Interview with Mira: “I feel happy for the boys. I don’t feel jealous.”

by

In our conversation, we got to chat with Mira, a title-holder eager for even greater achievements. During our discussion, he shared insights into his emotions, experiences with his former team, and yes, his fondness for memes!

This season has been challenging for Aurora, a team boasting standout players such as two-time TI champion Myroslav “Mira” Kolpakov. We were fortunate enough to conduct an exclusive interview with him, during which he shared insights about his experiences with Aurora, potential areas for improvement within the team, his past with Team Spirit, and the current landscape of Dota 2.

As a die-hard fan, I was fortunate enough to delve deeper into his world. We shared laughs over memes, bonded over friendships, and much more. Aurora’s upcoming tournament is TI 2025. This grand event represents the ultimate test for our team and offers the biggest platform for them to demonstrate that our super-roster is indeed capable of lifting the Aegis of Champions.

Mira answers our questions about Dota 2, the meta, and the current state of the team

Esports.gg: Let me pose some questions related to Dota 2. I noticed that prior to the FISSURE Playground event, you were playing Dark Willow and Shadow Shaman quite frequently. However, for this tournament, it seems like you’ve shifted focus from those heroes. Was the recent balance change too significant, or have you found a preference for other champions instead?

Mira says the latest adjustments made their favorite heroes slightly less powerful, so she’s trying out new characters. She finds Willow and Lion to be solid choices, while Shaman can work too at times. Currently, the gameplay involves paying close attention to one’s positioning to set up plays and assist the team in getting kills. Mira also suggests that Bane, Snapfire, and Batrider could be effective heroes to consider.

Are you satisfied with the current state of the meta, compared to TI? Previously, some players expressed frequent concerns about its monotony.

Mira: I’m totally okay with that. The heroes I brought up are my go-to choices, so I don’t mind at all. However, the current meta is quite peculiar because anyone can select whichever hero they prefer. At the moment, the specific heroes aren’t as crucial. Instead, it’s more about choosing what you feel most comfortable with, and then picking accordingly.

Sounds like a dream for pubs, too.

Sure thing!

Mira: Yes, it was quite dull when there were just five heroes available. Now, though, I find it much more enjoyable since I have the freedom to pick any hero in my public matches.

Here’s a suggestion for paraphrasing: “Let’s discuss our team’s progress. There aren’t any upcoming tournaments before TI, and while you’ve shown promising performances during the initial stages of every tournament, the outcomes haven’t been as expected yet. What do you believe could be the factor that we need to enhance to reach our full potential?

Mira: Well, it seems we need to improve our performance post-mid-game. Perhaps it’s about making smarter decisions or executing crucial plays more effectively. We really need to excel during this stage because we’ve lost quite a few games that were already won – around 20 of them, in fact. If we can avoid those costly mistakes, we could secure better rankings in tournaments.

Mira shares his feelings about the Dota 2 competitive scene during exclusive interview

Contrarily, your journey to The International was exactly what you stated – an exceptional performance following the mid-game. It appeared almost effortless for Aurora. Can you explain why you believe there has been such a significant shift from then to now?

Initially, the teams we encountered were not as strong as our current opponents. Regarding the qualifying teams, I find it hard to express it delicately, but we outshine them in terms of fundamental skills. They frequently made errors, gifted us a significant amount of gold, and ultimately, we triumphed over them.

You don’t see any of these teams joining the Tier 1 scene soon?

In simpler terms, Mira stated that during online games, only one team stood out – the one we defeated in the finals (TA2000, Chira_Junior, Noticed, prblms, Solo). They had an easy time as we dominated them. However, when playing on a Local Area Network (LAN), top-tier teams become noticeably more motivated and skilled. They seldom commit errors, and you have to push them to make mistakes because they are unlikely to do so on their own. This is much tougher compared to exploiting weaknesses in other opponents.

It seems that top-tier skills have spread across all regions, and second-tier teams are stronger than ever. I’m curious if this trend is also happening in the EEU region. It seems harder for fresh teams to make a significant impact these days.

Mira suggests that perhaps the Tier 2 teams lack sufficient understanding of the game due to a deficiency in skilled mentors and coaches. There seem to be very few players available to form new teams, as the top four teams, PARI, BetBoom, Spirit, and themselves, have most of the best players. This results in a significant gap between these top teams and the rest. However, Mira believes that given time, some players will eventually retire or switch roles to become coaches, leading to the emergence of new powerful teams.

Do you see yourself coaching in the future?

Mira: Not yet, for sure. Not yet [laughs].

I’m really pleased you brought up TI. Are we still focusing on this being the title you most want to claim? Given that the excitement isn’t as high as during the Battle Pass period and the prize pool is at an all-time low, could it be possible that it’s not the tournament to strive for winning anymore?

Mira: To be honest, these past three years… It’s no longer just about the prize money. It’s all about the title and creating a lasting legacy. Nowadays, people are less focused on the money and more interested in being the best. After all, it’s the first Dota 2 tournament, and one of the most honored competitions. And who wouldn’t want to be the champion?

