“People should relish being a pro, and I think they don’t do that enough”. Bulba on retirements, his love of Dota, and how last year tested his team

Shopify Rebellion’s strategic coach Kanishka “Bulba” Sosale provided exclusive commentary during Bali Major 2023 following the conclusion of group stage matches. He offered transparent perspectives about their tournament difficulties, Arteezy’s emotional response after Berlin Major disappointment, their performance with Miracle- at DreamLeague, and the comparative challenges between canine training and professional player development.

— How do you and your team like Bali Major so far? The hotel, food.

— The accommodations have exceeded expectations with excellent facilities, and Indonesia’s natural beauty provides a stunning backdrop. The tropical climate brings intense heat that affects player comfort and performance. Tournament organization has demonstrated remarkable efficiency with minimal technical complications, which pleasantly surprised our squad given previous event experiences.

— What was your preparation for this event?

— We organized a collaborative training camp with Team Liquid utilizing their advanced European facility. This partnership delivered superior practice conditions compared to our North American sessions where latency issues compromise gameplay quality. The opportunity to compete against top-tier European rosters provided invaluable strategic preparation that directly translates to major tournament performance.

Quinn: “I am a good player, and what some bots on Reddit think doesn’t really matter”

— Could you summarize the group stage, what went wrong?

— Our bootcamp performance created unrealistic expectations as we dominated practice matches against European powerhouses. This success masked underlying team coordination issues that surfaced during official group stage competition. We encountered unexpected defeats against teams we typically outperform, revealing strategic vulnerabilities in our gameplay approach.

Specific matches against Blacklist and Execration demonstrated critical flaws in our adaptation capabilities during high-pressure situations.

“As a team, we let Miracle down at Dreamleague”

— Berlin Major went bad for you guys. Arteezy even said he coloured his hair because of his disappointment. So, what went wrong there?

— Our strategic framework collapsed under the new gameplay patch mechanics. The meta shift exposed fundamental weaknesses in our draft philosophy and in-game decision making. We failed to develop effective counterstrategies within the tournament timeframe, resulting in comprehensive performance failure.

While we managed group stage advancement, our bracket proved less competitive than others. We lacked the tactical sophistication to overcome 9Pandas and EG demonstrated superior patch comprehension and execution. 9Pandas’ dramatic improvement trajectory caught us completely unprepared despite pre-match confidence in our matchup advantage.

— What do you feel when your team loses against players who you are friends with, like RAMZES?

— I maintain strong personal relationships with competitors like RAMZES, but competitive defeat always stings regardless of friendship status. Specific rivalries with BetBoom carry particular emotional weight given our history and shared experiences. Professional respect coexists with intense competitive drive during tournament matches.

Dyrachyo: “If BetBoom had not thrown themselves out, they would win Bali Major”

— You scouted players from the EEU multiple times. Why did you choose them?

— Eastern European players demonstrate exceptional work ethic and mechanical proficiency that translates well to international competition. RAMZES represented a top-tier global talent with remarkable coachability despite his elite skill level. The regional development environment produces competitors with superior dedication to improvement and tactical flexibility.

Players like Nightfall and Resolut1on share this commitment to excellence, though roster chemistry doesn’t always align with individual talent metrics.

RAMZES: “An MMA fight in a cage against Quinn? We can do that”

— Can you point at someone up-and-coming right now? Doesn’t matter if EEU or other regions.

— Mikey, currently competing with Nigma demonstrates significant potential for future growth. However, the current competitive landscape features mostly established talents rather than emerging unknowns, making breakthrough discoveries increasingly rare in modern Dota scouting.

— You played with Miracle- at Dreamleague. How do you assess his form? Did you talk with him about why he isn’t playing?

— Our communication remained limited regarding his competitive status and future plans. His individual performance exceeded expectations as a stand-in player, demonstrating why he remains one of Dota’s legendary figures. Team performance shortcomings reflected collective failure rather than individual underperformance from our temporary roster addition.

— We had a small shift in the usual DPC results in NA, Nouns have replaced TSM. Did you expect that?

— The North American hierarchy shift surprised me given historical competitive stability. TSM’s roster strength has noticeably declined compared to previous competitive seasons, creating unexpected opportunities for regional challengers.

“In terms of mentality ATF is the best teammate I’ve ever played with”. Quest.TA2000 on Ammar reputation and playing longest game at Valve events
So many compliments!

“Training a dog requires a lot of patience, but so do some Dota players”

— I saw a photo of your dog on your phone screen. Tell me about it.

