16 teams, 3 days, 1 winner.
The International 2012 is Dota 2's crowning glory, and only the creme de la creme of the game's finest will meet head-on in a kaleidoscopic flash of pure Dota 2 action. Team West will feature four European teams, two American teams and one Australian team.
GosuGamers takes you through a little sneak peak of the invited teams - with two more awaiting us in the qualifiers, due to be played over five days. Note: these ratings are based on their expected performance at The International, as opposed to their current performance.
Team Ukraine | ||
Na`Vi | ||
Natus Vincere Gosu Ranking: #1 TI'11 Placing: Champions Statistics: 79-16 (83%) Clement "Puppey" Ivanov Danil "Dendi" Ishutin Alexander "XBOCT" Dashkevich Dmitriy "LoH" Kupriyanov Sergey "ARS-ART" Revin | ||
Achievements | ||
Winnings - $1,035,400 1st - The International @ Gamescom, Cologne (2011) 1st - Electronic Sports World Cup, Paris (2011) 2nd - Star Championship, Kiev (2011) 1st - The Defense (2012) 1st - The Premier League (2012) 1st - Star Ladder: Star Series #1, Kiev (2012) | ||
All Time* | ||
Natus Vincere | 4-2 | Darer |
Natus Vincere | 8-1 | Moscow Five |
Natus Vincere | 2-1 | Counter Logic Gaming |
Natus Vincere | 2-0 | Complexity Gaming |
Natus Vincere | 2-1 | Evil Geniuses |
Natus Vincere | 4-2 | Absolute Legends |
Natus Vincere | 0-0 | DK eSports |
Natus Vincere | 2-0 | EHOME |
Natus Vincere | 1-0 | Invictus Gaming |
Natus Vincere | 0-0 | LGD |
Natus Vincere | 2-0 | Zenith |
Natus Vincere | 1-0 | Orange |
Natus Vincere | 0-0 | MUFC |
We say... | ||
Na`Vi have certainly come a long way since their truimph at last year's The International, and arguably remain at the top of European Dota 2. Perhaps a reason behind their consistency is their team stability, having only seen one roster change shortly after 2011's International, whilst teams around them are continuously shuffling and reforming. Rating: 9/10 Last Change: ARS-ART joins Na`Vi |
Team Ukraine | ||
Darer | ||
Darer Gosu Ranking: #10 TI'11 Placing: 5th/6th Statistics: 56-35 (62%) Ivan "ArtStyle" Antonov Sergey "God" Bragin Artur "Go[blin]" Kostenko Andrew "MAg~" Chipenko Gleb "Funn1k" Lipatnikov | ||
Achievements | ||
Winnings - $40,500 5th/6th - The International @ Gamescom, Cologne (2011) 3rd - Star Championship, Kiev (2011) 4th - Star Ladder: Star Series #1, Kiev (2012) | ||
All Time* | ||
Darer | 2-4 | Natus Vincere |
Darer | 3-2 | Moscow Five |
Darer | 2-4 | Counter Logic Gaming |
Darer | 2-3 | Complexity Gaming |
Darer | 1-1 | Evil Geniuses |
Darer | 1-2 | Absolute Legends |
Darer | 0-0 | DK eSports |
Darer | 0-2 | EHOME |
Darer | 0-0 | Invictus Gaming |
Darer | 0-0 | LGD |
Darer | 0-0 | Zenith |
Darer | 0-0 | Orange |
Darer | 1-0 | MUFC |
We say... | ||
Much was expected from this team shortly after its official formation. There was much hype over the return of DotA mastermind Ivan "Artstyle" Antonov, and many, including famous Russian shoutcaster V1lat coining them as "the team to look out for". However, roster instability and internal disputes robbed them of three of their five players who broke away to form Virtus Pro (who are playing in West Qualifier). Rating: 7/10 Last Change: Darer take in former DTS trio as CWM, Freezer, Mitch drop out |
Team Russia | ||
M5 | ||
