A New Chapter Begins in Southeast Asia

OG Esports has officially unveiled its new Dota 2 roster, marking a bold new era for the organisation as it expands from Europe into Southeast Asia. The two-time International champions announced an all-Filipino line-up through a cinematic two-minute trailer posted on social media, declaring their intent to “stake their claim to SEA Dota 2.”

A new chapter unfolds today, in a region that feels like home.

New legends rise and we’re here to stake our claim to SEA Dota 2. pic.twitter.com/UFFkaa5CZn

— OG (@OGesports) November 8, 2025

After a year of inconsistent results and a full roster disbandment just weeks earlier, this move represents both a fresh start and a calculated pivot for one of the most storied organisations in Dota 2 history.

From Europe to the Philippines

The new roster consists entirely of the former Team Aureus line-up, a squad that had been making waves in the SEA region before catching OG’s attention. The players now donning the OG jersey are:

• John ‘Natsumi-’ Anthony Vargas
• Erin Jasper ‘Yopaj-’ Ferrer
• Nikko ‘Nikko’ Bilocura
• Timothy ‘Tims’ Randrup
• Rolen Andrei Gabriel ‘Skem’ Ong
• Adam ‘343’ Erwann Shah bin Akhtar Husseih (Coach)

Coach 343 brings valuable experience from his time with Fnatic and other SEA rosters, providing stability and insight for the newly formed team.

OG’s move was met with excitement from both international and local fans, especially as SEA has long been considered one of the most passionate Dota 2 regions. Co-founder and Dota legend Sébastien “Ceb” Debs spoke warmly about the decision, saying:

“If the SEA region is going to finally get the championships it deserves, I’m sure that will be with OG. SEA always felt like home to us, and I want to thank all the SEA fans for the support that you always provided to OG.”

Meet the New Legends

Each member of OG’s new roster brings notable experience and achievements.

• Natsumi-, formerly with Talon Esports, claimed victory at the MESA Invitational 2024 after defeating Natus Vincere 2-0 in the Grand Final.
• Nikko, also known as “Force,” previously played for MOUZ and helped them win the Dota 2 World Invitationals 2024, sweeping L1GA TEAM 3-0.
• Veterans Yopaj, Tims, and Skem are all familiar faces from their time with BOOM Esports, a team that made headlines in 2022 by winning the GAMERS GALAXY Invitational Series Dubai.

This roster blends established experience with regional synergy, giving OG a strong foundation as they aim to re-establish their competitive legacy.

OG’s Next Challenge

Fans won’t have to wait long to see the new OG roster in action. The team will debut at PGL Wallachia Season 6, running from November 15th to 23rd, 2025, where they’ll face world-class opponents like Team Liquid, MOUZ, and Tundra Esports.

With a $1 million (~USD) prize pool on the line, this tournament will serve as the perfect proving ground for OG’s Southeast Asian resurgence.

A Legacy Reborn

OG remains one of the most successful organisations in Dota 2 history. The team famously won The International 2018 and 2019, defeating PSG.LGD and Team Liquid respectively, and became the only organisation to ever win back-to-back TI titles, earning a combined $26.8 million USD in prize money.

While recent years have seen mixed performances, OG’s legacy remains unmatched, and their move into SEA signals renewed ambition. The shift could also bring fresh competition to a region hungry for its first International title.

As OG begins this new journey with an all-Filipino roster, one thing is clear: the spirit of OG—bold, fearless, and full of heart—remains as strong as ever.

The post OG Esports Expands Into SEA With All Filipino Dota 2 Roster appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

A Legendary Comeback for the OG Founder

After three years away from competitive Dota 2, Johan “N0tail” Sundstein has officially returned to OG’s active roster. The organisation announced the move on X, confirming that he will replace Rodrigo “Lelis” Santos, who departs after a short stint with the team.

OG would like to thank Rodrigo ‘Lelis’ Santos for his efforts during his brief tenure with the squad.
He will be replaced on the active roster by Johan ‘Notail’ Sundstein going forwards. pic.twitter.com/5tKIHk1oNm

— OG (@OGesports) October 14, 2025

N0tail’s return marks a major shift for OG, a team that has struggled to find consistent form in recent years. The Danish veteran, who co-founded the organisation and won back-to-back The International titles in 2018 and 2019, had rejoined the squad earlier this year in a coaching capacity. Now, he’s stepping back onto the battlefield himself.

