This article was originally published on GameSpot's sister site onGamers.com, which was dedicated to esports coverage.

　　This was an interview conducted by Chinese site SCNTV with 820 recently, in which 820 shared his thoughts on a variety of topics. We've got the full translated version below, with small amounts of changes for formatting and flow. The original Chinese version can be found here.

　　Transitioning: From player to coach

　　

SCNTV: We know that after you retired in 2011, you went on to become a commentator. It’s been more than two years now, and recently we’ve seen you as the coach for LGD. What are your thoughts on the differences between being a player, caster, and coach? What are new challenges you’ve had to face?

820 at the SCNTV offices820: Casting and coaching are completely different things. As a caster, you have to be good at talking, you have to know how to entertain the audience. As a coach and as a player, you don’t need to do these things at all; as a caster there are two different types – you can cast your own first-person VODs, and for this type you usually need to be someone who can show off with flashy plays in your own VODs. The other type is casting official matches, and this type is the one that requires more professionalism and knowing how to engage your audience. As a coach, your first priority is to create and maintain good relations with the players, to build trust. You should lead by example, watch lots of replays, help players on tactics and analyzing various aspects of their games such as post-game review, etc. These are all things a coach needs to do. From a player’s point of view, it’s been a long time since I’ve retired, I don’t really know anymore.

　　

SCNTV: What type of role do you enjoy the most now?

820: I used to most enjoy competing as a player, but now I’m old and can’t keep up anymore, so I most like being a coach.

　　

SCNTV: Is the LGD base now in Shanghai?

820: Everything’s been moved to Shanghai now.

　　

SCNTV: As a vod-maker, you’ve done more Dota 1 content than Dota 2, yet you’re now the Dota 2 coach for LGD – so how are you allocating your time?

820: I don’t really do much to deeply analyze Dota 1 anymore, so that content is all just stuff that I make based on old interests and whether or not I have some free time. Dota 2, I’m spending more time and effort analyzing things. Essentially, these two games don’t have that many differences, yet if you start talking about the small details then there are a lot of differences.

　　

SCNTV: Joining LGD as coach, what is the biggest thing you will bring them?

820: What I can bring to them is not based on what I say right now, we’ll have to see what results they achieve in the future!

　　

SCNTV: Were you aware of xiao8 departing from the team prior to going to LGD as coach?

820: Yeah, indeed. As a coach, my point of view is that whether someone leaves is not the most important, because one player doesn’t determine the direction of the team regardless of how good or amazing they may be deemed. As we saw with NewBee’s debut, things didn’t go as smoothly as some might have expected with their ‘Dream team’ moniker. I’ve never felt that things are guaranteed, a strong team is five people working in the same direction, and as long as the players’ individual skill isn’t too far from other top teams, then it’s alright.

　　Newcomers: Delighted with Maybe; xiao8 and Maybe have different strengths

　　

SCNTV: After xiao8 left, the former top-ranked pubstar, wonderkid Maybe has joined LGD. Are you familiar with this player?

820: Results right now have been excellent. My previous impression of him was that he had great mechanics, but I had reservations regarding his attitude and lack of experience. But in training matches so far, results have been very good. I’ll reveal a little bit here – against the likes of Mushi and Ferarri_430, Maybe often pulls of solo kills, and doesn’t lose lane. He’s got spectacular individual ability, and is confident in his skills. What needs improvement is his experience and his communication. Overall, I’m delighted with Maybe’s joining.

　　

SCNTV: As a player that came before, and now as his coach, what are the heights Maybe can reach?

820: Honestly, the heights a player can reach are often largely determined by the team as a whole. For example, a very talented player in a second-tier team cannot possibly rise very high. For Maybe, where he can go in this year, we’ll have to see where LGD’s results go this year. A team must be strong in order for people to widely recognize its players as strong.

　　

SCNTV: Maybe has made his competitive debut in the last few days. As a newcomer, his performances can be said to have been very bright. Compared to xiao8, what do you think are their differences?

