The International 2024 (TI13) is just around the corner with Dota 2 teams from around the world vying to compete for the ultimate glory and lift the coveted Aegis. But which teams are the favourites and who are the dark horses heading into the event?

• Read: All info about The International 2024

The International 2024 (TI13) Power Rankings

The International 2024 (TI13) is set to take place at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen, where sixteen elite Dota 2 teams will clash for the coveted Aegis. While every team dreams of lifting the Aegis, some possess a clear edge than others.

In our Power Rankings for The International 2024 article, we try to dissect the contenders and highlight the top teams most likely to emerge victorious.

Prospective Champions

Teams in this tier have a serious shot at winning The International 2024 (TI13). The best of the best reside here.

• Gaimin Gladiators: Gaimin Gladiators enters The International 2024 as one of the top contenders and has all the prospects of becoming a TI champion. Despite a rocky start to the year, they've staged a remarkable comeback, solidifying their position as a dominant team in the circuit. As the runners-up of TI12, they are hungry for redemption and aim to clinch the Aegis at TI13. Their recent successes, including a second-place finish at DreamLeague Season 23 and victory at The Riyadh Masters 2024, have positioned them as strong favourites heading into the tournament.
• Team Falcons: Team Falcons has been a dominant force in the Dota 2 scene this year, boasting a track record of consistent success. With five tournament wins and three podium finishes in their last eight events, they enter The International 2024 as prospective champions. Their star-studded roster packs a real punch with skills and experience abound. They were built to win and with their recent performances at the DreamLeague Season 23, Riyadh Masters 2024 and FISSURE Universe: Episode 3, they are in a strong position to win TI13.
• Team Spirit: As the reigning TI champions, Team Spirit enters The International 2024 with the target on their backs. Known for their ability to excel at the biggest events, Spirit is once again starting to peak right before TI. After a slow start to the season, they've adapted to the meta and showcased their strength with victories at PGL Wallachia S1 and 1win Series Dota 2 Summer, as well as runner-up finishes in other tournaments. Despite a less-than-ideal performance at The Riyadh Masters, Spirit cannot be underestimated as they aim to become three-time TI champions.

Close-but-not-quites

While not currently at the level of the Prospective Champions, the second tier is still filled with very tough competition. You can expect these Dota 2 teams to finish in the top 6.

• Team Liquid: Team Liquid possesses the talent to lift the Aegis at The International 2024 but despite their undeniable skill, we've placed them in a tier below the top contenders. While Liquid has the firepower to dominate, their inconsistency has been a recurring issue. They've shown the ability to outplay any opponent but also like throwing unlosable matches against weaker teams. Their recent victory at the Elite League S2 could be a turning point, boosting their morale and confidence heading into TI13. Can the end of the second-place curse usher in a new era for Liquid?
• Xtreme Gaming: Xtreme Gaming shoulders the heavy burden of being China’s only hope to end the country’s TI drought. They are the only Chinese team that can stand on par with the European heavyweights and have a shot at winning TI13. XG’s consistency has been remarkable, finishing first in three events, and finishing in the top four at other events, with Riyadh Masters 2024 being an exception, where they finished in the top eight. After facing the strongest teams in the past year at international events, they have the skills and the information to surpass them.

• Also read: Dota 2 TI13 Compendium: What's Inside?

Upsetters

Unlikely to make it to the deep end, but still relatively dangerous. This tier is called “upsetters” for a reason. Favourable matchups and inspired performances can result in unexpected victories against otherwise stronger teams.

