HObbit calls Spodek return “a dream” with PARIVISION

PARIVISION reached the ESL Pro League playoffs in its first event since adding Abay “HObbit” Khassenov to the lineup permanently. The team also defeated Natus Vincere during the tournament.

The playoff stage will take place at Katowice’s Spodek Arena, where HObbit will return after several years outside tier-one Counter-Strike. “For me nowadays it’s like a dream,” he said of playing at the venue again.

The 31-year-old described PARIVISION’s tactical system as different from those used by his previous teams. It requires players to remember and understand a large amount of information, he explained, while giving him an opportunity to compete at the highest level again.

“It’s a big experience because the system which they’re using is super different,” HObbit said. “I never played in such a big system. A lot of stuff you need to remember and a lot of stuff you need to understand.”

HObbit is working to add ideas from his previous teams and simplify some of PARIVISION’s instructions. He described his role as filtering the system and giving teammates clearer options to use during matches.

“I’m trying to add a lot of stuff that was working in my career,” he said. “Sometimes their system is too big, and I’m trying to filter it.”

The lineup is led by captain Dzhami “Jame” Ali and coach Dastan “dastan” Akbayev and includes two younger players. HObbit declined to detail how he is helping them, saying he is doing his best while learning the team’s methods.

His return to tier-one play has also required him to adjust to changes in the game and its current meta. “The game has changed, the meta changed, and I’m trying to adapt to it,” he said.

Dastan has expressed a desire to win a trophy with HObbit before the veteran retires. HObbit, however, described playing with PARIVISION again as enough for him at this stage.

“I’m already happy to play with them,” he said. “For me, that’s enough.”

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