If you’ve been keeping an eye on the Dota 2 scene lately, there’s a name that keeps popping up - Satanic. Whether you spotted him tearing up high-ranked pubs (RIP Watch Tab) or saw him help win ESL One Raleigh, one thing’s clear: this guy’s got serious game.

17-year-old  Alan "Satanic" Gallyamov is one of the hottest young talents in Dota right now. But who exactly is this rising star? Read about his rise from a seven-year-old Dota 2 enthusiast to one of the game’s biggest carry players.

Early Start in Dota 2

Satanic was born in Tatarstan, Russia, but spent plenty of his childhood in Vietnam. At just 7 years old, he developed a passion for the game after getting hooked by his brother. Looking at where Dota 2 was at the time, Alliance had just lifted the Aegis in front of the Seattle crowd, winning The International 2013.

Over the next few years, he honed his skills and drastically improved, already making a mark on the leaderboard by the age of 15. In early 2023, Satanic broke into the 10K and 11K MMR club, joining the ranks of the world’s best players, including Yatoro, bzm, and Quinn.

Around this time, rumors started swirling about Satanic getting picked up by Team Spirit, though he stayed under the radar while competing with Yellow Submarine, a team often considered Spirit’s academy squad.

Breakout Into The Scene

In February 2024, Satanic once again became a hot topic in the Dota 2 community, becoming the youngest player ever to reach 13,000 MMR. This achievement pushed him to the top of the Western European leaderboard. Despite this, his competitive appearances with Yellow Submarine remained in the Tier 2 scene.

There were key moments when Satanic’s name appeared in the high-tier scene. One standout moment was when he stood in for Aurora during the April 2024 Elite League, replacing 23 and helping secure crucial wins against teams like Team Secret and Blacklist International.

Satanic’s Big Moment: Replacing Yatoro

But his true moment came in late 2024, when Team Spirit, the two-time TI-winning organization, signed him to their active roster. What made the move even more significant was that Satanic was stepping into the former spot of Yatoro, arguably the best carry player in modern Dota, who had taken an indefinite hiatus.

After a brief three-month stint with Spirit, Satanic was unexpectedly benched as Yatoro made a surprise return. However, his time on the bench didn’t last long. Just a day later, PARIVISION, then a rising powerhouse, signed Satanic to replace Crystallis.

At the time, many questioned both Spirit’s and PARIVISION’s seemingly impulsive decisions. But it ended up working out well for both sides. With Satanic on board, PARIVISION secured two podium finishes at FISSURE Playground I and DreamLeague Season 25, followed by a major victory at ESL One Raleigh.

Satanic’s Signature Heroes

Satanic plays a variety of carry heroes in pubs, but there is a clear favorite among them all. On his main account, Satanic has played Morphling more than 1,100 times, twice more than the next hero, Slark. He also mains plenty of Terrorblade, Anti Mage, Faceless Void, and Naga Siren.

While that is an all-time record, his recent favorites are slightly different. In the last month, Satanic has picked up Phantom Assassin and Templar Assassin the most, which are a part of the ongoing meta. But the next hero is a little more surprising, with Meepo following up. 

What’s In Store for This Season

In the first quarter of 2025, Satanic is thriving with PARIVISION, fresh off a big win at ESL One Raleigh. But bigger challenges lie ahead as he gears up for his debut at The International and the Esports World Cup, both featuring prize pools in the millions. The question now is: can the prodigious teen lift the Aegis by the end of the season?