All rdy: Your weekly recap of December 29th- January 4th

Nothing is ever stagnant or dull when it comes to the Dota 2 scene. Amidst the constant swirl of drama, tournaments, patches, and roster swaps, there’s always something unfolding behind the stage. From surprise upsets and standout performances to off-stage hiccups, each week brings a fresh mix of chaos and exctiment to our favorite (and often times most hated) game.

Tournaments

BLAST Slam VI

The first participants for BLAST Slam VI have been confirmed. Tundra Esports, Team Falcons, MOUZ, and HEROIC have earned their spots by finishing in top four of BLAST Slam IV. Team Yandex locked in their spot after lifting the trophy at BLAST Slam V last month.

Under the original format, the top four teams from BLAST Slam V would also have received direct invites. However, with those spots already claimed by teams qualified through BLAST Slam IV, three additional invite slots have been freed up. In addition, Americas will receive a direct invite, China, Europe and Southeast Asia will send a representative via qualifiers, which are set to conclude later this week.

BLAST Slam VI is set to take place between February 3-15th with the playoffs happening in Malta.

Players and Teams

HEROIC

Thiago "Thiolicor" de Oliveira Cordeiro will be replacing Elvis "Scofield" Peña who parted ways with the team last month.

HEROIC are set to debut this updated roster at BLAST Slam VI, taking place early next month.

Carstensz Esports

There's a new kid in town for Southeast Asia. Carstensz Esports, an Indonesian-based organization, has begun assembling its first roster and officially stepping into the scene.

So far, the organization has signed Filipino player Ryan “Raging Potato” Qui, with more additions expected. Adding further intrigue, Malaysian legend Wong “ChuaN” Hock will take on the role of head coach. ChuaN famously became the first Southeast Asian player to win The International, later transitioning into coaching in 2022 before stepping away from competition in 2024. His return marks a notable and hopeful moment for the region.

Rumors and Drama

According to multiple reports and a listing on eBay, former professional Dota 2 player and longtime streamer Henrik “AdmiralBulldog” Ahnberg has reportedly put one of esports’ most iconic artifacts up for sale: his The International 2013 championship ring.

The ring dates back to TI3, where Alliance defeated Natus Vincere in a dramatic five-game grand final still regarded as one of the most iconic series in Dota 2 history.

The listing shows a starting bid of $70,000, with a “Buy It Now” price set at $99,000. The auction is scheduled to conclude on Saturday, January 10, at 22:00 CET.

If you can’t keep up with all the news happening, don’t stress — All rdy has you covered. Every Monday, we round up the biggest headlines, hidden gems, and moments you might’ve missed, so you can start your week informed and ontop of it all.