820: What xiao8 brought to LGD was not only his individual skill, but also the team’s spiritual lead. For LGD, losing xiao8 was honestly a blow. In terms of developing new leadership talent for the team in a short time, right now this is something that would be very difficult for Maybe to do. What Maybe brings to LGD is a new life. With Maybe, LGD can play lots of different styles. Between the two players, I feel that xiao8 is a stronger ganker, while Maybe is a stronger laner. Maybe isn’t as precise and efficient with ganks, yet is stronger in other areas. LGD needs to develop a new leader.

　　The team: Sees potential in Yao to lead

　　

SCNTV: Who do you think has the most potential to grow into this leadership role with LGD?

820: Yao! After all, Yao’s experience speaks for itself, and to be a leader you cannot only be a talented individual player.

　　

SCNTV: In the past for LGD, it’s been xiao8 shouting out the orders and dictating the team’s play. Who does that now for the team in training?

820: Right now it’s all five mostly together, there hasn’t been one to grow out from the rest yet. In current Dota, it’s hard for one person alone to see everything clearly, so it’s better to have all five participating. What’s key is in close, tight games for someone to be able to stand out and make a call; right now we don’t have that yet. We’ll have someone like that soon. We haven’t had much time to train yet, but training matches do not address the issue.

　　

SCNTV: Who does the drafts now?

820: Yao.

　　

SCNTV: We heard that in the time right before xiao8 was leaving, drafts were done by DD for a period?

820: That was them having conflict. Typically when a team changes their drafter, it’s the result of conflict. It’s either the captain not wanting to draft anymore, or teammates having problems with the drafts. Usually you don’t really change the drafter, yet changing or not doesn’t really do much.

　　

SCNTV: LGD seems to always be four players staying while one leaves. How do you think this affects xiaotuji, who has been with the team for a relatively shorter time? Or just in general? Veteran members versus newcomers.

820: Not much, I feel that with me here now we’re going to resolve any potential issues. And at big competitions I’ll be there as a coach, I’ll take hold of these situations and ensure that no problems arise. These were all reasons why they wanted me to join them.

　　Comeback: Coming back into the competitive scene as a coach

　　820 during his time with EHOME

SCNTV: A coach just like yourself, 71 has gone to DK. As a favored member of 71’s team in the past, how do you rate yourself as a coach against your former mentor and coach?

820: I think about the same! Grandpa 7 is still very good. If I had to make a comparison, then I’d say it would depend on whichever team has the better results! But DK is still everyone’s favored team, the first ‘Dream team’. No one was confident in LGD’s situation before the holiday, everyone felt that the team would be very weak after xiao8 left. But really, it depends on your results. Saying more about other things ultimately isn’t very interesting.

　　

SCNTV: What was the biggest force that drove you to becoming coach with LGD?

820: The compensation, I think! The compensation is pretty good, but they also trust me greatly. Apart from that, many professional players have incomplete dreams. In a coaching role, I can vicariously be a part of these experiences once again, this is a good thing.

　　

SCNTV: So you’ve had thoughts of making a comeback as a professional player?

820: I’ve considered it, because there is a lack of good players, but my skill has declined a lot compared to the past. What I have left is experience, so I thought about it a bit – my experiences could indeed help those players and teams who need it. So I feel that becoming a coach is a correct decision. Making a bit of a stretch, in mature competitive environments such as in basketball or football (soccer), they all have good coaches, and I feel that for Dota 2 to grow long-term, there is a need for people in these roles. In LoL they have strategic coaches and whatnot. In reality these are all examples of a game becoming more mature, and I feel there should be people to join these ranks, this is a normal progression in growth.

　　

SCNTV: This seems to be a common transition path for players after retiring nowadays, but do you think there are other viable choices for them?

820: For retiring professional players, there are two clear paths within the scene: either cast or coach. Or perhaps stream, but streaming is essentially one type of casting. It’s these two main choices that players can choose to continue on within the scene. Otherwise, it’s possible to go work in media, or internet business, but these aren’t what professional players like the most. What they like the most is to remain within the scene and stay close to the game.

　　

SCNTV: So most professional players don’t want to leave the scene upon retiring, then?

