The competitive landscape of Dota 2 is often a blend of strategic genius, nail-biting finishes, and, perhaps most interestingly, candid insights from the pros themselves. Recently, Anton “dyrachyo” Shkredov, a prominent carry player known for his tenure with Gaimin Gladiators, peeled back the curtain on some intriguing dynamics within the CIS scene. His revelations, shared during a personal stream, not only shed light on his own career trajectory but also delivered a rather pointed critique aimed directly at Virtus.pro`s offlaner, Nikita “Daxak” Kuzmin, and the team`s overall direction.
The Road Not Taken: Virtus.pro`s Persistent Overtures
According to dyrachyo, Virtus.pro made “a thousand” attempts to recruit him and build a new roster in late 2023. This period coincided with his own efforts to assemble a team alongside mid-laner Danil “gpK~” Skutin. However, despite the mutual interest, their ambitious project ultimately faltered. dyrachyo attributed this to gpK~`s pragmatic decision to join BetBoom Team, a choice he described as a “safe” move given BetBoom`s established success, including a BLAST victory earlier that year.
“Virtus.pro called me a thousand times to assemble a roster when I was trying to put one together with Danil. Nothing came of it because Danil simply made a safe decision to go to BetBoom Team and play there. Because it was a good, warmed-up spot with a roster – they had already won BLAST last year.”
This glimpse into the intricate dance of roster construction highlights the difficult choices players face, balancing potential new beginnings with the security of proven entities. For dyrachyo, it meant foregoing a potential leadership role to see a teammate opt for a more immediate path to success.
A `Troll` on Offlane? The Daxak Critique
Perhaps the most talked-about segment of dyrachyo`s stream was his unvarnished assessment of Daxak. When asked what Virtus.pro needed to improve, dyrachyo`s response was blunt: “Five new players? Perhaps. Five new players Virtus.pro needs to start playing.” He then zeroed in on Daxak`s performance in the offlane role:
“I think Daxak… I don`t know, from what people say, what I`ve seen in my games, Daxak is a bit of a troll. In the sense that he doesn`t make any super plays. As a carry, he at least did something extraordinary. In the offlane, he completely fades. As a carry, there was at least something. But Daxak isn`t really needed as a carry either. Honestly, he played really better as a carry.”
This isn`t merely a casual jab; it`s a technical critique wrapped in a stark judgment. dyrachyo suggests that Daxak, while showing flashes of “extraordinary” play as a carry, struggles significantly to make an impact in the offlane. The use of “troll” here isn`t necessarily about malicious intent, but rather a perceived lack of meaningful contribution or impactful decision-making in a role that demands high-pressure execution.
Virtus.pro`s Perennial Search for Form
dyrachyo`s comments aren`t isolated. Daxak has indeed faced repeated criticism for his offlane performance with Virtus.pro. Earlier reports from streamer Aleksandr “Nix” Levin even suggested that VP had considered bringing in Roman “RAMZES666” Kushnarev as a potential replacement. This continuous scrutiny underscores a broader struggle for Virtus.pro to find consistency and a winning formula in a highly competitive region.
The “five new players” sentiment, while perhaps hyperbolic, reflects a common frustration among fans and fellow professionals regarding teams that appear to be stuck in a rut. It suggests that incremental changes might not be enough to turn the tide, implying a need for a complete philosophical or strategic reset.
The Unspoken Implications and Future Outlook
dyrachyo`s transparency offers a rare and valuable look into the professional mindset and the cutthroat nature of top-tier esports. His willingness to speak candidly about player performance and team dynamics, even regarding rivals, adds a layer of drama and authenticity that fans often crave. Such remarks inevitably fuel speculation about impending roster changes and team strategies within the CIS region.
For Virtus.pro, these criticisms from a peer represent a stark challenge. In a scene where public perception and internal morale are crucial, a blunt assessment from a respected player like dyrachyo can resonate deeply. Will these words serve as a catalyst for change, or will the team continue its search for synergy amidst the whispers of overhaul? Only time, and perhaps another series of “extraordinary actions,” will tell.
