For those who might have missed the most important news from the past week in competitive Dota 2 scene, here is a short review to catch up.
+BTS Series America, SEA and Europe
The third edition of BTS Series America and SEA kicked off this week. While the US competition is close to finish, Team Archon being the first to reach the grand finals, BTS Europe # 2 started as well on 6th of February.
+Can’t Say Wips is back in action
Team Can't Say Wips are finally back since the old lineup disbanded in August 2015. Team CSW, are looking to compete on an international level, and will participate in qualifiers to the majors and large international tournaments. Bringing back the Australian Dota-scene into the spotlight, something we have not seen much from in a long time.
Can't Say Wips roster:
Darcy "Godot" Jose
Justin "xMusiCa" Yuen
Jun "Bok" Kanehara
AJ "xRag" Casanada
Phuc "lordboonz" Nguyen
Ad Finem and Elite Wolves are the Pro Dota Cup# 2 Champions
In the European bracket the Greeks from Ad Finem had an undefeated run until grand finals where they had to face the newly reformed Tornado.Rox in a best-of-five series.
At the American competition the format was a little bit different featuring only a single elimination bracket with best-of-three grand finals and the Peruvians from Elite Wolves emerging victorious at the end of it.
WePlay League Season 3 plagued with multiple withdraws
After compLexity Gaming decided to withdraw from the tournament to focus on practicing for the Shanghai Major, a weave of European disbands among tier two teams affected tournament’s teams line-up. No Logic Gaming, Walrus Punch and Steak Gaming all forfeit the WePlay League 3 - European West qualifiers. No Logic Gaming and Walrus Punch disbands, Steak Gaming reported internal issues.
+SexyBamboe parts ways with Mamas Boys
Mamas Boys is the team that was created out of the old lineup of 4Clovers & Lepricon, a team notorious for being unable to keep a stable line-up despite having good results. Bamboe was the last remaining player from the old 4C&L -squad.
+ESL One Manila: EU and NA main qualifiers under way
Teams that got invited to the main regional qualifiers for Europe and America have been divided in two tiers Tier 2 teams are playing in the first round, whilst Tier 1 teams begin their challenge in the quarter finals.
Europe
Tier 1: Team Spirit, Team Empire, Vega Squadron, Na'Vi
Tier 2: Tornado.RoX, Mamas Boys, London Conspiracy, PowerRangers
Open qualifiers: HWA, STARK, Ad Finem, PRIES
America
Tier 1: compLexity, Team Archon, Elite Wolves, Digital Chaos
Tier 2: Shazam, Void Boys, Leviathan, InFamous
Open qualifiers: paiN, unknown, Colossus, EnemyGG
+Resolut1on left Team Empire for Digital Chaos
The most surprising news came last week from Roman 'Resolut1on'Fominok who decided to try new territories by moving to North American soil. After two years spent with team Empire Reolut1on replaced Tyler "TC" Cook from Digital Chaos.
“
The reason to join was to find new thoughts about the game from people who have another mindset, so we can share our vision and become better as a team. I'm looking forward to achieve success with this team.” -Resolut1on
+SEA Kappa Invitationals: The $50,000 SEA tournament
The SEA Kappa Invitational is an online tournament that will be running over the course of this year, over four seasons, the tournament will give out $50,000 worth of prize money. Six out of eight directly invited teams have been already announced:
Teams invited:
Fnatic
Signature.Trust
TNC
First Departure
RRQ
Mineski X
TBD
TBD
+The 6.86 e patch brought changes to Lone Druid and Earth Spirit
The two changes made in the patch are:
Lone Druid's Savage Roar now has a cooldown of 38/32/26/20, up from 6.86d's 28/24/20/16,
Earth Spirit now has a 125 cast range on his Enchant Remnant skill, down from the previous 600.
+Team Romania crowned Champions of ProDota National Cup
At the end of five months of online game schedules and a best-of-five grand final, Romania snatched the title from Team Russia, despite starting with a one game disadvantage.
ProDota National Cup prize pool distribution:
1st: $7,000 Romania
2nd: $2,000 Russia
3rd: $1,000 Turkey
