Since its inception, Dota 2 has thrived and against all odds has maintained its position in the top three esports titles of all time. The game has a storied history of intense competition, development, and of course, a humongous prize pool.
Countless teams have battled for glory, etching their names in the history books of Dota 2, and taking home millions of dollars in prize money.
Many teams have come and gone, and many have won The International Dota 2 Championships – the most coveted Dota 2 tournament, but only a few have consistently had the alluring effect of captivating the audience with their flamboyant playstyle.
Today, we delve into the top 5 most famous Dota 2 teams that have left an undeniable mark on the esports landscape.
NAVI is one of the first Dota 2 teams that comes to mind with a long and storied history in esports, carving its niche in Dota 2 and winning the inaugural The International championship in 2011 at Gamecom, Cologne.
Synonymous with their tag line “born to win”, NAVI indeed resonated with success and glory in the early days of Dota 2. The Ukrainian organization made it to the grand finals of the first three TI’s, however, managed to win only the first TI, losing the next two, despite dominating the circuit with ease.
The team consisted of iconic names like Danil “Dendi” Ishutin, Clement “Puppey” Ivanov, Oleksandr "XBOCT" Dashkevych, Ivan "Artstyle" Antonov and others, renowned for their aggressive and high-tempo playstyle, making them an instant success garnering them a huge fan following.
Who can forget the million-dollar coil of Puck by Dendi? Dendi, with his signature Puck play, became a symbol of NAVI’s aggressive approach.
While NaVi hasn't been able to replicate their early success recently, their impact on the Dota 2 scene is undeniable. They have been the early trendsetters.
OG's story is one of legends. Led by the charismatic Johan "n0tail" Sundstein, OG defied expectations by winning The International (TI) in 2018, in what can truly be called a “Cinderella story”.
To make it even sweeter, they won TI again in 2019, thus becoming the first and only team to win two consecutive TI’s in a row.
This historic feat, achieved with the same core roster, solidified their place in the history books of Dota 2. OG won millions of hearts. Hope, heartbreak, friendship, camaraderie, rebuilding, excitement – OG saw it all, and we were firsthand to witness all these emotions and traverse the journey with them.
OG wasn't just about individual brilliance; their unorthodox strategies, team synergy and the “chat wheel” spam were a marvel to behold.
Players like Topias "Topson" Taavitsainen, known to play unconventional heroes, Sébastien “Ceb” Debs’ alluring plays on the offlane, Anathan “Ana” Pham’s clutch and insane farming ability, Jesse “Jerax”Vainikka’s innate capability to annoy the opponents and n0tail’s captivating leadership, became fan favourites.
Although OG hasn’t been able to replicate the same success since 2020, they have had their bright moments every now and then. That said, OG definitely makes the list of Top 5 Dota 2 teams of all time.
Team Secret is synonymous with consistency and strategic mastery. Founded by the legendary Clement "Puppey" Ivanov, Secret has consistently placed high in major tournaments throughout its existence and has been a fan favourite countless number of times, only to disappoint the fans when it mattered the most, despite having all the necessary ingredients to win.
While they haven't yet clinched a TI title, their top three finish in the previous TI’s (2021, 2022) showcase their immense talent. Puppey, widely regarded as one of Dota 2's greatest captains, is known for his strategic mind and ability to cultivate strong team cohesion.
Under his tutelage, Dota 2 has gotten to witness prominent names like Nisha, Yapzor, Crystallis, Zai and others, leaving their footprint onto the Dota 2 esports scene.
Secret’s journey has been one that of hope and disappointment – because of building hopes by constantly winning major tournaments and heading into TI with sublime form and tattering those hopes by not being able to win a TI.
Similar to other teams, the team is currently struggling to make an impact and still trying to find ways to become a household name again in Dota 2.
However, that doesn’t make them any less to be featured in the list of Top 5 Dota 2 teams of all time.
Evil Geniuses (EG) is (was) a powerhouse organisation with a rich esports history, including Dota 2. Their TI victory in 2015 remains a defining moment in the competitive Dota 2 landscape.
Led by the enigmatic captain Peter “PPD” Dager accompanied by the North American legend Clinton "Fear" Loomis, EG displayed a dominant playstyle, crushing opponents with their coordinated aggression and drafting prowess.
Bringing in a young and unproven prodigy, EG took a gamble on Sumail “Sumail” Hassan and won TI5 with unbridled aggression and chaos.
Players like Saahil "Universe" Arora, known for his exceptional Earthshaker play, became an iconic figure, especially with the million-dollar echo slam in the grand finals of TI5 – a moment that will forever be etched in history.
EG was the first organisation to bring the TI trophy to North America and made NA Dota relevant again. While EG has exited the Dota 2 space, its legacy as a pioneer in the Dota 2 esports scene remains unchallenged.
Trickling down on the final name in the Top 5 Dota 2 teams of all time was difficult, but Team Spirit deserves to be on the list.
A force to be reckoned with, Team Spirit’s meteoric rise to stardom with their stunning victory at The International 2021, defying all the odds by qualifying for the event through the regional qualifiers, and being allocated a crappy practice room during the group stage, is outright inspiring.
Captained by the silent Yaroslav “Miposhka” Naidenov, the Eastern European team redefined what aggression truly means.
Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk’s crazy antics playing 18 different carry heroes throughout TI 2021, Magomed “Collapse” Khalilov’s magnificent plays on Magnus along with others made the perfect recipe for disaster – for Team Spirit’s opponents.
Their journey from underdogs to champions is a testament to perseverance and strategic brilliance. By winning their second TI in 2023, Team Spirit has made a name for itself and garnered a humongous fan following.
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