Team Tidebound Exits Dota 2 Scene After One Year
Chinese esports organization Team Tidebound has officially ceased operations in Dota 2, announcing an immediate transition to “inactive status” just one year after entering the competitive scene.
The decision, shared via an official statement on Weibo, stems from ongoing difficulties in recruiting talent within the Chinese region and uncertain long-term prospects for the team. Management described the choice as challenging but foreseeable.
Formed in early 2025 following post-The International 2024 roster shuffles, Team Tidebound quickly rose as a prominent Chinese squad. The roster featured renowned players, including TI 2016 champions and Riyadh Masters 2022 winners Zhang “y`” Yiping and Zhang “Faith_bian” Ruida (also known as Bach).Despite its short tenure, the team achieved notable success:
- Victory at Clavision DOTA2 Masters 2025: Snow-Ruyi
- Second place in the Asian Champions League 2025
- Playoff appearance at The International 2025 in Hamburg (eliminated by Nigma Galaxy, finishing 7-8th)
- Participated in events like PGL Wallachia seasons, ESL One Raleigh 2025, and DreamLeague qualifiers
The squad earned nearly $700,000 in prize money over the year.
Player Transitions and Future Outlook
Most players have already secured new homes ahead of the 2026 season:
- “shiro” (Position 1), Lin “planet” Hao (Position 4), and Zhang “y`” Yiping (Position 5) have joined the revived Vici Gaming organization.
- Former midlaner “NothingToSay” moved to Xtreme Gaming earlier in the year.
Players like “Echo” (Position 2/3), “niu” (Position 3), and Faith_bian remain free agents for now. Faith_bian, a veteran offlaner, may be holding out for a strong offer or considering a break.
Coach “Yao” is also exploring opportunities, potentially with Vici Gaming or LGD in an analytical role.
Vici Gaming and Xtreme Gaming are set to compete in the upcoming ESL Challenger China tournament (January 30–February 1, 2026).
The 2026 offseason is expected to be active, with potential roster openings in top teams like Team Liquid and Team Falcons. While some former Tidebound players may stay in China or move to Southeast Asia, others could attract interest from CIS-region squads such as BetBoom Team or Team Spirit.
Though the organisation is gone, the legacy of its star studded lineup is likely to continue influencing the Dota 2 pro scene.
Since: October 29, 2025
