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Sneyking: "Changing players is only changing the set of problems you have to deal with"
Team Falcons was flying high in 2024. Winning six major tournaments as well as fantastic results in The International and Riyadh Masters. However, 2025 is proving to be a more difficult year. Team captain Jingjun "Sneyking" Wu sat down for an interview at PGL Wallachia Season 3 to share his feelings on the map, how the team is coping with losses, and when to get rid of a teammate.
Team Falcons is 2-2 in the group stage, and one victory away from making it to the playoffs.
Sneyking: "I think new patch depends a little on luck"
Dota 2 patch 7.38 changed the game dramatically. Besides the usual hero balances, the new update introduced multiple rivers players can use, a new timing for Tormentor, and Madstones to make neutral items.
It's a lot to absorb, and not in a whole lot of time. And while everyone has to adapt to the new patch, some teams definitely have it easier than others according to Sneyking.
"I think new patch depends a little on luck. Maybe some of your heroes get buffed. Maybe the patch benefits you more than other teams because you figure something out first. It's quite random, but I think overall, if you put in more effort than someone else, you'll find stuff that they have overlooked."
The new Madstone system allows players to craft their own neutral items, making them more suitable for a specific playstyle. And so far, the pros do enjoy the ability to control their build and being less reliant on luck.
"I think the system is cool, and it's less RNG. It's easier to predict when you'll get neutrals, how you can approach it. Because before, it was just kind of up to chances. It's good to have some RNG in games, like runes, But I think too much of it and then the game becomes chaotic. So I think them limiting the amount of RNG is good."
Sneyking sees removing players as a last resort
Team Falcons is aware that their recent tournament appearances have been less impressive than before. Their last placement was getting fifth at DreamLeague Season 25. It's not bad, but certainly an underperformance for the juggernauts.
Sneyking addressed his team's failing and discussed how they worked towards moving forward, "Obviously we've had a lull period, where we haven't performed as well as we would like and we had some tough talks, some heart-to-heart conversations so that we can understand what is not working out, why is our communication not as good, why are we feeling less trusting of each other. And now, coming out of it, we'll work on the things we talked about. And getting it off everyone's chest is a sigh of relief for everyone."
When asked why the team haven't simply replaced a player, as many other organizations are prone to doing, Wu was adamant that kicking a player is a last resort, one only to be used after all other options are exhausted.
"Changing players is only changing the set of problems you have to deal with. Because I don't think you're going to necessarily be solving the issues at hand as a team. So I think if you were to remove a player, it's because you see no way forward besides removing that player. I think if people are willing to work with each other on the problems of the team, because there will always be problems, it's just a matter of what they are and what you choose to deal with. Communication, willingness to work, is essential, and if someone is not willing to do that, then you should consider whether they belong on the team or not. But if you trust their skill, their willingness to work with you, I think that's the most important thing."
It will be fascinating to see how Team Falcons performs at PGL Wallachia and if they can get their grove back for the 2025 Dota 2 season.
READ MORE: Insania: "We're a little lost if I'm being honest"
Featured Image Source: Team Falcons
