— They demonstrate exceptional game dedication, investing substantial time in minute gameplay details. This commitment manifests in ranking achievements and in-game performance quality.

However, many exhibit attitude management issues like tilt tendencies. This creates interesting contrast—gpk~’s temporary participation [at OMEGA League in 2020] demonstrated completely calm demeanor without rage incidents.

Their work ethic establishes foundational competitive excellence. Teamwork development and attitude management represent areas requiring additional focus and development.

— Were you shocked by Nightfall’s team performance at the Major? What are your thoughts on the BetBoom elimination?

— They likely overestimated strategic preparedness and developed excessive confidence. Skilled individual players sometimes mistakenly equate personal proficiency with team coordination excellence.

Dota success fundamentally involves strategic sacrifices—prioritizing team objectives over individual preferences. Early-stage teams like BetBoom require substantial development time before achieving Major tournament success.

— Just to prepare themselves mentally?

— Gameplay coordination issues rather than psychological pressure explain their elimination. They need to learn collaborative decision-making and coordinated execution.

“You are either Dota, or you’re not”

— You’ve been playing for 11 years, were there moments during that time when you were ready to leave Dota?

— I never experienced overwhelming retirement impulses. During gameplay dissatisfaction periods, I reduced practice intensity within competitive seasons, effectively resting while maintaining professional activity.

Post-TI periods typically involved reduced training intensity, serving as recovery phases. Current motivation levels significantly exceed previous periods, creating renewed competitive engagement despite extensive career duration.

— What are the causes? New page?

— Environmental changes and mindset evolution drive increased motivation. Personal initiative remains the primary motivational source.

Current lifestyle changes include smoking cessation—currently at eight weeks—though initial performance suffered during adjustment period.

— At TI11 I talked to Puppey and he said “You need to be a degenerate to win this game”, and sacrifice personal life, hobbies, and self-improvement. Can you relate? What sacrifices have you had to make?

— His statement contains partial truth—competitive excellence demands significant time investment but not complete life abandonment.

Supportive personal relationships can enhance competitive focus rather than hinder performance. My partner provides accountability, challenging complacency and supporting improvement efforts.

Dota professionalism requires choosing game commitment over alternative leisure activities consistently. This represents lifestyle commitment rather than standard employment.

Post-tournament behavior varies—some players maintain continuous engagement while others take extended breaks.

Extended breaks create performance anxiety—even two-day pauses generate concerns about skill deterioration. Maintaining daily engagement—whether through match participation or replay analysis—preserves competitive edge and psychological comfort.

— You said you are quitting smoking, any other personal growth goals?

— Post-cessation goals include gym integration to counter weight gain effects. These lifestyle adjustments ultimately enhance gameplay performance through improved mental clarity and physical conditioning.

Social media reduction and smoking cessation represent ongoing self-improvement efforts. These changes support central life focus on competitive Dota excellence.

— You and Bulba have become one of Dota’s most recognizable partnerships. How did this relationship develop both professionally and personally?

— Our connection actually predates our championship victory at MLG Columbus with Speed Gaming. Before that breakthrough tournament, we regularly engaged in 1v1 practice sessions that helped build our competitive synergy. I consistently trained with s4, Bulba, and Scandal, which established the foundation for our working relationship.

I witnessed his development from what some might call an immature player to the seasoned professional he is today. Our early Dota collaboration naturally evolved into a strong personal friendship outside the game environment. We’ve shared countless conversations and experienced both triumphant victories and disappointing defeats together.

— Throughout your extensive career, you’ve collaborated with numerous talented players. Which individuals had the most significant impact on your development as both a competitor and person?

— During my formative years before entering the professional scene, Dendi served as my primary inspiration source. I extensively studied his Dota 1 gameplay replays to understand advanced mechanics. Early in my Dota 2 professional journey, EternaLEnVy became particularly influential. Together with pieliedie and Aui_2000, the original Kaipi and Speed Gaming roster members fundamentally shaped my strategic approach to the game. Eventually, after separating from that core group over subsequent years, I developed my own distinctive playstyle and decision-making framework.

More recently, I’ve drawn motivation from observing how MATUMBAMAN performed during the final stages of his competitive career. Currently, the players who inspire me most include Matu and what I consider “little Matu,” referring to miCKe. I’m confident Matu’s gameplay philosophy influenced his entire team’s approach, which explains why I appreciate miCKe’s style as well.

— Returning to your early competitive years, many observers, particularly in the EEU region, considered you the world’s premier midlaner. How do you reflect on that assessment now?

— During that period, I primarily switched roles because I began teaming with Sumail. At that time, I possessed considerable confidence and youthful arrogance, believing that if anyone could potentially outperform me in the midlane, it would likely be him. My strategic concept was: “I’ll join this squad, and we’ll either exchange positions or establish our unique dynamic as positions 1 and 2, creating an overwhelmingly powerful combination.”

I aimed to construct a super-team reminiscent of Team DK in certain aspects. Consequently, I determined the optimal approach was to transition to the carry role while playing alongside him. I firmly believe I ranked among the top three midlaners globally during 2015. However, I eventually grew dissatisfied with midlane due to continuous gameplay alterations. Terrain elevation modifications, rune system overhauls, and even patches implementing dual-lane mid strategies emerged. I recall instances at the Frankfurt Major featuring 2v2 midlane configurations.

