Talon Esports qualifies for TI13 via SEA Regional Qualifiers

Talon Esports makes a resounding comeback by qualifying for The International 2024 (TI13) via SEA regional qualifiers after a dismal year for the Southeast Asian organisation. They secure the first out of the two slots reserved for SEA in this year’s qualifiers.

Talon Esports is back at TI13

Talon’s journey in the current Dota 2 season has been disappointing with only two tier-1 tournaments showing: Elite League Season 1 and ESL One Birmingham 2024, that too with a dismal placing. They even failed to secure a spot at the Riyadh Masters 2024 or DreamLeague Season 22 & 23.

As one of the invited teams, hopes weren’t high for Talon heading into the TI13 SEA Regional Qualifiers owing to lacklustre performances but a different story was being written – one of Talon’s rise to prominence right when their backs were against the wall.

Photo: Valve

They made quick progress against Salvation Gaming, a relatively unknown team, finishing both games in under 35 minutes. They faced Execration in the second round, a team who’s always been a threat in the regionals historically and suffered their only game loss.

Talon Esports lost the first game to Execration in the classic high-aggression SEA Dota style but mounted an excellent comeback in the subsequent games.

In the remaining games, Talon drafted a witty lineup with surprise picks like IO and Timbersaw, which seemingly caught Execration by surprise. Execration responded by picking Techies and Pudge.

However, it was Talon’s day as they finished the remaining games under 30 minutes and proceeded to the upper bracket finals of the TI13 SEA regional qualifiers to face Aurora Gaming – arguably the strongest Dota 2 team in the region.

Vying for the first slot at The International 2024 (TI13), the biggest Dota 2 esports tournament in the calendar year, Aurora and Talon faced off in a thrilling best-of-three final. Both games saw the captains draft their comfort picks, such as Mikoto on Ember Spirit and 23Savage on Morphling, to name a few.

Aurora was expected to emerge victorious in this encounter, judging by their recent performance and international exposure, which Talon lacked as of late. However, Talon’s confidence grew as they took down Aurora in the finals and secured the first spot, thus qualifying for The International 2024 (TI13).

Aurora gets another chance to qualify for TI13

After being knocked down to the lower bracket finals, Aurora gets another chance to secure the second spot for TI13 in the SEA regional qualifiers. They face the winner between Execration vs. TNC Predator, where the loser gets eliminated.

Both teams will pose a significant challenge for Aurora, however, TNC Predator with their rampant run through the open qualifiers and continuing the momentum in the closed qualifiers might pose a bigger threat.

Nonetheless, Aurora still has the best chance of qualifying for Dota 2’s TI13, given their experience and individual prowess in its kitty.