The long pause in competitive Dota 2 is inevitably coming to an end. With the return of DPC Ranked Leagues 2023, a lot of Dota awaits us in different regions and with the participation of different teams.
Teams from China, the classically advanced region of Dota 2, will open the new season. However, in the new year, the balance of power in the Dota 2 world arena may be greatly shaken.
The reshuffle that took place after the end of The International affected virtually every team on the Dota 2 competitive scene. China was probably the most affected.
Unusual outcomes can be expected at DPC 2023 due to the disrupted balance of power. However, the first match is quite suitable as a starting point in studying the entire season.
Opening the league will be EHOME and Invictus Gaming, teams that will have a real chance of success in the new season amid the decline of other contenders. We figure out which of the title clubs will be stronger and earn the first ranking points in the new competitive season.
Invictus Gaming kit
We start the review of the match with an analysis of the form of Invictus Gaming. They are the favorites in this match.
The bookmakers estimate the chances of IG to win with odds around 1.4. The figure is quite interesting, as is the status itself.
It is difficult to agree with the quotes, because it is not at all clear what to expect from China after the reshuffle. You can believe that IG is a little in favor, but do not forget that the team only regained its place at the top last season.
Invictus Gaming roster
DPC 2023 IG is approached in an updated form, like everyone else, however. The changes were dramatic: only 1 player remained in the ranks from the previous squad.
Invictus Gaming players
- emo
- dust
- Irving
- poloson
- qyqx
Emo remained non-replaceable in the team, but not in position. The IG veteran will test himself in the first position in the new season, giving mid to the young and promising Dust, who previously played for Team MagMa.
In general, MagMa became the main donors to IG in the new season. Together with Dust, Irving moved from there with qyqx, and they completed the roster with poloson from SMG.
Compared to last season, IG decided to “refresh” the roster, adding youth and enthusiasm to it. Let's see how it works.
Performance of Invictus Gaming
Refreshing the memory of the past merits of Invictus Gaming, we can remember how the team felt last season. It was very interesting there.
Starting from 4th place at Intel World Open Beijing, Invictus Gaming continued with 7th place at DPC CN 2021/2022 Tour 1: Division 1, which resulted in relegation to the second division.
In the lower leagues, IG, as it seemed, had to smash their rivals, but they managed to do this only on the second attempt, and even then not completely. In the second round, the team took the TOP-3, and already in the third round they got a victory to enter the top division.
The last event for IG, but still in the previous line-up, was the qualifiers for The International 2022, where the title Chinese club took 4th place.
Heroes IG
In patch 7.32, Invictus Gaming didn't get to play much. The team used Marci (5 matches, 40% wins), Doom (4 matches, 75% wins), Lich (3 matches, 66% wins), Dawnbreaker (3 games, 66% wins).
Given the new IG roster, we can expect a potential shift to new strategies, but the peak is likely to be more neutral characters in order to reduce the risk.
Form EHOME
EHOME will perform on the other side of the barricades. The team in this match will be in the status of an outsider.
The bookmakers give EHOME odds around 2.6 to win. Such an assessment of forces looks natural, given the changes in lineups during the reshuffle period.
As with Invictus Gaming, EHOME has undergone structural changes, but with a similar approach to roster formation. Make way for the young.
Composition of EHOME
EHOME in the 2023 season will be represented by completely new faces for the club. All five were announced in mid-December 2022. As follows.
- mks
- Night
- xiaoyu
- Salad
- Lww
Malaysians mks and xiaoyu joined EHOME after moving from RSG, where they showed a rather vigorous DotA within Southeast Asia last season. The trio of Chinese Night, Salad and Lww come from local mixes and stacks without much baggage behind them.
EHOME Performance
The 2022 season for EHOME was remembered for serious swings and attempts to build their own game. It worked out with mixed success.
As part of the first round of the DPC 2021/2022, EHOME managed to reach the TOP-4 of the regional league, after which the team was waiting for the TOP-6 in the second round. Thereafter, the situation did not change much.
The team took 6th place in the third round, after which they began diligent preparations for the start of the Chinese qualifiers for The International 2022. As expected, but still very quickly, EHOME finished their performance at the TI2022 qualifiers in 9-12th place, losing to ShenZhen.
After the qualifiers for The International, the team played at the local BTS Pro Series Season 13: SEA, where they took the TOP-6. A series of unsatisfactory results led to drastic changes to the roster.
Heroes of EHOME
In patch 7.32 EHOME, Disruptor and Pangolier are most commonly played. Both characters have 6 appearances, however, the first one won 66% of the matches, and Pangolier only 3 games.
Next come Mirana (4 games, 50% win rate), Tiny (4 games, 50% win rate). Lina, Tusk and Earth Spirit are also frequent guests with 3 appearances, but different win rates: the first two have 66%, ES has 33.
History of personal confrontations
Previously, the teams in these rosters did not play with each other. The duel in the opening match of DPC 2023 will be the debut clash for clubs with new performers in positions.
Match outcome
In this match, you can expect a perky DotA, as both teams focus on young performers with an aggressive playstyle. This will result in a large amount of marriage, which will surely become an integral part of the match.
In any case, I don’t see a passing game for IG here. The team looks better by name, but I think they won't be able to close 2-0 in the debut match. I will say that EHOME will take the card.
Result: +1.5 on EHOME.