820: Yes, because they all love this game. Also, if you tell them to go work regular shifts in a normal job, it’s hard to accept this change. The lifestyle of a professional player is a big difference and problem in comparison! Training goes till very late, and then it’s much harder to get up earlier in the mornings, it becomes a habit. In comparison the mainstream lifestyle seems more regimented. Honestly this is how it is for everyone in the scene. But for players and others within the scene, incomes aren’t too low, so as long as you’re willing to work hard you can do well.

　　Zhou: Not everyone can go out on top

　　

SCNTV: You and Zhou have a lot in common – you were both captain and assumed the bulk of responsibilities within the team. However, you tried multiple roles, while Zhou almost always stuck to Carry. What caused you to try different roles back then?

820: First off it was what the team needed. Because of the team’s results, there was no choice – I had to make the sacrifice in order for the team to go further. Because I am a relatively team-oriented player, I tend to give things more thought. If I accept this role then I will go do it; whether I do well or not is determined by results, as always. For me specifically, the transition was alright, and knowing more roles isn’t a bad thing, because as a coach now I know what every role is thinking and needs to do. So for me, it makes my job easier, because I can feel what is needed, etc, during matches now. You can understand what they’re thinking.

　　

SCNTV: Seeing Zhou retiring at TongFu the way he did recently, what are your thoughts? Do you think that perhaps he would’ve done better going out on top immediately after winning TI2?

820: At the time iG had just won TI2, they were exceptionally strong, so of course they would think that they’d have a chance at TI3 and want to fight another year. Obviously no one thought things would end the way they did, and Zhou himself certainly wouldn’t have predicted it. Going out at the top, it’s not something everyone can do, because leaving when you’re at your peak is very hard. When you’re at your peak, you feel full of confidence in yourself, you feel like you’re still able to do a lot of things. So it’s not a simple thing. As for Zhou, I think he’s done alright! During his time with TongFu, even though their results weren’t great, they still played decently, and TongFu still showed some bite.

　　Strategy: China’s offlane and tactics

　　

SCNTV: We talked earlier about Yao potentially becoming the next focal point for LGD. As an offlaner (3 position), his colleague in iceiceice has seemed unstoppable in China. Even in cases where a trilane has been sent to stop him, compared to Chinese offlaners, iceiceice seems to show just a bit more! What do you think are the greatest challenges facing Chinese offlane players?

820: Chinese offlaners don’t have as strong mechanics as iceiceice, this is an undeniable truth. Their details and mechanics aren’t as good as his, but iceiceice has one big weakness in that he fluctuates a lot. Kill him a few times and he’s lost his own rhythm. And in DK, if you look at their recent styles, iceiceice’s resource allocation is fairly high, with B-God even specifically freeing up some resources for him. So at least some of iceiceice’s spectacular play in recent times should be attributed to DK’s tactics! For an offlaner in the face of a trilane, it’s impossible to not have a harder time, and if the team doesn’t work out a way to allow the offlaner to catch back up in terms of resources, then it’s very hard for the player to have any effect in the game. For any player to perform well, a prerequisite is that the team’s tactics are tailored towards allowing them to do so, and only then can they show the level of play they are capable of.

　　

SCNTV: In terms of offlaners, has Yao surpassed YYF?

820: The two are pretty close. They both tend towards steadier styles, in big contrast to iceiceice’s style. So how iceiceice does doesn’t really concern me, Yao has his own traits, and there are strengths and weaknesses to all. It depends on which team can allow their players to play to their style!

　　Predictions: Favoring Western teams; ‘Dream team’ is easier said than done

　　

SCNTV: In 2014, we’ll be seeing many major Dota 2 competitions. Which are you most focused on?

LGD will look to build on recent successes, but without their former captain. Image is LGD in Vegas for D2L S4820: Of course it’s TI4, no need to say more. Obviously other events in other countries are important as well. In terms of international competition, we’ll do our best for as many as possible! Try to play well in all of them.

　　

SCNTV: What are your predictions for the traditional ‘Big 5’ Chinese teams in the upcoming year?

