The name Underminer may be unfamiliar to most casual gamers, especially those who are not fans of Dota. However, this guy is no stranger ot the gaming scene; he has been following and analysing the progress of Malaysian Dota over the years, and has worked with the best clans in Malaysia to help them achieve international success. In our exclusive interview with the Underminder, we learn more of his analysis of the Malaysian DOTA scene and of how the country's top team, KingSurf, trains. This interview is a must read if you are a fan of Dota, or even gaming in general.

Tell us more about your job as a Dota analyst for Malaysia

I played many roles over the years, DOTA analyst was one of the first. Those days, I analysed everything myself and post my thoughts on forums. Nowadays, as the metagame changes with me less active in playing it competitively, I tend to talk a lot with players on the scene and come up with my own ideas on how to look at the game.   

How do you help prepare top teams like KS, Inc Exlo for international tournaments?

I would not classify what i do as help. Though few years back, i do offer my assistance in helping Malaysian teams bound for ACG and ESWC to seek training partners online. In return, they offered me a place in the observer slots to witness their testing of strats and so on. Cant thank them enough for giving me the priviledge to see those game. It helps my understanding of the game and most importantly increase my contacts with teams local and abroad for future collaborations.  

What is their training regime like?

It differs from team to team. But those who study and work will most likely spend their free time outside of work to just train and play with opponents online. But i will like to introduce to how Ks at their dominating period trains. Each players has their own roles. Xiaogui finds opponents and setting times with teams online. Papaxiong watches opponents replays and will know what they will think before the game even started. Yamateh, Ice and Xiaoma will just do their normal dusk to dawn playing sessions and improve their teamwork together. All 5 of them would just sit together every night eyeing for the goal of becoming Malaysian champion and each play their part in doing whatever they are good at in reaching that goal. I personally think if a team is to go pro, this is the full-course regime a team need to have.

What are some words of wisdom you impart to teams when they are performing poorly in a match?  

I would say just hang in there and trust your training and teammates while playing your strat. Show some spirit in your play, even when you are losing. You never know when your opponent is going to make a mistake and a full concentrated game with a team much better than you will give you lots of knowledge in becoming the next top team in Malaysia.

What do you think about the current level DOTA in Malaysia?

 A lot of people do not notice, but Malaysia has been historically a very strong exponent of Dota. Our nation lacks championships but has always been placing among the top 3 in international events. 2nd in ACG2007 , 2nd in ADC1, 3rd in ACG2008 , 2nd in ESWC2008, 3rd in ADC2 , 2nd in ACG2009 and 2nd in ADC3 are among our top achievements so far. to put it into perspective, we are one half of the Asian do mination in ESWC2008 behind Team Zenith of Singapore which Ks has beaten 80% of the time before that in official matches, Malaysia is placed top 3 of Dota in ACG for 3 years in a row from 2007 onwards, something no nation has ever done, Kingsurf from Malaysia obtained the best online result with a European host all the way by winning F4F#3.We are histotically very strong, but what we lack is the will and mindset to go all the way to finish the job. Our opponents will most often study us and counter our skills-based strat in crucial moments of tournaments and our teams seems to be unable to deal with that. I think to further improve our scene, we need to be more tactical in our approach to the game.

What are your hopes and expectations for the DOTA community for the new year that lies ahead?

Same as per last year I guess, sweep whatever international we are able to move to international tournaments. Malaysia needs more championships under its belt to stamp our mark in Competitive Dota history, not the many near misses we have had over the years.As for the scene in general, I hope players who starts getting pro in this wonderful game will  be more matured and media friendly.We have had amazing results over the years, all we need to do is transcend these achievements to real sponsorship deals and recognition as something worth investing your time in for among the youths of today.