Southeast Asia’s biggest rivalry is set to unfold in under two weeks in Copenhagen at The International 2024.
Talon Esports were by far the best Southeast Asia team last year. They brought the best results for SEA in years and were heading to TI12 with high hopes. After a top 3 Major finish and a top 3 at Riyadh Masters 2023, disaster struck in Seattle at The International and a disappointing early exit in the 9th-12th place led to Talon Esports losing their entire roster.
While four of the five former Talon members reunited for the new season under the Aurora banner, Talon had to start afresh. They looked at who were the up-and-coming players in the SEA region and started to build a new roster from there. It took them a few months before finding a group that would synergise in the game and outside of it. By the end of the 2023 year, they had the roster locked and in January they added a seasoned veteran from Western Europe in the coaching role to guide the team. Talon represents the first foray as a coach for Johan “pieliedie” Åström, who in under five months has taken the SEA youngsters from zero and got them as far as The International.
Talon Esports roster
Eljohn “Akashi” Andales
Rafli Fathur “Mikoto” Rahman
Chung “Ws`” Wei Shen
Tri “Jhocam” Kuncoro
Pang Sze “ponyo” Xuan
Mikoto is the most experienced player on the Talon line-up. He returned to the team only a couple of weeks before the TI13 regional qualifiers, and his vast understanding of Aurora, basically his former Talon teammates, made the difference at the most crucial moment. He also brought a new energy to the team, he reinvigorated the spirits, and with him in the mid lane, Talon managed to take down Aurora for the first time in the regional qualifiers for the pinnacle Dota 2 tournament of the year. Fortunately, SEA got two qualifier spots and the Talon vs Aurora saga will continue at TI13.
Unlike Aurora, who are having some of the most experienced players to rely on in Copenhagen next month, Talon are going to TI13 with players who barely breached 200 hours of official games.
