WePlay! Tug of War: Mad Moon features 8 top Dota 2 teams

The WePlay! Bukovel Minor was a big event for WePlay! and the company is following up with Tug of War: Mad Moon.

The event is set to include a number of top teams facing off for their slice of the $300,000 prize pool:

• Nigma
• Virtus.pro
• Aggressive Mode
• B8
• Ninjas in Pyjamas
• Infamous
• Team Secret
• Gambit Esports

WePlay! Tug of War: Mad Moon is not attached to the Dota Pro Circuit and because of that, there are no qualifying points towards The International 2020 on the line. That said, there are a number of high-end teams competing at an interesting point in the season, making this an event worth checking out.

Team Secret wants reps, Nigma wants to rebound in WePlay! Tug of War: Mad Moon

After stumbling in the DreamLeague Leipzig Major and failing to qualify for the StarLadder Season 3 Minor, Nigma is looking to reestablish itself as an elite Dota 2 team. The team has been sloppy throughout the season, with mistakes from Amer “Miracle-” Al-Barkawi and Ivan Borislavov “MinD_ContRoL” Ivanov costing Nigma a place in the next major cycle.

Nigma is hoping that WePlay! is a common denominator for success. The team won the WePlay! Bukovel Minor and could quiet down some of their doubters with a strong showing here.

The feat will not be a walk in the park for Nigma, as a first-place finish would force them to out-perform Team Secret.

Team Secret’s participation speaks volumes of the squad’s dedication to Dota 2 excellence. The team will be walking into the upcoming ESL One Los Angeles Major as the decided favorites, but are still looking to stay sharp and build synergy around carry player Lasse Aukusti “MATUMBAMAN” Urpalainen. Naturally, Team Secret is the top contender to claim this title as well.

Another notable direct invite is Virtus.pro. After its various roster shakeups, the team struggled to find its footing in the current scene, but has found opportunities to play at big events. Virtus.pro is desperate to assert its new team as serious threat.

B8 was given the spot in the tournament after Royal Never Give Up announced that it was unable to attend due schedule conflicts, likely stemming from the qualifiers to the ESL One Los Angeles Major.

The new organization founded by Danil “Dendi” Ishutin has looked generally solid, but wasn’t able to qualify for the ESL One Los Angeles Major. The team could post a breakout performance here and establish itself as a real threat in the CIS region.

WePlay! Tug of War: Mad Moon runs from February 19 to 23.