The Western Aegis Agenda: MOUZ's Ghostly Return, Team Trust Exercises, and PGL's Big Bet
Cover-Credits:
AFK Gaming
Welcome to this week’s Western Aegis Agenda, where there is more drama than /r/dota2 can keep up with. From MOUZ sneaking back into the scene after a lengthy ghosting session, to OG's bromance blossoming on the battlefield, Team Secret's lineup playing musical chairs, and PGL's plan to throw more tournaments than there are patches in a season. It's a rollercoaster ride of emotions, strategy, and unexpected comebacks—basically, your average Dota game but with more at stake.
MOUZ Makes a Dota 2 Comeback: Third Time's the Charm or Just a Nostalgic Re-Run?
After a hiatus that felt longer than the wait for Ringmaster, MOUZ (you know, the team formerly known as mousesports when rodents ruled the esports world) has decided that Dota 2 has missed them enough. Announcing their grand return to the pro scene after seven years of what we can only assume was a deep, introspective journey (or maybe they just lost the map), MOUZ is back to remind us all how it's done—or at least, they're hoping to.
Founded in the distant past of 2007, back when Warcraft 3 Dota 2 and mousepad prices were the pinnacle of esports, MOUZ quickly became a household name for anyone whose household frequently discussed professional Dota.
Valve
MOUZ has a storied history in Dota 2. They first burst onto the scene following The International 2011, bringing in players that reads like a who's who of Dota 2 royalty, including the likes of Max "qojqva" Bröcker, Andreas "Cr1t-" Nielsen, Wehsing "SingSing" Yuen, Kuro "KuroKy" Salehi Takhasomi, and the late Alaan "SexyBamboe" Faraj. However, MOUZ decided to take a break in 2014 and then again in 2017, citing a series of heartbreaks and disappointments, only to now announce their third act in this epic saga.
MOUZ's Chief Business Development Officer Jan Dominicus couldn't contain his excitement after the return, saying, "After a long period of anticipation, we are thrilled to re-enter the realm of Dota 2." Thrilled, anticipated, and hopefully equipped with a map this time, MOUZ is diving back into the open tournament circuit, ready to leverage... well, everything they can, according to Dominicus.
The new MOUZ lineup pulls three players from the lovable underdogs Team Tickles and adds two trials to the mix. Coached by the legendary Daniel "ImmortalFaith" Moza, known for guiding lost Dota souls with his guides, MOUZ is ready to challenge the best—or at least disband trying.
The roster is a melting pot of talent, with Stefan "Ulnit" Gavrila, Nikko "Force" Bilocura, and Ravdan "NARMAN" Narmandakh bringing the essence of Team Tickles to the table. For Force and NARMAN, this marks their European debut, making this less of a comeback and more of an international intrigue. Meanwhile, Ondřej "Supream^" Štarha, the Czech midlaner known for his Invoker plays, and Jonathan "Bengan" Hansson, formerly of Team Bald Reborn, round out the team.
As MOUZ steps back into the limelight, the Dota 2 community watches with bated breath. Will this be the triumphant return of a Dota 2 powerhouse, or are we witnessing the gaming equivalent of your dad trying to use TikTok? Only time will tell. And if all else fails, they can always disband and come back for a fourth time.
From Solo Hero to OG's Trust Guru: Timado's Bromantic Dota 2 Journey
The recent snagging of Enzo "Timado" Gianoli by OG as their clutch carry for DreamLeague Season 22 has proven to be an astute decision. Who knew? In the tornado of professional Dota 2, where trust is usually as rare as a fully PMA game in Southeast Asia, these guys are writing a bromance for the ages. Timado, previously seen lugging his team's hopes like a backpack full of bricks, has flipped the script with OG. He’s gone from lone wolf to pack leader, showing us the power of fist bumps over facepalms.
I think something I learned in this team is trust. I guess when you are kind of playing tier 2 Dota, tier 2/tier 1.5, trying to be the best, let’s say sometimes you don’t play with the best people so you kind of get into this mindset where I am egoisto, I am going to 1v9 every game. If it is not me, it is no one else. This is how I was trained for many years. So, I did not fully trust my teammates. I realized this was a fault in my approach to Dota. I didn’t really trust them in the game. I always felt like I have to do it myself. But with these guys, I have learned how to trust them. It sounds kind of silly but I have been kind of taking my hands off and sometimes it happens that I get killed randomly but I just trust him, even if he goes wrong,”- Timado
As OG gears up to take on Aurora, Gaimin Gladiators, and Team Spirit, it’s clear that their group hug strategy is paying off. Timado’s journey from solo queue hero to team trust guru is a reminder that in the world of Dota 2, it’s not just about being the best player, but the best teammate. It’s shaping up to be an epic saga of trust, teamwork, and hopefully not a pizza party.
The Swift Secret Saga: Ekki might already be on the way out
In an unexpected twist that has the Dota 2 community positively buzzing, Marcel "Ekki" Hołowienko's foray into professional Dota 2 with Team Secret has allegedly come to a premature end. This news follows closely on the heels of Team Secret's exit from DreamLeague Season 22, where they were ousted in the first group stage, finishing in a rather unceremonious 11th-12th place.
The source of this shocking revelation? A tweet from Milan "MiLAN" Kozomara, a former Level Up player, who seems more eager to spark controversial speculation about fellow Dota 2 players than to offer a shoulder to cry on.
Meanwhile, official channels have been as silent as Aurora’s social media manager after the Armel allegations, with neither Ekki nor Team Secret offering any confirmation or denial of the reports. However, Ekki's Twitter profile has cryptically added the initials "LFT" (Looking For Team), signaling his newfound free agency, while his cover image clings to the vestiges of his Secret past.
PGL Drops the Gauntlet: A Three-Year Dota 2 Marathon That's More Epic Than Your Last Relationship
PGL just dropped one of the biggest announcements for Dota 2 fans in 2024. They're not just dipping their toes in the Dota 2 waters—they're cannonballing into the deep end with a three-year, eight-tournament extravaganza. And with each tournament boasting a cool $1 Million prize pool, it's clear they're not playing around.
On 4th March, PGL decided it was time to show the world they're the real MVPs of Dota 2, announcing a commitment that's longer than most of my gym memberships. They're planning to host at least eight tournaments between now and 2026, kicking things off with something called PGL Wallachia this May. Because nothing says "epic Dota 2 battle" like a tournament named after a region most famous for Vlad the Impaler.
The first two tournaments are set to take place in what PGL calls "state-of-the-art" studios in Bucharest, Romania. The inaugural PGL Wallachia will see 16 teams duking it out from May 10th to 19th, following a brutal game of musical chairs in the form of open and closed qualifiers in late March. The second helping of Dota 2 goodness in 2024 is scheduled for November (likely after The International 2024), giving players just enough time to recover, see their families, and remember what sunlight looks like.
In the grand unveiling of their ambitious tournament roadmap, PGL saved a particularly striking message for the conclusion of their press release. Ending on a note of fierce independence, PGL wants to make it clear that they're doing this without a dime of government funding. That's right, folks, this is esports warfare against the likes of ESL, and PGL is leading the charge with nothing but passion, a hefty bank account, and probably a very sophisticated Excel spreadsheet.
