OG return to Dota 2 for ESL One Los Angeles Major qualifiers

OG are returning to the competitive Dota 2 scene.

The reigning champions announced their plans to return for the qualifiers for the upcoming ESL One Los Angeles Major. No further details or specifics were given, including the team’s roster and whether the team would play in any other events beforehand to practice.

OG reassembled its roster from The International 2018 and successfully won The International 2019, becoming the first two-time champions Dota 2:

• Anathan “ana” Pham
• Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen
• Sébastien “Ceb” Debs
• Jesse “JerAx” Vainikka
• Johan “N0tail” Sundstein

While this roster’s credentials are beyond reproach, it is currently unclear whether OG will return intact. Following The International 2019, both ana and Topson took extended hiatuses, which led to a break for the team as a whole. The roster did take part in online tournament Midas Mode 2.0, but used multiple substitute players along the way.

OG maintained has its presence in the pro Dota 2 scene to some degree by sponsoring a sister team, OG Seed. It is unclear what the future holds for that squad.

OG likely to start in ESL One Los Angeles Major open qualifiers

OG’s return is undoubtedly welcome news for Dota 2 fans. The organization and players have long maintained fan-favorite status and their absence from events such as the MDL Chengdu Major and ONE Esports Dota 2 World Pro Invitational Singapore was certainly felt.

That said, they will receive no preferential treatment when it comes to the ESL One Los Angeles Major. The Dota Pro Circuit rules for the 2019-2020 season see invitations to regional qualifiers distributed based on teams’ current tally of Dota Pro Circuit points. Given the fact that OG did not compete in any of this season’s majors or minors, this will force OG into the European open qualifiers for the ESL One Los Angeles Major.

Though OG will likely enter as against any foe they come across, this isn’t a journey the team can take lightly. Top Chinese team PSG.LGD was put into the same position for the DreamLeague Leipzig Major and was swiftly eliminated by a largely unknown opponent. 

The open qualifiers are set to take place in early February shortly after the DreamLeague Leipzig Major. Expect OG to confirm its roster for those qualifiers in the coming weeks.