In the relentlessly competitive landscape of professional Dota 2, victory is the ultimate pursuit, and defeat often incites periods of profound self-reflection. However, for some elite players, the sheer dominance of an opponent can elicit a rather unique, and perhaps even darkly humorous, response. This was precisely the scenario for Ammar “ATF” Assaf, the offlaner for Team Falcons, following his team`s significant grand finals loss at the prestigious Riyadh Masters 2025.
Facing the formidable force that is Team Spirit, who delivered a decisive 3-0 sweep in the final series, ATF`s post-match comments transcended typical disappointment. Instead, they revealed a candid blend of frustration and a sharp, satirical wit. When directly queried about the elusive strategy to overcome the reigning champions, his response was as telling as it was comically provocative:
“I don`t know, they play perfectly. It`s their fourth major tournament win, just incredible. Maybe we need to poison someone.”
— Ammar “ATF” Assaf
The Unassailable Fortress: Team Spirit`s Impeccable Run
ATF`s remark, delivered with an unmistakable undertone of exasperated irony, perfectly encapsulates the prevailing sentiment within the global Dota 2 esports community. Team Spirit has solidified its position as an almost mythological entity, a squad that consistently operates with a level of strategic precision and collective synergy that borders on the flawless. Their recent triumph at the Riyadh Masters 2025, an event held from July 8th to 19th in Saudi Arabia boasting a substantial $3 million prize pool, was not merely another victory; it was an emphatic reaffirmation of their continued supremacy.
The grand finals showdown against Team Falcons was a veritable masterclass in competitive execution. The clean 3-0 sweep left virtually no room for doubt or dispute regarding the outcome. For Team Spirit, this adds another gleaming trophy to their already impressive collection of major tournament victories, cementing their status as arguably the most dominant force in contemporary Dota 2. The consistent absence of discernible errors in their gameplay, a point powerfully underscored by ATF, suggests a team operating at the absolute pinnacle of strategic intelligence and mechanical prowess.
A Dose of Reality: Team Falcons` Self-Assessment
While the “poisoning” comment understandably garnered significant attention for its audacity, ATF`s broader remarks unveiled a more profound and critically honest self-assessment of his own team, Team Falcons. Despite reaching the grand finals of a major international tournament – an accomplishment many professional teams can only aspire to – ATF articulated a stark realization concerning their performance throughout the event:
“You always want to win, but I don`t think we deserved it. We started the tournament poorly, and even where we won, we simply took advantage of opponents` mistakes. I think we need to seriously improve if we want to win at TI. Team Spirit just destroyed everyone. But in part, I feel we didn`t even deserve top-2.”
This remarkably candid admission speaks volumes. It represents a rare moment of professional vulnerability, an open acknowledgment that while significant success was achieved, it wasn`t solely a product of their own impeccable play. Instead, it often leveraged the imperfections of their adversaries. Such an unflinchingly honest appraisal is absolutely critical for genuine growth, highlighting the considerable gulf that currently exists between Team Spirit and even other top-tier contenders like Team Falcons.
The Road Ahead: Chasing Perfection
ATF`s humorous suggestion, while clearly made in jest, subtly underscores a deeper, more challenging truth: when an opponent appears to perform without any discernible flaws, conventional strategies and incremental improvements may seem tragically insufficient. It compels teams to look beyond traditional methodologies, not towards literal illicit means, but rather towards revolutionary innovations and a radical paradigm shift in their approach to the game.
As the Dota 2 competitive circuit inexorably progresses towards its ultimate climax, The International (TI), the formidable challenge presented by Team Spirit looms larger than ever. Their consistent triumphs establish an incredibly high benchmark for every aspiring champion. Teams such as Team Falcons, armed with the invaluable lessons gleaned from Riyadh Masters and ATF`s brutally honest assessment, face an arduous uphill battle. The relentless pursuit of perfection, or at the very least, a level of play that can credibly challenge Team Spirit`s indomitable reign, has never been more intense. The enduring question remains: can any team truly formulate the antidote to Spirit`s seemingly unstoppable force, or will the “poisoning” remain merely a frustrated, if amusing, fantasy?
Jasper Hawthorne