Tundra Esports welcomes former TSM players ahead of ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023

In a significant move within the Dota 2 Esports scene, Tundra Esports has announced the acquisition of the former Team Undying roster. This development comes after the disbandment of Tundra’s previous Dota 2 team in November 2023, marking a new era for the organization in the popular MOBA game.

2023-2024 Dota 2 Line-up for Tundra Esports

The announcement made on December 11 reveals that Tundra Esports will compete in the ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 with its new team. The roster includes the following prominent players:

Enzo “Timado” Gianoli
Jonathan “Bryle” De Guia
Gainullin “kasane” Ilyas
Aleksandr “Immersion” Khmelevskoi
Matthew “Whitemon” Filemon

David “MoonMeander” Tan, on the other hand, is set to be the coach for the team. The roster, known for its former association with TeamSoloMid, brings a blend of experience and skill to Tundra.

Transition from TSM to Tundra Observed

Dota 2 community members noticed earlier this week that the former TSM players added the Tundra tag to their profiles in the Dota 2 leaderboards page. This change, initially seen as a subtle hint, was later confirmed as Tundra’s official acquisition of the team for ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023.

We are undying, Tundra is back! 😈

Catch our squad for ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 😤
🩵 @Timadota
🩵 @bryledota
🩵 kasane
🩵 Immersion
🩵 @Whitemon22
🩵 @MoonMeanderated #ESLProTour pic.twitter.com/7MJy28FzS6

— TUNDRA (@TundraEsports) December 10, 2023

Revival of Team Undying

After being released from TSM on December 6, the roster reverted to its original name, Team Undying, and has now registered under the TI-winning namesake for ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023. In early November, rumors circulated about Tundra’s interest in acquiring Gaimin Gladiators amid the post-TI12 Dota 2 Roster Shuffle 2023-2024. Tundra didn’t take any further actions during the transfer period, though.

Uncertainty around Topson’s role

In the meantime, however, the current status of midlaner Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen in Tundra remains unclear. While there has been no official statement regarding Topson, the inclusion of Team Undying’s 5-man roster suggests no likelihood of Topson remaining in the team’s composition.

Comparing Tundra’s Old Dota 2 vs New Team

Tundra’s decision to pick up the North American squad comes as a questionable acquisition after their previous roster’s triumph at the International 2022 (TI11). This move has led to mixed reactions, as the new roster, despite being capable, does not match the acclaim of the TI11-winning Western European team.

Of course, the team’s 13th-16th place finish at TI12 might have been the nail in the coffin for Tundra to revamp their roster in consideration of future performance and direction. Yet, it does still feel like a downgrade, especially when comparing to the other WEU rivals, such as Gaimin and Team Liquid.

Regional Affiliation leads to a Complex Scenario

The new Tundra roster, comprising players from diverse nationalities like Canada, Russia, Peru, and Indonesia, presents a complex situation regarding their regional affiliation. Traditionally, Tundra has competed in the Western Europe region, but the new roster’s background may lead to a shift in their regional classification.

As Tundra prepares for the upcoming tournaments in 2024, the Dota 2 Esports community eagerly awaits to see how this new roster will perform under the Tundra banner and which region they will officially compete in. The changes signify a fresh start for Tundra Esports in the competitive Dota 2 landscape.