The International 2025 kicked off dramatically as Tundra Esports unveiled a strategy that stunned the Dota 2 community. In their opening series against Yakutou Brothers on Sept. 4, Tundra’s three core players all rushed a Helm of the Dominator, a move rarely seen at the highest level of play.
Even with their momentum briefly halted after dropping the second game, Tundra held their ground and adapted when it mattered most. Their calculated execution in the decider secured a 2-1 victory, proving that their risky innovation wasn’t just for show.
By blending creativity with discipline, Tundra advanced in the tournament and set the tone for what promises to be an unpredictable and highly competitive TI14. Tundra wasted no time making their mark on the series, opening with a dominant 34-minute win where they controlled the pace from start to finish. The scoreboard told the story, a commanding 27-15 kill advantage that highlighted just how effective their unorthodox approach could be.
What stood out most was their core trio: Crystallis on Faceless Void, bzm on Invoker, and 33 on Lycan, each rushing Helm of the Dominator as their first major item. It was a daring shift from traditional builds, and it immediately paid off.
Seeing Lycan prioritize Helm wasn’t exactly new to professional Dota, but watching a carry Faceless Void and mid Invoker do the same was unprecedented. The choice gave each hero unexpected sustain, bonus damage, and access to dominated creeps, which opened up unique farming patterns and provided added utility in team fights.
With this synergy, Tundra snowballed their advantage effortlessly, proving that sometimes breaking the rules of itemization can be the key to overwhelming your opponents. Their opening series win was more than just a strong start: it was a statement about their fearless approach to the meta. Even with the pressure of playing with a stand-in, they showed a willingness to experiment by having all three of their core players commit to the same early-game item.
That kind of creativity and adaptability is exactly what helped them secure their TI11 title with Saksa and 33 as the only remaining members from that line-up, and it reminded fans why Tundra has long been considered one of the most innovative teams in competitive Dota 2.
When Yakutou Brothers fought back to force a third game, Tundra shifted gears. They abandoned their offbeat strategy and opted for a more traditional draft, running Crystallis on Juggernaut, bzm on Invoker, and 33 on Dark Seer. The change in direction worked to perfection, as they wrapped up the deciding match in just under 30 minutes with a 21-10 victory.
The success from both experimental and conventional playstyles leaves an open question: will other teams try to mirror this level of coordination, or is this a unique weapon that only Tundra can reliably pull off? With the experience of veterans like 33 and Saksa, it’s clear the team thrives on striking a balance between bold innovation and rock-solid fundamentals.
