TI14 Grand Finals: Is Chinese Dota So Back?

Thanks to Xtreme Gaming reaching the lower bracket finals at The International 2025 (TI14), there may be renewed hope for the Chinese Dota 2 scene. Although Team Tidebound didn’t put on the best showing alongside XG, the fact that they even made it to the playoffs at all is reason for the region to celebrate and look forward to a possible resurgence.

So, is Chinese Dota truly back, bois?

Now or never

Before I answer that question, it’s important to look at the immediate and the present. Xtreme Gaming are currently one series away from making the TI14 grand finals, where Team Falcons awaits. Although they’ll be the underdogs against both Falcons and their lower bracket opponent, PARIVISION, there’s a golden opportunity for XG to put China back on the competitive Dota 2 map.

It’s no secret to anyone that follows the Dota 2 scene that China as a region has not been enjoying the same level of success or even participation that it once did lately. XG, Team Tidebound, and Yakutou Brothers are the only three teams that actually show up to premier tournaments these days, with other famous Chinese organizations like LGD Gaming and Vici Gaming nowhere to be found.

Knowing that only three squads are there to carry the banner now makes it all the more important for XG to make the most out of this opportunity. They cannot afford to blow this chance to win TI14, even if it could throw away half the fan’s predictions for TI14. After all, when the Chinese scene manages to eke out big wins at the highest level, it benefits both the region and the rest of the Dota world. China having a reason to cheer for their delegates means that they have a reason to retain an interest in Dota, which is always a good thing for the health and longevity of the game.

Where’s the young’uns?

That said, there is still an alarming lack of new blood entering the Chinese Dota scene. Looking at the rosters of the three teams at TI14, you will see that they’re all just familiar faces that have been playing for about a decade now. The growth of Dota 2 as an esport in China will stagnate if no young prospects play at the highest level, as the old guard will eventually just hang up their mice and keyboards for good.

Ironically, the Chinese tend to not actually quit like they say they will. Tidebound’s Zhang “Faith_bian” Ruida announced his retirement back in 2022, but came back just over a year later to start playing for Azure Ray. Three years on, he’s still an active member of the Tidebound roster. This doesn’t really have anything to do with the scene needing new players to come in and be a breath of fresh air, but it goes to show that only veterans are seemingly interested in playing Dota these days.

I don’t think Chinese Dota can truly go back to the scene’s glory days. The usual suspects are all getting older, with no new generations coming in to replace them. That said, if XG can bring the Aegis back to China, I’d be more willing to believe that there truly is a way to usher in a new era in the region.

After all, what better motivation for everyone over there, young and old, to compete against each other and the best the world has to offer?