The Old and the New: LGD and EHOME’s chances for the Shanghai Major

In the last year, there is no denying that the Chinese Dota 2 scene has failed to live up to the expectations of fans. Chinese teams have consistently reached the top 5 of tournaments but failed to win any championships, , with the exception of the recent Mars Dota League. Their showing in the Frankfurt Major was especially poor, with no team even breaching the top 3 places. Their performance has raised many questions regarding the state of the Chinese professional scene,disheartening many fans.

With the upcoming Shanghai Major, there is an opportunity for the Chinese players to redeem themselves after over a year of slumber. With many younger players entering the scene, as well as old veterans rediscovering their motivation, their chances on the home turf are at its highest. Will the East vs. West confrontation reach its former heights? And who is going to lead the battle to reclaim their home title?

It is a popular opinion now that the Chinese Dota has been on a decline. After all, no one remembers who came in second. Statistics for the past year-and-a-half suggests that the idea is greatly exaggerated, however. Moreover, most recent events show that there are still strong competitors in the region, and they are ready to go toe-to-toe against top Western teams.

Not only are there significantly more experienced players in China, compared to other regions, but there are also a lot of younger talents, who might lack exposure and fame, but certainly do not lack skill. The Shanghai Major can be an excellent proving ground for these younger players and will temper them for TI6.