We preview each of the invitees' and qualifiers' chances ahead of Epic ESports Events' pioneering competition in Moscow
Epic ESports Events. EEE. You may not be familiar with the name, unsurprisingly.
They seem to have appeared from nowhere. But they have appeared bearing gifts, specifically a brand new Dota 2 tournament in Moscow, Russia, called EPICENTER. Complete with a $500,000 prize pot.
Since EEE’s website is simply a YouTube video for their new tournament and an email address, the proof, as they say, will be in the pudding. And we’re at the EPICENTER of the pudding.
Ah yes, EPICENTER. Or just Epicenter if you prefer, the caps can get tiring.
The announced line-up was impressive to say the least, including The International 5 winners Evil Geniuses and Shanghai Major champions Team Secret amongst the stars. But the teething problems started early.
After the roster change fallout from the Shanghai Major, EHOME’s invite to Epicenter was revoked as they couldn’t secure the necessary visas in time, meaning they were replaced by Team Liquid.
Empire were then forced to change their whole roster, meaning they were no longer have the team members agreed to on the Epicenter invite.
As a result, they were also disqualified. Polarity have stepped in to fill that gap and were soundly beaten in the qualifiers.
That leaves us with six invites and four qualifiers. And it’s here we see the full attraction for Dota 2 fans.
Invites:
Team Secret (14/5): The favourites for a reason, but with some question marks. After finishing second in the Frankfurt Major, they finally went the distance and downed Team Liquid for the Shanghai Major title in March.
After losing w33 and MiSeRy they’re not burning quite as bright though. Will Epicenter relight their fire?
Team Liquid (4/1): The Dutch destroyers. Tipped for second in this tournament because, well, they’ve been runners up a lot recently.
Second in the Shanghai Major and ESL One Manila this year. Can they break the streak?
OG (9/2): A mixed bag for relative newcomers OG recently, a team clearly gone off the boil.
From winning the Frankfurt Major and DreamLeague Season 4 last November to bombing in the Shanghai Major – where next? Their quality suggests back to the top, but we’ll see.
Evil Geniuses (5/1): From newbies OG to old hands Evil Geniuses. Winners of TI5 and The Summit 4, but dropped off for Frankfurt and Shanghai.
With their recent roster changes, no-one knows how they’ll respond here.
Alliance (6/1): Usually used to success in the smaller tournaments, Alliance’s first foray into the big time was in the recent Shanghai Major, where they were dumped out early on by Complexity Gaming.
This is their second chance, but will they take it?
Virtus Pro (12/1): Punching bags for the pros in TI5 and Frankfurt, Virtus Pro stepped up a gear in The Summit 4, narrowly losing the final to Evil Geniuses.
Will be keen to test out a shifted roster before TI6.
Qualifiers:
Newbee (9/1): The original Chinese ‘Dream Team’, Newbee dropped off the radar somewhat after being torn apart at TI5.
Qualification for Epicenter could be the kick-start they need.
Fnatic (10/1): The old masters return. Although arguably the world’s finest CS:GO team, Fnatic have always struggled when it comes to Dota 2 and recently has been no different.
A possible surprise package with a huge name.
No Diggity (33/1): The newest boys on the block. European Epicenter qualifiers No Diggity’s first tournament was DreamLeague Season 5 last month.
Ones to keep a curious eye on.
Complexity Gaming (50/1): As one of the oldest eSports teams around, you may wonder why Complexity are rock bottom of this list.
Simply put, their last tournament win of note was in 2012. They might yet prove to be a thorn in somebody’s side though.
10 teams. One tournament. Hundreds of markets. Who are you fancying to take the EPICENTER crown? Let us know at @BetwayeSports today.
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