Top 5 Legendary Dota 2 Teams Still Chasing The International Crown
The International (TI) is Dota 2's most prestigious tournament, with the highest prize pools in esports history. Despite numerous attempts by world-class teams, some of the most talented rosters have never claimed the Aegis of Champions.
Team Secret stands as perhaps the most notable example. Despite consistently strong performances and multiple Major victories, the organization has never secured a TI title. Their closest attempt came at TI9, finishing fourth under Clement "Puppey" Ivanov's leadership.
Vici Gaming has been a Chinese powerhouse since 2013, achieving high placements in multiple TI tournaments. Their best result was second place at TI4, falling short against Newbee in the finals. Despite nurturing some of China's finest talents, the Aegis has eluded them.
Team Secret at TI9
Virtus.pro dominated the 2017-2018 Dota Pro Circuit season, winning multiple Majors. However, their TI performances haven't matched their regular season success. Their highest placement was 5th-6th at TI5 and TI6, showing a consistent struggle at the biggest stage.
LGD Gaming (including PSG.LGD iterations) has been agonizingly close to TI victory multiple times. With three runner-up finishes at TI8, TI9, and TI10, they hold the record for most second-place finishes without winning the tournament.
Evil Geniuses post-TI5 has maintained their status as North America's strongest team. Despite consistent top-eight finishes and a third-place result at TI6, they haven't managed to secure a second Aegis since their 2015 victory with a different roster.
These teams demonstrate that even with exceptional skill and consistency, capturing the Aegis at The International requires a perfect combination of form, strategy, and timing. Their stories continue to add to the tournament's mystique and unpredictability.