— My Maltese companion Buddy joined our family during the pandemic’s competitive hiatus. The extended homestay period created ideal conditions for canine companionship despite subsequent separation anxiety issues common among COVID-era pets.

— Who is harder to train, a dog or a Dota player?

— Certain professional gamers present training challenges that exceed canine difficulty thresholds. The psychological dimensions of player development introduce complexities absent from basic animal behavior modification techniques.

“I wish that people could just put aside everything and just do what it takes”

— What do you relish the most about being a coach?

— Transitioning from player to coach required significant identity adjustment, but preserved the strategic engagement I value most about competitive Dota. The intellectual challenges of meta analysis and tactical innovation provide continuous professional satisfaction.

— What do you dislike then?

— Managing interpersonal conflicts and motivational disparities represents the most demanding aspect of coaching responsibilities. Last season’s roster experienced unprecedented personal complications that tested my conflict resolution capabilities beyond previous experience levels.

“Ppd was the best. He would walk up to you and say ‘F**k you'”. SumaiL and Aui_2000 discuss trash-talk in Dota 2

— Have you ever cried during a match of your team?

— Emotional breakdowns following tournament elimination represent the human dimension of competitive esports. TI10 delivered the most devastating competitive experience of my career, given our exceptional preparation and championship expectations.

— You coached this roster for a long time. Have you ever had thoughts on switching a team? Why are you so devoted to the guys, and they are so devoted to each other?

— Our organization maintained elite competitive consistency from 2018 through 2021 across multiple roster iterations. This sustained success established deep mutual trust similar to Team Liquid’s current performance pattern, where consistent top-three finishes demonstrate organizational excellence. The foundational relationships within our core group withstand competitive pressures and personal disagreements, creating resilient team dynamics.

Entity Watson undergoes eye surgery “not to get blind”

“Being a pro gamer is something that people should relish”

— Here is a hypothetical scenario: everyone from your roster announces retirement after TI. What would you do? Try to convince them to stay, finish your careers together, or try to find another team/build a new roster from scratch?

— I would immediately challenge their retirement rationale as professionally shortsighted. The unique opportunity to compete at esports’ highest level represents a privilege that many aspiring professionals never achieve. Career longevity in Dota exceeds traditional athletic constraints, allowing competitive excellence well into players’ thirties with proper role adaptation and maintenance regimens.

“We were totally allowed to do this”. Aui_2000 about using Spotify at Bali Major

— Do you think you’d find a better life if you retire?

— My deep passion for Dota’s strategic complexity and the lifelong friendships formed within the community maintain my professional commitment. The intellectual stimulation and emotional connections outweigh potential alternative career paths at this stage.

— And what would you do if you’d get to finish your career one day? Any dream jobs?

— My pre-esports medical school trajectory now represents an expired opportunity given my specialized career development. The gaming industry provides fulfillment that traditional professions cannot replicate for someone with my specific talents and interests.

BetBoom: Bali admins changed decision three times, allowed to “go smoke, eat, or do whatever you want” during pause

Shopify Rebellion’s recent tournament performances haven’t matched their strong seasonal start. Following DreamLeague S19, they consistently place between 9th-11th positions at premier events. However, Bulba’s squad possesses redemption potential at upcoming The International 2023 represents their ultimate opportunity for competitive validation.

“People should relish being a pro, and I think they don’t do that enough”. Bulba on retirements, his love of Dota, and how last year tested his team

Shopify Rebellion’s coach Kanishka “Bulba” Sosale, spoke to our reporter Polina Mashina at Bali Major 2023 after the end of Group Stage. He shared his thoughts on what went wrong there, Arteezy being upset after Berlin Major, letting Miracle- down at DreamLeague, and if it’s harder to train a dog or a Dota 2 player.

— I noticed your phone background features a canine companion. Could you introduce us?

— That’s Buddy, my Maltese. During the pandemic lockdowns when competitive Dota shifted entirely online, I returned to my parents’ home with no travel requirements. The competitive scene felt stagnant, and with no clear timeline for returning to LAN events, I finally had the home stability to fulfill my long-standing desire for a dog. After researching breeds, I discovered this affectionate Maltese puppy who’s brought immense joy to our household. Like many pandemic pets, he developed separation anxiety issues, but he’s undoubtedly been a wonderful addition to our family.

— From your experience, which presents greater training challenges: professional gamers or dogs?

— Certain Dota professionals test my patience more than any canine ever could—though I’ll maintain professional discretion regarding specific individuals [chuckles]. Both require substantial patience and consistent reinforcement, but I’d often prefer working with dogs over particularly stubborn players. The key difference lies in voluntary compliance versus instinctual behavior modification.

