The countdown to Dota 2’s grand spectacle, The International 12, set against the vibrant backdrop of Seattle, USA, is in its final moments. Yet, as the anticipation reaches its zenith, this year’s tournament has sparked a spectrum of emotions within the Dota 2 community.
With a lower prize pool and murmurs of subpar in-game content, the reactions have been mixed, fueling discussions and debates throughout the community. But amidst the debates and doubts, one thing remains undeniably true: the Dota 2 community is still brimming with excitement, eagerly awaiting the moment when the world’s best Dota 2 teams clash in a battle for supremacy.
Join us as we shine a spotlight on the Challengers, the Underdogs, and the Dark Horses who will battle it out on the grand stage of TI 12!
The Challengers
- Gaimin Gladiators (WEU)
- Team Liquid (WEU)
- Tundra Esports (WEU)
- Team Spirit (EEU)
Our top four picks for this year’s TI12 are no surprise, given their outstanding performance this season. Among them, Gaimin Gladiators and Team Liquid stand as prominent contenders, poised to extend their rivalry in Seattle. The potential showdown between Quinn “Quinn” Callahan (GG) and Michal “Nisha” Jankowski (Liquid) is a momentous event that the Dota 2 community eagerly anticipates.
This season, their rivalry has become a compelling narrative. While Liquid exudes discipline, GG has consistently managed to disrupt their dominance in the Majors, proving that a flawless record isn’t necessary to succeed.
Adding to the intrigue is Tundra Esports, equipped with an unexpected asset in Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen, who filled the void left by Martin “Saksa” Sazdov. Although there’s room for improvement, Taavitsainen’s inclusion has undoubtedly bolstered Tundra’s quest for back-to-back titles.
Lastly, Team Spirit, the Eastern European sleeping giants, have made a resurgence following a subdued Majors run in 2023. Their recent victories at Riyadh Masters 2023 and DreamLeague Season 21 have positioned them as favorites for TI12.
The Underdogs
- Talon Esports (SEA)
- 9Pandas (EEU)
- Shopifiy Rebellion (NA)
Turning our attention to the underdogs, SEA’s pride Talon Esports has consistently impressed on the international stage. Despite not winning every split, their remarkable performances at events like the Lima Major 2023 and Riyadh Masters 2023, where Rafli “Mikoto” Rahman shone as MVP, have catapulted them to new heights.
Formerly known as HellRaisers, 9Pandas boasts a winning combo in their team, the veterans Alexey “Solo” Berezin and Roman “RAMZES666” Kushnarev. They went separate ways after TI9 and finally reunited in 9Pandas with aspirations of rekindling their world-class play at TI12.
In North America, Shopify Rebellion recently surprised viewers as they finished as the runner-up in DreamLeague Season 21. Led by Artour “Arteezy” Babaev and Abed “Abed” Yusof, they’ve consistently excelled in their group stages but need to find the resolve to shine in high-stakes matches.
Despite their promising statistics, these underdog teams must find the consistency and determination required to challenge the top contenders and secure comfortable spots in the playoffs.
The Dark Horses
- LGD Gaming (CN)
- Quest Esports (WEU)
Amidst the drought in the Chinese league, LGD Gaming, formerly PSG.LGD, has been fairly consistent all season, advancing to playoffs in every DPC Major and other international events, except for DreamLeague Season 19 in April. However, this Chinese powerhouse has significantly declined from their past glory, frequently losing in big matches and appearing disoriented due to the absence of a strong leadership presence, especially after the departures of Zhang “Faith Bian” Ruida and Wang “Ame” Chunyun.
While there is a glimmer of optimism with the addition of former Vici Gaming’s ace, Li “niu” Kongbo, they must exert greater effort to fully unleash their potential.
Meanwhile, Quest Esports, a relative newcomer, has swiftly risen in the ranks. Promoted to Division I in Tour 3, they finished third in the region, claimed 4th place at the Bali Major, and secured a 7-8th position at the Riyadh Masters. Their upward trajectory is undeniable, although a recent roster change in August has raised questions about their adaptation.