• Tundra Esports: Tundra Esports has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent months, rebuilding its roster from scratch and becoming a steady force in the scene. After a mixed start to the year, Tundra discovered its identity and began to consistently perform well in tournaments. Their decent showings in the last five Dota 2 events have positioned them as potential dark horses at The International 2024, capable of surprising even the top contenders. With a mix of young blood and experienced veterans, Tundra is capable of landing a surprise.
• BetBoom Team: BetBoom’s rise to ascension is a great indicator of the team’s strong approach and understanding of the game. A team filled with a lot of potential, they have been extremely consistent in tournaments which earned them a direct invite for TI13. While their potential is undeniable, BetBoom's inability to consistently close out games against top-tier opponents remains a concern. Their tendency to crumble under pressure restricts them from becoming a championship team.
• G2.iG: Despite their star-studded lineup, G2.iG has struggled to find its identity and achieve consistent results. While their fourth-place finish at PGL Wallachia S1 offers a glimpse of their potential, G2.iG's overall impact at The International 2024 remains uncertain because of underwhelming results at other events. It will be intriguing to see if they can overcome their challenges at TI and live up to their true potential. Nonetheless, this stacked lineup cannot be neglected as they might just surprise us.
• Cloud9: Cloud9’s (formerly Entity) results throughout the year haven't been great other than a few first-place finishes at tier-two tournaments. Their impact at tier-1 tournaments like Elite League S1 and Riyadh Masters 2024 was negligible, however, their run at the TI13 and Riyadh Masters regional qualifiers paint a different picture. Their inability to break the barrier of their own shell is a great cause of concern which is reflected in their performance but the quality of the roster and its ability to cause upsets still remains.
• Aurora: Aurora is the sole Southeast Asian team with a realistic chance of making a significant impact at TI13. Their consistent top-eight finishes at the majority of international events highlight their roster's capabilities. With more focus, they even have the potential for a top-six placement at TI13. Led by the experienced coach Sunbhie and veteran player Jabz, Aurora's performance is consistently strong. However, to truly excel, they must push their limits and overcome the psychological hurdle of being content in the “middle-of-the-pack finishes.”

Bottom-halfers

Not every team can reach the top 8 and it would be above expectation to see any of these squads making the third round of the lower bracket.

• Talon Esports: Once a dominant force in Southeast Asia, Talon Esports now faces the challenge of emerging from its shadows. Despite decent performances in regional qualifiers, including TI13, their international appearances have been disappointing. The team has struggled to advance beyond the group stage in all three LAN events they've participated in. The disparity in skill between Talon and other top teams is significant making it more difficult for them to make a deep run in Copenhagen.
• Heroic: Heroic’s rise in the South American region with a roster boasting of well-known players is admirable. This is also the first time Heroic, as an organization, will make its debut at one of the biggest esports tournaments – The International. However, their growth might just be limited to being regional heroes. Their gameplay is extremely volatile and chaotic which might not be enough to overcome top-tier teams. In the last seven tournaments, Heroic has two top-eight finishes and five bottom-half finishes and that itself is a good parameter to not have high hopes from them.
• Beastcoast: Another South American powerhouse, Beastcoast has faced a challenging year, marked by dismal performance. While they qualified for TI and Riyadh as the second seed, this placement doesn't necessarily reflect their strength compared to other top teams. A noticeable skill gap exists between Beastcoast and the others, and having high expectations from them at TI13 could lead to disappointment.
• Team Zero: Team Zero took the Chinese regional qualifiers by storm and defeated Azure Ray to snag the first TI slot. But that seems to be the end of the story for the lads as they have failed to achieve anything substantial. They will face the best Dota 2 teams in the world and their lack of exposure might just be their undoing.

• Also read: How to excel at The International 2024 Fantasy

TI13 Dark Horses

• 1win: A dark horse candidate is always a thrilling element in any tournament and 1win fits this role perfectly. They have demonstrated the potential for major upsets, as seen in their deep run at the Elite League Season 2. With improved discipline, they could surprise even the top contenders. Given TI's history of producing underdog champions, 1win's chances of a successful run are certainly worth considering.
• Nouns: Nouns capitalized on Shopify Rebellion's faltering performance, securing their spots in both Riyadh Masters 2024 and TI13. They are a rising force in North America, but the question remains: is their current form enough for the gruelling competition of TI? While they achieved a top-eight finish at TI12, the stiff competition and their recent international results suggest that things might be more challenging than before.

The International 2024 (TI13) begins on September 4, 2024, in Copenhagen with 16 of the best Dota 2 teams in the world competing for the coveted Aegis of the Immortal.

Stay tuned to BLAST for the latest updates on The International 2024 including exclusive interviews, features and news.