Gaimin Gladiators: Roster Changes, Training and Form at BLAST Slam I

The Gaimin Gladiators Dota 2 roster is changing and actively working on improving their performance in the new season. The team’s mid-laner, Quinn "Quinn" Callahan, shared in an interview with Escorenews.com that the start of the second season was not as intense as their first year together:

"At the start of our second season together, we weren't working as hard as in the first year. And it was noticeable. However, we took steps to fix that in the second half of the year, and it paid off. To solve such problems, you need to play more pubs, more scrims, and talk more about 'Dota'. Just do more in all aspects."

One of the key changes was the decision to replace Anton "Dyrachyo" Shkredov with Alimzhan "Watson" Islambekov as the carry player. Callahan emphasised that the change was not due to any specific issues with Dyrachyo's gameplay, but was rather an effort to maintain the right atmosphere within the team:

"Sometimes changes are necessary not because of results, but to preserve the right atmosphere. Dyrachyo’s overly cheerful behaviour might not have resonated with everyone, so the team brought in a more serious player. This doesn’t necessarily mean someone was a problem, but changes are a natural part of team life."

Quinn also noted that roster changes, even in successful teams, are not uncommon:

"In the past, many teams that performed well for a long time still made changes. Long-term stability can cause tension, especially in Dota, where many players are young. In such cases, changing the roster helps maintain balance and focus."

With this approach, Gaimin Gladiators continued to perform at a high level, winning Riyadh Masters 2024 and finishing second at The International 2024.

Amidst their performance at BLAST Slam I, the team’s captain, Melchior "Seleri" Hillenkamp, shared his thoughts on the current state of the team:

"We continue to improve, and I feel like we’re once again capable of beating anyone, though we could also lose to anyone :D. We’re working hard to resolve our issues and are looking forward to the next match."

During the group stage of BLAST Slam I, the team won two out of four matches and is preparing for the playoffs starting from the second round. The tournament, taking place from November 26 to December 1 in Denmark, has a prize pool of $1 million, with ten teams competing.

With their roster transformation and dedicated work, Gaimin Gladiators show that they are ready to adapt and reach new heights while maintaining their status as one of the strongest teams on the professional Dota 2 scene.