OG Moves Taiga To Inactive Roster: Open to Explore Options Ahead of TI12 Qualifiers

OG is making significant changes to its roster ahead of The International 2023 qualifiers. Not even a day after announcing the return of legendary coach and stand-in Sébastien “Ceb” Debs to the active roster, OG has also announced that support player Tommy “Taiga” Lee has been moved to the inactive roster. As OG searches for a new support player to join their ranks, alongside the recently un-retired Ceb, the organization has allowed Taiga to explore other options and may loan him out to play with another team during the qualifiers.

Taiga is Free to Explore Options for T12 Qualifiers After Being Moved to OG’s Inactive Roster

In the official announcement made via their multiple media outlets, OG states that Taiga is open to exploring his options prior to the TI12 Qualifiers which will span across the month of August 2023 from the 17th to the 31st in all of the different regions. There will be 26 European teams participating in the Regional Qualifiers for TI12 across the Western Europe (WEU) and Eastern Europe (EEU) divisions should Taiga choose to compete in it. 

However, considering the fact that Taiga has recently been battling depression and anxiety, we might just see him take a break from pro play indefinitely so he can focus on his mental health. Taiga opened up about his mental situation via his Discord, explaining this absence from OG (at that time) and other challenges he faced.

OG's Performance in 2023 and Their Search for a 5th Player Before TI12 Qualifiers

OG faced roster inconsistencies throughout the year, with Taiga even announcing a break from the team right before a DPC Summer Tour series. This led to speculations and confusion among fans about OG's situation. The team also dealt with captain Misha leaving the active roster to become a coach, replaced by another coach Chu, which did not yield the desired results. Frequent stand-ins were required due to visa issues and the inconsistent roster.

With Ceb returning to the active lineup, OG gains some stability, given that their remaining players have experience playing together. The team must now find the right fit for their fifth member before the roster lock on August 10, in preparation for the TI12 qualifiers starting on August 17. Potential options include Misha, who has worked with Ceb both as a player and a coach, and Kitrak from Ceb's previous team, Old G. While some fans hope for n0tail's return, it appears unlikely at this time. OG's decisions in the coming days will be crucial as they strive to build a formidable roster for the prestigious tournament.