Multiple patch cycles made me perceive the midlane role as fundamentally flawed. Deny mechanics underwent significant changes, creating what felt like inconsistent lane dynamics. My perception was that midlane’s developmental trajectory emphasized lower mechanical requirements, prompting my desire to transition away from it. I sought gameplay with higher skill expression potential, believing the carry position offered superior complexity.

The restoration of midlane’s high-skill identity required considerable time. Currently, I sense midlane has partially returned to its former prestigious status. Despite the introduction of water runes, I maintain that midlane matchups, mechanical execution, and strategic comprehension remain critically important. Back then, I simply despised the prevailing patch direction and disliked where Dota seemed headed, motivating my pursuit of alternative challenges. I aspired to achieve excellence in a different role.

— Do you believe this strategic pivot ultimately proved worthwhile?

— I consider it successful, as we secured numerous tournament victories between 2015 and 2018. More recent performances haven’t matched that success level, but I genuinely enjoy the carry position’s inherent flexibility. I particularly prefer safe lane laning dynamics significantly more than midlane currently. Side lane mechanics appeal to me substantially more at this stage. Even when playing midlane in public matches, the experience feels suboptimal. I appreciate how side lane mechanics operate, representing an entirely distinct skillset beyond mere last-hitting proficiency. Over the past six years, I’ve acquired numerous specialized abilities that enhance my carry gameplay. Consequently, I feel highly proficient in the safe lane role.

— Whenever EEU teams faced elimination while your squad remained in tournament contention, the humorous expression “Arteezy is the last hope of CIS” frequently resurfaced. Do you genuinely feel connected to the region, or has this become an exaggerated meme?

— Shouldn’t Team Spirit represent EEU’s primary hope?

— Typically Spirit holds that position, and if they’re eliminated, you become the next option.

— I find it incredible that certain EEU community members choose to support me. I consistently appreciate that backing. I suppose it’s pretty cool. I feel like I’m carrying both the North American competitive burden and now the EEU expectation following Spirit’s potential exit. I believe I can manage both regional responsibilities effectively.

When analyzing emerging teams like BetBoom, it’s crucial to recognize that raw individual talent doesn’t automatically translate into cohesive team performance. Each player may possess exceptional mechanical skills, but true competitive success demands understanding team dynamics and making strategic sacrifices for collective achievement.

— Just to prepare themselves mentally?

— The challenges they face are fundamentally rooted in gameplay coordination rather than psychological factors. Teams in their formative stages often struggle with synchronized decision-making and resource allocation between players.

— You’ve been competing professionally for 11 years, were there moments when you considered retiring?

— I never reached a point where retirement felt necessary. Instead, I implemented strategic periods of reduced intensity during certain seasons, allowing for mental recovery while maintaining competitive engagement. This approach prevented complete burnout while keeping me connected to the professional scene.

During specific competitive cycles, I deliberately scaled back my practice regimen, accepting temporary performance dips as part of a sustainable long-term strategy.

Currently, I’m experiencing renewed competitive drive that feels like starting my career anew. The psychological refresh comes from approaching the game with renewed perspective and personal growth objectives.

— What drives this resurgence? Is it the fresh start with a new organization?

— The organizational change certainly contributes, though the primary catalyst appears to be internal mindset evolution. Self-motivation remains the most powerful driver in maintaining competitive excellence.

For professional players, implementing lifestyle changes can significantly impact in-game performance. My current smoking cessation journey, now at eight weeks, initially affected my gameplay but represents a long-term investment in performance optimization.

Professional gaming demands integrating personal development with competitive preparation. My current focus includes eliminating smoking habits and planning gym integration to counter metabolic changes from cessation. These adjustments form a comprehensive approach to maximizing competitive potential.

— At TI11 I discussed with Puppey who stated “You need to be a degenerate to win this game,” requiring sacrifice of personal life, hobbies, and self-improvement. Do you relate to this perspective? What personal sacrifices have you made?

— There’s validity in Puppey’s assessment, though I’d frame it as intense dedication rather than complete degeneration. Having a supportive partner provides crucial accountability, helping maintain focus during challenging competitive periods.

The reality of professional Dota involves significant time investment that could otherwise be spent on entertainment, social activities, or personal development. This commitment transcends traditional work hours—Dota becomes an identity rather than an occupation. You either embody the game completely or you don’t compete at the highest level.

Following major tournaments, many professionals continue engaging with the game through streaming, public matches, or online competitions. This constant engagement reflects the lifestyle commitment required for sustained competitive success.

The psychological challenge lies in balancing continuous engagement with avoiding performance degradation from overtraining.

Maintaining daily connection, whether through active play or replay analysis, prevents the disconnection anxiety that many competitors experience. This persistent engagement contributes significantly to maintaining competitive form over extended careers.

— You mentioned quitting smoking, what other personal development objectives are you pursuing?

— My current roadmap includes transitioning to regular gym attendance post-cessation to manage weight fluctuations. These health-focused initiatives directly support competitive performance through improved mental clarity and physical wellbeing.

Eliminating social media distractions and focusing on health optimization creates a foundation for peak gaming performance.

Every lifestyle adjustment serves to enhance my primary focus: competitive Dota excellence. Once my professional gaming career concludes, I’ll need to rediscover personal identity beyond the game.

No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » “Dota is not a 9-5 job. Dota is a state of being. Dota is Dota. And you are either Dota, or you’re not”. Arteezy goes deep in our interview from LimaExclusive "At TI11 we had a really good strategy. But we really underperformed and choked"