Cover-Credits:
Competing in Europe (EU) for the first time in his competitive Dota 2 career, Quinn "Quinn" Callahan has been on point with his gameplay for Gaimin Gladiators in the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) Western Europe (WEU) 2023 Tour 1: Division I. Following the team's latest victory over Into The Breach, Quinn explained the difference between playing in North America (NA) versus Europe (EU). As a result of the intense competition in EU, the player had anticipated it to be much more stressful, however, it has been quite the opposite. The tension steadily builds in the EU DPC which is better according to Quinn. But in the NA DPC it was all centered around a single series against Evil Geniuses. As a whole, the switch is helping the midlaner to become a better player.
Quinn explains the difference between NA and EU DPC and his progress as a Dota 2 player
Gaimin Gladiators won its fourth series in the DPC WEU 2023 Tour 1: Division I by defeating Entity, after which Quinn came for the post-match winner's interview. Clinton "Fear" Loomis, a fellow NA analyst in the panel, asked him about the differences he's seen in the two regions' DPCs thus far.
A unique aspect of Quinn's comparison was the stress levels. In spite of the fact that EU is inevitably harder, more stressful, and more challenging, the player noted that there are no spikes in stress here because all games are consistently challenging.
However, when he played against Evil Geniuses with Quincy Crew in NA, all his attention, effort, and time were allocated to that series, and no other game was considered as important, something Quinn does not enjoy.
“I mean, it’s funny. I actually thought it would be more stressful coming to Europe because every match is hard and difficult, there aren’t like - pushover matches but I have felt the inverse that it’s less stressful because it’s more consistent. Whereas in NA, it’s like - you can win a sleep for four of the games and it’s just this mounting pressure - you are going to play EG at the end of the season, it’s the only match that matters whereas, in Europe, it’s incremental stress which is just nicer for me honestly. So, I have just enjoyed playing actual opponents, like every match, as opposed to just one or two.”
As observed in the DPC during the last two years, most of the hyped series are scheduled at the end. This is done to build excitement because these teams often win all of their games, and the series becomes extremely crucial in terms of Major qualification.
Furthermore, Quinn stated that he is seeing a favorable difference when playing in the EU while also explaining why the region is as competitive as everyone believes.
“Yeah, for sure. I mean there’s a reason I think this region is so competitive, I mean this has a large player pool but also there are so many good players so you are forced to keep grinding or keep getting better or you are going to get overtaken by some Into The Breach who has been grinding and is super hungry. If you are not on the top of your game, you are going to get trampled.”
Gaimin Gladiators has one series left in the DPC WEU 2023 Tour 1: Division I, which will be against Tundra Esports on 27th Jan 2023. A win guarantees a berth at the Lima Major 2023, while a defeat may force the team to compete in the grueling tiebreakers to qualify for the season's first Major.
