iNSaNiA and ATF: On Trash Talk, Rankings, and Approaches to Dota 2

In the world of professional Dota 2, emotions and gameplay philosophy often take centre stage. Aydin "iNSaNiA" Sarkohi, support for Team Liquid, and Ammar "ATF" Al-Assaf have shared their perspectives on trash talk, rankings, and the nuances of playing public matches.

iNSaNiA: The Art of Trash Talk and Growing Up in Dota 2

Aydin "iNSaNiA" Sarkohi humorously explained why he rarely becomes the target of trash talk on the professional scene:

"I'm just a bot. ATF and Malr1ne only go after the best players for trash talk. You won't hear anything until you become strong. So you just play as a ‘position five,’ do your job, feed a little — and enjoy the chat messages, laughing at them."

iNSaNiA also shared how his view of rankings has changed over time. In his younger years, he was obsessed with his MMR, particularly in Heroes of Newerth, where he held the top spot. However, with age, his priorities shifted:

"Back then, losing felt like a catastrophe, as if a meteor had hit your house. Now I’m more focused on being happy. Priorities change as you grow older."

Another key insight he offered was about maintaining a productive approach to gaming:

"Playing ten matches a day when you don’t feel like it is just miserable. But if you choose the right time and feel motivated, the game becomes more focused and rewarding."

ATF: Who Makes You Play Pubs?

Ammar "ATF" Al-Assaf from Quest Esports brought some humour to the topic, discussing how his team approaches public games:

"Aui_2000 is the one who pushes us to play pubs the most, but Malr1ne is hilarious to watch — it’s like he’ll get beaten up if he doesn’t stay at the top of Dota2ProTracker. Sneyking always flames people if they play fewer matches than him because he’s a ‘position five.’ As for me, I just maintain my streak. Since 2019, I’ve made sure to play at least one match a week."

This light-hearted take highlights the different approaches to practice and the self-awareness that defines many professional players.