Moscow Five Gosu Ranking: #16 TI'11 Placing: N/A Statistics: 54-41 (57%) Airat "Silent" Gaziev Vladimir "PlzGoGame" Anosov Ivan "vigoss" Shinkarev Igor "M.Admiration" Kalnysh Vadim "bloodangel" Trushkin | ||
Achievements | ||
Winnings - $14,900 1st - Star Championship, Kiev (2011) 1st - Moscow5 Dota2 Open (2012) 1st - 4PL Play4Dota2 #1 (2012) 2nd - Star Ladder: Star Series #1, Kiev (2012) 3rd - GosuLeague: Season 1 (2012) | ||
All Time* | ||
Moscow Five | 1-8 | Natus Vincere |
Moscow Five | 2-3 | Darer |
Moscow Five | 2-5 | Counter Logic Gaming |
Moscow Five | 1-0 | Complexity Gaming |
Moscow Five | 1-4 | Evil Geniuses |
Moscow Five | 1-1 | Absolute Legends |
Moscow Five | 0-0 | DK eSports |
Moscow Five | 0-0 | EHOME |
Moscow Five | 0-0 | Invictus Gaming |
Moscow Five | 0-0 | LGD |
Moscow Five | 0-0 | Zenith |
Moscow Five | 0-0 | Orange |
Moscow Five | 0-0 | MUFC |
We say... | ||
A team which started out as yet another experiment by pgg, they have certainly shown they are no pushovers. Their moniker of "PGG + 4" no longer holds true as we have seen other players certainly step up and earn the respect of many. To date, they stand as the only team to have beaten Na`Vi in the finals of a major tournament (although the now defunct Wolves certainly gave Na`Vi a scare in the Defense). Rating: 8/10 Last Change: Moscow Five replaces Inmate with Admiration |
Team Sweden | ||
CLG | ||
Counter Logic Gaming Gosu Ranking: #3 TI'11 Placing: N/A Statistics: 75-32 (70%) Per Anders "Pajkatt" Olsson Lille Joakim "Akke" Akterhall Jesper "Mirakel" Nyhlén Rasmus "MiSeRy-" Felipsen Dominik "Lacoste" Stipic | ||
Achievements | ||
Winnings - $4,600 4th - D2E Challenge (2012) - 200€ 3rd - DotaReplays Brawl (2012) - $700 1st - Fnatic RaidCall Cup (2012) - $500 1st - joinDota Masters V (2012) - 500€ 3rd - Star Ladder: Star Series #1, Kiev (2012) - $2,500 | ||
All Time* | ||
Counter Logic Gaming | 1-2 | Natus Vincere |
Counter Logic Gaming | 4-2 | Darer |
Counter Logic Gaming | 5-2 | Moscow Five |
Counter Logic Gaming | 1-2 | Complexity Gaming |
Counter Logic Gaming | 3-1 | Evil Geniuses |
Counter Logic Gaming | 2-2 | Absolute Legends |
Counter Logic Gaming | 0-0 | DK eSports |
Counter Logic Gaming | 0-0 | EHOME |
Counter Logic Gaming | 0-0 | Invictus Gaming |
Counter Logic Gaming | 0-0 | LGD |
Counter Logic Gaming | 0-0 | Zenith |
Counter Logic Gaming | 0-0 | Orange |
Counter Logic Gaming | 0-0 | MUFC |
We say... | ||
The team was dealt a heavy blow when Loda and Smulgullig announced their departure from the team. After months of dominating teams at the top since their entry into the competitive scene as the new Swedish outfit eXperience and their subsequent pickup by Counter Logic Gaming, it suddenly seemed questionable whether the team would continue playing under their sponsor with the loss of renowned captain Loda. Rating: 7/10 Last Change: CLG reforms as Loda, Smulgullig depart |
Team USA | ||
coL | ||
Complexity Gaming Gosu Ranking: #7 TI'11 Placing: N/A Statistics: 61-18 (77%) Brian "FLUFFNSTUFF" Lee Tony "HANNAH_MONTANA" Talavera Michael "ixmike88" Ghannam Jio "Jeyo" Madayag Tyler "TC" Cook | ||
Achievements | ||
Winnings - $5,000 1st - Infused Cup (2012) 2nd - The Premier League (2012) 2nd - Dota2Replays Brawl (2012) 1st - Fnatic RaidCall Cup #2 (2012) | ||
All Time* | ||
Complexity Gaming | 0-2 | Natus Vincere |
Complexity Gaming | 3-2 | Darer |
Complexity Gaming | 0-1 | Moscow Five |
Complexity Gaming | 2-1 | Counter Logic Gaming |
