Battle Report: Dota 2's Week in Review

Welcome to this week's Battle Report, your weekly digest of the most significant developments shaking up the Dota 2 competitive scene. Whether it's veteran players hanging up their mouse, rising organizations stepping into the spotlight, or established teams expanding their global footprint, these stories represent the constant evolution that keeps competitive Dota 2 compelling.

Team Liquid Partners with UNICEF for Children's Education Initiative

Team Liquid announced a groundbreaking partnership with UNICEF, marking one of the most significant collaborations between a major esports organization and a global humanitarian agency. The partnership focuses on UNICEF's Sustainable Development Goal of "Quality Education," leveraging gaming's accessibility and popularity with young audiences to create positive impact worldwide.

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The collaboration launched at the Intel x Team Liquid World Tour event in London, where Team Liquid founder and Co-CEO Victor Goossens emphasized gaming's transformative potential. The partnership combines Team Liquid's reach within digital communities with UNICEF's expertise in children's rights, digital safety, and inclusive education.

On November 20th, World Children's Day, Team Liquid content creators and talent kicked off the partnership with a two-week charity streaming event. The organization plans to reveal additional campaign components, including in-game integrations designed to support UNICEF's mission. This initiative extends Team Liquid's "esports for all" philosophy and education-first approach, building on previous work with organizations like Boys and Girls Club USA.

OG Expands into Southeast Asia with All-Filipino Roster

OG Esports unveiled a complete roster overhaul that marks the organization's first full commitment to Southeast Asia. The new all-Filipino lineup, led by Malaysian coach Adam "343" Shah and Filipino manager Isaac "Lane" Alfon, represents one of the most significant moments in OG's history as the organization moves beyond its European roots.

The roster features a mix of established veterans and promising talent:

• Position 1: John "Natsumi" Vargas
• Position 2: Erin "Yopaj" Ferrer
• Position 3: Nikko "Nikko" Bilocura
• Position 4: Timothy "TIMS" Randrup
• Position 5: Andrei "skem" Ong

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OG Co-Owner and CEO Xavier Oswald described the move as proof of OG's evolution into a truly global organization, while co-owner and OG legend Sébastien "Ceb" Debs emphasized that the OG spirit can thrive anywhere. The organization plans to celebrate SEA culture through trademark storytelling, behind-the-scenes content, and regional activations in the coming months.

This expansion recognizes Southeast Asia as one of Dota 2's most passionate and talented regions, bringing together players with proven international experience under leadership deeply rooted in SEA's esports culture.

Team Falcons Coach Discusses Player Motivation and Team Mindset

Team Falcons coach Curtis "Aui_2000" Lin opened up about what drives his team's competitive fire, revealing that while money motivates many professional players, Team Falcons members prioritize enjoying the competition itself. Speaking on Twitch, Aui_2000 explained that the team genuinely loves competing and finds motivation in the pursuit of victory.

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The coach acknowledged that Team Falcons has never won a BLAST tournament and expressed the team's strong desire to achieve that goal. He noted that the competitive experience matters more than financial rewards, with losses leaving an unpleasant aftertaste that fuels the team's drive to improve.

Aui_2000 revealed that after The International 2024, Team Falcons went through a difficult period that prompted serious team discussions. The players collectively decided to invest maximum effort into winning, realizing that competing without giving their absolute best felt pointless.

The news came alongside typical banter from Team Falcons offlaner Ammar "ATF" Al-Assaf, who posted exaggerated messages on Telegram both celebrating victory at FISSURE Playground 2 and mockingly criticizing himself after the BLAST Slam IV grand final loss. His posts, claiming to be "the best player in the world" before promising to "never lose tournaments" and then declaring himself "trash" who "solo lost," showcase the personality that makes Team Falcons one of competitive Dota's most entertaining teams.

MOUZ Replaces AVULUS in DreamLeague Season 27

Tournament organizer ESL announced that MOUZ will replace AVULUS in DreamLeague Season 27 after AVULUS confirmed they could not field a full roster for the competition. The change provides MOUZ an opportunity to compete in the European regional league while leaving questions about AVULUS's competitive future.

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Shortly after the DreamLeague announcement, AVULUS officially confirmed that their Dota 2 roster had been released. The organization's inability to maintain a complete lineup for DreamLeague Season 27 signals potential challenges that led to the full roster release.

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The roster change ensures DreamLeague Season 27 proceeds without delays while giving MOUZ a chance to prove themselves in regional competition. Details about AVULUS's future plans or potential roster reconstruction remain unclear.

Insania Retires After Over a Decade of Professional Competition

Team Liquid captain Aydin "iNsan1a" Sarkohi stepped away from professional Dota 2 after more than ten years of competition, marking the end of an era for one of the scene's most respected leaders. Team Liquid announced the retirement through social media, sharing a series of special tributes from staff, teammates, and familiar faces across the competitive scene.

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The organization created a dedicated tribute page featuring letters from the Dota 2 community, demonstrating the widespread respect and affection for Insania's contributions to competitive Dota. The captain's leadership style and commitment to the game earned him recognition as one of the scene's most beloved figures.

Insania's retirement is another chapter closing in Dota 2's ongoing generational shift, as veterans who shaped the game's competitive development make way for new talent. His decade-plus career left a lasting impact on teammates, opponents, and fans who appreciated his thoughtful approach to captaincy and competition.

Make Your Predictions Count

The competitive Dota 2 scene continues evolving with roster changes, organizational expansions, and the constant turnover that defines professional esports. Stay ahead of these developments by making your predictions on upcoming matches through our Pick'ems system. Understanding the stories behind the teams helps inform smarter predictions. Check out our expert analysis and match previews to see how these roster moves and team dynamics might impact upcoming competitive fixtures.

TL;DR

• Team Liquid partners with UNICEF for education-focused gaming initiatives launching November 20th
• OG unveils first-ever Southeast Asian roster with all-Filipino lineup led by coach 343
• Team Falcons coach Aui_2000 reveals team prioritizes competition enjoyment over financial rewards
• MOUZ replaces AVULUS in DreamLeague Season 27 after roster issues
• Team Liquid captain Insania retires after more than ten years of professional Dota 2 competition