posted by Jaywalker

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In July, IceFrog announced the list of Chinese commentators and translator, where 820 will head to Seattle along with DC, 2009, Haitao, Miss, and Snowkiss. Congratulations for your invite. Unlike the other commentators, you had previously attended The International as a player. Altough regrettably losing to Na`Vi, you still made China proud. This year you will be attending as a caster, what are your thoughts?

I'm very glad that I will be attending this global event as a commentator. Although I feel slightly regretful that I'm not able to attend the event as a player, but being able to witness the championship is a great feeling. I hope all the Chinese teams will work hard, as this is not just the team that wins the money, but the team that defends the honor and dignity of Chinese Dota. Unfortunately I could not do this last year, this year it is up to you guys!

As preperation for this event, Haitao and 2009 has been uploading their own Dota 2 commentaries. You used to play Dota 2 and must be quite familiar with the game. What is your method of preparation for commentating the game? When will we be able to watch your Dota 2 commentaries?

I will be releasing my first person Dota 2 commentaries very soon, I can only say that it is under preperation. Please grant me some time, they will be out before I head to Seattle.

820 and 2009 will be casting in Seattle.

Recently there has been increasing numbers of Dota 2 competitions, and they are no longer restricted to regional competitions, but on a global scale. European teams such as mTw, Darer, EG, and CLG are performing well, along with defending champions Na`Vi. What are your thoughts regarding the European playing styles and strategies, are there any methods to counter their game?

When I used to play against European teams, I felt that their LAN performances are not as calm and steady as us Chinese teams, but their mindsets are much broader relative to us. Perhaps this time it will be the Chinese teams' gameplan going up against a variety of strategies from the Europeans. In terms of countering, the Chinese teams need to do a lot of preparation work and perform on a good standard. Having little to no preparation will definitely not be able to counter various strategies from European teams.

Amongst the Asian teams, Zenith and Orange has often been troublesome for the Chinese teams. Both teams have players with fame and skills, along with unpredictable strategies. What are your comments on these teams?

Despite both these teams performing well online recently, I still favor the Chinese teams to teach them a lesson on LAN. I used to play a lot against the SEA teams, and after countless matches I came to conclude that they perform extremely well online, but once it reaches LAN events they are not able to perform the same level as they do online, and online competitions are mostly for training purposes. Zenith and Orange do play very agressively, I hope during LAN events they will still be able to perform this way without any constraints.

Let's talk about the local [Chinese] scene. After winning the Gigabyte Dota Masters, LGD has continued to well with second place in the It's Gosu Monthly Madness Asia tournament. Compared to DK, iG, EHOME, and Tongfu, LGD has been performing the best. On the other hand, EHOME was the first team to convert to Dota 2, and during the beginning of the year was able to demonstrate many exciting matches. After their reformation and the PLT controversy, they have been with a steady roster since, but they have not performed well lately. Not only EHOME, even DK, iG, and Tongfu are currently not at their best. What do you think are the reasons for LGD's rise and the others' lackluster performances? Is it due to playing both DotA and Dota 2?

I believe online competitions are solely for training purposes, and everyone will be aiming for the final prize money, therefore the form of teams now cannot concretely signify anything. When the competition begins, everyone will then be able to witness each team's true performance. Playing both games does affect a team's form, although DotA and Dota 2 seems to be the same, there are many intricacies that are vastly different, and the popularity of heroes are different too. I advice the Chinese teams to not play both games for now, but to work hard and perform well in The International!

You have evaluated the European teams, so which teams do you favor their chances? What about your expectations of the Chinese teams?

I favor the Chinese teams, but I don't know which specific team. Every team has their unique strengths, it will come down to which team showcases their stregnths well in the games. I hope all five teams will be able to perform outstanding in the group stage, after that it is down to their own fate, and no one can predict anything. In this competition, every last hit can be instrumental to winning, it's too exciting!

Last year, EHOME lost to Na`Vi in the finals. This year despite going as a commentator, your old teammates Dai and 357 will still be fighting in the competition. We all know that you have a special relationship with EHOME, could you share with them some of your thoughts.

EHOME has always been great performers in international competitions. I hope my old teammates 357 and Dai will still perform well, leading EHOME to win and make the team proud!

Last week Valve has announced that there will be no more new heroes until The International ends. Recently Nyx Assassin, Visage, Keeper of the Light, Naga Siren, and Templar Assassin have been added. Naga Siren has been either auto-ban or auto-pick just like in DotA. What do you think this hero is so popular?

It is a team hero. This hero can fit into so many combinations and lineups, it can push, it can retreat, it is formidable during laning phases, and has good late game potential. It is an absolutely sick hero, therefore grabbing the hero is normal.