In the ever-evolving landscape of professional Dota 2, veteran voices often provide the most insightful perspectives. Anucha “Jabz” Jirawong, the revered Thai support player, recently offered a rare glimpse into his mind, sharing his personal preferences, sharp critiques, and nostalgic musings on the game that has defined much of his life. His candid remarks, originally part of an interview, paint a vivid picture of a seasoned competitor who deeply understands the nuances of Valve`s iconic MOBA.
Defining Greatness: Legends of the Aegis
When asked to name the greatest player of all time, Jabz deliberated briefly before settling on the legendary Miracle-. This choice resonates with many long-time fans who recall Miracle-`s unparalleled mechanical skill and innovative playmaking during his prime. However, when it came to the “best team of all time,” Jabz offered a more contemporary, yet equally impactful, selection: Team Spirit. Their back-to-back dominance and strategic prowess clearly left a significant impression, cementing their place in the annals of Dota 2 history. Curiously, he pinpointed OG`s 2017-2018 era as the peak of competitive Dota, an intriguing counterpoint that suggests a appreciation for a different kind of magic in the game`s past.
Bonds Forged in Battle: The Unforgettable Teammate
Esports, like traditional sports, is as much about personal connections as it is about skill. Jabz highlighted his enduring appreciation for iceiceice, his former teammate on Faceless. His story is a poignant reminder of the human element in professional gaming:
“When I joined Faceless, I was 16 or 17. Few people in Thailand spoke English, and my English was quite poor. When I flew to Singapore, he took great care of me — he’d open Google Translate, explain everything, and help me.”
This anecdote transcends mere gameplay, revealing the profound impact of mentorship and kindness during a formative period in a young player`s career. It underscores the challenges and camaraderie that define a professional esports journey.
Heroic Choices and Tactical Regrets
Every Dota player has a signature hero, and for Jabz, it`s undoubtedly Invoker. He declared he could play the intricate spellcaster for the rest of his life – a testament to the hero`s depth and versatility. However, his enthusiasm quickly waned when the topic turned to Invoker in the offlane. “Oh, no,” he winced, recalling a painful memory from The International where an offlane Invoker pick against Team BB led to a crushing defeat. “It was that bad,” he confirmed, solidifying his aversion to a role many would consider unorthodox for the Grand Magus. This perfectly illustrates how even the most beloved heroes can carry the weight of bitter strategic failures.
The Evolving Battlefield: Meta, Map, and a Message to IceFrog
Perhaps Jabz`s most profound insights came when discussing the game`s evolution. He openly misses the “old meta,” lamenting that it required “much more creativity to survive.” In contrast, he described the current meta as “more `nerdy`”:
“Now the game has become more `nerdy`: everyone stands together, last hits together, denies together, thinks about how many tangoes to buy, etc.”
This perspective offers a fascinating critique: while modern Dota is undeniably more refined and strategically dense, Jabz suggests it might have lost some of its raw, improvisational charm. His desire for a jungler on his team, allowing him to be “1v2 or 1v3” on the lane and “come up with ways to survive,” further emphasizes his yearning for a more dynamic and individualistic laning phase.
His message to IceFrog, Dota 2`s enigmatic developer, was clear and direct: “Bring back old Dota with a small map.” Jabz argued that the current, expanded map with its multitude of camps allows for overly forgiving comebacks. “Even if you completely lost the early game, you can just go to the jungle and calmly make a comeback,” he explained, hinting at a perceived dilution of early-game dominance and tactical pressure. This is a bold statement from a professional, highlighting a strategic imbalance he believes the current map facilitates.
Laning Antagonists and Support Sacrifices
In the high-stakes environment of professional Dota, laning encounters can be brutal. Jabz identified Dyrachyo as the “most annoying” player to face in lane. His reasoning is particularly illuminating:
“He always applies pressure and doesn`t even think about creep farming. He can miss an entire wave just to pressure you.”
This description paints Dyrachyo as a relentless, almost irrational, force in the lane – a player whose sole objective is to disrupt, rather than adhere to conventional farming patterns. For a position 4 support, Jabz`s “biggest red flag” is simple yet crucial: “If he doesn`t block the small camp and just leaves the lane.” This seemingly minor detail reveals a fundamental lack of understanding of laning mechanics and support responsibilities, signaling a significant tactical oversight.
Beyond the Roshan Pit
Even professional gamers have lives outside the grind. Jabz briefly shared his personal preferences, noting his current enjoyment of the anime Vinland Saga and his fondness for Phat kaphrao, a classic Thai dish of rice with stir-fried pork and Thai basil. These glimpses into his personal life offer a reminder that beneath the intense competitive exterior lies an individual with diverse interests and tastes.
Jabz`s interview serves as a valuable resource for understanding the evolving strategic landscape of Dota 2 through the eyes of a seasoned veteran. His insights into player dynamics, meta shifts, and even game design choices spark important conversations within the community, reminding us that even in a constantly updated game, the wisdom of experience remains paramount.
Jasper Hawthorne 
Rupert Fairfax