These teams already made it to TI10 – What can we expect from them?

The prize pool exceeds 40 million dollars and there are already twelve teams confirmed to clash in the quest for TI glory. Why exactly should we care about these teams?

It has taken buckets full of sweat and tears to arrive at our current position. Twelve teams have fought through thick and thin to acquire the proper amount of DPC points for TI qualification. While a myriad of teams are pouring even more sweat out in the abyss while preparing for the regional TI qualifiers, these twelve teams can already start preparing for this life changing tournament.

Glory gone by

Never before in Dota history has the western european region shit the bed like it has done over the past months. After OG broke the east versus west TI curse, western europe seems to have become complacent, resulting in only two teams being invited straight in the tournament. While Team Secret showed strength in Singapore, they couldn’t even escape the wildcards in Kyiv. So if Puppey wants to avoid a repeat of TI5, there is a lot of work to be done.

Alliance however will need even more practice. While able to perform in Western Europe itself, bombing out seems to be their fate on the international stage. Never before has the Western European region looked so weak, and not even their brothers in the east seem to be able to provide any solace.

Performing when it matters

For many months now the experts have talked about it. Virtus Pro would be a ridiculously skilled team that has been setting the international meta in scrims. While these whispers from the inside paint a promising picture of the Eastern European squad, their international performances have been lacking. Only able to win one whole series during two different majors, something seems to be off with the young squad.

Similarly young and promising is the second eastern european team qualified for TI, Team Spirit. Breaking out into the scene as Yellow Submarine about a year ago, this team has seen a constant improvement of their skills. Due to being young and inexperienced though, this team often struggles to perform on a consistent basis. They still resemble a very credible threat to bigger teams, causing them to be a very scary dark horse for TI10, a dark horse that could cause some giant upsets.

Back on top

While the Chinese Region might have seemed to lay dormant during OG’s glory years, it seems the old school dota 2 powerhouse has come back with a vengeance. PSG.LGD looks to be the best team in the world right now after winning the Animajor without even dropping a single series. Vici Gaming is coming close behind as the team has been able to direct Old.Eleven’s experimental play into something of great danger.

Invictus Gaming can never be counted out as long as Emo knows where the question mark key is on the keyboard, while Team Aster could be a top contender if they figure out how to play vs international teams on the same insane level as they play up against Chinese teams. That is only the four teams that are confirmed already, for the regional qualifiers could birth a humongous Elephant onto the stage.

Pure skill

Nowhere else in the world there are more passionate Dota 2 fans, as there are in SouthEast Asia. Currently there might be only one team that has confirmed themselves an invite from the SEA region, but no one should sleep on them. T1 has the pure skill of players like 23savage, Karl, and Kuku. Coached by the experienced March. A coach with more than 10 years of experience in the competitive dota 2 scene, now strengthened with the discipline of the south-korean army after his service. T1 is a team that is bound to show the world the power of SEA Dota 2.

Just below the summit

Over in North-America the belief is the five years has been long enough to wait for another TI title. Evil Geniuses is looking scarier than my dad when he unbuckles his belt. Maybe having the world’s strongest players for every position in their internationally diverse team.

Simultaneously Quincy Crew is like a tree that has only grown bigger and stronger over time, from VGJ.Storm, to Newbee, To Forward Gaming. This team has built a history. Always performing decently at TI, but never quit reaching the summit. It just might be this year where they have found the growth to reach the top.

Dark Horse region

South-America has been the laughing stock of the international competition for as long as we can remember. However this year the region might be finally coming into its own. Securing themselves two invites already in the form of Thunder Predator and Beastcoast this might be their time.

Sitting on top of american MMR leaderboards, skill shouldn’t be too much of a problem for them, only if they can channel this skill into performing on the biggest stage of the world. They might not be very consistent yet, but this skill could allow these teams to take games of any other team at TI. This makes this region which is filled with Dark Horses something to really consider in Stockholm.

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Image Credit: Virtus.Pro
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