Currently competing at the prestigious Riyadh Masters 2025, where both their teams have successfully navigated the demanding group stage, Team Spirit`s seasoned midlaner, Denis “Larl” Sigitov, offered a public assessment of Natus Vincere`s young talent, Artem “Niku” Bachkure. Larl`s comments came via a Team Spirit team vlog, providing insights into how established professionals view emerging players in the competitive Dota 2 scene.
When asked specifically about the 16-year-old NAVI midlaner, Larl provided a balanced perspective, acknowledging Niku`s current capabilities while also pointing towards areas for development. According to Larl, Niku possesses “normal, good micro” – referring to the execution of hero-specific actions and combat. However, he suggested that Niku`s “macro might suffer somewhere,” citing instances of “unthought-out actions.”
Larl noted that Niku`s performance can be dependent on the specific heroes he plays. Summing up his current status, Larl stated that Niku “just plays well” but “is not a GOAT yet.” A key factor he highlighted was the influence of the team environment, pointing out that while NAVI has a good roster, it is young and possesses less collective experience on major LAN stages compared to more veteran squads.
While refraining from anything “bad” to say, Larl also tempered expectations, stating Niku isn`t at a level he`d describe as “incredible” or a “genius.” He drew a comparison, noting that another player, Satanic, seemed “immediately strong in micro and overall” when he emerged, perhaps contrasting with Niku`s current stage of development. Larl mused that the difference between the midlane and carry roles – with carry often being the “more star” role currently – might play a part in how players` impacts are perceived.
Ultimately, Larl concluded that Niku “makes impact and plays well overall,” even mentioning a previous encounter where Niku seemed like a “normal guy.” The assessment underscores the high level of scrutiny young players face as they rise through the ranks, particularly when competing against world champions like Team Spirit on the biggest stages. Both NAVI and Team Spirit successfully advanced from Group A at Riyadh Masters 2025, demonstrating the potential present in both rosters, including the emerging talent like Niku.
