Cover-Credits:
2022 for Southeast Asia (SEA) Dota 2 was quite a competitive year, as new organizations emerged to challenge the powerhouses in the region. While the veterans of the SEA scene continued to play to their strong abilities and gave some excellent performances, it was the new generation of players who have shown their skills while also elevating the scene to new heights in 2022 as the region became the host for this year’s International.
Despite its shortcomings throughout the season, the 2021/2022 edition of the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) has definitely given a platform for these players in both the Lower and Upper Divisions to showcase their hidden talent and skill to the global Dota 2 community. Here are the ten players who best managed to do so in 2022.
The Best Dota 2 Players in SEA in 2022
10. Q (Talon Esports)
Worawit "Q" Mekchai is probably the most underrated player on the list. While the Thai support mainly played for Motivate.Trust Gaming in the previous two years, his debut with Talon Esports in the second tour of the SEA DPC was the opportunity he needed to prove his worth.
During his debut season with the Hong Kong based organization, Talon Esports were able to gain promotion into Division I for the last tour of the competitive season as well as qualifying for the Arlington Major and The International 2022 (TI11). However, Talon Esports were unable to perform on the international stage as the organization bombed out of both the Major and TI11 in the group stages.
In 2022, Q has been estimated to have made approximately $25,224 USD according to Esports Earnings despite having a decent competitive season. While Q and Talon might not have achieved their desired goals in their debut season, the team’s choice to retain the support player shows their faith in the player and could prove to be fruitful as we head into 2023.
9. Jaunuel (Fnatic)
Jaunuel ``Jaunuel'' Arcilla's progression in 2022 is a sight to behold. The former Neon Esports player was recruited into Fnatic in 2022 as a relatively unknown player. However, as the season progressed Jaunuel emerged as a position five player that every carry would love to have on their team. Aside from individual brilliance in the laning phase, Jaunuel also acted as Fnatic’s shield from time to time with clutch saves and impressive warding skills.
Despite playing in the position 5 role and possessing relatively low farm within his team, Jaunuel still manages to change the course of the game many times in 2022 with crucial saves on heroes like Bane, game changing initiations on his signature Treant Protector or even with his imposing laning presence on Enchantress. His efforts also helped Fnatic to achieve a top 8 finish at the Stockholm Major as well as a 4th place finish at ESL One Malaysia 2022.
On top of a decent competitive season, Jaunuel also had the highest average on assists per game during the second tour of the 2021/22 DPC SEA Upper Division with 16.19 assists per match according to Liquipedia.
With Fnatic retaining the so-called “Mullet God” for the upcoming season, it will be interesting to see if he can help Fnatic to achieve its long overdue success on the international stage in 2023.
8. Skem (BOOM Esports/Geek Fam)
Following his move to BOOM Esports in 2022, Rolen Andrei Gabriel "skem" Ong made a name for himself as one of the best position five support players in the region. Additionally, skem played a major role in BOOM’s success during the 2021/2022 edition of the Dota Pro Circuit as the organization won two international LAN championships in Dubai & Thailand while also dominating the regional league.
Aside from skem’s adaptability and leadership skills, skem’s mastery on supports such as Weaver and Enchantress made him a formidable opposition as he could change the tides for his team in crucial moments. Additionally, during his one year stint with BOOM Esports, skem has made approximately $146,824.80 in prize winnings according to Esports Earnings.
Now returning to his natural position as a carry player for Geek Fam, skem finds himself in yet another well-rounded roster. However, it will be interesting to see if skem can perform at his best with a new team.
Gamers Galaxy
7. 23savage (T1/Talon Esports)
Nuengnara "23savage" Teeramahanon continues to prove himself as one of the best carries in 2022, as he became a crucial key player in Talon Esport’s rise within the regional league. While his unexpected removal from T1 during the middle of the season made headlines, his redemption story with Talon Esports was even better.
23savage checks all the right boxes as a carry. He excels at laning, makes the most of his farm, strategically avoids opponent ganks, and puts on the kind of teamfight performances that all teams want from a carry. But what actually distinguishes him from the rest is his extraordinary capacity to summon farm even when his squad is overwhelmingly outmatched against strong oppositions.
In addition to his average K/D/A of 6.30/4.95/7.40 per game at TI11 according to Spectral.gg, 23savage also became the first ever Dota 2 player to have reached the fabled 13,000 MMR milestone.
While 23savage might have suffered a slight drop in terms of achievements in 2022, Talon Esports are looking to challenge the powerhouses of the SEA region in the upcoming season with 23savage at the helm.
6. DJ (Fnatic)
Djardel Jicko B. "DJ" Mampusti did not have a great year in 2021 as his potentials were held back with the player playing out of his comfort zone as a position five support. However, in 2022 DJ has once again proved the doubters wrong as he returned to his preferred position 4 role.
Due to his wealth of expertise throughout the years, DJ was still considered among the top position four players in the area and was crucial to Fnatic's success throughout the whole season, including a top 4 finish at ESL One Malaysia 2022. Additionally, DJ was able to assist his laning partner admirably while also giving breathing room to other lanes with his rotations.
