As the dust settles on the fiercely contested Group Stage of The International 2025, a brief, anticipatory hush descends before the playoffs ignite. This pause offers a prime opportunity to reflect on the individual brilliance that illuminated the path to the main event. While teams fought for survival and seeding, certain players transcended the ordinary, delivering performances that were not just good, but utterly transformative. We`ve taken on the formidable task of curating an exclusive “Dream Team” – a quintet of Dota 2 titans whose mastery of their roles defined the initial skirmishes of the championship.
Carry: Wang “Ame” Chunyu (Xtreme) – The Unyielding Blade
Whispers of Ame`s return to peak form were abundant before TI2025, but his Group Stage performance wasn`t merely a return; it was a defiant reassertion of dominance. The Xtreme carry navigated the perilous lanes with an almost supernatural evasiveness, making him, at times, practically unkillable – a challenge that even top-tier opponents, such as Falcons` Skiter, found delightfully elusive. Traditionally known for his unparalleled farming efficiency, Ame this year has masterfully woven this talent with timely, aggressive team engagements and audacious plays in crucial teamfights. His current iteration is not just a farmer, but a balanced force, a true spearhead that can both accumulate wealth and dictate the tempo of battle.
Midlane: Danil “gpK~” Skutin (Team Placeholder) – The Immovable Object
In the chaotic heart of the midlane, few players command the same consistent respect as gpK~. His presence in any “best of” list throughout the year has become almost a formality, and The International 2025 Group Stage proved no exception. Skutin is a paragon of reliability, excelling across every phase of the game, from the opening skirmishes of the laning phase to the final siege on the enemy throne. What truly distinguishes him is his uncanny ability to maintain one of the lowest death counts, even while spearheading aggressive initiatives on heroes like Earthshaker, Sand King, and Puck. He doesn`t just play initiators; he becomes the unyielding first domino, setting off a chain reaction of destruction while somehow remaining pristine. If stability and aggressive reliability were currencies, gpK~ would be a billionaire.
Offlane: Ammar “ATF” Assaf (Team Falcons) – The Artful Disruptor
The return of ATF to his prior season`s formidable shape has been a spectacle. No longer merely a player of high individual skill, he has evolved into a master of disruption, consistently engineering decisive moments for his team through sheer personal execution and, more importantly, unconventional decision-making. ATF`s gameplay is a captivating blend of mechanical prowess and mental warfare. He doesn`t just outplay with spells and items; he out-thinks, setting intricate traps, baiting opponents into ill-advised engagements, and striking when least expected. The perceived “excessive ego” of old has been refined into a willingness to sacrifice, understanding that his demise can often yield greater strategic advantage for his team. His hero pool, encompassing his self-invented offlane Monkey King, his peerless Pangolier, and his ever-reliable Bristleback and Mars, makes him a true enigma – an offlaner who is, quite simply, uncontainable.
Support 4: Edgar “9Class” Naltakyan (Team Placeholder) – The Unseen Architect
9Class consistently brings a distinct, highly active, mobile, and profoundly unconventional playstyle to the Support 4 role. His signature is total map control. He`s the phantom who de-wards every enemy smoke, strips vital vision, and snatches opponent Teleport scrolls, often vanishing into the shadows unscathed. While his KDA might not always top the charts, his invaluable macro impact is undeniable. His Slark support, a nightmarish perpetual scout, a timely teammate savior, and an incredibly resilient presence, is something no foe desires to encounter. Adding to his unconventional arsenal, 9Class has reintroduced the forgotten support Alchemist, a mobile Aghanim`s Scepter dispenser for his team, and his Monkey King continues its reign as the bane of enemy couriers, effectively sabotaging early game economies. Performing a colossal volume of “dirty work” on heroes well outside the prevailing meta, 9Class complicates opponent strategies, making him not the flashiest, perhaps, but certainly the most effective in his position.
Support 5: Maroun “GH” Merhej (Nigma) – The Calm Amidst the Storm
Nigma`s qualification for the playoffs, arguably as the tournament`s primary underdog, was a sensation in itself. Central to this narrative was the stabilizing force of GH. His statistics might not boast record-breaking ward counts or assist numbers, but his true value lies in the balance he brought to a team often teetering on the edge of chaos, especially during pivotal clashes. Merhej became Nigma`s guardian angel, delivering countless game-saving plays with heroes like Pugna and Tusk, pouring tons of healing into teammates while expertly disorienting foes with Glimmer Capes. A specific 200 IQ Snowball timing against Aurora, expertly catching a respawning Nightfall, exemplified his profound game sense and was a key moment in Nigma’s improbable journey. GH embodies the quintessential Position 5: unflappable under immense pressure, consistently delivering maximum impact at the most critical junctures. Such a beacon of reliability is not just desired but essential in any championship-contending squad.
Our Unofficial Group Stage Dream Team:
- Carry: Wang “Ame” Chunyu
- Mid: Danil “gpK~” Skutin
- Offlane: Ammar “ATF” Assaf
- Support 4: Edgar “9Class” Naltakyan
- Support 5: Maroun “GH” Merhej
This curated selection represents players who didn`t just perform well but defined their roles and, in many cases, defied expectations. Their unique approaches, tactical brilliance, and sheer mechanical skill were the hallmarks of the TI2025 Group Stage. As we brace ourselves for the electrifying Playoff bracket, these are the individuals who have set an exceptionally high bar, promising even more exhilarating Dota 2 action. The question remains: who would you pick for your ultimate Group Stage lineup? Share your thoughts and continue the debate!
Finley Holt