Gorgc Believes Replacing Saksa With Topson Makes Tundra Weaker

Gorgc's analysis hints at a potential setback for Tundra as they swap Saksa for Topson in their lineup

Janne “Gorgc” Stefanovski has shared his perspective on the recent roster changes within Tundra Esports' Dota 2 lineup, which saw Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen replacing Martin “Saksa” Sazdov. According to the prominent Swedish streamer, this alteration has led to a perceived weakening of the team's overall strength.

What Did Gorgc Say About Topson Replacing Saksa At Tundra?

Gorgc's analysis is rooted in the belief that Martin “Saksa” Sazdov was an irreplaceable asset to the squad. He points out that Saksa's unique skill set and contributions were integral to the team's success. Notably, Gorgc highlights the synergy between Saksa and Neta “33” Shapira in the laning phase as a critical element that has now been disrupted.

“Let's be honest, nine is a giant downgrade from Saksa to position 4, simply because Saksa is literally, maybe the best in this role out there. He is still so beasty. Losing him, that's going to be a completely different team. This 33 lane, which everybody is so afraid of, might become kind of ‘whatever’ now. It might be bad for the team. I just hope it's not, but I'm worried,” Gorgc said in a recent stream.

To Gorgc, losing this powerful duo was a significant blow, overshadowing any potential benefits that Topson's inclusion might bring. In essence, his honest take highlighted the challenge of replacing not only an exceptional player but also a well-established and successful partnership.

The Team Bald Reborn carry, however, dispelled any notions of the Finnish superstar being washed up. He acknowledged Topson's reputation for being a high-risk, high-reward player, a trait he's maintained throughout his career.

“I don't think Topson is washed up. I think he is risky as a player. He can hit or miss hard, but he's been like that forever, so I don't think he's washed. But I still think Tundra is a weaker team than they were with Saksa. That is my honest take. Even though they have Topson now, I think they're weaker. Because you lost your TI-winning team. Your Saksa-33 lane that literally nobody beats the entire tournament, it sucks to lose it.”

Another factor to consider is the shift of Leon “nine” Kirilin to position 4, a role he's less accustomed to. While he may have knowledge of support heroes, he may still be unfamiliar with the finer intricacies and duties that support players are tasked with.

“Nine played support heroes mid, so it's not gonna be so bad maybe? The thing is, it's so different. All this nerd shit you have to do on position 4 that have to be on the exact right timing, which is like: standing on the right side to harass a carry, blocking pulls, pulling waves, stopping pulled waves, ganking mid at the right time so you don't grief your offlaner. Everything comes at a certain timing. It's more than just playing the right heroes because it's completely different playstyle.”

Topson Steps In as Saksa Takes a Mental Health Break

We are sad to announce @saksadota will be taking an extended break due to health reasons and will not be on our active roster. We wish him all the healing and success possible.

Thank you, Martin, for playing a pivotal role in our TI victory. You’ll forever be a part of our… pic.twitter.com/l3uFrGHTJU

— TUNDRA (@TundraEsports) September 6, 2023

Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen officially became a part of the Tundra roster on September 7. This change came as Martin “Saksa” Sazdov decided to go inactive temporarily, citing mental health issues as the reason.

I’ve heard rumors that I’m needed, so I’m joining Tundra Esports for TI12. https://t.co/GTGizdKtqx

— Topias Taavitsainen (@TopsonDota) September 7, 2023

The decision to bring in Topson and the subsequent adjustments didn't happen overnight. It's been reported that Topson and Leon “nine” Kirilin, the team's midlaner, have been diligently training together since early August. This coincides with the first whispers of a team rebuild circulating in the Dota 2 community.

The revamped Tundra lineup, featuring Topson and the rest of the roster, is now gearing up for their debut. They will be showcasing their skills and synergy at DreamLeague Season 21, set to kick off on September 18th. This tournament marks a crucial moment for both the players and fans, as they eagerly await the performance of this newly-formed squad and the impact Topson will have on their competitive journey.