LGD Gaming has announced its return to Dota 2 after securing the signing of the former Heroic roster, which was released earlier this month.
LGD returns to Dota 2, securing first win
Early on Tuesday, LGD announced their return to Dota 2, securing the full five of the former Heroic roster. The roster had previously announced their intention of staying together, intending to attempt to qualify for EWC and The International.
LGD has given the team that grace, securing Yuma ‘Yuma’ Langlet, Santiago ‘TaiLung’ Olivos Agüero Gustavo, Adrián ‘Wisper’ Céspedes Dobles, Thiago ‘Thiolicor’ Cordeiro, and Matheus ‘KJ’ Santos Jungles Diniz to their services.
Only a few short hours later, the roster was already competing in BLAST Dota Slam VII, where the team secured an upset victory against BetBoom.
The organization will hope that the result will act a good omen for the roster, which will have huge expectations to meet. LGD is, after all, one of Dota 2’s most historic organizations, with the previous Chinese iterations of the roster making no less than six top fours at TI, or seven if you count their sister team, LGD.Forever Young.blas
LGD Gaming bet on Ex-Heroic roster for The International return
Heroic cited financial results as the driving force behind releasing the South American roster, but LGD seemingly thinks there is still something to be made of the Dota scene. And there is a decent reason why the former Heroic roster may be a decent roster to bet on, namely the team’s region.
The Heroic roster has traditionally faced a relatively straightforward path to Tier 1 events because of the roster’s strength relative to its region.
While the roster did suffer a few qualifier exits to PEReject in recent months, it remains the strongest roster in South America, allowing the roster to attend events such as BLAST Slam VI, PGL Wallachia Seasons 7 and 8.
Most importantly, the roster should have a relatively clear run to The International 2026. Valve recently announced the invites and qualifiers for TI 15, with the former Heroic roster set to start in the South American closed qualifier.
The South American qualifier has the following team list:
- LGD Gaming
- PlayTime
- Estar Backs
- Red Hot Chili Pibble
- Amaru Gaming
- Hokori
- +4 from Open Qualifiers
While only one TI slot makes for a precarious path to qualification, LGD will be confident of returning to The International, where the org has made so much history over the years.
Will LGD’s re-entry to the Dota 2 scene be worth it? Let us know on our Discord Server.
For other news, see the details of Insider Gaming’s Showcase!
Darragh is an Esports Journalist for Insider Gaming specialising in Counter-Strike. He loves to explore how esports teams work, or why they very often do not.
More from Darragh Harbinson
Comments