The Kuala Lumpur Major

11 September, 2018 - 18 November, 2018 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

A new story will start in Kuala Lumpur, the first Major after the 2018 International, with a whopping $1,000,000 prize pool and valuable PDC points for The International 2019.

More information will be added as soon as it's available.

Preview

A little more than two weeks remain till the start of The Kuala Lumpur Major and we already know almost all participants. The last one will be the Dreamleague S10 winner. We could say that it might have been Team Liquid, but they refused to play in Sweden. And now it does not seems that the Minor winner will affect a lot on results of the upcoming Major. At the beginning of the second DPC season, different teams got different priorities (again, Liquid), but we can’t say that participants of the Major lack of motivation and attitude. Now let’s talk about the chances of specific teams.

Favorites

In some tournaments, we can’t clearly see the group of domination teams but for the event that will be held in Malaysia, we can place here four organizations - by one from each big region.

PSG.LGD

The vice-champion of The International 2018 were the obvious favorite of regional qualifiers. And they met the expectations by winning the Chinese qualifier without any problems - PSG.LGD passed it through the first place. They lost twice (once in the group stage, once - in the play-off), but came back and got the impressive win in the grand final. In Kuala Lumpur PSG.LGD is also one of the main contenders for victory. Their strategies continue to work well, they are incredibly stable - this is two reasons why it’s so hard to beat them. But also, PSG.LGD knows how to play versus the Western teams. If we talk about motivation, probably the Chinese guys are very angry about their loss in the final of TI8 to OG. Generalizing all these facts, we can say that PSG.LGD is a very dangerous power.

Evil Geniuses

In their current roster, which was formed about four months ago, Evil Geniuses got in the shape very quickly and in Vancouver they already were beating everyone. That’s incredible. The organization decided that it’d be not the smart move to make some roster changes after the total disaster in the final day of TI8, and for now, EG has become much stronger. Especially right after a post-TI reshuffle of other teams. In the regional qualifier EG met no problems and what SumaiL shows during the last few months is simply insane. Even for him. Coupled with the depth of the drafts and understanding of the game, which appeared after the arrival of Fly and s4, it is silly not to reckon with EG.

Team Secret

After the last reshuffle, Team Secret finally got all that Puppey needs in the absolute form – versatility. This is exactly what Puppey needs and this is what lacked before. The European qualifier was won extremely confidently. For the whole tournament Secret lost only one map to the Alliance. For now, the international team looks one of the most charged and motivated and they will play on their maximum each match, each map. We should not really count not the best result of the Maincast Autumn Brawl tournament since Secret was playing this event without MidOne. It seems that so far the current roster of the team feels comfortable, which will allow them to maintain stability. And Puppey's out-of-meta drafts work perfectly. In a word, no one would be surprised about the victory of Secret on the Major.

Virtus.pro

It’s hard to talk about the real chances of the Virtus.pro about the win on the Kuala Lumpur Major, because CIS teams always lack stability. But Virtus.pro is too strong anyway to ignore them. Firstly, they started the season with the strong performance at CIS qualifier… Where they haven’t played even on the half of their power. There was no real opponent for “bears” and their real power could be known only after the Maincast Autumn Brawl. We could say that Virtus.pro might rely on the experience of the first season and start the second season not that strong, to keep their shape for TI9, but they ignored it. So they are at their peak, but still unstable. Third, even if some time has passed, the new coach needs to get used to the team. So Virtus.pro is deservedly a little behind the top three favorites. A team can either go over the heads or fly prematurely from the major.

Contenders

Forward Gaming

The team of Resolut1on that found a new home for the new season and after small shuffle guys look even stronger than earlier - Universe is a great acquirement. It was not necessary to globally rebuild the game with his arrival, and one his abilities and experience can improve any team in the world. Right now, FG can destroy any opponent in the best of 1, it only remains to show that at a distance these guys are good too. They are definitely going to Malaysia for a place in the top 5.

