Moin Khot
Dec, 28.2023
In a shocking turn of events, Azure Ray's Dota 2 journey takes an unexpected turn. Despite clinching victory at the ESL One Kuala Lumpur Major, the team faces a shakeup as three key members depart to join forces with Ame.
Xm, Xxs, and XinQ, the replacements after TI 2023, displayed prowess alongside Lou and Yftx, bringing home a major trophy. However, a mere month later, the trio departs to unite with Ame, who resurfaces in competitive Dota 2 under Xtreme Gaming's banner. While this move might seem abrupt, it's a strategic play by Azure Ray's owner, who also holds the reins at Xtreme Gaming.
Ame wasted no time, swiftly teaming up with Xtreme's position five player, Dy. However, the remaining slots on the roster remained vacant until today. Azure Ray finds itself in a roster crisis, a bittersweet aftermath of their recent triumph. Yet, the primary objective appears to be assembling the best talent around Ame.
Amidst the shuffle, Azure Ray faces a potential obstacle with Valve's rule restricting owners from fielding two teams in major tournaments. The clash between Azure Ray and Xtreme Gaming in Valve events seems inevitable. However, there might be a glimmer of hope as Valve relaxes its grip on the competitive scene, allowing third-party organizers to take the reins. This could open doors for both teams to participate in non-Valve events, presenting a silver lining to the conundrum.
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The replacements for the vacant slots on Azure Ray remain a mystery at this time. Rumors in the Chinese Dota 2 community hint at the return of Fy and Faith_Bian. While fans lament the dismantling of a recent champion, Ame's resurgence injects excitement into the regional scene. Having secured a spot on Dota 2's Aegis of Champions in 2023, Ame eyes a personal triumph at TI 2024, adding a new chapter to his storied career.