Interview with Bleed Esports' mid laner Kordan, where we speak about their rise to the top, his journey in professional Dota 2 and Dota 2 patch 7.33.
In the ever-changing picture of the Southeast Asian Dota 2 scene, Bleed Esports was the team that rose to the top in the 2023 DPC Summer Tour. After a 6th place finish in the DPC Spring Tour – avoiding relegation by just one spot – Bleed Esports overturned their fortunes on the back of a new coach and a new Dota 2 patch. GosuGamers caught up with their young and upcoming mid player, Teng "Kordan" Tjin Yao, to talk about their rise to the top, and his journey in professional Dota 2 and the 7.33 patch, amongst other things.
Hello Kordan! How are you doing? Were you bootcamping with the team for the DPC season, or were you playing from home?
I’m doing alright. I’m at home right now, but we were bootcamping for the DPC Summer Tour and we will be bootcamping again in a week [for the Bali Major].
Congratulations on making it to the Bali Major! This will be your first DPC Major tournament. How do you feel?
I am excited because the Bali Major will give me an opportunity to display how I compare on an international stage. But I am slightly nervous as well because all the best players in the world will be there.
Bleed Esports, with the same exact roster, finished 6th in the DPC Spring Tour. What changed in the DPC Summer Tour that you dominated the league?
The addition of coach Rasmus "MISERY" Filipsen changed our fortunes. He gives us directions on how we can use our collective strengths in the most effective manner. That has made the team play much easier than it was, which is a major reason why we are doing well.
A good coach makes a huge difference, no doubt! Do you also think the release of Dota 2 patch 7.33 helped your playstyle?
Definitely. I think we are one of the teams that know how to abuse a lot of stuff in the new meta, which helped us in the DPC Summer Tour.
Your teammate Daryl Koh "iceiceice" Pei Xiang was playing at TI1 when you were 9 years old. Did you watch the event back then?
No, I didn’t. I started playing Dota when I was 13, which was a few years after that.
iceiceice is a legend in the Dota 2 community, and especially in Singapore. Is it like a dream come true playing beside him?
Younger Kordan would have said yes, but now, I just like playing with him because he is an amazing player.
He definitely is! Is he one of the main players in the team who does the shot calling?
For sure. In most of the games, he will be giving the team the directions on when we take fights, what objectives we take and things like that. It’s a combination of players who make the calls, but the majority of the calls are made by iceiceice.
In your view, how has the SEA Dota 2 scene changed in the last few years?
In recent times, I would say the SEA Dota 2 region hasn’t been doing too well. Other than Talon Esports at the Lima Major, the region hasn’t managed to place well in international tournaments.
Why do you think that is? What is SEA lacking?
It’s a bit hard to put a finger on what the other teams are thinking. But if I had to guess, I’d say at times the players are too emotional and can’t improve from a loss. Most players cannot pinpoint the problem after losing.
I see what you’re saying. There aren’t one or two teams from SEA that are constantly putting up a challenge at international tournaments. How do you like the current DPC system? What changes would you like to see?
I think the current DPC system is fair, as it favours the teams that perform well throughout the year. If I had to make a change, it would be evenly spacing out the league games. Sometimes, we end up getting a break for five days, which is not what teams want.
Dota 2 patch 7.33 was just released, do you like it? What is your favourite and least favourite change from the patch?
Of course I like the patch. I don’t think there is anyone who hates this patch. There are more creeps on the map to farm.
My favourite part of the patch is the addition of more neutral camps and the Twin Gates. If your team knows how to use the Twin Gates well, it can be game changing. For least favorite changes, I’d it is the buffs to annoying supports like Silencer.
How does the mid role feel right now? Does the mid lane seem like bit of a dead lane now that the Twin Gates have moved most of the action to the side lanes?
The mid lane is a lot different as compared to the last meta, but I do like it. There are multiple ways to play the mid lane. For example, with the addition of Wisdom Runes, you can use Smoke of Deceit with your support to go pick up a Wisdom Rune at the 7 minute mark. Or the other way to go would be to stay in lane and farm the neutral camps around the mid lane.
In terms of the mid lane being a bit of dead lane, that is surely the case. I have noticed that the side lanes have a lot more action than the mid lane.
You will be facing some of the best teams in the world at the Bali Major. Is there any mid laner you are looking forward to playing against?
It has to be Quinn “Quinn” Callahan. I think he is one of the best mid laners right now and I’ve learned a lot by analyzing his replays. I’m looking forward to facing him. Other than that, I’d like to play against Cheng "NothingToSay" Jin Xiang, who is also currently one of the best mids in the world.
I’ll be looking forward to watching those matchups! You mentioned you started playing Dota 2 when you were 13. Who introduced you to the game, and when did you realize you could make it as a professional Dota 2 player?
My dad introduced me to Dota 1, which I played when I was 12 years old. I started playing Dota 2 a year after that. I always had a high MMR, even when I was young. Two years ago, when I was in the army, I played a lot of Dota 2 in my free time and that was when I thought I could give it a shot at being a professional Dota 2 player.
What do you like to do when you aren’t playing Dota 2? Do you play any other games?
I like watching TikToks. I used to play Overwatch, and also Fortnite when it was really popular in 2018. But I was never good enough in those games. I don’t think first person shooter (FPS) games are my thing.
