With the biggest Dota 2 event being held in Oct. 2023, it’s time for our updarted Dota 2 TI power rankings. As we try to balance our opinion with recent performances and veteran experience of teams, we’re trying to answer the essential question – who stands a good chance of winning the tournament? Let’s dive right in.
Dota 2 The International 2023 Power Rankings
As part of our extensive coverage of Dota 2 The International, having already dived into the Dota 2 TI schedule and taken a look at the participating Dota 2 TI teams we’re ready to offer our very own Dota 2 The International 2023 power rankings.
Like any other Dota 2 The International 2023 power rankings, we have taken a subjective approach considering a number of factors, including recency bias, experience of teams, roster changes and more. In addition, we’ll be labelling each team with one of the following status labels:
- Underdog – competitor thought to have little chance of winning, but a chance nonetheless
- Dark Horse – competitor with a low floor but a high ceiling – can either bomb out or possibly upset the contenders/favorites
- Contender – respected competitor with a fair chance of winning
- Favourite – highly respected competitors expected to make the Grand Final
- Wildcard – a team we’re not sure how to rank but are worth a mention
Also worth noting is that these power rankings are updated following the completion of DreamLeague Season 21, which is the final international event (non-DPC) ahead of Dota The International.
Here’s a quick look at the Dota 2 The International power rankings before looking at each team in more detail:
| Dota 2 TI Power Ranking | Team |
|---|---|
| Wildcard | Shopify Rebellion |
| 10 | Team Aster |
| 9 | Quest Esports |
| 8 | LGD Gaming |
| 7 | Talon Esports |
| 6 | 9Pandas |
| 5 | Tundra Esports |
| 4 | BetBoom Esports |
| 3 | Team Spirit |
| 2 | Team Liquid |
| 1 | Gaimin Gladiators |
Wildcard: Shopify Rebellion
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Artour "Arteezy" Babaev |
| 2 | Abed "Abed" Yusop |
| 3 | Jonas "SabeRLight-" Volek |
| 4 | Andreas "Cr1t-" Nielsen |
| 5 | Tal "Fly" Aizik |
Up until a few days ago, Shopify Rebellion wouldn’t be on anyone’s TI rankings after an average season on the international stage.
Specifically, their last four events had them placing outside of the top 8 consistently on the international stage.
Bearing this in mind, it was truly wild and bewildering to witness them finishing 2nd at DreamLeague Season 21 as the surprise of the tournament. Despite a lack of consistency and achievements, this stunning achievement is turning heads.
Therefore, they’re our Wildcard pick for The International 2023.
- Best TI Performance: N/A
- Best DPC 2023 Performance: 2nd place at DreamLeague Season 21
- Most Recent Performance: 2nd place at DreamLeague Season 21
- Dota 2 The International 2023 Power Rankings Status: Wildcard
10. Team Aster
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Du "Monet" Peng |
| 2 | Sumail "SumaiL" Hassan |
| 3 | Lin "Xxs" Jing |
| 4 | Hu "Kaka" Liangzhi |
| 5 | Yu "皮球" Yajun |
While a number of teams could have occupied our last spot on the TI rankings, Team Aster makes the spot for a number of reasons.
Firstly, the team has been fairly consistent all season, placing in the top 10 in almost every single international DPC Major except for DreamLeague Season 19 in April (11-12th). In addition, last season’s 4th place at TI is definitely a factor heading into this year’s iteration of the competition.
However, the most exciting factor for this team is Sumail “SumaiL” Hassan, the veteran and former TI champion on loan from Nigma Galaxy who knows a thing or two about winning.
Although they weren’t too impressive in the China Qualifier, this underdog qualifier team could go the distance with his leadership at TI 2023.
- Best TI Performance: 4th place at The International 2022
- Best DPC 2023 Performance: 8th place at DreamLeague Season 20
- Most Recent Performance: 7-8th at Riyadh Masters 2023
- Dota 2 The International 2023 Power Rankings Status: Underdog
9. Quest Esports
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Aybek "TA2000" Tokayev |
| 2 | Tony "No!ob" Assaf |
| 3 | Tobias "Tobi" Buchner |
| 4 | Omar "OmaR" Moughrabi |
| 5 | Oleh "kaori" Medvedok |
Next up in our Dota 2 The International 2023 power rankings is a very interesting and young roster. Quest Esports, based in Qatar, has managed to compete with the best of the best in Western Europe after being promoted to Division I from Division II.
Since being promoted to Division I at Tour 3, they finished third in the region, 4th at Bali Major and 7-8th at Riyadh Masters. So although this organization has never attended The International, these young guns are on an upward trajectory. However, a recent roster change in the middle of August has us slightly unsure about how much the team has changed.
After a disappointing 11-12th finish at DreamLeague Season 21, Quest Esports look like an Underdog team right now.
