Arteezy's Ongoing Quest for TI Glory: Breaking the Curse of the Dota 2 Superstar

Artour “Arteezy” Babaev, a renowned Dota 2 player on the global stage, is well-known for his exceptional skills. However, he stands among the select group of formidable carry players who have never clinched victory at The International.

Arteezy has come tantalizingly close to securing the championship on several occasions, notably finishing in 3rd place in 2014 and 2018. He secured a top-eight position in 2015 and a top-six finish in 2019. Despite his consistent strong performances, he has yet to grace a Grand Final and claim the coveted Aegis of Champions.

This year, the competition features numerous formidable teams vying for the title. Shopify Rebellion, in particular, has demonstrated its capability to outperform nearly any opponent.

Notable Recent Performances

At DreamLeague Season 21, an online tournament that included prominent teams like Tundra Esports, Team Liquid, Gaimin Gladiators, BetBoom Team, and Team Spirit, Shopify Rebellion impressively secured a 2nd place finish. Along the way, they managed to triumph over formidable adversaries such as BetBoom, Tundra, and Talon Esports.

It is worth noting that online events may not entirely reflect the dynamics of LAN events due to differing atmospheres. Nevertheless, it's noteworthy to observe Tal “Fly” Aizik leading his squad to victory in multiple challenging encounters.

Considering the recent adaptation to patch 7.34d, which was released just one week ago, there is hope for a strong showing in Group B at The International 12 (TI12). This group is recognized as the most competitive of the four, and the presence of Thunder Awaken ensures that the elite teams won't face early elimination.

Shopify Rebellion's primary competitors in this tournament are likely to include Team Spirit, Gaimin Gladiators, Tundra, Team Liquid, and the two Chinese teams, LGD Gaming and Azure Ray. In total, they will need to outperform six teams to achieve their objective. While the tournament format may offer some favorable paths, preparation for unforeseen challenges is crucial.

The results and the confidence displayed by Fly's team at DreamLeague signify their diligent training efforts. The critical test remains their ability to perform under the intense pressure of a major tournament.

Arteezy's Ongoing Quest

Arteezy is often regarded as being under a curse, unable to secure a TI victory or reach a Grand Final. At the age of 27, he likely has another 3-5 years of esports career ahead of him, having competed for a decade in Dota 2. He has earned a substantial $2.68 million in tournament winnings, a commendable sum.

While the financial aspect may not be a pressing concern, the prestige and honor that come with winning the Aegis of Champions are undoubtedly important. The pursuit of this prestigious achievement continues for Arteezy, driven by the desire to etch his name in Dota 2 history.