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The SEA Dota 2 superteam we want to see after TI7
As the post TI7 shuffle heads towards us, we dream up a group of players that would undoubtedly rule the Dota world if they came together.
The International 7 is almost upon us, and as ever, there are more than a few SEA representatives that look like they could make a good run. But it’s safe to say that any of them winning the whole event would be a massive surprise. While they all look like solid teams, none of them go in as complete favourites: In fact it has been quite a few years since an SEA team was considered a true top contender heading into the biggest Dota tournament of the year.
But this doesn’t have to be the case going forward. The SEA region is full of incredible talent that would be more than capable of winning The International if they joined forces. Up and coming stars could join together with experienced minds to show the rest of the world that SEA means business.
With the inevitable post TI roster shuffle almost upon us, there’s a chance that we may finally get an SEA super team. Sure, it’s quite unlikely that this will actually happen, but you never know in the world of Dota: If everyone in SEA became a free agent after TI7, this is the roster we want to see compete over the next twelve months.
Carry – Marc Polo ‘Raven’ Luis Fausto
Raven has been one of the success stories of the SEA region in recent years. Despite being just 18 years old, he already has a top eight finish at The International to his name, and was tapped up by Fnatic to be the star of their ill fated team at the start of this season. While that didn’t quite work out, his performances on TNC have been nothing short of spectacular. He has put the rest of the team on his back to carry them to a win multiple times, and has proven that he can win lanes against some of the toughest opponents in the world. While he still has a lot to learn in terms of the tactical and emotional side of the game, with some strong guidance he could easily become the best carry in the world within a few years.
Mid – Abed ‘Abed’ Azel Yusop
Much like Raven, Abed is an up and coming star who has a ton of potential. While this season has been the one where he really rose to fame, it seems like next season will be the one where he really sets the world alight. He has proven time and time again that if you give him space in the mid lane he will easily take over a game, especially if the opponents are silly enough to let his signature Meepo through. At just 16 years old, Abed has managed to master the toughest heroes in the mid lane, and can easily go toe to toe with anyone put in his way.
While the meta will most likely change a lot by the time TI8 rolls around, his style of play is perfectly suited to the current mid lane style. Give him a solid support to help him out here and there and you can guarantee that nine times out of ten you will have a successful mid lane. He has some issues with late game decision making, and of course, is yet to have much experience on the big stages of Dota, but with some time he should be able to overcome those issues.
Offlane / Captain – Daryl Koh ‘iceiceice’ Pei Xiang
It wouldn’t be an SEA superteam without the most financially successful SEA player of all time. The formidable iceiceice spent the last year with Team Faceless, a group of players he brought together and took to the top of the scene. Sure, they may have fallen short of making it to this year’s TI, but the team’s overall performance proved what iceiceice can do when he is given complete control of a team. In this superteam he would act as the captain, and would mould it into his vision, almost as if it was Faceless 2.0. He could be the guiding voice for Raven, having also played as a carry for quite a while, and could mentor the younger players.
When actually in-game, iceiceice has proven to be a surprisingly consistent offlaner. Sure he messes up from time to time, but he always has a backup plan if things don’t go smoothly, and somehow, he always manages to find some kind of farm in the toughest of lanes.
Position 4 support – Timothy John ‘Tims’ Randrup
Since joining TNC at the very end of 2016, Tims has been somewhat of a revelation. He had impressed in brief stints on tier two SEA teams beforehand, but no one expected him to do this well against the world’s best. Within a few weeks of joining TNC, every team in the world knew that they had to ban his Earth Spirit as it was so good. His Earth Spirit was one of the key factors in TNC winning the WESG tournament in their first outing with him, and since then, he has diversified his hero pool to be up there with the best.
He doesn’t have too much experience behind him, but the talent here is undeniable. He always seems to know the exact right time to move around the map, he manages to turn fights that look lost with clutch ultimates and his presence in lane is enough to scare any core.
Position 5 support – Wong ‘ChuaN’ Hock Chuan
ChuaN has had a tough year where he hasn't been at the top of the scene in China, but a return to his SEA homeland could be just what is required. As he becomes one of the elder statesmen of the Dota scene, ChuaN’s experience would be key for this team. Sure he might not make as many clutch plays as he used to, but what he can teach to the younger players will be invaluable. And after all, Tims is here to make the big support plays.
He would also sit alongside iceiceice when it comes to drafting and leading the team. Some say that having two captain-like players in a single lineup is a bad idea, but when you can have two legends of the game teaching three young up-and-comers, it seems impossible to find any negatives.
If this team were to come together after TI7 there is no doubt that they would be one of the best that SEA has ever had to offer on the worldwide stage. Winning The International is no easy task, but this team should, on paper at least, be up there with the big names from China and the West when we all head to Seattle once again this time next year.