— What aspects of coaching provide you with the most professional satisfaction?

— Initially after retiring from professional play, I experienced significant adjustment difficulties. Despite recognizing my greater potential impact as a coach, I deeply missed the competitive intensity of being on stage. The player identity had defined me for years, but coaching allows me to retain the strategic elements I cherish most. Guiding teams through complex gameplay decisions, developing tournament strategies, and crafting game plans—these elements preserve the intellectual engagement that originally drew me to competitive Dota.

While I occasionally miss the adrenaline of high-stakes matches, coaching enables me to contribute meaningfully to team success while leveraging my accumulated game knowledge.

— Conversely, what coaching responsibilities do you find least appealing?

— Managing interpersonal conflicts and dealing with players who prioritize individual agendas over team success represent my least favorite aspects. These responsibilities often fall to me as the team’s structural foundation. Having competed professionally for most of my adult life, I lacked extensive experience handling the personal issues that emerged last season. These situations require diplomatic skills that extend beyond pure game knowledge.

I frequently wish competitive environments fostered greater unity and focus. The most frustrating scenarios involve talented players allowing external distractions to compromise team cohesion and performance outcomes.

— Have you ever experienced emotional breakdowns during competitive matches?

— Certainly following significant tournament losses. Victory celebrations bring joy, but elimination from major competitions can be devastating. The International 10 stands out particularly—we entered with championship expectations after dominant pre-tournament performances. That elimination represented my most painful professional setback to date.

— You’ve maintained remarkable roster stability despite competitive pressures. What drives this commitment, and how do you sustain such strong team bonds?

— During our initial competitive cycle from 2018 through 2021, we established exceptional consistency across multiple roster iterations. Working with diverse talents including Sumail, Abed, iceiceice, RAMZES, s4, we consistently achieved top-tier placements. While we haven’t secured a Valve Major championship yet, our consistent deep tournament runs mirrored Team Liquid’s current performance pattern of regular top-three finishes. This established a high performance floor that fostered mutual trust and confidence in our collective capabilities.

Our core members genuinely enjoy collaborative environments and maintain strong personal friendships. Disagreements naturally occur, but fundamental respect and camaraderie persist through competitive challenges.

The past competitive season tested our foundations as we experienced our worst results since team formation. This year began promisingly, but post-patch adaptation challenges have impacted our expected performance trajectory.

However, tournament outcomes remain undetermined [interview conducted following group stages]. We’ve demonstrated resilience previously, making significant lower bracket runs at Animajor and other events where we recovered from early setbacks. Maintaining competitive belief remains essential—our initial four-year consistency demonstrated our capacity for sustained elite performance.

“Being a pro gamer is something that people should relish”

— Consider this hypothetical: your entire roster announces post-TI retirement. How would you respond?

— Initially, I’d challenge their decision-making rationale. What alternative career paths offer comparable fulfillment? The esports landscape remains volatile—opportunities available today may not exist in coming years. Unless players have established successful streaming careers or identified equally engaging professional alternatives, retirement often represents premature decision-making.

Similar to traditional athletics, esports careers offer extended competitive lifespans. Unlike CS:GO’s more rigid role structures, Dota 2 enables positional flexibility that can extend careers into players’ thirties. When I encounter retirement announcements, I frequently perceive them as emotionally-driven rather than strategically-sound career transitions.

While respecting individual autonomy, I believe many retiring professionals will experience future regret. Building families and pursuing personal goals remain achievable later in life—professional gaming represents a unique opportunity that deserves fuller appreciation.

— Do you believe retirement would improve your quality of life?

— Personally, I remain uncertain about post-coaching alternatives. My passion for Dota’s strategic depth and the community’s vibrant personalities sustains my professional engagement. Many competitors have become lifelong friends, and attending tournaments to witness exhilarating matches alongside them continues to bring professional satisfaction.

Competitive Dota remains my primary professional focus. While future transitions may become necessary, I currently value maintaining my connection to competitive gaming’s dynamic ecosystem.

— Have you considered potential post-esports career paths?

— No concrete plans currently. Before committing to professional Dota, I pursued medical school preparation, but competitive gaming ultimately redirected my career trajectory. Medical school now represents an unlikely professional pivot given my established career path.

“We were totally allowed to do this”. Aui_2000 about using Spotify at Bali Major

Shopify Rebellion struggled in recent tournaments despite promising seasonal beginnings. Following DreamLeague S19, they consistently finished between 9th-11th placements at premier events. However, Bulba’s squad possesses redemption opportunities at upcoming Riyadh Masters and The International 2023.

