From the players to the caster’s desk, The Summit 5 features an elite group of Dota 2’s finest. This time around there will be eight teams battling it out in a quest for all bragging rights included with the prize pool that, as of June 27th, reached a hulking $101,012 (base prize pool is $100,000 with purchases from the Summit Shop contributing to the prize pool).
Teams participating at The Summit 5:
OG
Team Liquid
Natus Vincere
Wings Gaming
Fnatic
Ad Finem
Digital Chaos
Friendship, Dedication, Love
BTS has extended a direct invite to three deserving teams in this edition of The Summit. Coming off back-to-back victories at the Manila Major and ESL One Frankfurt 2016, OG seeks to add to their already impressive list of historical achievements since exploding onto the scene. Right on their heels are Team Liquid and Natus Vincere whom are yet to expose any significant weaknesses in their European rivals. Revenge is on the menu for both these teams in response to their elimination in previous events by the hands of OG.
Meanwhile, qualifiers were held to determine which teams would emerge victorious from their respective regions.
Representing the Chinese region is Wings Gaming. After a disappointing last place finish at the Manila Major, Wings have fought and clawed to become the first of the Chinese teams to secure a TI6 (The International 6) birth through the qualifiers. A crucial win at The Summit will help to further bolster their confidence leading into Dota 2’s biggest tournament of the year.
Fnatic is intent on flexing their muscles to prove once and for all they are the juggernauts of the SEA region. Failure to shed themselves the reputation of not winning the big series is stifling their goals in the international scene. Putting this stigma aside, underestimating the team would be a colossal mistake. The ability to ratchet up their play at any given time can wipe out the strongest of teams.
The grand finals of the European qualifier were delegitimized by a shroud of game misconduct. The result was Ad Finem punching their ticket to Southern California. Don’t be deceived by the circumstances leading to this conclusion. The Greeks are on the cusp of developing into a top European team. They display flashes of brilliance but need to acquire some consistency.
America’s region was secured by an infinitely improved Digital Chaos (DC) team, led by two Shanghai Major Winners – Aliwi ‘w33’ Omar and Rasmus ‘MiSeRy’ Filipsen. DC just clinched a TI6 birth via a grand final series that would give even casual viewers of Dota 2 heart palpitations. Momentum is clearly on their side.
The final spot at The Summit was decided by the fans. The redemption vote has been an honored tradition of the premiere BTS tournament. The beneficiaries of the vote is Friendship, Dedication, Love, or FDL for short. FDL suffered a major disappointment in this year’s TI qualifiers. The team will be considered heavy underdogs at The Summit, but someone always has to fill that role. There is nothing wrong with a good underdog story.
There we have it. The scene is set for a cataclysmic battle in Southern California. The International qualifiers are in the rear-view mirror, so all these teams have a strong grasp of the Meta. The question is, which team will execute it best? Will OG maintain their strangle hold as favorites, or will another team be the spoiler? Only one team can emerge triumphant. The hype is real for what will be the most competitive Summit event to date.