- Best TI Performance: N/A
- Best DPC 2023 Performance: 4th place at Bali Major 2023
- Most Recent Performance: 11-12th at DreamLeague Season 21
- Dota 2 The International 2023 Power Rankings Status: Underdog
8. LGD Gaming (formerly PSG.LGD)
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Guo "shiro" Xuanang |
| 2 | Cheng "NothingToSay" Xiang |
| 3 | Li "niu" Kongbo |
| 4 | Lin "planet" Hao |
| 5 | Zhang "y'" Yiping |
Recently rebranding from PSG.LGD to LGD Gaming, the name may have changed, but LGD Gaming remains one of the top teams from China. Historically, this organization has featured some dominant rosters both locally and internationally, with multiple Major wins and podium finishes at The International.
However, this year’s roster hasn’t enjoyed that same level of success. Undergoing a number of changes in March and May, the team has struggled to find consistency this season of the Dota Pro Circuit. Apart from finishing third at the DreamLeague Season 20, they have little to show for this season apart from their regional performances at the top of China.
So as strange as it seems, LGD Gaming is heading into The International this year as a Dark Horse. While yes, they’ve disappointed for the majority of the season, this team could be a serious threat if they decide to start paying homage to the organization’s legacy.
- Best TI Performance: 2nd place at The International 2021, 2018
- Best DPC 2023 Performance: 3rd place at DreamLeague Season 20
- Most Recent Performance: 9-12th place at Riyadh Masters 2023
- Dota 2 The International 2023 Power Rankings Status: Dark Horse
7. Talon Esports
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Nuengnara "23savage" Teeramahanon |
| 2 | Rafli "Mikoto" Rahman |
| 3 | Anucha "Jabz" Jirawong |
| 4 | Worawit "Q" Mekchai |
| 5 | Chan "Oli" Kien |
Next up on our TI12 power rankings is a team which has recently risen to some fantastic form.
Talon Esports has, for the longest time, raised the bar for Southeast Asia. Constantly dominating their region, although they didn’t win every single split, they’ve impressed most at international events this year.
Building on a roster which has been around for a year and a half, Talon Esports has reached new heights with multiple podium finishes at both the Lima Major 2023 and most recently, the Riyadh Masters 2023 event. Notably, the roster also placed fourth at DreamLeague Season 20.
However, a lack of consistency, such as finishing 11-12th at DreamLeague Season 21 makes this team a dark horse, rather than a contender.
- Best TI Performance: 17-18th at The International 2022
- Best DPC 2023 Performance: 3rd place at Lima Major 2023
- Most Recent Performance: 11-12th place at DreamLeague Season 21
- Dota 2 The International 2023 Power Rankings Status: Dark Horse
6. 9Pandas (ex-HellRaisers)
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Roman "RAMZES666" Kushnarev |
| 2 | Gleb "kiyotaka" Zyryanov |
| 3 | Matvey "MieRo" Vasyunin |
| 4 | Vladislav "Antares" Kertman |
| 5 | Alexey "Solo" Berezin |
They may be called 9Pandas, but many in the community know them as ex-HellRaisers – the organization from which the players were signed in April this year.
Finishing at the top of Eastern Europe early on, they have consistently placed in the top 5 at multiple international events and are definitely worth considering for Dota 2 The International betting as the favourite from Eastern Europe.
While they may be looking slightly worse than they did earlier on in the season, a few months of preparation makes 9Pandas a strong contender ahead of this year’s The International.
- Best TI Performance: 17-18th at The International 2017
- Best DPC 2023 Performance: 3rd at ESL One Berlin Major 2023
- Most Recent Performance: 7-8th at Riyadh Masters 2023
- Dota 2 The International 2023 Power Rankings Status: Contender
5. Tundra Esports
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Oliver "skiter" Lepko |
| 2 | Topias "Topson" Taavitsainen |
| 3 | Neta "33" Shapira |
| 4 | Leon "Nine" Kirilin |
| 5 | Wu "Sneyking" Jingjun |
Tundra Esports are defending the Aegis of Champions at The International 2023. In 2022, they absolutely stunned the competition with many not expecting them to win.
Sticking with the same roster for this season of the Dota Pro Circuit, they’ve remained at the top of Western Europe, trading blows with Gaimin Gladiators and Team Liquid. However, all season long, their only podium finish all year was at the Bali Major 2023.
Ahead of the event. the TI12 odds were looking good for Tundra Esports. However, an unfortunate turn of events had Martin “Saksa” Sazdov stepping away from the roster due to health issues.
Being replaced by Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen, many were concerned. However, after finishing 5-6th at DreamLeague Season 21, this team is definitely still a contender despite this change.
- Best TI Performance: Winners of The International 2022
- Best DPC 2023 Performance: 3rd place at Bali Major 2023
- Most Recent Performance: 5-6th at DreamLeague Season 21
- Dota 2 The International 2023 Power Rankings Status: Contender (Former Favorite)
4. BetBoom Team
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Egor "Nightfall" Grigorenko |
| 2 | Danil "gpk" Skutin |
| 3 | Ivan "Pure" Moskalenko |
| 4 | Vitalie "Save-" Melnic |
| 5 | Alexander "TORONTOTOKYO" Khertek |
Forming as recently as 2022 by signing the former Winstrike squad, BetBoom Team refreshed their entire roster in December. Since then, the organization has climbed the Tier 2 scene quickly, making a massive impression on Tier 1 immediately.
