Top Dota 2 Players to look out for at The International 2024 (TI13)
The International 2024 (TI13) is fast approaching as the crown jewel Dota 2 event promises to be an extravagant esports spectacle. Players from all walks of life will converge at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen for the highly anticipated competition.
Discover the rising stars or the veterans who are most likely to glue us to our computer screens. Here are the top Dota 2 players to look out for at TI13:
Top Mid Players at TI13
Midlaners are the catalysts of the game with their performances dictating the pace and outcome of matches. Here are the top Dota 2 mid-players to look out for at TI13:
- Michał "Nisha" Jankowski: Team Liquid’s charismatic midlaner Nisha is arguably one of, if not the best, midlaners in the game. His skills are second to none, and he has a large hero pool, making it tough for his enemies to outplay him. He was instrumental in Team Secret’s success and longevity, especially at The International 2022, where they finished second – just one step shy of lifting the coveted Aegis. He brings the same strength to Team Liquid and provides them with a stable foundation to rely on. Nisha will undoubtedly be a crucial part of TL’s journey at TI13.
- Quinn "Quinn" Callahan: Quinn owes his rise to prominence to Dota 2 icon Peter "PPD" Dager. The former EG captain and TI5 champion took Quinn under his wing at Optic Gaming, fostering his growth into a promising player. After Optic Gaming, he had notable stints at Forward Gaming, Chaos EC and Quincy Crew, playing with almost the same set of players from North America with unsatisfactory results. However, Quinn's career exploded after joining Gaimin Gladiators. Multiple tournament wins, including Valve majors and the recent Riyadh Masters 2024, highlight his dominance in the mid-lane.
- Denis "Larl" Sigitov: Larl replaced Torontotokyo on Team Spirit after the latter decided to leave the team. Though his performance was shaky at first, Larl quickly caught on to Team Spirit's playstyle, playing a crucial part in their 2023 Dota 2 professional season. His performance at the midlane enables Team Spirit to take the trophy at the Riyadh Masters 2023. In the same year, Team Spirit became the second team to win The International twice, due to Larl's improvement as a player. He’s one of the more captivating midlaners heading into TI13.
Top Carry Players at TI13
Carry players are the backbone of any Dota 2 team, crucial for securing late-game victories. Their ability to carry the team through the final stages of a match is undeniable. Without a strong carry, a team's chances of winning a late-game battle are significantly diminished.
Here are the top Dota 2 carry players to look out for at TI13:
- Wang "Ame" Chunyu: Ame is synonymous with the carry role, renowned for his extraordinary skills. As China's top carry and one of the best in the business, his consistent dominance over nearly a decade speaks volumes about his exceptional talent. He’s a prolific carry who can adapt to any situation and thrives under pressure. Ame's impressive career has been nearly perfect, yet the elusive Aegis has twice slipped from his grasp. With Xtreme Gaming, he has another shot to lift the Aegis. Can he finally break China's TI curse and end the drought?
- Illya "Yatoro" Mulyarchuk: Yatoro (also known as Raddan) is the definition of crazy. He’s a madman at the carry role and is the best in business. Winning two TI’s is a testament to his dedication and prowess making him the most feared Dota 2 carry player in this era. He has the largest hero pool and is the current record holder for most rampages on The International main stage while playing 14 different heroes over 20 games. He’s versatile, charismatic and has impeccable decision-making skills which makes him a lethal adversary.
- Ivan "Pure" Moskalenko: Pure’s antics are known to the world, however, he has, more or less, transformed into a world-class carry. Despite being infamous for his immature actions, Pure has been instrumental in his team’s success, and at Tundra Esports, he’s no less than a crucial key to their success. Playing with a set of veterans, especially two-time TI champion Topson, has set the path for Pure to claw his way back to the top. Despite mixed results, Tundra’s recent form has pleasantly surprised the fans and might be one of the dark horses at The International 2024 (TI13) with Pure playing a pivotal role in their success or failures.