In 2022, DJ has been estimated to have made approximately $85,426 from attending 11 different events throughout the year according to Esports Earnings. However going into his 8th year with Fnatic, many are hoping for Fnatic to perform well on the international stage in the upcoming season as DJ looks to lead the new generation of players within the team.
Valve
5. Armel (Fnatic)
While Armel Paul "Armel '' Tabios might not currently be the best midlaner in SEA, his performances with Fnatic in 2022 has been nothing short of a redemption story as he became a crucial part of the team’s success throughout the season.
In addition to a top 8 finish at the Stockholm Major as well as a 4th place finish at ESL One Malaysia 2022, Armel also cemented his legacy as one of the best midlaners in the world by defeating Nigma Galaxy’s Syed "SumaiL" Hassan in a 1v1 match at ESL One Malaysia.
During his time at TI11, Armel has a respectable average K/D/A of 8.21/4.84/10.58 per game according to Spectral.gg. However along with DJ & Jaunuel, Armel is looking to prove himself once again as Fnatic’s midlaner in the upcoming season.
4. Fbz (BOOM Esports)
Saieful "Fbz" Ilham performed above expectations in 2022 as part of BOOM Esports’ roster, as the Indonesian offlaner became one of the best offlaners in the world. Additionally, his clutch plays with Mars are a sight to behold as the team dominated the regional league in 2022.
On top of achieving a top 8 finish at the Arlington Major, Fbz also managed to win back to back GAMERS GALAXY: Invitational Series tournaments in Dubai & Thailand. However despite the team’s regional dominance, its form in international competitions gradually diminished as the season progressed.
Following the recent competitive season, Fbz has approximately made around $146,824 in prize pool winnings in 2022 according to Esports Earnings. Additionally, Fbz’s efforts in 2022 were well rewarded as he renewed his contract with the Indonesian based organization.
3. JaCkky (BOOM Esports/Bleed Esports)
Souliya "JaCkky" Khoomphetsavong was initially brought in as a substitute for Justine "Tino" Grimaldo in the regional finals of the first tour. However, following his dominant performance BOOM Esports decided to sign JaCkky on a permanent contract in 2022 from Motivate.Trust Gaming.
Under the guidance of coach Chai "Mushi" Yee Fung, JaCkky became one of the best carries in the SEA region with multiple championship titles to his name in 2022 on top of dominating the regional league.
However, following the team’s mediocre 9th-12th finish at TI11 JaCkky decided to pursue other opportunities for the upcoming season as part of Bleed Esports’ new Dota 2 roster. Additionally, the Laotian carry approximately made around $149,424 in prize pool winnings in 2022 according to the Esports Earnings site.
2. Tims (BOOM Esports/Blacklist International)
For yet another year, Timothy John "Tims" Randrup has shown his prowess as a position four support player. Tims maintained his superb play when most veterans were eclipsed by their younger competitors.
Tims is an expert in his position, as he was able to provide excellent aid as a support while also relieving pressure off his teammates during the early phases of the game. Additionally, Tims can also be seen making crucial decisions and clutch plays when the team needed him the most.
During his time with BOOM Esports, Tims had an overall win-loss ratio of 170 wins & 95 losses during his 265 games with the Indonesian based organization according to Dotabuff. However, after the team’s mediocre 9th-12th finish at TI11, Tims decided to return to his native country as he chose to represent Philippines in an all-star roster in Blacklist International for the upcoming season.
1. Yopaj (BOOM Esports)
Erin Jasper "Yopaj" Ferrer is undoubtedly the best player in the SEA Dota 2 scene in 2022. Considered by many as one of the most deadly and consistent midlaners in SEA, his mechanical skill is undeniably on par with some of the best midlaners in the world.
His play on picks such as his signature Ember Spirit, Templar Assassin and Kunkka drew bans from opponents throughout the year. However, despite being the primary target in team fights Yopaj would always find a way to turn the tides to his advantage.
Like others within his team, Yopaj was a crucial part in BOOM Esports’ regional dominance as well as multiple championship titles in 2022. Having renewed his contract with the organization for 2023, Yopaj will be looking to add more accolades to his name for the upcoming season.
In 2022, Yopaj made an estimated $146,824.80 from 10 different tournaments throughout the year according to Esports Earning. Additionally, Yopaj currently has an overall win-loss ratio of 184 wins & 100 losses with BOOM Esports according to Dotabuff.
Honorable Mention - Mikoto (Talon Esports)
Rafli "Mikoto" Rahman performed above expectations with Talon Esports in 2022, as he became a crucial player in Talon Esports’ rise to Division I of the SEA DPC.
In addition to doing an outstanding job in the midlane in the laning phase, Mikoto also sets the tempo for the team during the early stages of the game with his crucial rotations while also providing 23savage the space needed to farm.
While Mikoto and Talon Esports might not have achieved their desired goals in their debut season, the decision to retain Mikoto for the upcoming season might bear fruit in the upcoming season as Division I looks to be stacked with tough opponents.