Ninjas in Pyjamas

So Ninjas in Pyjamas are finally back to Dota 2. And back with a signing of the decent roster of Ppd’s team. Having collected a very interesting composition, the team of Peter is something remotely reminiscent of Secret. In any case, the players will allow the captain to use a wide range of heroes and strategies, and everyone in NiP is very smart. This is exactly the team that should not upset in any case, and with the proper combination of circumstances, it can surprise everyone.

Vici Gaming

VG showed itself surprisingly strong, hence this coefficient. The team’s veterans are still in excellent shape, so Vici is about stability. Excellent individual performance by Ori and Paparazi compensates for minor flaws in the early game and drafts. Vici, probably, will not fight for victory but will take his impressive share of DPC points for sure.

Team Aster

The composition of Chinese veterans showed itself well at the Chinese qualifier for a major, but the first real test awaits them already upon arriving in Kuala Lumpur (we can’t say like this about ESL One Hamburg since Aster will not show their main strategies in Germany). The Aster star staff has experienced some difficulties in regional qualification, so it’s not a fact that the guys will be able to give their maximum right now, they may need more time. Expect victory from Aster is not worth it, but the struggle for high places - yes. Probably, Aster will be able to stop the top teams, so much depends on how soon the Chinese get into the playoffs on EG, Secret or PSG.LGD (who, by the way, sorted out Aster in qualification 2-0).

Dark horses

Fnatic

Fnatic rightly decided that if they kick Jacky Mao it would not be the worst decision. The updated roster, that now based on DJ and Abed, and new Fnatic is distinguished by calmer and more thoughtful actions, as well as a lower potential for throwing matches. At the same time, the comeback potential was not affected. Now, great performers gathered in Fnatic, who know perfectly well what to do even in the most hopeless game, so that as soon as its opponent relaxes, the Asians will immediately punish him. On a mixture of morality, skill, and luck, Fnatic can pass far in Kuala Lumpur.

Alliance

Wow, a couple of years later, we can again see the Alliance on the big LAN tournament where they are not the weakest team. The Swedes showed serious progress, the endurance and patience of the organization finally brought the first results (Alliance has been playing for a long time in the current lineup). Alliance will bite, snap and breed opponents – nothing has changed for so many years. We should not expect anything serious: if Alliance will be lucky enough, the boys of Loda can take their place in the eight of the best teams of the Kuala Lumpur Major. If not, the Alliance will at least get the experience of a serious LAN tournament.

Pain Gaming

The team that left The International 8 first, quite confidently passed to the Major in Kuala Lumpur. Unfortunately, the level of competitive Dota 2 in South America is not that good, so the part of the problem is that Pain in the lack of a stable game experience with the best teams in the world in official games. A place in the top ten teams of the Major will be happiness for Pain. However, the Brazilians can shoot at any time, in a single match, beating an even much stronger opponent. Due to this, in theory, they can take a place higher, but too much depends on who becomes the opponents of Pain.

TNC

The second representative of Asian region at the upcoming Major made a couple of substitutions and permutations in the game scheme after TI8. So far, TNC is considering itself in a new form, so it is unlikely that it will be able to approach The Kuala Lumpur Major in the best shape. We should not expect anything serious from Asians, despite the fact that it will be a home tournament for them.

Nothing good to expect

Ferzee

As is often the case, we should not expect anything from one of the representatives of the CIS. If they finish in the top ten - cool. No? Well, okay. In the regional qualification, Ferzee showed a decent game, but it will be a miracle if the current level of the team is enough for a decent fight at the Major.

J.Storm

Unlike Ferzee, J.Storm may be the sensation of the Major. Their composition is serious, explosive and experienced, the only question is how the team will play and interact at the top level. That it will not be easy against J.Strom is for sure. But will they have enough strength and experience to win? Hardly.

Tournament Format

Group Stage will start on November 9.

Playoffs starts on November 11 and the final three days will be held in Axiata Arena.