From Coach to Competitor Once More

Since May 2025, N0tail has been working behind the scenes as a coach, guiding a young OG roster through a tough competitive season. Despite his presence, the team continued to falter in qualifiers, missing out on key events and cycling through several roster changes.

The shift back to an active player role comes as OG look to stabilise their lineup after a string of disappointing results. N0tail even stood in for the team during the PGL Wallachia Season 6 qualifiers, hinting at a potential return that has now been made official.

While the transition sees Lelis leave the roster, OG expressed gratitude for his contribution during his brief time with the squad. The organisation thanked him publicly for his “efforts during his brief tenure” before announcing N0tail as his replacement.

Rebuilding the OG Spirit

This move feels like a return to OG’s roots. N0tail has long been the heart and soul of the organisation, embodying its trademark mix of creativity, resilience, and camaraderie. His leadership and in-game understanding could be exactly what OG need to rediscover their identity and rebuild their competitive strength heading into 2026.

Still, fans shouldn’t expect to see OG back on the main stage immediately. The team won’t be competing in any remaining Tier 1 events for the rest of 2025, meaning the focus will be on rebuilding and preparing for the new season.

For a team once at the pinnacle of Dota 2 esports, this could be the spark that reignites their competitive flame.

OG’s Current Lineup

• Indji “Shad” Lub
• Igor “Stojkov” Stojkov
• Mihajlo “MikSa`” Jovanovic
• Tamir “daze” Tokpanov
• Johan “N0tail” Sundstein

A Step Toward the Future

Whether this is a short-term experiment or the beginning of another chapter in OG’s storied history, N0tail’s comeback has already stirred excitement across the Dota 2 community. With one of the game’s most decorated players returning to action, fans are eager to see if he can help OG reclaim their place among the elite.

For now, all eyes are on 2026, and on whether the OG magic can strike again.

The post N0tail Returns to OG’s Dota 2 Roster After Three Years Away appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

The post-TI 2025 Dota 2 roster shuffle has claimed another casualty, with North American organisation Wildcard Gaming officially disbanding its Dota 2 roster. The decision came as a surprise to fans, especially after the team’s impressive showing at The International 2025, where they stood out as one of the region’s most promising squads.

Even the best stories have to come to an end 💔

Today we say goodbye to our Dota 2 roster and whish them only the best going forward 🃏 pic.twitter.com/YwKxoO6WJV

— Wildcard (@Wildcard_GG) October 2, 2025

Wildcard’s journey in Dota 2 has been anything but straightforward. The organisation first entered the scene in 2022 but stepped away the following year after Valve shut down the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC). However, in January 2025, Wildcard made a comeback by signing the Apex Genesis roster, a team made up of rising North American talents hungry to make a mark.

Despite being relatively new, the roster quickly climbed the ranks in North America, finally breaking Shopify Rebellion’s long-standing dominance and securing the region’s sole spot at The International.

For most of the players, TI 2025 marked their debut on the world stage. Wildcard’s squad exceeded expectations, advancing through the Group Stage and outperforming teams like BOOM Esports, Team Nemesis, and Natus Vincere. Though their journey ended in the Elimination Round against powerhouse PARIVISION, their 9th–13th finish was an impressive feat for an underdog roster that had only been together for a few months.

With Shopify Rebellion’s exit from Dota 2 earlier this year, Wildcard seemed poised to become North America’s leading force in the competitive scene. That’s why the organisation’s decision to part ways with its entire roster has raised eyebrows. Even more confusingly, the team had already qualified for DreamLeague Season 27 under the Wildcard banner before being released.

As of now, Wildcard hasn’t clarified whether it plans to stay involved in competitive Dota 2 or exit the scene altogether.

Thankfully, this isn’t the end for the players themselves. According to former manager stresspresso, the roster will stay together and continue competing under their old banner, Apex Genesis. The team has already registered for PGL Wallachia Season 6 and DreamLeague Season 27, as well as upcoming qualifiers for BLAST Slam 5.

Here’s the current Apex Genesis Dota 2 roster:

• Luke “YamSun” Wang
• Francis “RCY” Fundemera
• Victor “Fayde” Zuev
• Danil “Bignum” Shekhovtsov
• Paul “Speeed” Bocchicchio

While Wildcard’s exit marks another blow to the struggling North American Dota 2 scene, fans can take comfort knowing the players aren’t done yet. With Apex Genesis back in action and momentum still on their side, the squad’s next chapter might be just as exciting as their unexpected rise.

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