Team Empire’s Struggle at The International 7
The International 7, the biggest Dota 2 event of the year, is just around the corner. One team that has been a familiar face at the event is Team Empire. However, despite their past appearances, Empire has never been able to make a significant impact and have always fallen short, finishing between 9th and 12th place.
This year, things are not looking good for Empire. They have been struggling to perform well in tournaments leading up to The International and there are even rumors that they may not have their full roster for the event. This is definitely cause for concern for the team.
A Glimpse of Hope
Team Empire has a history of nurturing talented players in the CIS region. In the past, they have produced renowned players like Funn1k, Resolut1on, and GeneRaL. Despite being relatively new compared to other CIS teams like Na`Vi and Virtus Pro, Empire has always been able to find up-and-coming talent. However, lately, their performance has been lackluster, with only online victories in 2017. The team did have a shining moment when they dominated the CIS qualifier for The International 7, winning the group stage and flawlessly proceeding through the playoffs.
This puts Team Empire in an interesting position heading into the event. They are once again one of the top representatives from their region and have the chance to change their underdog reputation. With only one other CIS representative, Virtus Pro, at the event, Empire has a golden opportunity to make their mark.
Obstacles in the Way
Unfortunately, Team Empire may face a significant hurdle when it comes to The International. The team’s player, Chappie, is from Russia, and Russian players have had difficulties in obtaining visas in the past due to U.S. sanctions. It seems that Chappie has yet to receive his passport from the U.S. embassy, which means that former player Resolut1on will be standing in for him during the group stage. This sudden change may disrupt the team’s synergy and gameplay.
Key Players and Challenges
Yaroslav “Miposhka” Naidenov, the team captain, is someone to watch out for in this iteration of Team Empire. He excels at playing roaming support heroes, which aligns with the aggressive playstyle of the CIS region. Miposhka’s early game impact could be crucial in securing advantages for the team.
Team Empire’s biggest challenge lies in their mental strength. Competing on the biggest stage and dealing with the addition of an emergency stand-in can be overwhelming. Their ability to stay composed and focused will be key to their success.
A Dim Outlook
Despite the hopes placed on them by the CIS region, Team Empire is considered one of the underdogs at The International 7. Their lack of success in LAN events throughout the year, combined with the uncertainty surrounding Chappie’s situation, makes it unlikely for them to have a significant impact at the tournament. As a result, they are given a grade of D.
Team Empire, The International 7, CIS region, esports, Dota 2