Somnus To Possibly Play For Team Old Boys In 2023

Lu "Somnus" Yao recently revealed his plans for the upcoming season in a recent livestream. The two-time Major winner recently played for Royal Never Give Up (RNG) in the 2021/2022 Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) season. However, following the team’s disappointing run at The International 2022 (TI11) Somnus hinted at retirement from the competitive scene. 

However, during the off-season the decorated Chinese mid-laner noted that he would be focusing on live streaming for now instead of retiring, as he is very exhausted from playing competitively without a break for the last seven years.

Somnus to join Team Old Boys for the upcoming season

According to Twitter user @Tr1H4rd3rDota2, who has consistently posted updates on the Chinese Dota scene during the off-season, former RNG mid-laner Lu "Somnus" Yao or better known to many as ‘Maybe’ was recently coached in his public matches by former RNG teammate Yap "xNova" Jian Wei in a recent livestream.

XNova then asked Somnus about his future plans following his departure from Royal Never Give Up, to which he simply replied with “Team OB”. 

While many may not know which team Somnus is referring to, Team OB or Team Old Boys is an actual team founded by several retired Chinese professional Dota 2 players. Additionally, the team is founded on the basis of having fun in Dota while also making a living by casting at LAN tournaments or live streaming.

While Team Old Boys is currently not competing in either divisions of the Chinese DPC league for the upcoming season, it’s fun and calm environment might have contributed to Somnus’s decision to join the group as he is looking to focus on live streaming for now, as he is very exhausted from playing competitively without a break for the last seven years. Additionally, the two-time Major winner also said that he will only return to playing competitively should he find a suitable roster.

As of now, Somnus is still contracted to RNG despite his unannounced departure from the organization. However, with RNG’s roster already being registered for the upcoming season many believed that Somnus’s move to Team OB will actually happen.