0/20: The Dubious Honor of the Maelk Award (Dota 2)
# The Dubious Honor of the Maelk Award (Dota 2)
## The Origins of the Maelk Award
In the world of Dota, there exists a prestigious award known as the Maelk award. This digital medal is handed out to only the most heroic players – those who sacrifice themselves for the team, persevere through every hardship, and even feed incessantly while still managing to come out victorious. The award represents teamwork, sacrifice, perseverance, and, perhaps most importantly, incessant feeding. It requires a player to go through a game with zero kills and at least 20 deaths, and then somehow still emerge victorious.
## The Birth of the Maelk Award
The Maelk award was born when Jacob “Maelk” Toft-Anderson, playing for EG in 2012, found himself in a game where he died 20 times without picking up a single kill. Despite his best efforts to help his team win, he was relentlessly targeted by the opposing team, Mousesports, who found it amusing to keep killing him repeatedly. Maelk’s Venomancer hero dealt tons of damage to the enemy team, but due to the nature of his abilities, he never actually received credit for any kills.
## The Epic Victory
While Maelk’s death count continued to rise, EG managed to maintain a gold lead throughout the game. Despite the odds stacked against them, and with Maelk effectively playing with only four heroes due to his constant deaths, EG’s team spirit and determination ultimately led them to victory after an hour and 26 minutes of intense gameplay. Maelk finished the game with a stat line of 0/20/21, a remarkable feat considering the circumstances.
## The Legacy of the Maelk Award
The Maelk award has since become a symbol of recognition for players who exhibit extraordinary perseverance and selflessness in the face of overwhelming odds. While it may not be the most prestigious award in Dota history, it highlights the unique nature of the game, where deaths do not always spell defeat. Maelk himself has embraced his association with the award, acknowledging that sometimes, dying a lot can lead to unexpected victories.
In conclusion, the Maelk award stands as a testament to the resilience and strategic ingenuity of Dota players, showcasing the importance of teamwork and adaptability in the ever-evolving world of competitive gaming.
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