In the tumultuous competition of Dota 2, few players have stirred the professional scene quite like Ammar “ATF” Al-Assaf, also known as Ammar the F, the foul-mouthed prodigy. At just 19 years old, he’s garnered attention not only for his exceptional mechanical skill but also for his unapologetically bold demeanor.
Born in Jordan on April 3, 2005, Ammar embodies the ambitious spirit characteristic of his Arabian peers. Undeterred by challenges, he has catapulted himself into the limelight as one of the most explosive Dota players of his generation, amassing titles at a remarkable pace.
Ammar’s journey into Dota began many years ago, guided by the influence of his brothers. By 2021, he had his first taste of professional Dota esports by playing in numerous tier-C teams in Europe such as Creepwave and Chicken Fighters, making waves as one of the youngest players to grace the Dota 2 Pro Circuit scene at the tender age of 15.
The pivotal moment in Ammar’s career came in mid-November 2021 with his enlistment in OG, the European powerhouse. Alongside stalwarts like Bozhidar “BZM” Bogdanov, Tommy “Taiga” Le, and Artem “Yuragi” Golubiev, he helped the team clinch the prestigious Major title at ESL One Stockholm, less than six months after joining the team.
During his time with OG, Ammar endeared himself to fans through his provocative jokes, such as dropping a Mantle of Intelligence near the enemy base before securing victory—a habit that birthed countless memes and cemented his legacy within the community. Despite relinquishing this trademark behavior, ATF’s reputation as a provocateur endured, his verbal jabs aimed at destabilizing opponents’ focus.
However, ATF’s meteoric rise faced an abrupt downturn following OG’s victory at ESL One Kuala Lumpur in August 2022. Struggling to maintain momentum, OG parted ways with Ammar before the year’s end. His subsequent stint with Nigma Galaxy yielded little success, marking a period of frustration and uncertainty.
Ammar’s journey took a reflective turn in 2023 as he grappled with the realities of competitive gaming. A brief hiatus offered respite from the rigors of the scene, allowing him to reassess his ambitions and aspirations.
A new hope: Team Falcons
The turning point arrived when Team Falcons, a Saudi Arabia-based esports organization, unveiled their foray into Dota 2 esports. By November 2023, Ammar heeded the call from Saudi Arabia and quickly found himself surrounded by a star-studded lineup comprised of Tundra’s legends, head coach Kurtis “Aui 2000” Ling, carry Oliver “skiter” Lepko, support Wu “Sneyking” Jingjun, and former Shopify Rebellion position 4 support Andreas “Cr1t-” Nielsen.
With this lineup, Team Falcons has been unstoppable in major competitions so far: having conquered BetBoom Dacha Dubai, DreamLeague Season 22, and ESL One Birmingham 2024 recently. Throughout these competitions, Ammar has been named as the heart of Falcons’ impressive performance, with many pundits praising his game reading and composure when facing difficult situations.
As Ammar’s journey continues with Team Falcons, the Dota community remains keenly interested in his next step and whatever surprises he has in store. At the moment, there are no signs of stopping from him and his teammates as Falcons has secured a top spot in the ongoing PGL Wallachia circuit.