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel that no other esports tournament quite compares to The International (TI). No matter the prize money offered, I believe nothing could ever replicate the unique energy and excitement that TI brings.

For instance, if the Electronic Sports World Cup (EWC) were to offer a staggering $10 million dollar prize pool, I can’t help but wonder if it would generate the same level of hype and anticipation as TI does for many fans like myself. Would it feel just as special? I doubt it. The magic of TI is more than just money – it’s the culmination of passion, skill, camaraderie, and competition that makes it truly unforgettable.

John: It appears that due to the amount of money involved, they are roughly equivalent in value. Think of it as a scale where this sum matches the inheritance you receive from TI. Thus, if [the EWC] offers five or ten times more, it wouldn’t make it “more” significant. It would still be just as important. However, everyone would likely still aim for both of them.

I’m the same; I don’t think there’s ever going to be a tournament that surpasses TI. But who knows.

Mira: Yeah, who knows.

Mira on Team Spirit: “I’m not thinking about what-ifs”

Do you also cherish numerous fond memories from TI? For instance, recalling Team Spirit events. If you’re open to sharing, I’m curious about your feelings when you witness their continued success even though you’re no longer part of the team.

Mira expressed her feelings of joy for the boys, laughing along with them, without a hint of jealousy. She wasn’t dwelling on thoughts like “it should have been me,” or speculating about what-ifs. She was content with not knowing how things would have turned out if she had been part of the team. In essence, she was simply pleased that her friends were succeeding, finding it truly delightful!

Thanks so much for opening up to me about something so personal! Let’s take a moment to relax and unwind before wrapping up this interview. I must say, the English-speaking community could use more laughter from memes originating in the EEU region. So, let’s have some fun with those questions!

Mira: Haha, yeah!

“I understand there seems to be some tension between Yatoro and Skiter following the last tournament. A friend of mine noticed that you left a comment encouraging a fight in one post about it. Hypothetically speaking, if we were to stage a boxing match between these two competitors, who would you support?”

Mira laughs: I’m cheering for Skiter, but let’s face it, he won’t be the winner. In fact, Yatoro is quite a maniac in real life and will keep going until the very end. Skiter simply doesn’t stand a chance, but I’ll still support him for the hilarious memes.

The memes and who would he fight in a boxing ring

Sure thing! Let’s imagine you’re in a boxing ring. If you had to choose someone to face off against, who would that be?

Mira: Hmm… [laughs] Does it have to be boxing or can it be MMA?

It can be MMA!

As a passionate boxing enthusiast, I’m confident I could take on just about anybody in the ring. However, when it comes to MMA, it’s a whole different ball game. I’ve heard Fly is an absolute force in the mixed martial arts world and I wouldn’t dare step into the octagon with him. But challenge anyone else? Bring it on! Let’s get this show on the road!

“Moving forward, have you had a look at this year’s Compendium? If so, do you happen to have a preferred quote that stands out?”

As a dedicated admirer, I must admit that none of them truly stand out as my absolute favorite. However, our unique bundle certainly catches my eye, and there was an intriguing one in the NaVi collection as well. But if pushed to choose just one, it’s undeniably the “My Pudge” and “Silence-silence-silence” from Aurora’s fan bundle that win my heart. I find them particularly effective for public matches.

Note from the Interviewer: Mira refers to the lines spoken by Aurora’s character. The phrase ‘My Pudge,’ when translated, means, ‘Now I’m going to demonstrate my Pudge.’

If there were no restrictions, what would be your dream voice line? It can be whatever you want.

As a fellow gaming enthusiast, let me put it this way: “Wow, no rules at all! It’d sure be a wild ride if every game turned into an all-out chat warzone, wouldn’t it? But for the sake of keeping things fun and friendly, let’s keep the humor clean and creative, okay?

“Let’s discuss the topic of being toxic. I’ve heard from my friend that you made some critical comments about professional Counter-Strike 2 players. You even stood by those remarks, stating they were sincere. Can you share your thoughts on this matter?”

As a devoted fan, I couldn’t help but share a light-hearted conversation I had with my AI companion the other day. It jokingly mentioned that I wouldn’t be a Counter-Strike player, and I replied in a playful meme style. To my surprise, this simple jest sparked quite a reaction! It seemed everyone was passionately defending CS, which is fascinating because I myself enjoy playing it too. Go figure!

“I can assist you now. Do you have a favorite CS player? Answering this question should resolve the current situation.”

Mira: I admire? Hmm…

If you double down again and you say nobody…

Mira chuckles and shares, “I’m fond of Donk. After defeats, he still expresses his feelings honestly, which I appreciate. He truly dislikes losing, but his determination is commendable. I really admire this player – he puts in a great effort and stands out as the best.

Apologies for keeping you engaged for quite a while. Let me give you a break now, and here’s wishing you luck in lifting the Aegis this year!

Mira: Thank you very much!

Read More

2025-09-04 02:14