“People should relish being a pro, and I think they don’t do that enough”. Bulba on retirements, his love of Dota, and how last year tested his team

Shopify Rebellion’s coach Kanishka “Bulba” Sosale, spoke to our reporter Polina Mashina at Bali Major 2023 after the end of Group Stage. He shared his thoughts on what went wrong there, Arteezy being upset after Berlin Major, letting Miracle- down at DreamLeague, and if it’s harder to train a dog or a Dota 2 player.

— How do you and your team like Bali Major so far? The hotel, food.

— The accommodations have exceeded expectations with excellent facilities and minimal logistical issues. The tropical climate presents adaptation challenges, but tournament organization has been surprisingly smooth compared to initial concerns.

— What was your preparation for this event?

— We organized a collaborative bootcamp with Team Liquid utilizing their professional training facility. This strategic partnership provided invaluable practice against European teams without the latency issues we typically face competing from North America.

Quinn: “I am a good player, and what some bots on Reddit think doesn’t really matter”

— Could you summarize the group stage, what went wrong?

— Our bootcamp performance created unrealistic expectations as we dominated scrims, masking underlying team issues that surfaced during official matches. Unexpected losses against teams we anticipated defeating revealed strategic gaps in our approach.

We experienced several matches where execution faltered for identifiable reasons. Dropping winnable games versus Blacklist and Execration created momentum challenges that proved difficult to overcome.

“As a team, we let Miracle down at Dreamleague”

— Berlin Major went bad for you guys. Arteezy even said he coloured his hair because of his disappointment. So, what went wrong there?

— We struggled with fundamental strategic misunderstandings on the new meta. The patch timing severely impacted our performance, and we couldn’t develop effective solutions rapidly enough to compete at the highest level.

While we advanced through group stages, our bracket proved less competitive. We lacked the necessary preparation and execution to defeat 9Pandas or EG. Our current understanding has significantly improved, but during that period we weren’t adequately prepared.

9Pandas delivered an impressive performance that exceeded projections. Their top-three tournament finish demonstrated substantial improvement throughout the competition.

— What do you feel when your team loses against players who you are friends with, like RAMZES?

— I maintain strong personal relationships with RAMZES, but competitive losses always disappoint regardless of opponent familiarity. Certain rivalries carry additional significance, particularly against organizations like BetBoom where we aim to demonstrate superiority. BetBoom featured Egor [Nightfall] creating friendly competitive tension that ultimately strengthens relationships.

Dyrachyo: “If BetBoom had not thrown themselves out, they would win Bali Major”

— You scouted players from the EEU multiple times. Why did you choose them?

— Certain Eastern European players demonstrated exceptional qualities, particularly RAMZES, Nightfall, and Resolut1on. Their talent was immediately apparent with clear competitive advantages. RAMZES specifically ranked among global elite players when we recruited him, combining exceptional skill with coachability and strong work ethic.

The consistent pattern among successful EEU recruits involves extraordinary dedication and willingness to innovate. Nightfall exhibited similar commitment levels, showing openness to strategic experimentation that revealed significant growth potential.

While the partnership with Egor didn’t achieve long-term success, his individual capabilities remain unquestioned. Our roster featuring RAMZES showed promising development before pandemic disruptions altered competitive landscapes.

RAMZES: “An MMA fight in a cage against Quinn? We can do that”

— Can you point at someone up-and-coming right now? Doesn’t matter if EEU or other regions.

— Mikey, currently competing with Nigma, demonstrates impressive potential with room for development. Currently, most emerging talents have already established some level of recognition within competitive circuits.

— You played with Miracle- at Dreamleague. How do you assess his form? Did you talk with him about why he isn’t playing?

— We communicated briefly about his situation but adopted a flexible approach to the collaboration. His individual performance exceeded expectations as a temporary replacement, making our collective underperformance particularly disappointing given his contributions.

— We had a small shift in the usual DPC results in NA, Nouns have replaced TSM. Did you expect that?

— The outcome surprised me given historical patterns in North American competitions. TSM’s current roster demonstrates reduced strength compared to previous seasons, though they maintained qualification possibilities. Nouns’ victory represents a significant shift in regional competitive dynamics.

“In terms of mentality ATF is the best teammate I’ve ever played with”. Quest.TA2000 on Ammar reputation and playing longest game at Valve events
So many compliments!

“Training a dog requires a lot of patience, but so do some Dota players”

— I saw a photo of your dog on your phone screen. Tell me about it.

— Buddy joined our family during the pandemic when competitive Dota transitioned entirely online. Living with my parents created the perfect environment for pet ownership I’d previously postponed due to travel demands. His separation anxiety reflects his COVID-era upbringing, but he’s brought tremendous joy to our household.

