MoonMeander on bouncing back from 4 losses in the group stage at DL 29: “I told the team to stop messing around”
Tundra Esports coach David “MoonMeander” Tan explained in an interview at DreamLeague Season 29 how the team managed to bounce back after their initial losses in the group stage, and also described how the team’s motivation works.
On bouncing back from a 0-4 group stage record
I told the team to stop messing around.
Everything changed because we became more open-minded in our hero picks. We were too fixated on the previous patch: the heroes had been nerfed, but we kept picking them over and over. At some point, you have to stop losing, guys. You have to start playing good heroes.
On good coordination in team fights in the late game on the second map against PlayTime
For things like that to happen, you need a very calm atmosphere. If everything is chaotic, with people shouting during team fights, it’s impossible. That’s why we try to create a calm environment. Everything has to be clearly communicated: “I have a Force Staff, I can save you.” When a player is in trouble, they say, “Help,” and they get help.
[Question: So shouting during team fights is a bad idea?!]
Oh yeah. And you’d be surprised how many pro players in Dota just talk nonstop during team fights. It’s crazy.
[Question: Who’s the worst at this?]
I don’t know why I’m saying this, but it’s definitely Nightfall. He’s a great player. And he talks a lot.
[Question: And who’s the best?]
The best communicator on the team? I’d probably say Whitemon. He tells us what needs to be done, and if he’s not sure, he asks questions. And he’s always a good listener, which is really important.
On unplayable heroes
Probably Morphling. They’ve just completely abandoned that hero. I don’t even think you can play him anymore. We used to love him, but now he’s kind of gone. Abaddon—I don’t even want to play him, or even look at him. I don’t know what’s wrong with him. And there’s one more I’d mention—Marci.
On Tundra Esports’ motivation
Motivation on this team, like with everyone else, goes up and down. I try to push them and set an example, but the best way to get unmotivated players going is to go through some losses. When they lose over and over, they get really angry and want revenge. But when you win a lot, you start to relax. You can recall Bane’s words about Batman: that victory cost him everything.
Tundra Esports started the group stage with losses, but subsequent wins allowed the team to advance to the upper bracket playoffs, where they proved stronger than the other contenders. Now Tundra is playing in a knockout match against Aurora Gaming.
