‘You need to understand before you copy’: Former TI champion explains why stealing strategies doesn’t always work

Two-time The International champion Ceb has shared some sharp insights into why copying strategies in competitive Dota 2 often fail.

Speaking on Discord with Kuku and other Southeast Asian professional players, the former OG captain broke down the flaws in blind mimicry, using OG’s famous Io carry as a prime example. Reflecting on OG’s dominant years in the competitive Dota 2 scene, Ceb recalled how rival teams tried to replicate their groundbreaking drafts without truly grasping the underlying mechanics.

“Like I remember in OG when we were at our peak and people were trying. So, for instance, when we did IO carry, I remember Secret was trying to copy like Nisha was doing it, but they were just doing it bad,” he said.

He went on to explain that the difference came down to OG’s deep preparation: “We know because we know timings, we know the lanes, we know the counters, we know everything.”

Ceb further compared strategy copying to an iceberg. “They’re only copying what’s over the water, but under the water, they don’t know. So they’re trying to copy, but in reality, they’re not really copying. It’s not good.”

His point underscores that observing drafts and hero picks is only a fraction of what makes a strategy successful. The real advantage lies in the unseen layers: precise timings, matchup preparation, and counterplay knowledge that OG had perfected through countless hours of practice.

Instead of discouraging teams from learning, Ceb urged a more thoughtful process. “I think you need to understand before you copy. And also, maybe you can find smarter things yourself if you just put your mind to it instead of just copying. But if you like it, yeah, for yourself, then you copy. I think it’s good. I don’t like force copy basically.”

His advice reinforces the value of understanding the principles behind strategies rather than replicating them on the surface. For teams striving to reach the top, the message is clear: real success comes from comprehension and innovation, not imitation.

OG’s triumphs were built not only on borrowing ideas but on refining them into strategies tailored to their own strengths. Ceb’s words highlight why, in Dota 2, as in all esports, those who dig deeper than what’s visible on the surface are the ones who win championships.