820: I don’t really have any predictions! Mainly we’ll have to look to their results. This year I still favor some of the Western teams more.

　　

SCNTV: You think the Western teams will play better come TI4?

820: Yeah, for example NaVi, Alliance, as well as the recently resurgent Empire are all pretty strong teams. There are a lot of teams that are worthy of attention. Chinese teams are also doing alright; but in everyday scrims we get familiar with each other, while the Western teams at international events sometimes have special tactics prepared, that is something I worry a bit about. Between the Chinese teams themselves, they’re all very familiar, so at a certain point they’re all quite aware of where they stand relative to each other. It’s the foreign teams that no one fully grasps, so we really shouldn’t be singularly focused on each other. At TI3 we actually already should have learned a great lesson in this. There’s nothing that says Chinese teams are guaranteed top results. As the game matures more and more, there are increasing amounts of foreign teams, so their skill in this game increases as well, it’s something to fear.

　　

SCNTV: The newly-formed team NewBee has lost every match they’ve played so far (as of March 3). Where do you think they’re lacking right now?

820: It should just be experience! Not enough training together. Their conditions are not bad, but they haven’t trained much, they’re not missing much else. Mainly it’s just that, I haven’t seen much else. In games they obviously lack any kind of tempo or rhythm to their player, it looks like a new team that’s just gotten together. So their current form is nothing unusual.

　　

SCNTV: Compared to original expectations, the new team that materialized seems to have fallen quite a ways short. Originally it was rumored that ChuaN and Faith would be coming, but in the end it was ZSMJ and KingJ. Does this mean that this new team is slightly less competitive than originally expected against other teams?

820: Obviously the first roster would’ve been strongest, because this was their ideal setup. But the word ‘dream’ keeps getting thrown around, a ‘dream team’ isn’t so easy to create. There are now clubs and a governing alliance, it’s not as easy to just hop around anymore. Some players might want to but aren’t able to do so. Also, their debut match was fairly ugly for them, this was their own problem. Because they didn’t take that competition very seriously, and also gathered together late. They really can’t think of themselves as a ‘dream team’, even if the outside world labels them that. Honestly they’re a powered-up TongFu team, and they’ll be able to play together but aren’t really ‘dream’ anything.

　　Taobao business: To earn a living, not out of interest

　　

SCNTV: Just as the case with many other casters, you and SJQ/FCB co-own a Taobao web shop. Why did you choose to go into business with him?

820: Running a Taobao shop with SJQ/FCB is actually a bit easier. Of course the reason was to make a living, a very realistic consideration. To put it plainly, casters opening up web shops on Taobao is to make money, it’s not out of interest or passion. For me, casting… you’ve all seen it, I can’t say I fit well into the caster role, I’m only average! I can only say I’m okay, I know clearly I’m not someone who is that great at talking. I’m not as smooth of a talker as 2009, this is one of my weaknesses. So the Taobao shop is just to make a living, it’s just a small bit of business.

　　

SCNTV: This is to say, you don’t plan on putting more time and effort into your Taobao business in the way 2009 has?

820: Yes, in terms of making money, I feel that as long as I’ve made enough then that’s good. There’s no need to earn a certain amount, but I think every person has different thoughts on this matter!

　　

SCNTV: Describe your relationship with your good friend SJQ/FCB!

820: It is what it is, we do business together. We don’t share an apartment anymore, he’s gone back, and I’m about to go to LGD’s team base. We each have our own careers to work on. His personality is pretty straightforward, so even though he’s got a lot of annoying problems, he’s not a bad person. This is one principle of mine in making friends… just leave it at that, you all understand. Everyone lives differently, as long as he doesn’t come screw me over, I feel that as long as we all get along then things are okay. He loves being flashy, showing off, that’s the way he is. I understand and support him. On the other hand I have my own way of living, I like being more low-key, and I’ll continue on in my way! That’s all.

　　

SCNTV: Thank you Boss 8 for this interview with us.

Image credits: dota2.SCNTV.com, unknown, Dotaland.net

　　Original interview in Chinese: SCNTV Dota 2