Once dubbed the strongest Dota 2 region, China is recently filled with controversies and underwhelming performance. Even with PSG.LGD’s undefeated winning streak at the Dota Pro Circuit 2023 (DPC 2023) Tour 2, once again raises the debate on whether China is even relevant anymore.

Image source: Valve

PSG.LGD is the first confirmed team to qualify for the Berlin Major with 5-wins and zero losses. The remaining two series are up against long-time rivals, Team Aster and Invictus Gaming, but it’s sufficient for now.

Many fans have associated LGD’s success with their latest recruit. Nicholas “zeal” Lim is the new offlaner after the Lima Major 2023, and has been delivering the goods.

While they certainly look decent with their form and playstyle, it’s too early to say that LGD will be a top candidate in Berlin Major.

After all, the second Tour features three former Division 2 teams after the match-fixing fiasco in China, which didn’t live up to the Division 1 expectations. For instance, team Outsiders From CN currently sits at six losses, which frankly isn’t too outrageous considering it’s their first Division 1 debut.

Even so, Ybb Gaming and Vici Gaming, which are the remaining two D2 top seeds also stood no chance against PSG.LGD.

All said and done, it’s justified to be critical on recent performances. For the uninitiated, PSG.LGD lost at twelfth place in Lima Major, winning no DPC points or prize winnings.

While it’s a stretch to hope for Wang “Ame” Chunyu to return to the frontlines, he is truly LGD’s golden boy. Throughout the past seasons, Ame has been responsible as PSG.LGD’s primary power forward, where he has consistently outperformed most hard carry players.

When Team Secret once had Michał “Nisha” Jankowski, Ame was equally fundamental for PSG.LGD since the International 8. Until then, PSG.LGD fans have to cope with this younger line-up, albeit there are still seasoned players, such as Cheng “NothingToSay” Jin Xiang and Zhang “y`” Yiping.

Wang “Ame” Chunyu inactive since December 2022

One of the remaining two series for PSG.LGD is also the toughest challenge in China Tour 2 DPC 2023. Team Aster has consistently gone neck-to-neck against PSG.LGD throughout the seasons, and even outmatched the latter in recent tournaments. For instance, Team Aster won third at TI11 and recently placed seventh at Lima Major, which are both better standings than their rival.

With so much ambiguity in PSG.LGD’s recent roster change, it’s difficult to predict which team will come out on top. Especially since both teams have had their fair share of wins and losses against each other.

The other series against IG will turn out to be an easy victory in favor of PSG.LGD. Despite the IG fans of Zhou “Emo” Yi, this team has continuously proved to be relatively weak as they are currently at the brim of placing bottom seeds in the second Tour. This likely means IG will get demoted again to Division 2 bracket.

On the other hand, PSG.LGD will still likely qualify for TI12 since they continue to snatch first place in every China DPC 2023.