Dota 2 Roster News: Gaimin Gladiators to Remain Unchanged?

Amidst the widespread roster upheaval that typically follows The International in the Dota 2 scene, Gaimin Gladiators are seemingly sticking with their current lineup

The wave of Dota 2 roster news following the conclusion of The International 2023 has ignited a frenzy of speculation and anticipation within the community. Notable changes have already come to light, with departures like Taiga leaving OG and the disbandment of beastcoast's roster. Nevertheless, amidst the flurry of roster updates, TI-12 runner-ups Gaimin Gladiators emerge as an exception, who seem set to hold on to their current lineup.

Are Gaimin Gladiators Keeping Their Roster Intact?

The latest comments from Gaimin Gladiators captain Melchior “Seleri” Hillenkamp indicate that the team is ready to retain its current roster and build on the incredible success they had this season.

I'm looking forward to the future and next season!
Much is unclear but one thing is for certain:@dyrachyoo @ccncdota2 @AceDota @tOfuDota2 @cydota2 and me will try our best to make magic happen again! Can we win 66% of all (T1)tournaments again? No idea, but we can at least try!

— Melchior Hillenkamp (@Seleri4096) November 4, 2023

Seleri turned to social media to reflect on the Gaimin Gladiators' phenomenal journey in the past season. In this candid post, he not only looked back but also peered into the future, shedding light on the team's aspirations for the upcoming season. Notably, he tagged all the current Gaimin Gladiators members in his post, subtly implying the organization's intention to keep the current roster intact.

Gaimin Gladiators Season Recap

Before starting their The International 2023 mission, Gaimin Gladiators had already secured their dominance in the Dota 2 competitive circuit, emerging victorious in all three of this year's Major tournaments. Their triumphant campaigns included DreamLeague Season 19, DreamLeague Season 20, and the BetBoom Dacha tournament.

Photo Credit: ESL

What sets the Gladiators apart is their remarkable consistency. Not only did they clinch these prestigious titles, but they also maintained a firm grip on a top-three position in the fiercely competitive Western Europe regional league, proving their prowess in the regional arena.

They also secured a coveted spot in the top four at the esteemed Riyadh Masters 2023. Their impressive run in Riyadh not only earned them recognition but also a substantial prize purse of $1,200,000, solidifying their status as a powerhouse in the Dota 2 professional scene.

Their achievements throughout the year were undeniably impressive, positioning the Gaimin Gladiators as prime candidates for the title of the most decorated team of the year. A somewhat underwhelming 7th-8th place finish at DreamLeague Season 21 left a bittersweet taste, however, casting a shadow over their prospects in the biggest tournament of the season, The International 2023, aka TI12.

As the spotlight turned to The International 2023, the European powerhouse showed signs of vulnerability during the group stage. They secured a second-place finish in Group C, tallying a respectable 2-1-1 record, but it was evident that their confidence was not as unwavering as before. Their journey became even more treacherous as they squared off against Talon Esports in the second phase of the group stage. In a hard-fought battle, GG found themselves on the losing side, prompting their descent to the perilous terrain of the lower bracket.

On their arduous journey to The International 2023 Grand Finals, the Gaimin Gladiators managed to recoup their form. Along the way, they vanquished formidable opponents, including renowned teams such as Evil Geniuses, 9Pandas, Nouns, Team Liquid, Azure Ray, and LGD Gaming.

The Gladiators' astounding performance was evident in their relentless pursuit of victory, and it's worth highlighting that, leading up to the Grand Finals, the only team to have managed to claim a map against them was Team Liquid.

Gaimin Gladiators enjoyed an exceptionally successful season despite narrowly missing out on securing the coveted Aegis of Champions for the first time in their storied history. In a surprising turn of events, Team Spirit continued the momentum from their impressive TI12 campaign into the Grand Final, where they overcame the most formidable team of the ultimate DPC season.