Strafe’s Selections: Best Dota 2 players of 2023
When talking about the best Dota 2 players, nobody can deny that names like Amer “ Miracle-” Al-Barkawi and Johan “N0tail” Sundstein will forever be remembered by fans. However, times are constantly changing, and with it comes a new era. In 2023, some emerging players have proved they have the potential to be considered among the best Dota 2 players.
Tundra Esports lifting the Aegis of Champions at The International 2022.Credits: Valve
Last year, Western European teams, like Team Secret, Team Liquid, and Tundra Esports, dominated the scene. However, in the 2023 Dota 2 professional season, teams from other regions challenged these titans. With the 2023 year ending in a few days, a few players make themselves known to challenge the prestigious mantle in this historic year.
Ace - Gaimin Gladiators
Ace at The International 2023.Credits: Valve
Marcus "Ace" Christensen, the offlaner of Gaimin Gladiators, is perhaps the most underrated player of the 2023 Dota 2 professional scene. Donning heroes like offlane Lone Druid and Dazzle in the offlane role, the player shaped the meta for nearly a year. Moreover, being a versatile player, Ace is comfortable playing various types of heroes, allowing his team to explore and broaden their play styles.
Ace often wins the laning stage, and in the late game, he gets the key prioritization needed to allow his team to come out on top in the skirmishes. Without him, it’s impossible to think Gaimin Gladiators would have the great year they had this year.
Quinn- Gaimin Gladiators
Quinn's hyping the crowd after securing the top 3 at The International 2023.Credits: Valve
Before the 2023 Dota 2 professional season, Quinn “Quinn” Callahan was considered one of the most controversial players. He came from the North American region, where young prodigies struggled to prove themselves. However, Quinn was a different story. He has done well to establish he has the potential to be one of the best midlaners.
Fortunately, Gaimin Gladiators recognized his potential and signed him for the 2023 Dota 2 professional season. Despite facing criticism for his recruitment, the player silenced his detractors with his exceptional skills at Gaimin Gladiators. He also proved his doubters wrong by helping his team achieve a clean sweep of the DPC Major trophies.
Quinn put his native North American roots to good use by developing a unique play style in his new region to create space for his cores. He often played with his supports to get multiple pickoffs after the laning stage. Moreover, due to his brilliant plays throughout the year, the player became synonymous with Pangolier.
He is the only North American player to win multiple DPC Majors. The player even got nominated for the Esports Player of The Year.
Dyrachyo- Gaimin Gladiators
Dyrachyo at The International 2023, before the grand finals match against Team Spirit.Credits: Valve
When talking about the best players of 2023, we surely can’t forget about Anton "dyrachyo" Shkredov. The Gaimin Gladiators safelaner is one of the stars of the season.
His unique playstyle aids his team in lifting many trophies throughout the year. The player often plays farming-oriented heroes. However, his uniqueness is he is not scared to participate in early skirmishes despite his hero’s fragility. While most safelaners would prefer to take safe farms on the map, Dyrachyo would often push the limits. His calculated risk made many opponents decide between defending the lane or going for a gank.
Whatever his opponent decided to do, Dyrachyo always came out on top.
Nisha - Team Liquid
Team Liquid has one of the best midlaners in recent years, Nisha.Credits: Twitter.@TeamLiquid
In recent years, Michał “Nisha” Jankowski has established himself as one of the greatest midlaners. He used to play for Team Secret, but in the 2023 Dota 2 Professional Season, he joined Team Liquid.
During his years-long career with Team Secret, the player proved he stood out from the crowd. His playstyle and in-game mechanics were some of the best fans have ever witnessed. Moreover, he is a rare hybrid player, which means Nisha is comfortable playing either as a safe laner or a mid-laner, with a versatile hero pool.
At Team Liquid, Nisha continued with his brilliant plays, leading his new team to every grand final of Majors and every Tier 1 tournament, like Riyadh Masters and DreamLeague. The only thing left for him is to etch his name onto the esteemed Aegis of Champions.
Larl- Team Spirit
Team Spirit. Larl, practicing before The International 2023.Credits. Twitter.@Team__Spirit
Denis "Larl" Sigitov is the newest midlaner for Team Spirit. At the beginning of the season, his signing received a lot of criticism because he failed to help his new team secure top spots during the DPC Majors. However, Larl's performance drastically improved as the season progressed.
The player’s hard work started paying off as Team Spirit started climbing the placements at LANs. Towards the end of the season, the player successfully aided Team Spirit to regain its former glory by helping them to win two biggest tournaments of the 2023 Dota 2 Professional Season, The Riyadh Masters 2023 and The International 2023. The results of his efforts will always be remembered, as he immortalizes his name on the prestigious Aegis Of Champions.
Yatoro - Team Spirit
Yatoro is one of the scariest safelaners in the worldCredits: Valve
In recent years, Team Spirit’s safelaner, Illya "Yatoro" Mulyarchuk, has consistently outperformed everyone in his region. Moreover, he took a step further by outperforming every player at the LANs he attended. Thus, he became the biggest challenger for the best player mantle.
The player successfully reclaimed his throne at The International 2023. At TI10, the player showed off his versatile hero pool by playing fourteen different heroes throughout twenty games. He currently holds the record for most rampages on The International mainstage.
2023 was a memorable one for the Dota 2 community for many reasons. It saw the emergence of a second two-time TI champion and marked the end of the Dota 2 Pro Circuit. We have selected the best players of the year. If you think we have missed a player or have a better list of the best players for the 2023 Dota 2 Season, please let us know in the comments section below.
Featured Image Source: Valve & Twitter.@teamliquiddota
Read More at Strafe Esports: Miracle- Returns to the Professional Dota 2 scene