Tundra Esports Dota 2: The Journey of a Rising Dota 2 Powerhouse

Tundra Esports has emerged as one of the most formidable teams in the world of Dota 2, carving out a legacy through its impressive performances, innovative strategies, and strong roster of players. Founded in 2019, this British esports organization quickly gained recognition, especially after entering the competitive Dota 2 scene in early 2021. Their rise to prominence has been marked by several key achievements, including dominating regional and international competitions and creating a roster that continually challenges the best in the world.

As an avid follower of Dota 2 and esports in general, I, Daffa Nur Rafie Alam, will take you through the incredible journey of Tundra Esports, their key moments, and how they’ve become one of the most respected teams in competitive Dota 2. This article will delve into Tundra’s history, notable performances, roster changes, and what makes them stand out in the highly competitive Dota 2 scene.

The Birth of Tundra Esports

Tundra Esports was founded in October 2019, and the organization wasted no time in establishing itself as a serious contender in the esports world. The organization entered Dota 2 in January 2021 when they acquired the “mix” mudgolems roster. This team, which had gained traction within the Dota 2 community, was looking for a sponsor and a home ahead of DreamLeague Season 14 DPC EU: Upper Division.

The lineup was stacked with talented players: Skiter, Nine, 33, Biver, and FATA- (the captain). Together, they aimed to prove themselves against some of the biggest names in Dota 2, such as OG, Team Liquid, Team Secret, Team Nigma, High Coast Esports, ViKin.gg, and Alliance, all of whom were formidable opponents in the competitive scene.

The group stage of DreamLeague Season 14 presented a tough challenge, but Tundra Esports finished with a 3-4 score, leading them into re-matches for the ONE Esports Singapore Major 2021 Wild Card stage. While the first round ended in a draw, it was Tundra’s performance in the second round that stood out, although they were ultimately defeated by iNSaNiA’s Team Liquid. Despite this setback, Tundra Esports secured 6th place in the DreamLeague Season 14 DPC EU: Upper Division, ensuring they retained their spot in the league for the following DPC cycle and earned $24,000 in prize money.

Early Struggles and Breakthrough Achievements

Following the events of DreamLeague Season 14, Tundra Esports participated in EPIC League Season 3 Division 1, where they secured 4th place and earned an additional $10,000. Despite their steady results in regional competitions, Tundra’s journey toward global prominence continued to be marked by small setbacks. However, in 2021, Tundra Esports made a massive breakthrough when they won ESL One Fall 2021. This victory cemented their status as a top team in the Dota 2 scene, with many recognizing them as the #1 team in the region.

As Tundra Esports entered the competitive Dota 2 landscape, their performance caught the eyes of esports enthusiasts worldwide. This success was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and coaching staff, who continually pushed for greater achievements in the competitive scene.

Changes to the Roster and Continued Success

As the competitive landscape of Dota 2 evolved, Tundra Esports realized that adapting to changes was essential for success. In the 2022 competitive season, the organization saw the departure of FATA- and Biver, who were replaced by Martin Saksa Sazdov and Jingjun “Sneyking” Wu. This change proved to be an excellent decision, as the new roster brought fresh energy and solidified Tundra’s position in the competitive scene.

Under this new lineup, Tundra Esports finished 3rd in DreamLeague Season 16 DPC WEU: Division I and subsequently qualified for the ESL One Stockholm 2022 Major, where they also finished 3rd. This success was a testament to their strategic growth, but it didn’t stop there. The team went on to dominate the last ranking round of the DPC 2022 season, securing the DPC Championship, which qualified them for The International 2022.

The International 2022: A Historic Win

Tundra Esports’ journey culminated in an unforgettable victory at The International 2022 (TI10), the most prestigious tournament in Dota 2. The team dominated the event from start to finish, finishing 1st in their group and losing only one game throughout the entire playoffs. In the grand finals, Tundra Esports faced off against Team Secret, a team that had been a perennial favorite. However, Tundra’s strategy, team coordination, and individual brilliance led them to a 3-0 victory in the grand final, making them the champions of TI10.

This victory was significant not only because it solidified Tundra Esports as one of the best Dota 2 teams in the world but also because it was their first-ever International championship. Tundra’s incredible run to the title earned them worldwide recognition, and their performance became a benchmark for future Dota 2 teams aspiring to reach similar heights.

DPC 2023: Maintaining Dominance

Following their victory at The International 2022, Tundra Esports continued their dominance in 2023. They secured 3rd place at the Bali Major 2023 and finished 4th at DreamLeague Season 19, solidifying their place as one of the top teams in Dota 2. Their resilience and ability to adapt to different metas ensured that they were always in the hunt for the top spots in major tournaments.

In September 2023, Tundra Esports made another significant roster change, bringing in Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen, the former TI-winning player from OG, to replace Leon “Nine” Kirilin in the second position. Nine was moved to the fourth position, strengthening the overall team dynamics.

However, Tundra Esports faced a setback at The International 2023 (TI12). After qualifying for the lower grid playoffs, they were eliminated in the first round by Entity, finishing 13th-16th in the tournament. This result was disappointing for the organization, but it led to significant changes within the roster. Skiter, 33, Nine, and Sneyking all left the active roster, leaving Topson as the only player from the original roster.

New Beginnings: Team Undying and Roster Rebuild

In December 2023, Tundra Esports signed the Team Undying roster, which included Enzo “Timado” Gianoli, Jonathan “bryle-” Santos de Guia, Ilyas “kasane” Gaynullin, Alexander “Immersion” Khmelevsky, and Matthew “Whitemon” Filmon. This new lineup competed in ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023, but the team struggled to find success, finishing in 8th place. Unhappy with the result, Tundra decided to make significant changes to their roster, keeping only Whitemon.

By January 2024, Tundra Esports had assembled a fresh lineup, including Ivan “Pure-” Moskalenko, Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen, Ivan “MinD_ContRoL” Ivanov, Edgar “9Class” Naltakian, and Matthew “Whitemon” Philemon. This roster participated in the qualifiers for DreamLeague Season 22, BetBoom Dacha Dubai 2024, and ESL One: Birmingham 2024, successfully earning their spots in the main stages of these tournaments.

Struggles and Triumphs in 2024

The new Tundra roster started the season with mixed results. They finished 10th in DreamLeague Season 22, a disappointing performance marked by the controversial departure of MinD_ContRoL, who was replaced by Tobi. Tundra also finished 8th in Elite League 2024, but their fortunes changed at ESL One Birmingham 2024, where they managed to secure a top-three finish.

May 10, 2024, saw the addition of RAMZES666 to the roster as a rented player, strengthening Tundra’s chances in future tournaments. The team’s performance at DreamLeague Season 23 and FISSURE Universe Ep.2 saw them finish 5th and 6th, respectively. Later in 2024, Tundra received a direct invitation to the closed qualification for The International 2024, securing a top slot in the region.

2025 and Beyond: Tundra’s Continuing Legacy

Tundra Esports’ journey in 2025 has been marked by a series of notable performances, including victory at FISSURE PLAYGROUND and BLAST SLAM II. While their winning streak was interrupted by Team Spirit at DreamLeague Season 25, they continued to perform well in tournaments such as PGL Wallachia: Season 3 and ESL One Raleigh 2025.

As of May 19, 2025, Tundra was scheduled to participate in DreamLeague Season 26, but withdrew due to the busy professional scene. Despite this, they continued to compete in various high-profile events, such as Riyadh Masters 2025 and Clavision DOTA2 Masters 2025. Their participation in The International 2025 saw them reach the playoffs, where they finished 7-8th, a respectable achievement given the high level of competition.