A significant leadership change appears to be underway within the Team Falcons Dota 2 squad, according to reports from a figure formerly associated with the renowned OG organization.
Offlaner Ammar “ATF” Assaf is reportedly stepping into the role of captain, taking the reins from Wu “Sneyking” Jingjun, who had held the position since 2021, including his tenure with Tundra Esports. This transition marks a notable shift in responsibility for the young, often aggressive offlaner.
This move comes amidst a period where Team Falcons has seemingly struggled to replicate the dominance they once showed earlier in the year. While they have secured two runner-up finishes in 2025, a coveted tournament victory has eluded them thus far. Their current performance at the Riyadh Masters 2025 appears to reflect these difficulties, with the team currently tied for third place in their group after initial rounds. Observers have described their play during this phase as `pale` and at times, `sad` in its execution – a stark contrast to the powerhouse image they cultivated previously.
Offering insight into the situation, a former OG analyst, known for his detailed understanding of the competitive landscape, weighed in on the captain swap. He suggests the change is likely an attempt to break a cycle of disappointing results that has pursued Falcons for some time. However, he expresses considerable reservations regarding the potential impact of this decision.
While acknowledging ATF`s inherent leadership qualities and raw potential, the analyst questions whether he possesses the necessary high-level experience and specific competencies required to consistently guide a top-tier team through complex strategic decisions. He raises concerns that this adjustment may not address what he sees as the fundamental issues plaguing the squad: a perceived degradation in both team coordination and individual player performance. In his view, Falcons` strength historically lies more in harnessing raw individual skill and executing powerful laning phases and aggressive plays, rather than excelling through deep, complex tactical and strategic depth.
This leadership transition presents Team Falcons with a potentially high-stakes gamble. Elevating a star player known for his sometimes volatile yet impactful style to the captaincy could theoretically inject new energy and unpredictability into their approach. However, as the analyst points out, it`s far from guaranteed to solve underlying strategic or synergy problems that may be contributing to their recent dip in form. It appears to be a bold step, perhaps born of necessity, as the team seeks a catalyst for improvement in a crucial part of the competitive season.
The immediate test for this new dynamic is the ongoing Riyadh Masters 2025. Observers and fans alike will be keenly watching whether ATF`s captaincy can spark a turnaround during the remainder of this highly contested tournament and throughout the crucial final stretch of the competitive year leading up to The International.
Gilbert Pendleton