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In Dota 2, there’s a certain offlaner archetype that many teams benefit from having: a versatile player who’s willing to do anything to help his team win. One of the best examples of this is Ace, a player whose offlane adaptability has helped bring his teams to the pinnacle of professional play.

As one of the most prolific players of Broodmother and Underlord in professional play, Ace has spent his career making himself known as one of the world’s strongest offlaners. He’s always willing to sit in the long lane and face down the carries of opposing teams in difficult matchups, just as much as he’s willing to step up and put the team on his back if necessary.

Now, Ace brings his talents to longtime rival org Team Liquid, a team he’s faced countless times at the highest echelon of competition. We sat down with Ace after his signing to welcome him to the squad, ask him about how he feels he’ll fit into Team Liquid, and to hear some of his insights about the game.

First off, welcome to Team Liquid. Throughout your career, you've had some really great matches, and some of your biggest victories against Team Liquid. Do you think it's going to feel strange to wear that shirt, to see that logo and tag next to your name?

Yeah, it is pretty strange because they've been kind of like our nemesis for many years. But I always respected Liquid a lot, so it's also very cool.

You're stepping into a roster that's had a lot of success. They're TI champions, they're multiple time major winners, and they're one that played together for a long time.  How do you approach joining an established team like that? Is that kind of intimidating?

It's somewhat intimidating for me, because I've been with some of my other players for four years now, especially tOfu. So joining a new team and a new system definitely makes me feel like I'm a bit nervous. Not so much, just a healthy amount. But it's very interesting and very cool to try something new like this.

You've always been kind of known as a quite cerebral, tactical player. You're very active in the draft. How do you think that kind of tactical acumen is going to fit into the Liquid roster?

I think it's going to fit in very well. Generally, in this roster, I think there is some need for more  tactical stuff and control over the draft. People are kind of laid back, just playing at a really high skill level and really good individually. But it's good to have someone getting people on the same page on these tactical kinds of things.

Even though TI is in the books there's still a lot of tournaments coming up this year. There's PGL Wallachia, there's Blast in Singapore, there's Chengdu.  Are there any of these destinations that you're particularly looking forward to in the next few months or next year?

Yeah, I think Singapore is very cool to go to. I've only been there once. So I'm definitely looking forward to that if we can get to that.

Does that get overwhelming, the packed competitive Dota 2 schedule there is now? Or is it kind of just nice to know that there's always a tournament?

It's nice to know that there's always something going on, but sometimes [with the] back-to-back-to-back type of tournament schedule, it can be pretty overwhelming.  For me personally, it would be nice to play a tournament, and then go home a little bit, and then go to the next tournament.

The day we’re having this interview, it's only a few days out from the latest Dota 2 patch, 7.39e. It's always great to get some pro player insights on these updates, so, do you like the patch so far? Do you think we might see you flex your Kez when you suit up for Team Liquid?

Nah, I don't know about Kez! This hero always gets changed so much, so people always have to relearn it instantly. They changed all these little small things about him. And I don't think he's an offlane type of deal. I think people are thinking now, right now, he is more on mid and carry.

But generally the patch is not really too big or anything. There’s some pretty major nerfs to some heroes. I disagree pretty hard with some of it, but, overall, some small Helm of the Dominator nerf was good. I think the nerfs on Dom were good. It's a good approach. 

Overall I'm just hoping for something a bit bigger that can make me cook some new fun stuff. But this patch is not much about cooking new things.

Is there a hero you'd like to see get some changes or some buffs that you'd like to bring back into the rotation?

Yeah, Broodmother, I would like to be viable on offlane again. I think he's pretty dead offlane. Maybe in very specific scenarios he can work, but it's very hard to make him work in offlane.

Just looking at teams that have won significant tournaments recently, one of the things that's been a difference maker is the offlane position that's willing to put the team on their back and carry. That's kind of an essential role now, whether it's making big plays like say, Collapse, or quite literally taking the carry role like ATF did at TI14. Do you think that fits your play style as an offlaner or do you think you have a different role to fill on a roster?  

I see myself as a player that is very versatile, in the sense that I will do the job that is needed on the team. And it's hard to say what the team is going to need each game and who does what and what's needed. But I used to be a carry player, so playing a role like that is very natural and I can do it.

But also, if we just need more Blink initiation, maybe a not so greedy build, I'm also super down for that. Or Aura builds have also been like a big thing for me. There's some different approaches and it usually depends on the patch and also on the team, what other people's strengths are and what's needed. But I'm down for everything. I feel like I'm versatile like that.

Is there anything you'd like to say to Liquid fans and fans that you've followed during your career as you start your journey with Team Liquid? 

Thank you so much to everybody who's following, and been through hard times and good times, and writing messages to me here and there. It feels really nice and I hope that you can continue to follow me on this path.