Dendi’s team B8 pulls an Ancient backdoor at Champion’s League

William Davis Published 07/09/2021

When all seems lost in Dota 2, remember that a single moment of teamwork and coordination can snatch a victory out of seemingly nowhere.

B8 proved that lesson during a crucial match against Team Unique at Dota 2 Champions League Season 3. 65 minutes into game one, fan-favorite mid Danil “Dendi” Ishutin made the daring call to secretly invade the enemy base and destroy it before the enemy team could react. After two additional heroes teleported to the location, B8 managed to steal the game away from Unique.

Up against mega creeps and facing an 11,000 gold disadvantage, B8 was staring down a likely loss. In a last-ditch effort, Dendi used Smoke of Deceit and Fire Remnants to zip to the enemy base undetected. Once there, Alimzhan “watson” Islambekov and Yaroslav “Limitless” Parshin used Boots of Travel to teleport to Dendi and blitz the throne. With no Radiant creeps near the base, the Dire ancient was regenerating a massive amount of health on top of only taking 50% damage.

Everything had to go right for B8 to take this game. From popping Smoke in view of Unique’s creep wave to positioning Azamat “Gatciy” Gatciev bottom to stop teleports, every tactical move from B8 played a role in backdooring the enemy ancient. 

Dota 2 Champions League Season 3 pits ten of the best teams in Eastern Europe against each other for $50,000 in prizes. B8’s group stage match against Team Unique came late in the preliminary round with both squads in the middle of the pack. The two teams were expected to play each other evenly, which proved correct in the nearly 70-minute first game. B8 ultimately won the series 2-1 but currently sits at seventh place overall. Team Unique is in sixth with a 3-5 record. All teams will advance to the Dota 2 Champions League Season 3 playoffs starting on September 11.

Who is Dendi in Dota 2?

Dendi is one of the most iconic names and faces in Dota 2. He began his Dota career with the original WarCraft 3 mod Defense of the Ancients and began playing professionally at the age of 17. He earned a reputation as both an incredibly creative strategist and as mechanical monster in the mid lane. Dendi’s smug grin has become an icon across gaming thanks to the Twitch emote dendiface.

Dendi was part of the Natus Vincere lineup that won the first edition of The International in 2011. Dendi’s most famous play also took place at that tournament, when Na’Vi turned the tides on a perfectly executed Invictus Gaming ambush. Dendi managed to steal Ravage as Rubick and save his team from the ensuing onslaught. The fountain hooks Dendi pulled off with Clement “Puppey” Ivanov at The International 2013 come in a close second.

Although no longer considered the best mid laner in the world, Dendi is still a beloved figure in the Dota 2 community after his stellar career accomplishments and for his good-natured trolling.

Dendi formed the squad B8 in early 2020, and the team has undergone several roster remixes since. B8’s biggest payday is a $12,000 fifth-place finish at WePlay! Dota 2 Tug of War: Mad Moon managed shortly after the team was formed.

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