Does your gameplay gets affected by who you play with?

[markvon]

I experienced this personally myself when I played with some guys from a pretty well known clan in Singapore 2 years back. I was invited to join their draft match against another irc clan.

In that match, I was tasked to play Queen of Pain, a hero that I am relatively good at. However, during the match, I found myself not able to last hit or deny properly and I also made some basic game play mistakes.

More recently, a friend of mine who as far as I know is a good dota player played with some of my friends. Once again, he played very badly in that match, going 0-8.

This got me thinking. Does the fact that you play with people perceived to be of a higher standard than you are affect your game play?

I asked several friends and clan mates of mine who plays Dota, and the general answer is that yes, it will invariably affect the way you play, especially if you are slotting in for someone else.

The onus is that because you are a substitute, the pressure is on you to perform. Therefore, this is why you might see fundamental mistakes being made, such as missing a raze or even not last hitting or denying well.

What can be done to prevent this? My point of view is that just try to relax and be yourself. Do not add pressure to yourself unnecessarily as it will hamper your game play decisions and perception.

A tactic that I often use is to just ‘block out’ the unwanted information, for instance unwarranted criticism of you when you make a mistake. I realize that listening to music while playing Dota also helps significantly.

On a lighter note, do not get distracted by these external forces like listening to music and not pay attention to the game itself!

Please feel free to share your thoughts and opinions about what other methods you guys do in the above mentioned scenario.

[dArrenoloGy]

i do agree music relaxes you while gaming and it actually helps perform better.
and playing as a sub for different team and playing for your own team has a very very deep impact. i myself have this experience once, i usually maintain my standard in everymatch, but once my friend asked me to play for his team and i feeded and lost quite badly, most prolly due to the pressure and the lack of teamwork .

nice post btw (:

[Prince-of-Lies]

I agree with your opinion that who you play with affects your gameplay,but generally i feel the effect is the opposite of what you stated.Normally,when you play with better team mates,I feel is that you have the avenue to show your skills.Also,the pressure to perform generally manifests itself in better play and performances,if you know how to handle the pressure well.Most champions in sports thrive on pressure.To illustrate my first point better,i quote the example of fernando torres.At Atletico Madrid,he wasn't able to show his ability as well since he wasn't surrounded by many good players and thus couldnt show his ability,whereas at Liverpool he has been performing way better.Similarly,in dota I feel if you put a really good player in a mediocre team he cant really shine while if u put a decent player in a good team with reasonable teamwork and skill he can raise and improve his game.

[SkySkySky]

I agree with your opinion that who you play with affects your gameplay,but generally i feel the effect is the opposite of what you stated.Normally,when you play with better team mates,I feel is that you have the avenue to show your skills.Also,the pressure to perform generally manifests itself in better play and performances,if you know how to handle the pressure well.Most champions in sports thrive on pressure.To illustrate my first point better,i quote the example of fernando torres.At Atletico Madrid,he wasn't able to show his ability as well since he wasn't surrounded by many good players and thus couldnt show his ability,whereas at Liverpool he has been performing way better.Similarly,in dota I feel if you put a really good player in a mediocre team he cant really shine while if u put a decent player in a good team with reasonable teamwork and skill he can raise and improve his game.
totally agree

[MysticoL]

haha.. agree. =)

[VaL]

Hes the Prince-of-Lies leh. But oh well cant help but to agree with his "lies"

[1234567]

yea totally on you with that... btw liverpool rox :X

[BlackArrow]

For Me I Guess I Play Worse Wif A Weaker Team Than A Stronger One.. Cus A Weak Team Is Always A Liability.. Sometimes U Jus Make Mistakes Out Of Frustration At Teammates Who Make Silly Mistakes.. However When U Play Wif An Experienced Team, The Things They Do Might Improve Ur Own Gameplay Especially If Ur Playing A Carry Hero, Like Qop, And Theyre Using Support Heroes.. It Will Be Easier To Farm As Well As Catch Or Gang...

[ZyHinoX]

niceeeeeee post and its very true.

[rixin999]

agree agree! listening to music can become more relaxed..and able to perform better =) hahas..can aso sing along wif the song at the same time..lols..u won't be too overstressed and able to perform well :D

[TruE]

i find that i feed every game , be it rain or shine :(

[HeRo`]

i find that i feed every game , be it rain or shine :(

That's not very 'TruE'. :D

[DERRICK]

lols..
i find tt..
listening to music may lead u to feed more..
i was agnst some teams in irc..
i purely listen to music without lookin at the chat..
" Its Ends Tonight~ Its Ends Tonight ~ "
reali ended..
i was feeding like mad..
:Banane29:

[Ki[N]gkOn[G]]

For Me I Guess I Play Worse Wif A Weaker Team Than A Stronger One.. Cus A Weak Team Is Always A Liability.. Sometimes U Jus Make Mistakes Out Of Frustration At Teammates Who Make Silly Mistakes.. However When U Play Wif An Experienced Team, The Things They Do Might Improve Ur Own Gameplay Especially If Ur Playing A Carry Hero, Like Qop, And Theyre Using Support Heroes.. It Will Be Easier To Farm As Well As Catch Or Gang...

Omg!! it *lose**lose* :Þ

On a lighter note, do not get distracted by these external forces like listening to music and not pay attention to the game itself!

n yeah this will really affect some people .. i'm one of dem ^^

[Stykish]

Feel pressure ? light a stick =)

[SG_Lancelot]

i feel if ur really confident of the thing u are doing for say using a runner, chances of u cocking up will be less. but nevertheless, different style of gameplay from different teammates do affect the overall performance.

like wad markvon said. take it easy and relax. if u lose or performed badly, dun juz blame it on ur teammates. take a step back and analyse - did u do anyting wrong or could u have done better?

juz my 2 cents.

[=Þinksheep]

Hmm. This topic seems to talk to me.

Recently I have been playing with a team that is above my standard. And somehow I just feel very noob almost after every game. I don't know if it's because I'm not used to their playstyle or what, but I keep making mistakes that I don't usually make (like follow up not fast enough, movement wrong).

Lane control is still passable, but walau when it's ganking I start making mass mistakes. ==" Stress perhaps clouds my judgement and perception. T.T..

[markvon]

How long have you been playing with the team? Perhaps you all just need time to gel with them... I know i needed time =(

[=Þinksheep]

How long have you been playing with the team? Perhaps you all just need time to gel with them... I know i needed time =(

I've always considered DotA as a game of mathematical calculations - i.e. everyone can play well as long as you do the right thing at the right time. So I dunno leh... if it's about getting used to the team or just getting over my own mental barriers -