Many believe that the easiest regions to qualify from, and the weakest regions in terms of playing skills, are Southeast Asia and North America. Evil Geniuses changed that perception and showed the world that North America is not inferior to any other region by emerging as champions in last year's International. The same can be said for Southeast Asia, who have produced remarkable talent in recent times, in the likes of legends such as Chai 'Mushi' Yee Fung and Lee 'kYxY' Kong Yang. However, the International lives up to its name by proving every year to be a test of skill that is not confined by regional boundaries.
With their performance at the Shanghai Major and consistent results in all following tournaments, the Korean overlords MVP Phoenix have successfully secured themselves the title of top teams of the world and a direct invite to one of the biggest tournaments. Yet, one of the three Kims, who also happens to be their captain - Kim 'DuBu' Doo-young, will be making it to the International for the first time. DuBu has proven to be an active support and an able drafter/captain, with niche drafts that have several times caught enemy teams off-guard, and invented the Phantom Lancer counter to Invoker in the middle lane which so many teams have so successfully been running. His qualities have led him to being a relatively new, but respected personality going into TI6.
Surprising many fans and fighting all the way from the Open Qualifiers, TNC Pro Team has revived the Pinoy Dota scene by securing a ticket to Seattle. Jimmy 'DeMoN' Ho joined them as their support mere weeks before the qualifiers, and is TNC’s only player who will not be debuting at this year’s TI. TNC Pro Team is similar to Escape Gaming in that they have not attended any of the majors. The pressure of being at the main stage, especially when knowing they are against the top teams in the world, might be too much for these youngsters, although they've come a long way to secure a trip to TI6 and already proven they are up for a fight.
Having dominated the Southeast Asian scene for years, the boys from Malaysia have emerged as a prevalent force in not only their region but the whole of the competitive scene since being picked up by Fnatic, so much so that many enthusiasts criticized Valve’s decision to not directly invite them to the International. Captained by one of the most respected midlaners in the world in Mushi, Fnatic, like many other teams that have fought through the qualifiers, have three players in Adam Erwann Shah '343' bin Akhtar Hussein, Djardel 'DJ' Mampusti, and Zheng 'Midone' Yeik Nai who have never attended an International before. With all three of these players being incredibly talented, with 343’s leadership skills, DJ having immense play-making abilities, and Miduan on his versatile performances on both midlaners and safelane carries, we await to see what Fnatic have in store for us for this year’s International.
The newest team (and perhaps the most inexperienced) to make it to this year’s TI Wildcards is the Filipino Execration, or XctN for short. Having almost no experience in competitive Dota as well as no exposure to international events, no one was expecting them to make it to TI. Yet, in a series of successes backed up by cheese strats, including frequent Meepo picks, they were able to knock out White Fries Gaming as well as WarriorsGaming.Unity to secure a spot in the wildcards and a ticket to Seattle. Being a rather new team with fresh talent, the International 2016 is going to be their first major LAN as a team. Few are expecting them to go past the wildcards where ferocious teams like compLexity, EHOME, and Escape Gaming lie, yet a good underdog story never disappoints, and XctN would have to really step up their game in order to be able to compete in the main event.
From the North American side of the world, there are also a couple of players who will be making it to TI for the first time. Having been a long-standing and respected organization in North America, compLexity Gaming will be making their third appearance at TI this year. However, in 2016 they have three debutants in the two brothers - Rasmus 'Chessie' Blomdin and Linus 'Limmp' Blomdin - and Simon 'Handsken' Haag. So far, inexperience has not been a big problem for the debutants as boosting their morale would be constant decent showings at the majors, as well as their captain Kyle 'swindlemelonzz' Freedman who has been known to be an integral part of his team’s success, partly due to his emotional motivation and energy.
After constantly changing rosters ever since they were formed, Sunsfan looks like he may have achieved the balance he was looking for. The new Digital Chaos, although being recently put together, have surfaced as one of the winners of the roster lock. They secured a direct spot in the main event of the International with a close series against compLexity in the North American Qualifiers, with a nail-biting fifth game. Having Rasmus 'MiSeRy' Filipsen return to the captain and the support position has seenn refreshing drafts from Digital Chaos, especially the return of Riki to professional Dota, after ages of inactivity and back-to-back buffs.
Digital Chaos, although full of talent, also has three players who will be debuting at TI in Aliwi 'w33' Omar, David 'Moo' Hull, and Martin 'Saksa' Sazdov. Eying a top placing at the International, they could also taste sweet revenge by knocking out Secret, or could fulfill their dreams by winning the International, and having the legendary memer (who is DC’s second sub) Jake 'SirActionSlacks' Kanner win a TI before Artour 'Arteezy' Babaev does it.
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