Aurora Gaming release entire Dota 2 roster

Image: Aurora Gaming

Aurora assured their fans that they will be staying in the Dota 2 esports scene despite dropping their entire roster.

Serbian esports organisation Aurora Gaming announced on Wednesday (February 5) that it had released the entirety of its Southeast Asian Dota 2 roster. With this move, Aurora have made Abed Azel “Abed” Yusop, Anucha “Jabz” Jirawong, and Worawit “Q” Mekchai open to transfer to new teams while Jinn Marrey “Palos” Lamatao, Chon Kien “Oli” Chan, and coach Jeong Jae “SunBhie” Lee are now free agents.

While Aurora did not give the reason behind its decision to release its Dota 2 roster, the team has notably struggled to start the year. While Aurora qualified for DreamLeague Season 25 by winning its Southeast Asian qualifier, they only managed a 5th-6th place finish in ESL One Raleigh 2025's Southeast Asian qualifier, and bombed out of FISSURE PLAYGROUND Belgrade 2025 in 12th-14th place.

Aurora first entered the Dota 2 scene in November 2023 with a roster that included Nuengnara “23savage” Teeramahanon, Armel Paul “Armel” Tabios, Jabz, Q, and Oli. The team had mixed results all throughout 2024, but did manage a commendable 7th-8th place finish in The International (TI) 2024 with Artem “Lorenof” Melnick taking over as the team's mid laner.

But following TI 2024, Aurora parted ways with 23savage, Lorenof, and Oli, while Abed joined as the team's new mid laner. The team then unsuccessfully tried to integrate non-Southeast Asian players into its roster before ultimately settling with Palos as their carry player and Oli returning to his role as the position 5 support. However, it seems the roster failed to produce the results they needed in order to stay with the organisation.

Aurora expressed their gratitude for their departing players in their announcement of the roster's release.

"It has been an incredibly long and exhausting story. We have experienced both jokes and frustrations, successes and disappointments. Now unfortunately, it is time to part our ways," said Aurora.

“We are eternally grateful to EVERY SINGLE player for all the emotions and memories that we will save in our hearts. Thank you!!! You are the real legends!”

Aurora's decision to release its entire Dota 2 roster does not mean it will also be leaving the competitive Dota 2 scene, however. The team assured fans that "we are not saying goodbye." Aurora is expected to announce its next move in Dota 2 in the coming days.