Eiritel reflects on the current competitive Dota 2 scene
Commentator and analyst Daria “Eiritel” Morozova, one of the most respected voices in the Dota 2 scene, shared her perspective on the current state of the game’s professional scene and the loss of regional diversity that characterized previous eras. In her analysis, Eiritel expressed a certain nostalgia for the times when Dota 2 brought together a much wider range of elite teams, especially during the glory years when PSG.LGD and OG starred in the finals of The International.
“These days, I don’t think there are too many tournaments. There were seasons with more than ten Majors and a dozen Minors, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, when we saw practically identical tournaments, one after the other—that was tiring,” Eiritel stated.She emphasized that the current problem is not an excess of events, but the weakening of certain regions. “In recent years, several scenarios have lost strength. Chinese teams are no longer among the best in the world, and Southeast Asia barely features anymore. In North America, the few remaining organizations are disbanding. It’s sad to see this happen,” he added.
Regional decline and the concentration of power in Europe
According to Eiritel, the Dota 2 competitive scene has become more predictable and centralized. Only a few teams from Western and Eastern Europe dominate the major championships, leaving other regions in the background. “These days, it’s always the same five or six European teams winning all the prizes. It’s as if the game has become a closed circuit. This concentration of talent and structure is a direct reflection of the lack of support in other regions,” she explained. She compared the current situation to 2020, when, due to travel restrictions imposed by the pandemic, the global scene became fragmented. “Back then, we had the problem of not being able to bring the entire world together on a single server. Now, the problem is different: there are no truly strong teams outside of Europe. This saddens me even more,” she said.
The commentator also mentioned that the collapse of North American organizations and the crisis in Chinese Dota are interconnected by a number of factors—from the decline in regional investment to the migration of talent to other esports, such as League of Legends, Valorant, and PUBG.
“In the past, each region had its own unique style. China was synonymous with discipline and impeccable macroplay, Southeast Asia was pure creativity, Europe was tactical and cold, while North America relied on bold plays. Today, it seems like everyone is trying to imitate the same European model. We’ve lost part of the identity of global Dota,” commented Eiritel. In a nostalgic tone, Eiritel confessed to missing the days when PSG, LGD, and OG fought epic battles in the finals of The International—especially in the 2018 and 2019 editions, considered by many fans to be the pinnacle of competitive Dota 2.
“I wouldn’t mind going back to the time when LGD was trying to defeat OG in the finals of The International. That was Dota at its purest: drama, emotion, and tactical excellence. Every game was a work of art, and the whole world stopped to watch,” the commentator declared. The rivalry between the two teams defined a generation. OG, led by Johan “n0tail” Sundstein and Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen, won two consecutive TI titles (2018 and 2019), defeating PSG.LGD in legendary clashes. The Chinese team, with names like Somnus, fy, and Ame, was the main antagonist of that era, representing the pinnacle of China’s strategic and disciplined style.
The future of Dota 2 and the challenge of restoring global balance
Despite the criticism, Eiritel expressed optimism about the future of Dota 2 and believes that new initiatives can revitalize competitive diversity. “There’s still hope. The game is still alive, and new generations are emerging. Perhaps we need structural changes at Valve and in tournaments to stimulate regional growth again,” she suggested. She advocated for the return of more interregional tournaments and smaller leagues that can serve as incubators for new talent. “Not every team can start by facing Gaimin Gladiators or Team Spirit. We need to create space for strong teams to emerge in South America, Southeast Asia, and North America, as has happened with Peru and Brazil in recent years.”
Eiritel also emphasized the importance of casters and the community in maintaining interest in the game. “Our role is to continue telling stories, showing how Dota remains a vibrant ecosystem. Even if the big names change, the spirit of the game must remain.” With new international events approaching and some veterans returning to competition, there is hope that Dota 2 will regain some of its lost diversity. The commentator concluded her reflection with a message that blends nostalgia and hope: “Dota has always been about rivalries, emotions, and overcoming obstacles. We may never return to the exact OG vs. LGD era, but the game still has a soul. And as long as there’s passion, there will be epic stories to tell.”
