This article will have 2 lists of the top 10 strongest teams in Dota 2. The first one will be based on objective indicators: statistics and the rating of active teams as of the beginning of 2023. Such a report card of the best orgs will reflect the real balance of power in modern Dota 2 at the current moment.
The second list will be made on the basis of subjective preferences, and it will include teams that, for example, feasted a few years ago, but are now in decline. The most prominent example of such a team – is «Born to Win». Here are some selection criteria for the second list of the top 10 strongest teams in Dota 2:
Total number of trophies won.
The most wins at The International and Majors.
The highest prize money earned by the organization at tournaments.
Consistently high level of play over many years.
Calculation of the rating order
We will start by compiling a list of the best teams, starting with the strongest ones at the moment. But before that it is necessary to elaborate on the rules used in calculating the rating points, and, accordingly, the ranking of clubs taking into account these points.
So, to track the current state of the clubs and form an up-to-date top 10 strongest teams in Dota 2, the results are taken only for the last year. Two criteria are taken into account: achievements in Dota competitions and the players' performance.
The first criterion (achievements in Dota competitions) evaluates how long ago the tournament took place (the closer to the moment of compiling the rating, the more points) and how highly it is valued (we assume there is no need to describe in detail that TI is more prestigious than, for example, a tier-2 tournament, so participating in TI will give more rating points).
The second criterion (players' performance) evaluates how successfully or unsuccessfully they perform in particular matches over the past 3 months. Moreover, the longer «rinks» from the time of the ranking, the lower they are listed in points.
Top 10 at the beginning of 2023 (Part 1)
According to the rating indicator today the undisputed leader in the top 10 strongest teams in Dota 2 – is the British team Tundra Esports, breaking away from the nearest pursuer, Team Liquid, by more than 200 points.
The team has rushed to the top, although the top five doters were not assembled until January 2021. In principle, the current leadership of Tundra Esports can be explained only by the victory at last year's Inter, as it can not be said that the body regularly wins (played 24 tournaments since its founding, in which it won only 3 victories).
The second place in the top 10 strongest teams in Dota 2 is occupied by Team Liquid. They had an impactful end to 2022, taking bronze at Inta and going on a 7-match winless streak that allowed them to climb so high in the rankings.
Rounding out the top three is Team Spirit, who, despite failing at the last International, had a good summer of 2022, taking the Arlington Major and silver in Saudi Arabia. Judging by the fact that the team has won 6 out of 7 recent matches, the org is back on track and ready for new achievements.
Top 10 at the beginning of 2023 (part 2)
Taking the fourth place in the top 10 strongest teams in Dota 2 is Team Secret. Yes, Puppey continues to shine and keeps the team at a high level for already 9 years. In 2022, the team didn't win anything major, but they almost always made it to the podium, which took a lot of ranking points. Tim Secret – is a unique team as:
Has participated in every Int since 2014.
Has the highest winning percentage over a stretch of 100 games – 85 wins.
In fifth place is Beastcoast – a Peruvian team whose strength lies in the amazing cohesiveness of the players. Last year, the org consistently made it to the top 8 strongest, including The International and Majors. In addition, the end of 2022 thyme went undefeated in individual matches. A well-deserved fifth place in the top 10 strongest teams in Dota 2.
Sixth place – for Team Aster. The first Chinese team in our ranking. Overall, China, of course, has slightly deflated in 2022 after a very vigorous pressure on Europeans and Americans.
Nevertheless, org Aster is the only Chinese team that performed well last year at The International (4th place) and the Arlington Major (3rd place).
Top 10 at the beginning of 2023 (part 3)
Let's continue with the top 10 strongest teams in Dota 2.
The lucky number 7 goes to Evil Geniuses (EG). The curse of third places that began during 2016 – 2019 has worsened, with EG now even less likely to reach the top three in major tournaments, though it continues to consistently take lower ranked events.
The eighth place finish of Philippine top five Execration is surprising. They certainly play very well at tournaments in Southeast Asia and win a lot, but last year they were not at the Inte and Majors.
In ninth place of the top 10 strongest teams in Dota 2 sits the famous OG. Tima did well in 2022, picking up ESL tournaments in Stockholm and Malaysia, but really greased the end of the season by losing a lot of matches.
We close out the top 10 strongest teams in Dota 2 for the start of 2023 with the Shopify Rebellion collective. The org appeared at the end of 2022 and immediately took a slot at the major in Lima.
Top 10 strongest teams in the history of the game (beginning)
And now we move on to the most interesting part: compiling a list of orgs that have left a special mark in the hearts of fans and in the history of the game.
Since Dota 2 is a sport where victories are important, Navi is still unmatched in terms of the number of tournament wins of any category. No one has surpassed their record of 38 first places, although EG and Team Secret are closely behind. But Navi's three killer years (2011 – 2013) gave them a giant head start and left them remembered as the car that rolled over all competitors. That's why Navi – is the best org in the top 10 strongest teams in Dota 2. And yes, three Int finals in a row with one win is worth something too.
In second place is definitely the OG. And the argument here is very simple: no team has ever taken two Ints and, moreover, in a row (2018-2019), while also grabbing the titles of 4 champions of the so-called "real" Majors, i.e. held under the auspices of Valve.
The top 10 strongest teams in the history of the game (continued)
Evil Geniuses rightfully claim the third place for the following reason. Orgi has the maximum number of prizes in all tournaments – 104. This means that EG is capable of maintaining top-level performance for a long time, and the team's class is precisely about playing consistently and without slumps. Definitely deserves to be in the top 10 strongest teams in Dota 2.
The fourth place, in our opinion, is rightfully taken by Team Secret. Puppey's intricate strategies, comparable to the total football of the Dutch in the 1970s, have brought the team many victories, among which one is missing, but the most important one - The International. And that's why Secret are only fourth.
The top five is closed by Team Liquid with the divine 2017 and the equally divine Miracle-who is sometimes referred to as the Messi of the Dota world for his ability to play Invoker. The main feature of Liquid is the ability to play beautifully, but at the same time effectively, which earned them the Aegis at TI 2017 and a place in our list of the top 10 strongest teams in Dota 2.
The top 10 strongest teams in the history of the game (conclusion)
Sixth place - Alliance of 2013, sensational winners of Na'Vi at TI and other top teams largely due to meticulous game plan development.
Seventh place goes to representatives of China, namely Wings Gaming. They had one powerful burst of beautiful and quality play in 2016 when they took several tournaments + Internationals, but then they fell apart and no longer qualify for high places.
Eighth place – Another Chinese from Vici Gaming, who took 2 majors in 2019 and gave a great series, not falling below eighth place for the season. Unfortunately, Orga remained a team of one year, but nevertheless made it into our top 10 strongest teams in Dota 2.
We will give ninth place to Virtus.pro. Of course, the team knew how to evoke emotions, for example, giving Dota fans a powerful fight with OG during the final of the Kiev Major. However, the inability to achieve results in crucial matches, except for the final of the Hamburg Major, does not allow Virtus.Pro to be considered one of the top five strongest teams.
Closing the top ten is the Chinese team LGD. The guys knew how to make noise and play cool, but at the same time, being the favorites, gave their opponents two Inta finals.