OG Parts Ways with ATF After Disappointing Performance at The International 2022
During the Dota 2 season, ATF was a force to be reckoned with in the offlane, helping OG secure second place in the Dota Pro Circuit 2021-22 ladder. They even won two majors, ESL One Stockholm 2022 and ESL One Malaysia 2022. However, their journey came to an abrupt end at The International 2022.
OG’s hopes were dashed as they faltered in the third round of the lower bracket, ultimately finishing in eighth place. ATF also struggled, largely due to a patch that didn’t suit his playstyle.
Speculations about ATF’s desire to leave OG began swirling immediately, and OG confirmed his departure, stating that the talented offlaner wished to explore other opportunities.
In an episode of OG’s Monkey Business Show, OG’s CEO JMR Luna shed more light on the situation, assuring fans that it was a mutual decision based on the impact of the patch on ATF’s playstyle.
“In my opinion, Ammar was, at many stages, probably our best chance at victory,” Luna said. “But just like every year, when a team creates the meta, they get nerfed, and by the time they reach TI, they can’t win with that meta.”
Therefore, OG and ATF decided it was in their best interests to part ways.
“We felt that Ammar would thrive better on other teams, and I think he felt the same way, teams that would play a style of Dota that suits him more,” Luna explained. “After TI, we sat down and realized that we cannot continue playing together next year. We had a heartfelt conversation as brothers, trying to determine what is best for him, and we will announce it when the time is right.”
It will be intriguing to see where ATF lands and who OG recruits as we delve further into the rostermania season. With EG and T1 disbanding and TI-winning players like TORONTOTOKYO and Topson available, there has already been a lot of movement in the scene.
No matter what happens, Dota 2 fans can expect an eventful offseason.