Starting the Dota Pro Circuit with a huge first-place victory at EEU Tour 1 Division 1, BetBoom then did fall off in form towards the middle part of the season. However, BetBoom bounced back at Tour 3, finishing second followed by an impressive second-place finish at DreamLeague Season 20.
Although they have faltered at multiple Majors this year, they showed off their potential at DreamLeague Season 20 and once again at DreamLeague Season 21 – replicating their performance could translate to an impressive run at The International as a contender in our TI rankings.
- Best TI Performance: 19-20th at The International 2022
- Best DPC 2023 Performance: 2nd place at DreamLeague Season 20
- Most Recent Performance: 3rd place at DreamLeague Season 21
- Dota 2 The International 2023 Power Rankings Status: Contender
3. Team Spirit
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Illya "Yatoro" Mulyarchuk |
| 2 | Denis "Larl" Sigitov |
| 3 | Magomed "Collapse" Khalilov |
| 4 | Myroslav "Mira" Kolpakov |
| 5 | Yaroslav "Miposhka" Naidenov |
Team Spirit won The International in 2021, and then went on to have an impressive season only to finish 13-16th at The International 2022.
Since their win at TI 2021, they’ve only made one roster change and have stuck together through thick and thin. This season, they’ve had their moments in EEU, performing very well in the region while falling short at international Majors.
However, at their most recent international event, Team Spirit conquered the competition and walked away with $5,000,000 prize pool at Riyadh Masters 2023. Back then, this win made them contenders – an additional win at DreamLeague Season 21 has this team as one of the favourites for The International!
- Best TI Performance: Winners of The International 2021
- Best DPC 2023 Performance: 5th place at DreamLeague Season 20
- Most Recent Performance: 1st place at Riyadh Masters 2023 and DreamLeague Season 21
- Dota 2 The International 2023 Power Rankings Status: Favorites
2. Team Liquid
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Michael "miCKe" Vu |
| 2 | Michal "Nisha" Jankowski |
| 3 | Ludwig "zai" Wahlberg |
| 4 | Samuel "Boxi" Svahn |
| 5 | Aydin "Insania" Sarkohi |
There are two things which can be said about Team Liquid‘s performance this season.
Firstly, they’ve had a very dominant and consistent performance across the board both regionally and internationally. Secondly, well, is that they always finish second on the international stage.
Indeed, at every single international event, they’ve lost to Gaimin Gladiators except recently, when they finished second at they finished second at Riyadh Masters under Team Spirit.
Regardless, they have remained consistent and determined, with the roster building around the signing of Michal “Nisha” Jankowski last December.
Needless to say, Team Liquid is a concrete favorite for TI rankings and for an esports betting favorite despite faltering at the recent DreamLeague Season 21 event.
- Best TI Performance: Winners of The International 2017
- Best DPC 2023 Performance: 2nd place at Bali Major 2023
- Most Recent Performance: 9-10th at DreamLeague Season 21
- Dota 2 The International 2023 Power Rankings Status: Favourites
1. Gaimin Gladiators
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Anton "dyrachyo" Shkredov |
| 2 | Quinn "Quinn" Callahan |
| 3 | Marcus "Ace" Hoelgaard |
| 4 | Erik "tOfu" Engel |
| 5 | Melchior "Seleri" Hillenkamp |
If anyone is interested in walking away as Champions of the Aegis, they’ll definitely need to face Gaimin Gladiators. Having enjoyed and earned one of the most impressive seasons in the Dota Pro Circuit ever, Gaimin Gladiators have won four significant international events, including three Majors in total.
This makes them the first team to ever win three consecutive Majors since OG – and we all know what OG achieved.
Thanks to their bold roster changes ahead of Dota Pro Circuit 2023, Gaimin Gladiators are the fiercest competitor attending The International 2023, bouncing back from their 9-12th finish at TI 2022.
Many in the community have jokingly described a ‘curse’, in which the most dominant team of the DPC season doesn’t win TI, but it’s all conjecture. Clearly, Gaimin Gladiators are our Dota 2 The International power rankings favourite – their recent lacklustre performance at DreamLeague doesn’t discard a season of dominance.
- Best TI Performance: 9-12th at The International 2022
- Best DPC 2023 Performance: Winners of Bali Major, Lima Major and Berlin Major
- Most Recent Performance: 7-8th at DreamLeague Season 21
- Dota 2 The International 2023 Power Rankings Status: Favourites
TI12 Power Rankings
All-in-all, The International always proves to surprise the community every year. As the largest competitive Dota 2 event of the year, it’s an opportunity for any team to turn their entire season around and write themselves into the history books. Our TI12 power rankings are our best guess at how the teams will stack up.
