The first group stage of DreamLeague Season 26 has wrapped up, and the results have already shaken up expectations. We’re witnessing teams surge to the top, while others face disappointing exits. Here are some key takeaways from the tournament’s first phase.
OmaR Out, yamich In = Profit?
Expectations for Nigma Galaxy heading into DreamLeague Season 26 were modest at best, with most predicting a middling performance or maybe even a Group Stage exit. Things began exactly as expected, until support player OmaR abruptly had to leave the tournament on day two due to urgent matters.
Enter yamich, a last-minute stand-in. What looked like a potential disaster turned into a blessing in disguise, as Nigma Galaxy immediately improved and surged to a 10-4 finish, tying with Aurora for first seed. This was a level of performance we hadn’t seen from them before.
Honestly, I’d been quietly fraud-watching Nigma’s offlane duo for a while now, but coming into DreamLeague, I couldn’t point my finger on which of the two were the issue. Is it No!ob playing an unfamiliar role, or the player who bought a 45-minute Hand of Midas on Ringmaster while his team was 25,000 gold ahead – and then completely failed at his one job: pressing Escape Act on his carry? That Midas gold could’ve gone to a Blink Dagger or Aether Lens instead, but nope. That questionable decision was the spark to an enormous throw against Team Liquid.
Well, my doubts were answered quickly. I believe OmaR is way too passive as a position four player – he’s more suited for five with his lack of playmaking abilities. Yamich seems like the type of player Nigma was missing – an active player that can hold SumaiL’s hand throughout the mid-game.
Either way, Nigma Galaxy are back, but how long this resurgence will last with their original roster remains to be seen. As a Nigma believer, I’ll cherish this moment since it might be fleeting.
Shopify Rebellion Aren’t That Bad
Shopify Rebellion brought in Davai Lama for DreamLeague S26, finally injecting some life into the North American organization that’s lost much of its former prestige.
Their performances were noticeably sharper. Map movements improved, and team fight execution looked more cohesive. However, in matches against Aurora and BOOM Esports, they struggled to close out games despite having commanding leads.
Giving up multiple comebacks ultimately cost them a playoff spot, as they finished fifth – just one win short of forcing a three-way tiebreaker against the BetBoom Team and Team Liquid. Considering their recent history, Shopify Rebellion should be proud of this progress. With more time and experience, Davai Lama’s influence could help turn them into a real contender.
Falcons Flop Again – Tough Conversations Ahead
Team Falcons have suffered yet another Group Stage exit, following their disappointing run at PGL Wallachia Season 4. The Falcons of 2025 are a far cry from their former glory from last year.
Despite keeping the same roster, their team cohesion has been lacking. Smoke ganks have been frequently missing their mark, and team fights look disjointed – often with ATF initiating solo while the rest of the team seems to be on a different page.
I’m not blaming anyone outright, but Malr1ne’s item build on Earthshaker has been downright unforgivable. Skipping BKB cost him dearly – especially in Game 1 against AVULUS. He didn’t have the item ready in what would have been the game-winning fight. Instead, the game went the other way.
Sure, they finished second at BLAST Slam 3, but that tournament saw them only needing one series win to reach the Grand Final – I wouldn’t call this a real result. This multi-million dollar roster isn’t delivering, and I’ve been bringing up the conversation of a roster change for a while now.
23savage and Mikoto Continue to Save SEA
Flipster Talon has been competitive for a while, but the return of 23savage to replace Akashi might be the missing piece they need to become true contenders. I won’t get too excited yet, but the team’s synergy has definitely improved.
Mikoto continues to overperform, often carrying the team, and now he finally has the reliable help required to push further. Let’s not forget that Mikoto and 23savage were key to Talon’s third-place finish at Riyadh Masters 2023.
Call him 23cabbage all you want, but 23savage has brought much-needed stability to the carry role. Alongside Ws in the offlane, Talon boasts the three best mechanical players in their core roles that SEA has to offer, supported by two non-greedy supports. This recipe looks promising, and I’m excited to see how far they go.
Honorable mention to CN Dota
Yakult’s Brothers are also making the Asian region proud with their impressive group stage campaign, pulling off a miraculous comeback against the Gladiators to post a respectable 9-5 record. I wouldn’t say Chinese Dota is fully back yet since the competition in Group B wasn’t too tough, but their resurgence definitely puts a smile on my face.
