Esports Update: As well as the upcoming event in Kuala Lumpur this week, Dota fans have an extra treat in store with MDL Macau, which takes place over the next few days. Being held in the Las Vegas of Asia for the very first time, the Mars Dota League event is not to be missed. With $300,000 in the prize pool, as well as 300 qualifying points for TI8 up for grabs, whoever wins this tournament will have a solid chance of appearing at next year’s world championship.
Format
With nine teams attending, it goes without saying that this MDL competition has a slightly unorthodox layout. These teams will face each of their opponents in a round-robin best-of-one stage, with their total wins tallied up at the end. The four teams with the most impressive scores will advance to the semi-finals, whilst the remaining five are eliminated.
The second stage is a more typical tournament format: a best-of-three single-elimination bracket between the surviving four teams. However, the side that scores the most highly in the first stage gets the privilege of picking which opponent to face in the semifinals. This arrangement ensure that all teams will get a good chance to be seen by the fans, whilst the more capable teams are given an even greater opportunity to do so.
Participants
Three teams have been invited directly to the event: Virtus.pro, LGD Gaming and EHOME. The former is one of Russia’s most prominent eSports teams, riding off the back of an important victory against Team Secret at ESL One Hamburg in October, VP are a strong contender to win this event. Of course, such a powerhouse has a good chance in any event, but there’s certainly some stiff competition in the coming days.
LGD Gaming are a dominant figure in the Chinese scene, and one of the great challengers globally, as well. Not only that, but their sister team, LGD:FY, are in attendance as well, earning a spot from their victory in DPL Top Season 4. These teams rarely seem to be far apart, having placed fourth and third, respectively, at TI7. In fact, at the International, Perfect World Masters and the Dota 2 Pro League, LGD:FY came out ahead of their counterparts. Although both teams are extremely capable, and perhaps amongst the finest on the planet, it seems that LGD:FY are more likely to come out ahead once again; indeed, it wouldn’t be a stretch to call them the tournament’s favourites.
EHOME, another Chinese team, have a fairly impressive past in the competitive scene. Placing consistently highly in past Internationals, dating back to their second-place score in TI1, they seem to have faded out of the public eye quite a bit. Without any major victories recently, and after a crushing 0-2 defeat at DOTA Summit 8, dealt by competitors LGD Gaming, it’s tough to see them taking home the gold this week.
Then, the qualifying teams. From the SEA region are TNC Pro Team, whilst North America brings us VGJ.Storm. Infamous come from South America, whilst the famous Na`Vi hail from the US, and OG arrive from the Commonwealth of Independent States. All of these teams are impressive and experienced; most recently, the TNC Pro Team defeated VGJ.Storm at the China Top. These two challengers are bound to have a score to settle if they meet again in Macau. With both scoring well after the recent debut of Midas Mode, they definitely have a chance here as well.
Na`Vi have been taking home some impressive wins lately. Earning a staggering $200,000 in prize money since their TI7 victory, the Ukrainian team are out for blood. And whilst OG have been relatively idle in comparison, the two do have something of a history, with OG crushing Na`Vi at ESL One Frankfurt and Dreamleague last year. It will definitely be interesting if these two giants clash once again.
Infamous, meanwhile, are something of an underdog in this competition. Though experienced and capable, even placing in the top 16 at TI7, they simply seem out of their depth amongst such titans of the professional circuit this time. Still, they could shock the world with a surprise win, though it seems unlikely.
Conclusion
With a roster full of top-tier teams, rivalries and rematches, MDL is bound to be a must-see for followers of the competitive scene. Boasting almost 40 matches over the next few days, and with the stakes high in terms of prize money and qualifying points, the competition is bound to be a fierce one.
