Rasmus “MISERY” Filipsen is one of the most recognizable and versatile players in the history of Dota 2. Hailing from Denmark, MISERY has played all five roles competitively, making him one of the most adaptive players to ever enter the professional gaming scene. His journey, which began in the days of the original Dota, has seen him compete with some of the biggest teams and organizations in esports history. From almost winning The International (TI) to coaching top-tier teams, MISERY’s career is filled with highs, lows, and a wealth of experience that cements him as one of Dota 2’s legendary figures.
Early Career and Transition to Dota 2
MISERY started his professional journey in Dota in 2008 with the Danish team “Mom equals toilet” (Met). This early squad included Smiske, AngeL, miGGel, StoDDeReN, and zenition, and they quickly made a name for themselves with strong performances at several competitions. Their most notable achievements included placing fourth at DreamHack Winter 2008 and securing second place in Farm4Fame #3.
As his career began gaining traction, Met was sponsored and rebranded as Roskilde Ravens in March 2009. This support allowed the team to continue competing and improving at an international level.
In 2010, MISERY made the crucial transition to Dota 2, signing with MYM (Mousesports). This move proved pivotal as he participated in The International 2011 (TI1), the first-ever Dota 2 world championship organized by Valve. His team secured a respectable fourth-place finish and $80,000 in prize money. Unfortunately, the team disbanded soon after the tournament.
Team Changes and Roles
After MYM disbanded, MISERY briefly found a new home with Evil Geniuses (EG) in October 2011. Despite contributing to the team, he left in May 2012 to join Counter Logic Gaming (CLG), where he played as a mid-lane player. CLG competed at The International 2012, finishing between 9th and 12th place before disbanding in October of the same year.
His career then took an interesting turn in 2013 when he joined LGD.international, a Dota 2 roster backed by one of China’s most prominent esports organizations, LGD Gaming. Here, hetransitioned from mid to support, demonstrating his capability to excel in different roles. However, communication issues and visa troubles led to his departure from the team in December 2013.
The year 2014 saw MISERY go through several teams. He initially played with Team Dog, which later became mousesports. Unfortunately, their run at The International 2014 ended with an 11th-12th finish, leading to the team’s disbanding. MISERY then played as a stand-in for Alliance and later for Team Secret before finding a more stable position with Cloud9 in January 2015, where he fully embraced the support role. However, Cloud9 disbanded in August 2015 after a disappointing performance at The International 2015.
Return to Team Secret
In August 2015, MISERY rejoined Team Secret, taking on the offlane role. This new iteration of Secret found immense success, winning multiple LAN tournaments, including ESL New York and the Shanghai Major 2016. However, his stint ended abruptly in March 2016 when he was removed from the team to make room for other players.
Digital Chaos and Subsequent Teams
After being removed from Secret, MISERY co-founded a new team under the Digital Chaos banner alongside his former teammate w33. This decision would lead to one of the most impressive underdog runs in Dota 2 history. As team captain, MISERY led Digital Chaos to a second-place finish at The International 2016, only losing in the grand finals to Wings Gaming. This remarkable performance secured them $3.4 million in prize money.
Following TI6, Digital Chaos underwent multiple restructuring phases, leading MISERY to compete under different banners such as Thunderbirds, Planet Odd, and OpTic Gaming. He also briefly returned to Evil Geniuses, before forming a new team, BlinkPool, in the lead-up to The International 2018 qualifiers. Unfortunately, BlinkPool failed to qualify, marking the start of a less prominent competitive career for MISERY.
Not ready to step away from the game, MISERY joined paiN Gaming, initially working as a coach before transitioning to a playing role in the position 5 support slot.
Recent Career and Coaching
In 2019, MISERY signed with Chaos EC, continuing his competitive career. His time there was relatively short-lived, and in early 2020, he rejoined Cloud9 for a brief period, from January to April. Subsequently, he played for teams such as 5men and Hellbear Smashers before shifting to coaching roles.
In June 2022, MISERY was named as a coach for TSM, guiding them through key competitive events. By May 2023, he had been hired as the coach for Bleed Esports, further solidifying his transition from player to coach.
Achievements and Legacy
- First player in Dota 2 history to play all five positions at Valve-sponsored events.
- Achieved a second-place finish at The International 2016 with Digital Chaos.
- Helped Team Secret win ESL One New York 2015 and The Shanghai Major 2016.
- Has competed in some of the most prestigious teams in Dota 2, including Evil Geniuses, Team Secret, Cloud9, and LGD.international.
- Served as a player and coach for various teams, showcasing his vast game knowledge and strategic expertise.
How to Play Like MISERY – A Guide for Aspiring Players
Mastering Multiple Roles
MISERY’s ability to play all five roles is what made him legendary. If you want to emulate his versatility, start by learning the basics of each position:
- Position 1 (Carry) – Focus on farming efficiently.
- Position 2 (Mid) – Learn hero matchups and power spikes.
- Position 3 (Offlane) – Understand how to initiate fights.
- Position 4 and 5 (Supports) – Master vision control and team coordination.
Maintaining Game Awareness
Many of MISERY’s best plays come from his deep understanding of the game. Develop map awareness, anticipate enemy rotations, and communicate effectively with your team.
Stay Analytical
Whether he was playing or coaching, MISERY always had a strategic approach. If you want to improve, regularly review your replays and analyze mistakes.
FAQ – MISERY and His Dota 2 Legacy
What teams has MISERY played for?
MISERY has played for multiple top-tier teams, including Evil Geniuses, Team Secret, Cloud9, LGD.international, Digital Chaos, and more.
Has MISERY won The International?
No, but he came very close with Digital Chaos in 2016, securing second place.
Why is MISERY considered one of the most versatile players?
He is the first player to have played all five positions at a Valve event.
What is MISERY’s most significant achievement?
Finishing second at The International 2016 with Digital Chaos.
Which role did MISERY play the most?
He primarily played support roles but was incredibly versatile across all five positions.
What is MISERY doing now?
As of 2024, he has been coaching Bleed Esports.
When did MISERY transition to coaching?
He started taking coaching roles in 2019 with paiN Gaming.
Why did he leave Team Secret?
He was removed from Team Secret in March 2016 to make way for new players.
How did MISERY influence Dota 2’s competitive scene?
He helped widely-recognized teams achieve success and is known for mentoring future stars.
What makes MISERY’s Dota playstyle unique?
His ability to adapt to different roles and his deep strategic understanding of the game.
