Aurora Esports, a prominent Dota 2 team based in Southeast Asia (SEA), has decided to place their midlaner, Armel "Armel" Tabios, on the inactive roster. This decision, announced via the team's official social media channels, follows Armel's absence during DreamLeague Season 22, where Artem "lorenof" Melnick filled in admirably.

Armel's absence during DreamLeague Season 22 was initially attributed to personal commitments, later revealed to be his newfound role as a father. This development prompted the team to field lorenof as the stand-in midlaner, who showcased impressive performances during the event. With Aurora experiencing mixed results in recent tournaments, lorenof's solid performance has likely influenced the decision to potentially transition him into the permanent midlaner position, although no official announcement has been made regarding this change.

The decision to move Armel to the inactive roster marks a significant shift for Aurora, considering his tenure with the team since November 2023, following his departure from Secret to join former Talon Esports players under the Aurora banner. Despite Aurora's status as a premier team in SEA in the previous competitive season, their performance in 2024 has been inconsistent, failing to qualify for major tournaments like ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 and ESL One Birmingham 2024. However, their qualification for DreamLeague Season 22 and notable performances, particularly with lorenof as the stand-in, have demonstrated their potential.

The unexpected turn of events during DreamLeague Season 22, where Aurora initially displayed strong performances before faltering in the later stages, has prompted speculation about the team's future trajectory. lorenof's impressive showing early in the tournament has undoubtedly raised expectations for his potential inclusion as the permanent midlaner.