The China Dota 2 Supermajor, the final event of the inaugural Dota 2 Pro Circuit season, will begin this weekend.
This Major tournament has a larger prize pool and Pro Circuit points payout compared to other similar events. The top 16 teams will compete for $1,500,000 and 2,250 Pro Circuit points. For some teams, these points will determine whether they have to go through regional qualifiers for The International 8 or get a direct invitation.
Teams will give it their all to secure a spot in the top eight of the Pro Circuit leaderboard. This will create a fast and intense pace in Shanghai.
OpTic Gaming’s Comeback
OpTic Gaming struggled at the beginning of the season and even made a roster change by replacing Rasmus “MiSeRy” Filipsen with Evil Geniuses. It took them some time to find their footing, but Neta “33” Shapira’s move to the offlane position proved to be a game-changer for the team. His outstanding performance with Sand King at StarLadder Season 5 showcased his talent.
Recently, OpTic Gaming finished second at ESL One Birmingham, their best result in terms of Pro Circuit points. They are now considered the top threat from North America. However, they still need to bridge a 135-point gap with the eighth-placed Vici Gaming J Thunder.
TNC Pro Team’s Slim Chances
Among the teams in contention, only TNC Pro Team still has a chance to earn a direct invite to TI8. However, their chances are slim as they would need to secure at least second place at the Supermajor. This assumes that neither VGJ Thunder nor OpTic Gaming score enough points in the tournament.
Variables Outside of Control
Both OpTic Gaming and TNC Pro Team face additional challenges. OpTic Gaming needs to finish at least fourth and hope to either defeat VGJ Thunder in the playoffs or for them to score no points. TNC Pro Team, on the other hand, has a much tougher path. While luck plays a role, a strong performance at the Supermajor may not be enough to secure a spot at TI8.
Ultimately, luck will play a part in the final outcome. It’s unfortunate that even an exceptional performance at the Supermajor may not guarantee a spot at The International 8. That’s the nature of point-based systems.
Keywords: China Dota 2 Supermajor, Dota 2 Pro Circuit, OpTic Gaming, TNC Pro Team, The International 8, Pro Circuit points, Shanghai