— Who is harder to train, a dog or a Dota player?

— Certain professional players present greater training challenges than canine companions [laughs]. Both require significant patience and consistent reinforcement, though I generally prefer working with cooperative animals over resistant professionals.

“I wish that people could just put aside everything and just do what it takes”

— What do you relish the most about being a coach?

— Transitioning from professional play initially created identity challenges despite recognizing coaching’s strategic advantages. The coaching role preserves many aspects I valued as a competitor—strategic development, gameplay analysis, and tournament preparation.

Coaching maintains the strategic engagement I cherished as a player while developing new leadership capabilities. Though I miss certain competitive experiences, most rewarding elements translate effectively to my current position.

— What do you dislike then?

— Managing resistance to team-oriented approaches presents the most significant challenges. Personal issues within the roster require management skills beyond my original competitive expertise.

I aspire for simplified team dynamics where professionals prioritize collective success over individual concerns. Achieving unified strategic execution remains challenging when external factors interfere with team focus.

“Ppd was the best. He would walk up to you and say ‘F**k you'”. SumaiL and Aui_2000 discuss trash-talk in Dota 2

— Have you ever cried during a match of your team?

— Emotional reactions typically follow tournament eliminations rather than victories. TI10 represented the most painful loss given our elevated expectations and previous strong performances.

— You coached this roster for a long time. Have you ever had thoughts on switching a team? Why are you so devoted to the guys, and they are so devoted to each other?

— Our initial four-year period from 2018 through 2021 established remarkable consistency across roster changes. Integrating players like Sumail, Abed, iceiceice, RAMZES, s4, we maintained elite competitive positioning. Though we haven’t secured Valve Major championships, our consistent deep tournament runs mirror Team Liquid’s current performance pattern of regular top placements.

Our core relationships thrive on genuine friendship despite occasional disagreements. Recent competitive struggles tested team cohesion significantly, representing our poorest results since formation. This year began strongly before patch adjustments impacted our performance trajectory.

Tournament outcomes remain uncertain [interview conducted post-groups]. We’ve demonstrated resilience previously, making significant lower bracket runs at Animajor and other competitions where we recovered from early setbacks. Maintaining belief in our capabilities remains essential given our historical ability to sustain top-level performance.

Entity Watson undergoes eye surgery “not to get blind”

“Being a pro gamer is something that people should relish”

— Here is a hypothetical scenario: everyone from your roster announces retirement after TI. What would you do? Try to convince them to stay, finish your careers together, or try to find another team/build a new roster from scratch?

— Initially, I’d challenge their retirement logic. What alternative careers offer comparable satisfaction? The esports ecosystem’s volatility makes premature departure questionable unless established streaming careers provide similar fulfillment.

Professional retirement often generates future regrets similar to traditional sports transitions. Unlike CS:GO’s career limitations, Dota offers role flexibility allowing competitive success into later career stages. Observing retirement announcements often reflects short-term thinking rather than strategic career planning.

Individual circumstances vary—some professionals successfully transition to satisfying post-competitive lives. If teammates discover genuine peace beyond professional gaming, I’d respect their decisions given career sacrifices affecting family development and personal relationships.

Personal priorities ultimately determine career decisions, though delaying family commitments remains feasible. Professional gaming represents a unique opportunity that deserves greater appreciation than many competitors demonstrate.

“We were totally allowed to do this”. Aui_2000 about using Spotify at Bali Major

— Do you think you’d find a better life if you retire?

— Personal uncertainty exists regarding post-coaching life satisfaction. My Dota passion remains intense, enjoying all coaching aspects previously mentioned. The game’s appeal extends beyond competition to lifelong friendships formed within the community.

Reconnecting with colleagues at tournaments, experiencing exciting matches together, or watching my team compete at high levels provides tremendous fulfillment. Maintaining Dota involvement remains my highest priority despite potential future considerations about career transitions.

— And what would you do if you’d get to finish your career one day? Any dream jobs?

— No definitive plans currently exist. Before committing to Dota professionally, I pursued medical education but selected competitive gaming instead. Returning to medical careers now appears impractical given timing and specialization requirements.

BetBoom: Bali admins changed decision three times, allowed to “go smoke, eat, or do whatever you want” during pause

Shopify Rebellion’s recent tournament performances haven’t reflected their strong seasonal start. Following DreamLeague S19, they consistently place between 9th-11th positions at premier events. However, Bulba’s squad possesses redemption potential at upcoming Riyadh Masters and The International 2023.