The Dota 2 pro circuit has seen many exciting roster changes in the aftermath of The International 2024, including unexpected departures and surprising reunions. Naturally, these transfers have sparked heated debates among fans while presenting new opportunities and challenges for the teams involved.
In this guide, we’ll highlight the most striking player transfers in Dota 2 ahead of the 2025 competitive season, reviewing their performances over the past year and assessing the impact they’ll have on their new teams.
Note: More significant roster changes may occur in the coming weeks as many top-tier teams finalize their lineups. This guide focuses on the movements of the most impactful players so far.
Dota 2 Player Transfers Of 2024
Neta “33” Shapira
Israeli offlaner Neta “33” Shapira has left Team Liquid to rejoin Tundra Esports. He will play alongside carry Egor “Nightfall” Grigorenko and be supported by Martin “Saksa” Sazdov and Matthew “Whitemon” Filemon, with Tundra’s midlane role yet to be filled following Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen’s retirement.
33’s departure from Liquid came as quite a shock, especially given his instrumental role in their dominant 3-0 sweep over Gaimin Gladiators at The International 2024. This was on the heels of an electrifying season that included second-place finishes at the Riyadh Masters, BetBoom Dacha Belgrade, and BLAST Slam I.
For Liquid, losing such a brilliant tactical player is viewed as a downgrade, leaving a void that won’t be easily filled! Meanwhile, Tundra looks primed to reclaim its status as a powerhouse, with 33’s return poised to boost its performance in tournaments in 2025.
Egor “Nightfall” Grigorenko
Egor “Nightfall” Grigorenko’s move to Tundra Esports from BetBoom Team marks yet another major shift in the Dota 2 pro scene. Nightfall will replace Ivan “Pure~” Moskalenko, who previously filled Tundra’s carry role on loan. The transfer completes their core lineup, barring the midlane role.
This move reunites Nightfall with a roster capable of taking on teams like Team Falcons, who dominated the season. After securing strong finishes at key events, including 3rd at The International and 4th at Riyadh Masters, this acquisition only strengthens their position as frontrunners next year.
Alimzhan “watson” Islambekov
Alimzhan “watson” Islambekov’s brief tenure with Gaimin Gladiators has ended, leaving the Rank 5 carry benched after a turbulent season. He joined GG in October, replacing Anton “Dyrachyo” Shkredov following a strong run with Cloud9, which included a career-best sixth-place finish at The International 2024.
Despite early promise, GG struggled to find synergy and failed to qualify for key tournaments and qualifiers. Quinn ‘Quinn’ Callahan responded to the criticism, explaining that the team’s struggles were because of collective issues rather than watson’s shortcomings.
Quinn added that their performance at The International was “more of an accident than a product of good gameplay.” Now inactive, watson’s next move remains uncertain, but his raw talent and composure make him a valuable prospect for any team.
Wang “Ame” Chunyu
Wang “Ame” Chunyu is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished carry players in Dota 2, boasting over $4.2 million in earnings—the second-highest of any non-TI winner. However, Ame is reportedly leaving Xtreme Gaming for Chinese team Gaozu, with a lineup comprising midlaner kikyo (Paparazi), offlaner JT- and ex-XG supports XinQ and Dy.
Ame’s move comes after a mixed year highlighted by a first-place win at Elite League Season 1 but marred by a disappointing 7th-8th at Riyadh Masters. This was followed by reports of internal conflict, potentially making Ame’s move to Gaozu the change he needs to perform at his peak again.
Gaozu has been at the center of controversy due to ongoing rumors of match-fixing at ESL One Bangkok. According to an insider source on the Muesli Chinese Telegram channel, suspicious bets were placed against the team, prompting an investigation by ESL.
Magomed “Collapse” Khalilov
Team Spirit’s legendary offlaner Magomed “Collapse” Khalilov moved to an inactive role on Sept. 26. Initially, he was expected to return in January 2025, but captain Yaroslav “Miposhka” Naidenov did not offer much certainty about his comeback, stating that no concrete discussions have occurred with management.
This development hints at a possible extended absence or even departure to a new team (perhaps BetBoom Team with kiyotaka and Kataomi?). While it’s not confirmed if Collapse will leave or not, his status as one of the world’s best offlaners is undisputed, having reached 14,000 MMR in September.
Much like Yatoro, Collapse should have no issue finding a new roster given his impressive track record. In 2024, he contributed over 200 matches to Team Spirit with a 57% win rate and 4.01 KDA, putting on a show with signature heroes Mars (60% win rate), Primal Beast (64% win rate), and Slardar (76% win rate).
Volodymyr “No[o]ne-” Minenko
One of the most significant Dota 2 transfers of the year is Volodymyr “No[o]ne-” Minenko’s move from Cloud9 to PARIVISION. He joins carry Remco “Crystallis”, offlaner Dmitry “DM” Dorokhin and supports Edgar “9Class” Naltakian and Andrey “Dukalis” Kuropatkin, with Filipe “Astini” Astini as the team’s coach.
Since his arrival, the team has achieved impressive results, including 4th at DreamLeague Season 24, 4th at 1win Series Fall, and 3rd-4th at BLAST Slam I. The team was victorious at ESL One Bangkok, powering through the Group Stage before beating Liquid 3-1 in the grand finals to conclude their amazing run.
As a veteran pro with a history of jaw-dropping performances, No[o]ne- has been the backbone of his team. Today, he’s recognized as one of the best midlaners in Dota 2, boasting an incredible 55-33 record and 5.7 KDA with PARIVISION.
Honorable Mention: Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen
While not exactly a transfer, this is still a major change in the scene. Iconic midlaner Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen has officially retired from the Dota 2 pro circuit. This comes after a successful but demanding season with Tundra Esports. Highlights of his final year include 3rd place at ESL One Birmingham and The International, offering no shortage of mesmerizing plays!
His retirement is motivated by a desire to spend more time with family but leaves a huge gap in Tundra’s roster. Having redefined the midlane meta with innovations like Diffusal on Gyro and mid Dazzle, Topson leaves behind a legacy of creativity and excellence. However, with 33 and Nightfall onboard, it seems Tundra could be a powerhouse in 2025!
What’s Next For Dota 2 In 2025?
As we prepare for the 2025 Dota 2 competitive season, these roster changes hint at an exciting year ahead. From shocking departures to very interesting reunions, each transfer reshapes the pro scene and leaves us wondering who will rise to the top. Will Tundra Esports end up rebuilding their dynasty? Will PARIVISION continue to perform at a high level? We can’t wait to find out the answers to these and other questions when the next season starts.
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