Dota 2 roster shuffle: DPC cancellation has caused chaos in team rosters

The upcoming Dota 2 season may bring numerous surprises due to the cancellation of the Dota Pro Circuit, which has significantly changed player transfer rules. The key innovation is that players and clubs now have more freedom in terms of transfers.

In this article, we will explore what changes for players and clubs in the next Dota 2 season.

What Was Before the DPC Cancellation

As noted by Alexey "Magician" Slabukhin, former general manager of HellRaisers, during the existence of the DPC, there were transfer windows with clear timelines. If these timelines were violated, it could result in serious consequences for the team.

"The DPC system implied clear deadlines, punishable by DPC point penalties, and no organization wanted to lose the chance to qualify for TI. This system allowed for quicker decision-making, rather than waiting for months (and you know how players love to wait until the last minute). But now we are returning to the old open-market system"

Chaos Among Team Rosters

After the cancellation of the DPC, players and management may behave less scrupulously. One of the worst situations for a top manager is to find out that players are planning to leave during the peak of the season. If a team participates in Riot Games leagues, such a situation is less likely.

Interaction with players through intermediaries, other than official club representatives, can have serious consequences for both parties. In Dota 2, there are situations where players, without notifying the club's management, or top managers, directly approach players, inquire about contract terms, and propose transfers. This creates chaos in the market as a whole.

What Has Changed After the DPC Cancellation

Market trends are undergoing changes. Significant transformations will occur in the transfer market, and player sales to other clubs may be reinstated, leading to changes in the economy of clubs.

Players will also have more freedom since, without joining a club before the championship, they can always form their own roster, perform successfully, and hope to attract attention.

On the other hand, players transitioning to clubs may feel that their positions under the contract are less secure, and clubs may keep them on the bench with the intention of subsequent sale, as allowed by the existing contract.

The cancellation of the DPC has its pros and cons, and both players and clubs evaluate Valve's decision differently. Nevertheless, it already has a serious impact on team rosters, as evident in the preparations for ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023. Many clubs are testing different line-ups and are ready to change them based on the results of qualifiers and tournament matches.