Battle Report: Dota 2's Week in Review

Welcome to this week's Battle Report, your comprehensive roundup of the most significant developments shaking up the Dota 2 competitive landscape. This edition covers major roster moves, academy expansions, retirement reflections, and geopolitical complications that could reshape tournament participation for years to come. From Team Spirit's academy announcement to regulatory challenges facing Russian players, these stories paint a complete picture of the scene's current state.

Team Spirit Establishes Dota 2 Academy Program

Team Spirit has officially launched a Dota 2 academy division, marking a return to their organizational roots. The announcement emphasizes comprehensive player development beyond pure mechanical skill, focusing on personal maturity, mutual respect, and team cohesion. The academy aims to create a distraction-free training environment with individualized coaching and regular tournament participation.

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The inaugural Team Spirit Academy Dota 2 roster features five young talents under experienced leadership. Danil "MeTTpuM" Gilve will handle coaching duties, Semyon "Paradise" Volkov takes the manager role, and Bakuri "baki_1014" Mortskhulava serves as analyst. The player lineup consists of Vladislav "rubikon155" Gaideu, Arsentii "86" Babiuk, Ruslan "SunshineRR" Lakhonia, Aidar "Aidar" Nurgalin, and Danil "Kyford" Gorbachev.

This development reflects Team Spirit's commitment to long-term talent cultivation in a scene where organizational infrastructure often determines competitive sustainability. The academy joins their existing CS2 and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang projects, creating a multi-discipline training ecosystem.

Puppey Debuts Team Public, Breaking from Team Secret

In an unexpected twist, legendary captain Clement "Puppey" Ivanov has formed a new competitive stack under the Team Public banner rather than Team Secret's established brand. The roster has already secured an invitation to DreamLeague Division 2 Season 2, where they'll make their competitive debut.

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Team Public's lineup features Indji "Shad" Lub, Elliot "Adzantick" Hammond, Mark "mangekyou" Kharlamov, and Berke "Jeezy" Can Yenigun alongside Puppey. The decision to operate outside the Team Secret organization remains unexplained, as Puppey has not provided official commentary on the unusual branding choice.

This development raises questions about Team Secret's competitive future and Puppey's relationship with the organization he's been synonymous with for years. The community awaits clarification on whether this represents a temporary project or a more permanent shift in Puppey's competitive home.

Nigma Galaxy Parts Ways with Ghost

Nigma Galaxy has officially released Malaysian carry player Daniel Chan "Ghost" Kok Hong after a nine-month partnership. Ghost had effectively served as stand-in for Amer "Miracle-" Al-Barkawi since February, covering for the star player during an extended hiatus due to undisclosed health issues.

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The separation follows a challenging start to Nigma's 2025/2026 competitive season. The team participated in FISSURE Universe: Episode 6 and FISSURE PLAYGROUND 2, both concluding with disappointing results. Following their early exit from FISSURE PLAYGROUND 2, Nigma announced Ghost's departure, ending his lengthy stand-in tenure.

This roster change signals potential restructuring for Nigma Galaxy as they seek to regain competitive footing. The organization faces critical decisions about their carry position and overall team direction heading into future tournament cycles.

Quinn Reflects on Dendi's Influence and Professional Journey

In a recent YouTube video on Ceb's channel, Quinn Callahan shared nostalgic memories of learning Dota 2 through Danil "Dendi" Ishutin's educational content. Quinn recalled watching The International 2013 and discovering professional gaming's possibilities while studying Dendi's original Dota mid lane guides.

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Quinn described his progression from watching pixel-art heroes in Dendi's guides to eventually matching MMR with professional players in public games. He remembered encountering high-MMR streamer Draskyl and recognizing the realistic possibility of pursuing professional play. These early experiences with accessible educational content and competitive ladder climbing shaped his path toward professional success.

The reflection carries added weight following Quinn's retirement announcement after The International 2025, which he missed due to the unprecedented conflict between Gaimin Gladiators and their players. Quinn's journey from watching guides to competing at the highest level illustrates how educational content creators like Dendi influenced an entire generation of professional players.

EU Visa Restrictions Create Competitive Complications

The European Union is implementing stricter visa regulations for Russian citizens, effectively ending multi-entry Schengen permit issuance in most cases. While the European Commission can tighten processes, actual visa issuance remains national competence, preventing total bans on Russian visitors.

In 2024, over half a million Russians received Schengen visas, representing an increase from 2023 but remaining well below pre-war levels. Hungary, France, Spain, and Italy continue granting tourist visas relatively liberally to Russian nationals. The new restrictions, part of a broader package to reduce Russian entry into the EU, are expected for formal adoption and implementation this week.

These regulatory changes pose significant challenges for professional Dota 2 players requiring documentation for EU tournament participation. Several teams and players have already experienced visa troubles, with some missing events entirely. While these specific restrictions may not have directly caused previous issues, they establish concerning precedents for future competitive seasons. The Dota 2 scene relies heavily on European tournaments, making visa accessibility critical for maintaining competitive integrity and roster stability.

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TL;DR

• Team Spirit launches Dota 2 academy with comprehensive development program
• Puppey forms Team Public stack instead of playing under Team Secret banner
• Nigma Galaxy releases Ghost after disappointing tournament results
• Quinn Callahan reflects on Dendi's educational influence on his professional journey
• EU visa restrictions create potential complications for Russian players at European tournaments