Dota 2
Everything you have to know about the upcoming Tour 2 of the DPC.
The arrival of The Dead Reckoning Update a few days ago finally changed the meta. We’ve been waiting for this update for a while, but Valve decided to wait until after the end of The Lima Major 2023 to drop it. Speaking of Lima, you can check out 5 takeaways from the Major and see how Gaimin Gladiators claimed victory.
But with that said, the end of the Major also meant the end of Tour 1 of the 2023 DPC and the arrival of Tour 2. Similar to our first tour we’ll have the chance to watch the matches in Division I before those in Division II. However, there are changes in the participating teams, as well as in the second Major, taking place in Berlin.
Of course, we have to wait and see which teams will make it to the Major, which means we have a month full of action ahead of us. Tour 2 of the 2023 DPC begins on March 12-13 and lasts until April 2-3. During that time, we’ll be able to watch the best teams in North America, South America, Southeast Asia, China, Eastern Europe and Western Europe.
While we’re on the topic of regions, let’s dive in and learn more about them.
North America
Starting with one of the most controversial regions in Dota 2, North America hasn’t had the best results lately. In fact, many people are confident it’s the weakest region in the game, but Shopify Rebellion are proving this isn’t the case.
Tour 2 in NA will start on March 13 and run until April 2. During that time, teams will fight for a $205,000 prize pool. Speaking of the participants, here is a list of all of them:
- B8 (Ukraine)
- Nouns (USA)
- 5RATFORCESTAFF (USA)
- Felt (USA)
- TSM (Worldwide)
- Team DogChamp (USA)
- Wildcard Gaming (USA)
- Shopify Rebellion (Worldwide)
There’s no arguing that EG’s ex-roster and TSM will be the two big favorites. However, felt and nouns also have what it takes to challenge the best, so we can’t wait to see which 2 teams will make it to The Arlington Major 2023. Don’t forget that North America only has 2 slots.
South America
The South American Dota 2 region has become way more popular than before and for a good reason. Teams like beastcoast and Evil Geniuses continue to exceed expectations by defeating the best in the world. Thunder Awaken is also one of the notable squads in this part of the world, but the latter failed to secure a slot for The Lima Major 2023.
If you want to watch the 2023 South America DPC Tour 2, tune in between March 14 and April 2. There will be 8 teams playing for DPC points and a $205,000 prize pool. Here are the clubs you’ll have access to:
- Alliance.LATAM (Peru)
- Infinity (Peru)
- Evil Geniuses (Peru)
- Keyd Stars (Brazil)
- beastcoast (Peu)
- Qhali (Peru)
- No Runes (Brazil)
- Thunder Awaken (Peru)
Of course, BC and EG are the two big names that we expected to have little to no problems against the rest. However, Thunder Awaken, Keys Stars, and Alliance can definitely put up a challenge. The bad news is that SA only has 2 Major slots (for now), so the battle will be fierce.
Southeast Asia
Taking place between March 13 and April 3, Division I of Tour 2 of the 2023 DPC in Southeast Asia will be even more interesting than Tour 1. That’s because Fnatic and BOOM, the two big-names in the region, will be playing in Division II.
Like all other regions, the SEA powerhouses will compete for DPC points and a $205,000 reward. Although Fnatic and BOOM are no longer a part of Division II, there are several other big names to keep an eye on:
- Geek Slate (Philippines)
- Team SMG (Malaysia)
- Talon Esports (Thailand)
- Polaris Esports (Philippines)
- Bleed Esports (Pan-Asian)
- Blacklist International (Philippines)
- Execration (Philippines)
- Army Geniuses (Indonesia)
Following Talon’s incredible run at The Lima Major 2023, there is no arguing that this is the big favorite in SEA. However, the region has 3 Major slots, which means that Polaris, SMG, Blacklist and Execration will give everything they have to secure them. Geek Slate is also an interesting squad that went to Lima but was eliminated in the group stage.
Western Europe
The best region in Dota 2 will be the most interesting to watch because every single team in Division I can win. Speaking of winning, Gaimin Gladiators won the Dota 2 Lima Major after an amazing playoff run where they defeated Team Liquid twice. Some fans thought that Liquid was undefeatable, but GG proved that “even Gods can bleed”.
If you’re interested in watching the best Western European Dota 2 teams in the world, be sure to tune in between March 13 and April 2. Here are the squads to keep an eye on:
- Entity (Worldwide)
- Monaspa (Greece)
- Gamin Gladiators (Worldwide)
- Team Liquid (Sweden)
- OG (Worldwide)
- Tundra Esports (Worldwide)
- Ooredoo Thunders (Worldwide)
- Nigma Galaxy (Worldwide)
As mentioned, every single team has what it takes to win. However, GG, Team Liquid and Entity stand out, at least judging from their most recent results. Of course, OG, Nigma and Tundra won’t go down without a fight, so we expect an epic battle for the 4 Major slots, the DPC points, and the $205,000 prizepool.
Eastern Europe
The best teams in Eastern Europe will come together in Division I of Tour 2, which will take place between March 12 and April 2. Like any other Dota 2 region, this one will give DPC points, in this case, 3 Major slots and a $205,000 USD prize pool. Here are the teams to keep an eye on:
- HellRaisers (Russia)
- DarkSide (Russia)
- HYDRA (Russia)
- Team Spirit (Russia)
- Natus Vincere (Kazakhstan)
- Virtus.Pro (Russia)
- One Move (Russia)
- BetBoom Team (Russia)
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise that Team Spirit and BetBoom are the two big names here. However, almost all other clubs also have what it takes to finish among the top 3. Consequently, the region will be interesting to watch.
China
Lastly, we have China, the only Dota 2 region outside of WEU that has 4 slots. However, considering the Chinese teams’ recent results, we expect this to change for the next DPC.
With that said, Tour 2 in China will have a normal schedule, unlike Tour 1, where teams had to take a break due to the Chinese New Year. As for the teams, here is what to expect:
- Xtreme Gaming
- Ybb Gaming
- Vici Gaming
- Outsiders from CN
- Aster.Aries
- Team Aster
- PSG.LGD
- Invictus Gaming
LGD and Aster look like the most promising Chinese Dota 2 squads for Tour 2 Division I. However, Xtreme Gaming and Vici will do everything possible to secure a Top 4 finish. Normally, EHOME would be on the list too, but they and Knights got banned due to “interfering with fair competition”. The most recent ban waved affected a lot of people, most of which got a permanent ban.
