Cover-Credits:
Following a string of top-tier performances in the Western Europe (WEU) Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) 2021-22 Tour 3: Division 1, Nigma Galaxy has earned a return to Division 1. Since the start of the season, the team has risen undefeated, winning six straight series by 2-0 scores. The team's latest win came in yet another convincing manner as it rolled over the bottom seed EU Rejects. After crushing EU Rejects in the laning stage, Amer "Miracle-" Al-Barkawi even lost a Divine Rapier, but Nigma still won the first game after Ivan Borislavov "MinD_ContRoL" Ivanov recovered it. Nigma appeared to suffer in the second game due to its unorthodox draft but showcased its teamfight skills to win the game and the series.
Nigma wins its sixth straight series to secure promotion to Division 1
Nigma entered the series against EU Rejects as the favorite, as it had in all of its prior matches. After handily winning the first game, it picked a carry Pudge, a mid Keeper of the Light, and an offlane Undying in the second game, which did not appear to be working out well at first.
EU Rejects performed really well to put Nigma on the back foot and gain a respectable lead. However, it was a chaotic battle, but it was entertaining for the fans, as EU Rejects lost steam towards the end, while Nigma held on and won after 52 minutes and over 100 kills.
While Nigma did appear to be memeing around a bit with its drafts and item purchases today, it has clearly looked to be a cut above the rest in Tour 3. Barring a couple of games out of the 12 it has played, the team has been rather dominating and taken wins without allowing the enemies any room to execute their strategies or come back. With each passing week in the season, the team has seemed to be getting better, looking to be confident and upbeat.
Both Miracle- and Syed Sumail "SumaiL" Hassan, two star players known for solo carrying the game, have demonstrated a synergy in drafts and playstyles to support each other in different games.
While Nigma has obviously outperformed the Division 2 teams, it will be interesting to see how it does when it faces some of the Division 1 WEU teams during The International 11's regional qualifier. While the team shall be pleased to be back in Division 1, the major objective will still be to continue this momentum into the regional qualifier and earn the lone TI11 seat.
Nigma still has one series remaining in Tour 3 Division 2 that takes place Into The Breach. This encounter will also be interesting to watch because Into The Breach is the second unbeaten team in the league. The top seed will also be on the line when these two teams meet on 13th July as part of Tour 3's final Division 2 series.