Complexity Gaming | 2-2 | Evil Geniuses |
Complexity Gaming | 2-1 | Absolute Legends |
Complexity Gaming | 0-0 | DK eSports |
Complexity Gaming | 0-0 | EHOME |
Complexity Gaming | 0-0 | Invictus Gaming |
Complexity Gaming | 0-0 | LGD |
Complexity Gaming | 0-0 | Zenith |
Complexity Gaming | 0-0 | Orange |
Complexity Gaming | 0-0 | MUFC |
We say... | ||
Valve prioritized roster stability with this year's invitees and perhaps the call on their part was justified, seeing as how the teams which topped both DotA and Dota 2 (DK and Na`Vi respectively) were both teams which played with a stable roster for at least six months, and not surprisingly, the first two invitees on the list. Rating: 6/10 Last Change: Complexity Gaming sponsors Team Fire |
Team USA | ||
EG | ||
Evil Geniuses Gosu Ranking: #4 TI'11 Placing: N/A Statistics: 58-23 (72%) Jacob "Maelk" Toft-Anderssen Clinton "Fear" Loomis Jimmy "DeMoN" Ho Sam "Bulba" Baird Saahil "Universe" Arora | ||
Achievements | ||
Winnings - $3,100 3rd - The Defense (2012) 1st - Team Dignitas Dota 2 Invitational (2012) 1st - joinDota Masters I (2012) | ||
All Time* | ||
Evil Geniuses | 1-2 | Natus Vincere |
Evil Geniuses | 1-1 | Darer |
Evil Geniuses | 4-1 | Moscow Five |
Evil Geniuses | 1-3 | Counter Logic Gaming |
Evil Geniuses | 2-2 | Complexity Gaming |
Evil Geniuses | 1-1 | Absolute Legends |
Evil Geniuses | 0-0 | DK eSports |
Evil Geniuses | 0-0 | EHOME |
Evil Geniuses | 0-0 | Invictus Gaming |
Evil Geniuses | 0-0 | LGD |
Evil Geniuses | 0-0 | Zenith |
Evil Geniuses | 0-0 | Orange |
Evil Geniuses | 0-0 | MUFC |
We say... | ||
It's not a tournament in the United States if the pair of DeMoN and Fear are not invited to represent their country at Dota 2's grandest event of the year. Coupled with the leadership of legendary captain Maelk and the addition of Gosu players Universe and Bulba just at their team was playing their A-Game, the Americans will be bringing more than just home ground advantage this year. Rating: 7/10 Last Change: Evil Geniuses announce official new roster |
Team Australia | ||
AL | ||
Absolute Legends Gosu Ranking: #54 TI'11 Placing: N/A Statistics: 77-37 (68%) Trong "Snoopy" Truong Scott "bLeek" Jensen Alex "blackshatan" Chang Justin "xMusica*" Yuen Darcy "Godot" Jose | ||
Achievements | ||
Winnings - $4,100 1st - BenQ Dota 2 Clash #2 (2011) 2nd - Infused Cup (2012) 3rd - The Premier League (2012) 1st - ItsGoSu Montly Madness - March (2012) 3rd - Star Ladder: Pro Series #1 (2012) 3rd - JeeDota Season 2 (2012) | ||
All Time* | ||
Absolute Legends | 2-4 | Natus Vincere |
Absolute Legends | 2-1 | Darer |
Absolute Legends | 1-1 | Moscow Five |
Absolute Legends | 2-2 | Counter Logic Gaming |
Absolute Legends | 1-2 | Complexity Gaming |
Absolute Legends | 1-1 | Evil Geniuses |
Absolute Legends | 1-4 | DK eSports |
Absolute Legends | 1-1 | EHOME |
Absolute Legends | 0-0 | Invictus Gaming |
Absolute Legends | 0-0 | LGD |
Absolute Legends | 0-2 | Zenith |
Absolute Legends | 2-1 | Orange |
Absolute Legends | 2-3 | MUFC |
We say... | ||
They started strong, and then they plateaued - the story of Absolute Legends' rise to the top of competitive Dota 2 is an epic tale matched only (albeit unfortunately) by their sudden dip in form following recent weeks of play. Rating: 6/10 Last Change: Absolute Legends welcomes bLeek |
More information: The International 2