Top Returning Players in the 2021 DPC Season 2

The 2021 DPC Season 2 is going to mark the return of some of the best Dota 2 players in the competitive scene. After sitting out the first season of the DPC due to various factors, some of the world’s best players, including the likes of Anathan "ana" Pham and Roman "RAMZES666" Kushnarev will finally be making an appearance in the 2021 DPC Season 2 regional leagues as teams make a final push for a slot at TI10. Here is a look at these top returning Dota 2 players in the 2021 DPC Season 2.

RELATED:  Here is the Schedule of 2021 DPC Season 2: Upper Division [All Regions] Week 1

Top returning Dota 2 players to look out for in the 2021 DPC Season 2

Ana 

Arguably the biggest return in the 2021 DPC Season 2, ana will be returning to OG for the third time in his career for a shot at a third Aegis to add to OG and his collection. OG had a forgettable 2021 DPC Season 1 where they finished in the fifth spot, mustering only 50 DPC points. They are currently placed at the 27th spot in the DPC rankings. With only the top 12 teams are going to receive a direct invite, Ana will have to work with OG to pull out that magic that made them near-invincible in the past TIs.

Ana had last played competitively for OG at the Midas Mode 2 - Europe, back in September 2019. He then competed as a stand-in for TNC Predator in a show match against Adroit Esports in March 2020. All in all, the Australian carry has not played competitively in recent times.

While many fans believed that MidOne was underperforming in OG recently and was hence removed from the lineup, others believe OG can not replicate their past performances without ana in the carry role. So, it will be interesting to see if OG can replicate their past success in the 2021 DPC Season 2 with the return of their star carry.

RAMZES666

Known for his solid gameplay and his popularity in the CIS region, Roman "RAMZES666" Kushnarev has had a rather controversial entry into the 2021 DPC Season 2. He has joined Na’Vi in the offlane after the team had kicked GeneRaL despite them not exhibiting any signs of decline in official matches. Na’Vi then clarified that they had internal issues and needed someone who could be the team’s leader and shot-caller. In RAMZES666, they had found both, and so, a lot of pressure will now be upon the CIS player to prove his spot in the team. 

Since RAMZES666’s last series for Evil Geniuses in September 2020 at the OMEGA League 2020, he has only been seen in a couple of fleeting stacks. In November-December 2020, it was Just Error, and then most recently, in the EPIC League Season 3, he partnered with Solo in Dota Team. 

Na’Vi’s reputation and performances have significantly risen since they signed the FlyToMoon team in September 2020. GeneRaL’s departure is the roster’s first change since then, and now RAMZES666 has to fill GeneRaL’s boots and live up to the fans’ expectations if he hopes to silence his critics. It will also be intriguing to see if RAMZES666 can deliver for the team from the offlane, considering his relative lack of success in the role.

EternaLEnVy

EternaLEnVy’s return to the competitive scene has not attracted much attention because he is playing for a relatively lesser popular team, Black N Yellow. In March 2021, after the conclusion of the 2021 DPC Season 1, EternaLEnVy had communicated that he was looking for an NA Upper Division team or an EU Upper/Lower Division team.

EternaLEnVy had last played a series for Team Zero/4FUN in online leagues from September to December 2020 and found some level of success winning the DOTA Summit 13 Online: Americas. He had also competed as a stand-in for Byzantine Raiders for just one series in the first DPC season.

EternaLEnVy and his team can be considered underdogs, considering their competition which includes the likes of Evil Geniuses, Quincy Crew, Undying, and 4 Zoomers. With only the top two teams qualifying for the next Major, it will be intriguing to see if Black N Yellow can punch above their weight to book one of the two NA slots at the second major of the season. 

Sylar

Sylar is one of the most famed Dota 2 players in the Chinese scene, and his comeback to the pro scene has already attracted eyeballs. He played as a stand-in for EHOME in their last series in the first DPC season and then at the FMWH Dota2 Championship Season 3, where he helped the team secure the first position. Sylar is now an official member of EHOME’s roster, replacing Malaysian carry, Ahjit, and will play for the team in the 2021 DPC Season 2. 

The veteran Chinese player had been absent from the competitive scene ever since the Elephant.4AM Sylar-Eurus saga took place in October 2020. He was added to Elephant’s roster only for a day before he was removed for Eurus.

RELATED:  Maybe Explains Why Sylar Was Kicked From 4AM

Though EHOME had looked lacklustre in the first DPC season with Ahjit, Sylar’s inclusion has significantly boosted their performance and they are now looking at par with the remaining Chinese teams. Sylar will have to consistently keep performing for his team in case they wish to qualify for the next Major as the Chinese region looks to be the most stacked with teams like Invictus Gaming, PSG.LGD, Team Aster and Elephant. 

iLTW

iLTW was part of one of the most surprising roster shuffles this season, joining Team Nigma after the EU team benched W33. The young CIS player has already played in some of the world’s biggest teams, including OG and Virtus.Pro but has failed to solidify a spot in either lineup. This is yet another opportunity to showcase his skill at the highest levels of pro-Dota 2. 

Since he played his last match for Virtus.pro in September 2020, iLTW has competed as a stand-in for teams like OG, mudgolems and, for a brief period, played for Live to Win. 

After Mind_Control was replaced by a stand-in, Team Nigma had failed miserably at the Singapore Major, finishing in last place. They will certainly be looking for a turn in fortunes after their first roster shuffle in well over two years. 

While fans are exhilarated with the return of these superstars, each one of them has a point to prove and justify their selection. Tough challenges now await ana, RAMZES666, EternaLEnVy, Sylar and 23savage in the 2021 DPC Season 2.