Who says you can’t be a millionaire playing video games, especially when the game in question is Dota 2?
Dota 2 has not only captivated millions with its high learning curve and intense competition but has also been a breeding ground for millionaires in the now thriving esports industry for those who have succeeded in lifting the coveted Aegis of the Immortal by winning The International Dota 2 Championships – the only esports tournament to boast millions of dollars in prize pool money.
Today, we delve into the world of esports millionaires and reveal the players with most money won - the top five Dota 2 Millionaires of all time.
The charismatic flower of Dota 2 and a legend in itself, Johan "N0tail" Sundstein reigns supreme as the wealthiest Dota 2 millionaire player to ever grace the esports industry.
Leading one of the, if not the most, successful rosters in the game, N0tail led OG Esports to an unprecedented two-time victory at The International (TI).
However, more defining is his frenemy arc with Tal “Fly” Aizik, his long-time comrade since early Heroes of Newerth (HoN) days and someone he considered to be his close buddy.
Together, they made the transition to Dota 2 and played together for the longest time. They even co-founded OG and, along the way, won multiple back-to-back Majors.
However, Fly unexpectedly left to join another team in lieu of the hunger to win a TI title, which had eluded OG for quite a while.
Fly’s departure was viewed as a betrayal by the community. The same year, with a last-minute replacement, OG won TI, besting Evil Geniuses (Fly’s then team) and winning the grand finals against the Chinese behemoth LGD.
N0tail’s dedication, leadership, and exceptional gameplay have not only earned him millions but also cemented his legacy as one of the greatest Dota 2 players ever.
Jesse "JerAx" Vainikka, N0tail's long-time teammate in OG, is the second player to top the list of Dota 2 millionaires.
JerAx quickly cemented himself as a quiet yet dominant support player. Renowned for his strategic brilliance and clutch plays, especially on select heroes like Earth Spirit, JerAx was instrumental in OG's championship runs.
With OG, he won consecutive TI’s, thus raking in millions of dollars, before TI’s prize pool started dwindling.
Citing a lack of passion, JerAx quietly retired from competitive Dota 2, however, made a brief comeback as a player for Evil Geniuses and Team Liquid, before retiring again for good in 2022.
Despite being away from the game, JerAx still dominates the Top 10 Dota 2 Millionaire Dota 2 players list.
The sleeping beauty aka Anathan "ana" Pham's story is one of meteoric ascent. Bursting onto the scene in 2016, he quickly established himself as a prodigy carry player, known for his aggressive style and mechanical prowess.
Originally playing for a Chinese team and undergoing some controversy, Ana joined OG in 2018, as the team’s new find. The first stint with OG in 2016-2017 was relatively unsuccessful for Ana as he couldn’t find much success.
However, during the great betrayal, when OG were left short of two players due to an unexpected twist that caused a storm in the Dota 2 esports industry, Ana was recruited once again as a last-minute replacement.
As they say; the rest is history.
Ana was a vital cog in OG’s back-to-back TI victories, solidifying his position among the Dota 2 elite and securing a hefty chunk of the record-breaking prize pools, thus making him a Dota 2 millionaire.
He’s also the source of memes in the community since he retired after winning his first TI with OG, only to reappear just two months before the next TI and join OG and win it again, only to retire once more.
Sébastien "Ceb" Debs, another OG stalwart and a noteworthy player to know about, is more than just a skilled player.
He’s the complete Dota 2 man, besides the occasional burst out on social media and other controversies, who has been a player, a broadcast talent, and a coach.
He then transitioned to a last-minute replacement as a player to help his team in need.
That’s right! Ceb’s rise to fame is also connected to the great betrayal.
Nonetheless, getting back to the point, Ceb has been a pivotal figure in drafting strategies and calling shots. His analytical mind and unbridled passion have played a crucial role in OG's dominance.
From being a rusty old man to being a refined old player, Ceb has conquered TI titles twice as well, thus making him an instant Dota 2 millionaire.
After winning consecutive TI’s, he has tried to go back to coaching, substituting as a last-minute replacement, retiring and subsequently making a comeback to competitive Dota 2 for OG, is Ceb’s story in a nutshell.
Ceb exemplifies strategic brilliance and exudes the unrelenting hunger to conquer more than he already has in Dota 2's complex world.
Topias "Topson" Taavitsainen boasts one of the shortest yet most impactful careers in Dota 2 history. He won a TI on his debut, a feat no one can boast of, and then, to rub salt to the wound, won the subsequent TI as well.
Talk about building pressure on the newbies, eh?
Joining OG in 2018, Topson seamlessly integrated with the team, showcasing exceptional hero mastery and a knack for game-changing plays. His freestyle nature of playing Dota 2 along with ruthless aggression made Topson a trump card for OG.
OG’s opponents seldom used to get even a small reprieve to counter Topson enigmatic plays – with his aggression earning OG the nickname of being an ultra-aggressive team with respect to gameplay.
If there’s a Cinderella story, then Topson’s story is the truest one of all. This story has made Topson to the list of the Top 5 Dota 2 Millionaires in Dota 2 and in esports.
Source: https://www.esportsearnings.com/players
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