In the ever-evolving, high-stakes world of professional Dota 2, roster shuffles and player opinions often provide as much drama as the games themselves. Recently, Anton “dyrachyo” Shkredov, the carry player for Gaimin Gladiators, offered a candid peek behind the curtain, revealing personal recruitment attempts by Virtus.pro (VP) and delivering a remarkably blunt assessment of VP`s current offlaner, Nikita “Daxak” Kuzmin.
Virtus.pro`s Persistent Pursuit: A Missed Connection?
According to dyrachyo, Virtus.pro had made repeated overtures to him towards the end of the previous competitive year, expressing interest in forming a new roster around his talents. This revelation highlights the constant scramble for top-tier players in the esports ecosystem, where organizations are perpetually seeking the perfect synergy to dominate.
Dyrachyo himself had his sights set on forming a formidable lineup alongside Danil “gpK~” Skutin, a celebrated mid-laner. However, these plans ultimately fell through. As dyrachyo explained, gpK~ opted for what he perceived as a “safer” choice, joining BetBoom Team – a roster that had already found success, including a win at a BLAST event. This decision, while understandable from a stability perspective, underscores the pragmatic choices players often face between building something new from the ground up and joining an established, high-performing squad.
The proposed roster with dyrachyo and gpK~ reportedly included other notable names such as Alexander “TORONTOTOKYO” Khertek, Vladimir “RodjER” Nikogosyan, and Dmitry “Fishman” Polischuk. Had it materialized, it could have been a significant force, but such is the fluid nature of pre-season negotiations in Dota 2.
Daxak Under the Microscope: A “Troll” on the Offlane?
The most striking part of dyrachyo`s stream was his unvarnished critique of Daxak, Virtus.pro`s offlaner. With the kind of frankness only professional players seem to master, dyrachyo suggested that Daxak is “a little bit of a troll” and questioned his impact on the offlane. He stated:
“What does Virtus.pro need to start playing? Five new players? Possibly. Five new players Virtus.pro needs to start playing. I think Daxak… I don`t know, from what people say, what I`ve seen in games, Daxak is a bit of a troll. In the sense that he doesn`t make any super actions. As a carry, he did at least something extraordinary. In the offlane, he completely fades. As a carry, there was at least something. But Daxak isn`t particularly needed as a carry either. In fact, he played really better as a carry.”
This candid assessment paints a picture of a player struggling to adapt or make a significant impact in his current role. Dyrachyo`s observation that Daxak “fades” on the offlane but performed “better” as a carry is a common sentiment among analysts and fans alike, highlighting the critical importance of role proficiency in competitive Dota 2.
The Broader Context: VP`s Ongoing Offlane Conundrum
Daxak`s performance in the offlane for Virtus.pro has been a frequent point of contention within the CIS Dota 2 community. This isn`t the first time the player has faced public scrutiny. Streamers like Alexander “Nix” Levin have previously weighed in, even revealing that VP had at one point considered bringing in Roman “RAMZES666” Kushnarev to fill Daxak`s spot. This ongoing discussion underscores the pressure on professional players, particularly when a team isn`t meeting expectations.
Dyrachyo`s blunt remarks, while potentially controversial, are typical of the unvarnished honesty often found in esports. Players, having spent countless hours competing at the highest level, frequently offer direct feedback on their peers` strengths and weaknesses, often with a level of insight that only comes from direct experience against or with them.
The Search for Synergy: An Endless Quest
Ultimately, dyrachyo`s insights provide a fascinating glimpse into the internal dynamics of top-tier Dota 2. From organizations attempting to poach talent, to players making strategic career decisions, to the sometimes brutal honesty of peer assessment, the professional scene is a constant cycle of adjustments and ambition. Virtus.pro`s quest for a winning formula continues, as does the ongoing debate over player roles and impact, particularly for those like Daxak who find themselves at the center of the community`s scrutiny. In Dota 2, as in any high-performance endeavor, performance is the only currency, and players like dyrachyo are not shy about declaring its value.
Finley Holt