Slaxejezzz: Dastan pushes in-game, friendly offstage

Vyacheslav “slaxejezzz” Vinokurov arrived in Belgrade in June after agreeing a buyout and joining PARIVISION. He began full practice with the team on June 19 and played with the roster at the XSE Pro League, where PARIVISION reached the playoffs in the lineup’s first event.

Vinokurov described a fast recruitment process: Dastan contacted him on Telegram, they spoke on voice chat, and the player finalized terms before traveling. He declined earlier offers from academy projects and other teams, saying those roles offered limited match time compared with a regular spot on a top-20 roster. His online performance earlier in the year, including a 1.25 rating over the first six months, helped earn the opportunity.

He called the transition to PARIVISION “hard at first,” citing a steep learning curve for new callouts and a demanding practice schedule of five to six maps a week. Adapting to team-play thinking and post-plant decisions are his current focus. “Right now the main challenge is probably the thinking during our plays: post-plants and the vision of the map,” he said, adding that he follows direct instructions from Dastan while he develops those habits.

On Dastan’s approach, Vinokurov said the coach gives precise, sometimes forceful in-game guidance but is personable off the server. “In-game, he might push a bit, give pointers, in his own manner. But in life, he’s a fun guy, a kind one,” he said. Vinokurov also highlighted guidance from veterans Dzhami “Jame” Ali and HObbit as important while he refines his play.

Role-wise he reported comfort with his assignments. Inferno is the only map that required extra work; he is studying demos to learn its callouts and rotations. He watches a range of leading teams rather than modeling his play on a single player and noted that early inclusion on a prospects list boosted his confidence.

Reflecting on the LAN experience, Vinokurov said the environment felt similar to events he played in Russia, with the main difference being stronger opponents. He described himself as more excited than nervous about larger stages and said he aims to perform at 100 percent. With ongoing practice and mentorship from PARIVISION’s staff and veterans, he expects to continue adapting to the team’s tactics ahead of upcoming events.