As previously leaked, the legendary Dota 2 duo Faith_bian and Ori have emerged from retirement to rejoin the competitive scene under the banner of Azure Ray (AR). This move is a strategic step for the Chinese Dota 2 powerhouse, aiming to restore its former glory despite recent roster shake-ups.

 https://twitter.com/Tr1H4rd3rDota2/status/1741378451624624495 

Having been retired since 2022, Faith_bian and Ori's return signifies a major boost for AR. While the team has faced significant challenges in the last three months, undergoing two major roster overhauls, the addition of these seasoned players injects experience and stability. Ori is set to take on the mid-lane role, showcasing his prowess, while Faith_bian will be handling the offlane, adding a layer of strategic depth to AR's lineup.

AR's recent comprehensive roster shuffle raised eyebrows in the competitive scene, with some competitors even calling for disqualification during ESL Kuala Lumpur. Despite the controversies, AR silenced the critics by clinching victory in the tournament, underlining the team's undeniable strength.

However, success was short-lived as AR semi-disbanded after the event, with three players departing to join Ame in Xtreme Gaming. While Xm, Xxs, and XinQ's tenure with AR was brief, their departure left a void. AR's ability to quickly assemble competitive rosters has been commendable, but a looming issue awaits them.

The management of Azure Ray oversees another Dota 2 team, Xtreme Gaming, which triggers a potential conflict. Valve's rulebook prohibits two organizations owned by the same entity from competing in the same event. This could impact AR's future participation in major tournaments, including The International, with Valve taking a step back from Dota 2's competitive calendar.

While AR and Xtreme might collaborate in non-Valve events, the prospect of missing out on The International looms large. The teams must currently focus on the BetBoom Gacha and DreamLeague qualifiers, with the uncertainty of what awaits them toward the end of 2024. As Faith_bian and Ori embark on this new chapter, the Dota 2 community watches eagerly to see if Azure Ray can navigate these challenges and reclaim its position as a dominant force in the Chinese Dota 2 scene.