New year, new team, new region. DreamLeague Season 22 comes with a lot of new situations for the Filipino mid laner Yopaj.
Erin Jasper "Yopaj" Ferrer made the decision to leave Southeast Asia and join Shopify Rebellion in North America at the end of last year. He’s been with his new team for a couple of months now and he has already secured a spot at the upcoming DreamLeague Season 22 and ESL One Birmingham.
Ahead of Shopify Rebellion’s new roster debut at DreamLeague Season 22, we caught up with Yopaj to learn how he is adapting to a new region and what major differences he sees between SEA and NA.
What made you switch from Southeast Asia to North America this season?
I actually planned for it last year, but I didn't really have a good time frame for it. Last year I really wanted to go to play in Europe or any other region, but it was only now that I found a good window to change the region.
What are the differences in play styles you feel between the two regions?
The team dynamics are very different. Here, for example, we talk so much more about macro aspects and strategies. SEA has a lot of skilful players but lacks leadership, and captainship compared to other regions.
Would you say that this is also the reason why we saw so many early eliminations of SEA teams from last year's Major tournaments?
Yes, and there is also a very big difference in mindset and mentality between SEA and other regions. Especially when it comes to LAN events. I feel like the teams from the other regions are much stronger in that aspect.
What about your role in Shopify Rebellion, how did you have to adjust your game in this roster to suit it better?
They are very welcoming and they made sure I have no issues in integrating with the team. We talk so much about strategies, about how I can enable them from mid and how they can also enable me.
Is this different from what you experienced with your previous teams?
I would say it was a lot similar back when I was playing with BOOM Esports.
How does the mid lane feel right now?
I do like that as a mid lane you have so many more things to think about. You have so much work to do as a mid player, and I enjoy that a lot.
Now that you have had some time to look at the format of the current Dota 2 season, do you prefer it to the DPC Leagues system of the last three seasons?
I kind of like the new system because it gives more LAN tournaments. For players, this year seems a lot more competitive in a way.
Do you have a patch wish list for Valve?
Not really. The only thing that I would really love to see is Earth Spirit being buffed.
What is your prediction on the type of hero Ringmaster will be, and what kind of hero are you hoping for?
I just want him to be an intelligence hero, a spell caster that would be fit for mid lane.
DreamLeague Season 22 is the first big tournament of 2024 for Shopify Rebellion. How do you guys feel heading into it, how are the vibes in the Shopify bootcamp?
We are lacking so much practice, and that's because of me, because the visa process was super long. To be honest, I didn't expect it to take so much time. But, of course, we will try our best and we hope that everything that we do now in practice will come together just in time for DreamLeague Season 22.
DreamLeague Season 22 unfolds between February 25 and March 10 with 16 teams from around the world fighting for the title and a share of the $1,000,000 prize pool. As being a part of the ESL Pro Tour, DremLeague Season 22 also offers a total of 18,550 EPT points to be split among the 16 participating teams.
At the end of the season, the top 8 teams with the highest EPT points will be directly qualified for this year’s Riyadh Masters event at the Esports World Cup 2024. Shopify Rebellion has swapped three players in between EPT events this season, and per ESL rule book, that wiped all their points. So, for a shot at directly qualifying for Riyadh, Shopify Rebellion need top placements at both DreamLeague Season 22 and ESL One Birmingham.