Top Offlane Players at TI13
If midlaners are the catalyst and carry players are the backbone of any Dota 2 team then the offlane players are the whole nervous system. Many offlane players like Universe, Ceb, etc., to name a few, have left their imprint and shown us why they aren’t any less than their more famous compatriots in the mid and safe lane.
Here are the top Dota 2 offlane players to look out for at TI13:
- Ammar "ATF" Al-Assaf: ATF’s rise to fame has been pivotal in an industry where making it to the big leagues is difficult. His ascent to the big leagues came during OG’s rebuild after their famed TI-winning roster disbanded. Since then there’s no looking back for the prolific Jordanian as he quickly established himself as one of the best offlane players in Dota 2. However, after his brief stint at Nigma Galaxy and Quest Esports, he mounted a comeback with Team Falcons and went back to doing what he does best; playing top-tier Dota. As a player, ATF’s hero pool is diverse and his playstyle is attacking in nature. He seldom plays on the backfoot and has helped Falcons conquer multiple trophies this year.
- Marcus "Ace" Christensen: When speaking of comebacks, Ace’s story is inspiring to say the least. During Team Secret, he was known for his prowess in the safe lane, however, after a brief period of failures, he made a comeback – but this time as an offlane player for Gaimin Gladiators. He is known to be an excellent space creator for other cores, helping the team on both offence and defence and constantly creating opportunities. He has a knack for dominating his lane and that has contributed largely towards Gaimin Gladiators’ success ever since the roster got acquired.
- Matvey "MieRo`" Vasyunin: Miero is an unexpected addition to this list. He is one of the rising stars in this esports industry and has the X factor to surprise all of us. BetBoom’s incredible run in various tournaments is partly due to Miero’s uncanny and creative plays in the offlane. Often overshadowed by other prominent offlaners, he can stand neck-to-neck with them and give them a run for their money. His carefully crafted plays often leave the enemies gobsmacked and he’ll be looking to make a statement at TI13 provided BetBoom is consistent with its overall gameplay.
Top Support Players at TI13
Support players are the unsung heroes of any team, providing the essential foundation for their success. They are the soul of a team and without them, it would be a tough day at the office for others.
Here are the top Dota 2 support players to look out for at TI13:
- Andreas "Cr1t-" Nielsen: Cr1t is arguably the best position 4 player in the circuit. For a player of his calibre, he spent nearly seven years of his career in North America with EG/SR with dismal results at TI. His team was a powerhouse in NA but they fumbled when it mattered the most. However, this year he shifted to Europe to join Falcons Esports, a new powerhouse team which would become one of the top contenders at TI13. The Dane is the ammunition with his impeccable and calculative approach towards the game and can adapt to the evolving meta quickly. He has a large hero pool and is a versatile player.
- Yap "xNova" Jian Wei: With years of experience in the Chinese Dota 2 scene, xNova is a reliable support player for G2.iG. His methodical approach and ability to adapt make him a valuable asset to any team. He is a major reason for G2.iG’s qualification for TI13 and Riyadh Masters 2024 amid the team’s struggle to find its identity. With heroes like Bane, Witch Doctor and Disruptor being favoured in the meta, we can expect him to be a target of most teams in the drafting phase. G2.iG’s success will largely depend on how its early game unfolds with the talented Malaysian playing a pivotal role.
- Matthew "Whitemon" Filemon: Whitemon's quiet brilliance first shone at T1, where his innovative plays on heroes like Lion and Jakiro caught the attention of fans and teams alike. His subsequent stints in North America and Europe have solidified his reputation as a reliable and versatile support player. His ability to go unnoticed until it's too late is a key strength that has helped his teams succeed. That alone makes him a great asset and will be the key to Tundra’s success at TI13.
The International 2024 (TI13) begins in two weeks and players are getting ready to etch their names in the history books. The event promises to be an extravagant affair with teams sweating it out to inch a step closer to their dreams.
Stay tuned to BLAST for the latest coverage on TI13 with exclusive features, interviews, stats and more.