Clement “Puppey” Imanov, the legendary Dota 2 captain of Team Secret, is embracing a new role as the underdog for the 2024 season. Despite a challenging 2023, Puppey sees this shift in expectations as an opportunity for growth and innovation.
Team Secret’s New Dynamics
- Roster Changes: Team Secret welcomes back BOOM and MidOne, moves that initially disappointed fans.
- Puppey’s Perspective: Unfazed by criticisms, Puppey finds value in playing without the burden of high expectations.
Advantage of Being the Underdog
- Power Level Indifference: On the ESL One Dota 2 podcast, Puppey expressed indifference towards playing in a perceived weaker roster.
- Strategic Benefit: He believes being underestimated allows for more strategic freedom and less scrutiny.
Learning from Failure
- Previous Challenges: Team Secret faced relegation to Division Two in 2023, struggling to recover for major tournaments.
- Opportunity to Grow: Lower expectations have given Team Secret the space to learn from mistakes without the pressure of immediate success.
The Shock of 2023
- From Highs to Lows: Following a second-place finish at TI 2022, Team Secret’s subsequent performance decline was unexpected.
- Roster Shuffles: Despite multiple changes, the team struggled to find its footing.
A Surprising Comeback
- Qualifiers Success: Against all odds, Team Secret performed well in the ESL One Kuala Lumpur qualifiers, defeating teams like Entity and OG.
- Top Eight Finish: Their performance at the tournament exceeded expectations, outperforming other strong contenders.
Looking Ahead to 2024
- End of DPC Era: With Valve’s shift away from the DPC, third-party organizers are now leading the Dota 2 event calendar.
- DreamLeague Season 22: Team Secret is set to participate in ESL’s DreamLeague Season 22 in February, marking their return to the competitive scene.
A Fresh Start for Team Secret in 2024
Puppey’s embrace of the underdog role and the team’s newfound resilience could mark a turning point for Team Secret. The 2024 season may well be a year of reinvention and unexpected triumphs for Puppey and his team.