The former Evil Geniuses of North American Dota 2 may be sticking together after the kick, and that could mean a new team for Artour “Arteezy” Babaev.
Evil Geniuses performed well below expectations at The International 2022, which triggered a mass kick for the entire squad and staff. High-level talent is a valuable asset during the traditional post-TI shuffle, but some of the very best in North America will stick it out after losing its sponsorship. Ex-EG supports Andreas “Cr1t-” Nielsen and Tal “Fly” Aizik have both teased a new team in the same region for the 2023 Dota Pro Circuit.
The first hints came from Cr1t-, who played soft support for Evil Geniuses before that sponsorship folded. In a social media post saying goodbye to the organization, he claimed that the drop was “just the start of a new era for North American [Dota 2].”
The Danish player did not reveal much more than his plan to continue playing professionally. However, statements from his captain paint a much clearer story of the future.
In a personal stream on November 16, Fly further hinted at his plans for the 2023 DPC season. He clarified that losing the sponsorship doesn’t affect the players’ chemistry in the server. He even confirmed that the roster will look similar to last season’s stack.
“…because EG let the roster go, it doesn’t mean that the players are all just gone and the team disappears. They released the roster, but it’s up to us if we want to keep playing with each other or not… There will be changes to the actual roster, but it’s going to be similar,” he said.
Between these two statements, it’s clear that both Cr1t- and Fly intend to continue competing in North America. What isn’t clear, however, is whether or not their prized safe laner will join them.
Will Arteezy join Cr1t- and Fly on a new NA team?
Considering Fly and Cr1t-’s statement on a new North American team, it is likely that Arteezy will stick with the rest of ex-EG Dota 2.
Arteezy is currently the hottest free agent of 2022’s post-TI shuffle. The veteran core would be an upgrade for many teams, though Fly and Cr1t’s statements hint that the Canadian carry will join whatever new sponsor takes them. The main man himself has been quiet on the matter, but the level of confidence from his supports hints towards a likely inclusion.
With the newest member Fly confirmed to work on the project, the most likely replacements for its 2023 roster are mid laner Abed “Abed” Yusop and offlaner Egor “Nightfall” Grigorenko. The former was brought in while the latter joined shortly after The International 2021.
Both players notably moved across the world to join the squad, though they may be inclined to find stacks in their home regions now that it had effectively disbanded. Finding new talent to take their places, however, could lead to a domino effect of shuffled talent in North America.
