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Gaming – Chinese Dota 2
LGD Gaming, the renowned Chinese Dota 2 powerhouse, is gearing up for the upcoming 2024 season with an exciting roster overhaul. The team recently announced the inclusion of two new players: midlaner Zhou “Emo” Yi and position 4 support player Xiong “Pyw” Jiahan.
These talented individuals will be stepping into the shoes of Cheng “NothingToSay” Jin Xiang and Lin “planet” Hao. NothingToSay departed LGD earlier this month to join Invictus Gaming (IG), while planet has transitioned to LGD’s inactive roster.
This significant reshuffling follows LGD’s third-place finish at The International (TI) 2023, a tournament where they showcased a mixed roster comprising seasoned veterans and promising young talents.
The journey to this revamped lineup began after LGD’s 5th-6th place finish at TI 2022. The team commenced the 2023 season of the now-defunct Dota Pro Circuit with only a few remnants from its prior roster, including NothingToSay, Zhang “y`” Yiping, and coach Zhang “xiao8” Ning.
Several key players had departed — Wang “Ame” Chunyu retired and moved to the inactive roster, while others like Zhang “Faith_bian” Ruida and Zhao “XinQ” Zixing left the team. LGD brought in new faces such as Guo “shiro” Xuanang, Li “项羽” Longwu, and planet to fill the void.
The team encountered mixed results initially, clinching the top spot in the Winter Tour regional league for China but faltering at the Lima Major, finishing 9th-12th. Subsequently, LGD loaned 项羽 to IG and enlisted Nicholas “zeal” Lim in his place.
Despite these adjustments, LGD’s performance fluctuated. They secured the runner-up position in the Spring Tour regional league but faced another setback at the ESL One Berlin Major, exiting once again in 9th-12th place. Another alteration took place, with Li “Niu” Kongbo joining the roster in place of zeal in May.
With Niu on board, LGD’s fortunes improved significantly. They claimed the top spot in the Summer Tour regional league, secured a respectable third place in DreamLeague Season 20, and finished 5th-6th in the Bali Major, which secured them a direct invite to TI 2023.
However, their journey faced another hurdle with a 9th-12th place finish at the Riyadh Masters 2023. In September, LGD also concluded its five-year partnership with PSG Esports.
Amidst these ups and downs, LGD hit their stride during TI 2023. They dominated the Road to The International Group Stage, securing the first seed in Group D and notably sweeping three-time Major champions Gaimin Gladiators. Advancing to the Playoffs, LGD continued their winning streak but faced defeat against eventual champions Team Spirit.
Ultimately, LGD settled for third place at TI 2023, earning US$270,499 in consolation. Despite the departures of NothingToSay and planet, LGD is optimistic about their future, bolstered by the inclusion of veteran players Emo and Pyw, formerly of IG.
The revamped LGD roster is set to make its debut at ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023. The tournament, featuring 12 top-tier teams competing for a share of the US$1 million prize pool, will run from December 11th to 17th.
ESL One Kuala Lumpur will kick off with a three-day Group Stage, followed by the Playoffs hosted at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre from December 15th to 17th, utilizing a double-elimination format.
LGD Gaming’s Dota 2 Roster for 2024:
- Guo “shiro” Xuanang
- Zhou “Emo” Yi
- Li “Niu” Kongbo
- Xiong “Pyw” Jiahan
- Zhang “y`” Yiping
- Zhang “xiao8” Ning (coach)
LGD Gaming’s revamped Dota 2 roster welcomes Emo and Pyw, gearing up for a powerful 2024 season in competitive gaming. The team aims to dominate the scene with their exceptional skills and strategic prowess, vying for championship titles.
LGD Gaming is poised for an exciting new chapter, aiming to build upon their successes and forge a stronger presence in the competitive Dota 2 scene for the upcoming season.
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